Dalla Corte now available at Espressoparts.com

[terryz]

Those of you familiar with Espressoparts.com, know we only offer products we believe in. From espresso machines to the smallest details like tampers and steaming pitchers, we insist only only the best gear we can get our hands on. Equipment and devices that are the cutting edge of whats happening in the coffee industry, and with that said, Espresso Parts is proud to announce the Dalla Corte line of espresso equipment to our current line of espresso equipment.

Be one of the first to order one of these incredible machines and get any tamper of your choice, as well as a steaming pitcher and cleaning and maintenance kit all for free.


Best of all is you get a free inline water filter and a full year of maintenance parts and support from the professionals at Espresso Parts. The Dalla Corte line of equipment is just now starting to create a buzz in the states, so be a part of the "Proof of Taste" Revolution. If you have any questions about the gear please let myself or Dave W. know how we can assist you.

Meanwhile, Happy New Year to all of our friends at Home- Barista! Thanks for your continued support.

Check out the entire range of Dalla Corte:

http://www.espressoparts.com/category/01espressomachinesgrinder.dalla_corte_espresso_machines___grinders/

[jason_casale]

It looks like our buddy Terry has done it again and now has the whole dalla corte line mini and super mini way togo terry hope they are great as everyone thinks they are

[HB]

Indeed, double boiler love is in the air at espressoparts.com. You can find more thoughts on the Dalla Corte Mini in Alternatives to the La Marzocco GS3 (with links to Gammeltoft's extensive review) and Dalla Corte Mini.

[CGP4]

I've spoken to Terry and will be purchasing a Mini when the next batch arrives in a few weeks. I'll report back with my experiences (whatever they're worth). Dual boilers are nice, but what really excites me about the Mini is it's size, much smaller than the similarly spec'ed Vivaldi -- I've been using a Pasquini Livia 90 because that's the best machine I have room for, and this looks to be a huge step up in a similarly small package.

[zin1953]

I wonder how difficult it is to remove that "Proof of Taste" message on the front . . .

[CGP4]

For those interested, I've learned some additional facts about the Dalla Corte Mini. EPNW's shipment still hasn't arrived (their website has been changed to read "Coming Soon" on the Dalla Corte Banner). But James of Dalla Corte USA has been able to tell me the following:

-53mm portafilter (some reviews have said 54, and there are always tolerances, but DC quotes them as 53).
-Although the control knob is analog, it does offer resolution of 0.5C increments.
-Triple Baskets are available (sorry, they don't fit the Vivaldi), so you have options to experiment with different doses without resorting to custom fabricated baskets.
-A thin shower screen support (a.k.a. diffusion block) is available, to maintain headspace when updosing. A thick block is also available, for those who prefer downdosing.

The availability of a true triple basket, and the well-thought-out diffusion block options, are nice touches that make it a little less scary to deviate from the 58mm standard. Maybe it will inspire La Spaziale to follow suit...

[gscace]

For those interested, I've learned some additional facts about the Dalla Corte Mini. EPNW's shipment still hasn't arrived (their website has been changed to read "Coming Soon" on the Dalla Corte Banner). But James of Dalla Corte USA has been able to tell me the following:

-53mm portafilter (some reviews have said 54, and there are always tolerances, but DC quotes them as 53).
-Although the control knob is analog, it does offer resolution of 0.5C increments.
-Triple Baskets are available (sorry, they don't fit the Vivaldi), so you have options to experiment with different doses without resorting to custom fabricated baskets.
-A thin shower screen support (a.k.a. diffusion block) is available, to maintain headspace when updosing. A thick block is also available, for those who prefer downdosing.

The availability of a true triple basket, and the well-thought-out diffusion block options, are nice touches that make it a little less scary to deviate from the 58mm standard. Maybe it will inspire La Spaziale to follow suit...

Actually it is 54mm. The 53mm La Spaz baskets fit into the Dalla Corte pf, but the 54mm ones that I have don't fit the Spaz. Paolo Dalla Corte's father designed the Spaz group and most if not all of the La Spaz machines. Paolo designed the DC machines. Some DC parts bear a striking resemblence, but the group design is different and includes some clever touches. The machine (3-group) that I used at the WBC trials was very easy to use and made very good coffee. The 3-group is easy to service (understatement), and has some really interesting diagnostic capabilities. Machine function can be tested over the phone (GSM) by service folks, and problems can be diagnosed prior to service calls. Brew parameters are adjusted by the same GSM / PC-based control and diagnostic system. The system can also be integrated with a grinder, allowing automated feedback control of grinder adjustment, dialing in the grinder to produce espresso brewed at a specific volume and brew time. I haven't yet examined the mini, or the super mini, but I expect to see one in the near future. They should be very good machines for home use. I expect that the super mini, which has a 4-liter steam boiler, will steam very well and will be suitable for catering.

-Greg

[mmarxx]

Greg

I understand that you had the opportunity to use the Dalla Corte machines at the WBC machine certifications this month. Can you shed some light on the thermal stability of these machines, both inter-shot and intra-shot. Also, does the commercial three group use the same group/brew boiler as the Super Mini? If so, it is my understanding that the brew boiler on each group is .5 liters - which means the group/brew boiler design must be fairly efficient to survive repeated use on a commercial level. How did the Dalla Corte fair under repeated use?

Any ideas on what it is that sets these machines apart. Is it the design of the group/brew boiler (being a single, vertically aligned unit), which seems quite different from what Spaziale and La Marzocco have done (where the group head is detached and remote from the boiler)? Is it the electronics used on the commercial machine to regulate temperature (for instance, I understand that as soon as the pump is engaged, the heating element in the boiler is turned on to maintain temp during a shot)? Any idea whether the features that make the commercial machine interesting are present on the Super Mini and Mini?

Finally, how was the espresso produced on the Dalla Corte compared to the other machines at the WBC?

Darin

[zin1953]

So the website now says -- and has for quite some time -- "Coming Soon." Any news?

[terryz]

Almost there.

What I do have to say, is that I really appreciate how Dalla Corte has chosen to move forward. The actions taking place right now will ensure a smooth transaction and support.

Another couple weeks is what I have been asked to pass on. The idea is that everything is ready to roll out at SCAA.

Stay tuned.

[zin1953]

Thanks, Terry . . .

[ttservice]

Just spent 2 days with Pablo Dalla Corte on service training. I am very excited about the innovative system and the quality control, from the mini to the 4 group. They believe that espresso machines have not kept up with the quality the roasters (coffee) have been providing. I'm looking forward to some hard core testing of a super mini in my shop. Features such as, boiler in group head, temp. control to 2 degrees at the spout, cold water flow meters (no scale). They spent 3 years looking at the issues traditional machines were having and addressed them. Like boiler flush, and auto back flush so you don't have to do manually. There are many more features that will come up as the machine gets more exposure in the North American market.

[gadflea]

For those of you interested in the Dalla Corte, the U.K. site Bella Barista has put together a really informative pdf guide on the mini. http://www.bellabarista.co.uk/bellabarista_detail.asp?ProductID=318 It is well worth reading through. I am really impressed with the build quality and the design. Is there an H-B bench review for this in the works?

[HB]

Is there an H-B bench review for this in the works?

No, none of the sponsors have expressed interest. The thread Suggested espresso equipment reviews explains the criteria:

As you can appreciate reading The Bench and the articles themselves, an enormous amount of time goes into each review. Thus choosing equipment worthy of the investment isn't easy. Some of the factors that go into the selection process are:

1. Is there a review sponsor?
2. Is the equipment supplier one of HB's "premiere sponsors"?
3. Is there sufficient public interest (realized or expected)?
4. What about the proposed review is different than existing HB articles?
5. Are their formal reviews available elsewhere (even if less detailed)?
6. How much consumer information is available? (a proposal with dozens of consumer reviews doesn't benefit from more exposure)
7. Does the proposal meet the interests of the HB membership? (e.g., super-autos need not apply)
8. Has a "guest reviewer" offered to help evaluate the proposed equipment? What are their qualifications / experience to lead such an effort? (not all reviews culminate in an article; Bob Yellin's excellent Bench review of the thermofilter is one example).
9. Does the reviewer have a personal interest in the review ("fun factor")?

[mmarxx]

No, none of the sponsors have expressed interest.

That's unfortunate. I think it would be very interesting to bench test the new Vibiemme and the Dalla Corte Mini at the same time. Each machine takes a substantially different approach towards reaching the same goal. It would be interesting to determine whether the approach of one manufacturer is fundamentally better than the alternate approach in achieving that end. Indeed, a comparison between these machines might cast some light on assertions that have long been held by members of this forum that the E61 design used by the Vibiemme is not suitable to a PID controlled, dual boiler approach. It would also be interesting simply because of Dalla Corte's relation to - and ultimate rejection of - the group head design used by Vibiemme.

Dalla Corte claims that its new machines have been designed to remedy the shortcomings of traditional espresso machines. Surely, on the eve of their introduction to the North American market either Dalla Corte or one of its vendors can spare a Mini for this bench test so that we can know whether Dalla Corte's claims have any foundation. Also, what better advertising could Dalla Corte (or its vendors) obtain than a favorable detailed review on this forum that will be scrutinized by many, many people. Dalla Corte? Espresso Parts? Send HB a Mini for review and comparison.

[terryz]

To say that none of the vendors have stepped up to offer a Dalla Corte for review would be incorrect. However my understanding is that the HB review "TEAM" are swamped and that there are no commitments to a time frame for reviews.

If there are members of the HB community that are interested in product testing and review, I would be happy to look at that option. If you are interested, please let me know.

When the machines are available for release we have chosen several professionals in the industry to provide feedback, in an unbiased manner.

[BobS]

As I'm considering the Dalla Corte, among one other machine at this time, and some information
seems to not be available in the post and marketing material that I've read, perhaps when they get released next week, these could be covered -

Super Mini - supposedly available in 120V, but no wattage? I'm guessing it will require a
20 A circuit and the steam heater will be reduced to 1 KW?

Super Mini - Supposedly the temp is adjustable on it as well, but I've not seen any pictures
showing the knob for adjustment. Perhaps it's a different setup?

Is there a drain plumb-in option for the Super Mini? (Probably so.)

(I've only got a 15A circuit to work with, so I can dream about a Super Mini, right?)

Will a bottomless portafilter and a Scace portafilter be available?

On the Mini will the temp knob be calibrated a bit better than those machines used
in the review?

Thanks,

Bob

[terryz]

Yes there is a bottomless and a Scace device available. The balance of your questions will be answered as soon as they are available.

A few more weeks (6) or so. Hang in there it is worth the wait.

[BobS]

A few more weeks (6) or so. Hang in there it is worth the wait.

One week down, five to go...

Bob

[Thatchmo]

(2 B sung a/la Carly Simon) ANTICI PAY AY SHUN!!!!