Beginner with Vintage Lever Espresso Machine

[evolutionist]

Hello everyone,

This is something very new for me. I'm excited to get into the espresso game. I've been given an old lever machine that was given to my parents as a present quite some time ago from my Spanish grandparents. The maker is "Jata" it's a really cool looking machine made in Spain, pictures below, very simple. My grinder is not what I'd like to have it was also given to me. It's a Cuisinart burr grinder but I can see that the grounds are not a consistent size, and I think it should be finer. I'll deal with getting a new grinder sometime in the future. I have ZERO money to get any new equipment at this time.

With that being said, does anyone recognise the machine I have? Does anyone have with experience with it?

Technique wise, what should I be doing to get the best cup of espresso out of my set-up? I typically drink mine with milk, but I'd like other people to be able to have whatever they want, obviously without frothing.

I can try to answer questions about what I've got, but my knowledge is limited.



Also, there's a random watch battery in the middle of the second picture, it's not coffee equipment, ignore.

[hbuchtel]

Hello, that looks like a nice machine in good repair!

I've never heard of the 'Jata' brand, but it looks quite similar to the Zerowatt CA708 (picture here).

I think you'll be able to make a good drink even with the grinder you have. These 'gravity-levers' are really easy to use in terms of temperature control. Just make sure it has plenty of time to warm up, fill one of the baskets, and let 'er rip!

Later if you get an especially-for-espresso grinder, good fresh beans, and spend some time on technique this Jata should be able to turn out some excellent espresso. Till then I would recommend ignoring most of what is written in this forum, as it is specifically about "narrow-definition" espresso (ie fairly stringent requirements regarding pressure, grind, time, temperature, volume etc etc). For now just have fun using what you have to make good coffee

Regards, Henry

[orphanespresso]

Henry (by the way, hello Henry!) is right. Absolutely identical in every outward respect to the Zerowatt. Uses a 45mm tamper (45mm basket same as La Peppina and Brunella, the baskets interchange). Likely has a plastic piston as well, if not alls the better. Likely a 220v machine with a changed cord and a thermostat settable by removing the bottom cover. Takes a fine grind and light tamp but more critical on these machines is height of grounds in the basket (and of course some of the information on this forum is relevant, sorry Henry, such as the benefit of fresh beans etc.). General instructions, let boil and when the boiling stops either by thermostatic control or you unplugging the machine, place cup under pf, pull lever down to warm cups and pf, lever up, load and tamp basket, lock in place, empty cup under pf, pull handle down, hold for a bit, slowly allow handle to rise until resistance is felt then let the lever do the work. If too small a shot quickly pull lever down again and release at whatever point you feel resistance to the lever, et voila!
Have fun, nice machine, thoughtful grandparents as well!
Doug

[hbuchtel]

Heh heh, much better description, Doug! Thanks True about the fresh beans part.

[evolutionist]

Thanks guys! I'm making them everyday. We've got a local roaster so I'm going to get lots of small amounts to try out different kinds. There are plugs on either side, are those for add-ons? How should I clean a unit like this? I want to make sure it stays in good condition.