First Impressions - La Spaziale Mini Vivaldi II

[Makanmata]

My new Mini Vivaldi II from Chris arrived after some minor shipping snafus. I was able to set it up today, and play with it a bit.

My first impressions are overall pretty good. Firstly, the machine has much more heft and presence than I had realized, and really does give off the aura of a small commercial machine, rather than that of a big home machine. I'll have to get used to what I feel are a bit too many plastic bits, but in all, the machine looks and feels substantial and solid. Noise was a big concern of mine, and nearly led me to try the Alex Izzo rotary instead, but I must say that this is the quietest vibratory machine I have ever heard, and while I still wish I had a rotary pump -- maybe for no good reason -- I can't say that the Mini's pump is annoyingly loud.

The machine does seem rather easy to use. None of my dozen or so (Black Cat) shots this morning were bad, although while some of them looked terrific, with very substantial amounts of crema and striping, I was not particularly thrilled with the flavors I am getting yet. I suspect that some of this will come with adjusting the temperature, which arrived set at 93, but which seems a bit low, no? What temperatures are you all using? Steaming is very impressive, and in a different league than my old Giotto.

The only possible out of the box quality issue I have noticed is that the gauge that doesn't seem to be working correctly. More specifically, the left group gauge dips all the way to the minimum point until the pump is engaged, and jumps up (though still in the blue zone) when the pump is turned on. To be frank though, I'm not exactly sure what this is supposed to be measuring, or what the proper measurement is, so maybe it is working correctly? The steam boiler part of the gauge seems to be working fine. My only other problem is that I can't find a blind filter in the box. Is it supposed to be included?

So, in general, I'm feeling pretty positive about my purchase. I look forward to hearing any suggestions anybody has regarding the proper temp settings. Thanks.

[Makanmata]

Oh, and two more questions:

1) The spouts are attached to the bottom of the portafilers by means of a screw. While the spouts are easily attached, it is difficult to screw them all the way into the threads. I hand tightened it so that they are securely attached, but there is still another few turns worth of threads. I could use more elbow grease and them perhaps another half or full turn, but it would take tools to tighten them to the ends of the threads. How are people dealing with this?

2) For now I am turning off my steam boiler and leaving the group boiler on 24/7. When I turn the machine completely off however, the ON/STBY button blinks rather annoyingly. Is there a way to turn this blinking off? I'm afraid that the blinking might drive me crazy if I decide to turn the machine off entirely.

Thanks again.

[CoffeeOwl]

Don't worry about the spouts, it is normal. The blinking - I'm afraid you will have to get used to it.

Also, feel invited to Espresso Symphony.

[HB]

...I was not particularly thrilled with the flavors I am getting yet. I suspect that some of this will come with adjusting the temperature, which arrived set at 93, but which seems a bit low, no? What temperatures are you all using?

That sounds about right and is consistent with Matt's recommendations in Intelligentsia Black Cat - Best Dose and Temperature. You could increase it to 94C:

91C = 195.8F
92C = 197.6F
93C = 199.4F
94C = 201.2F
95C = 203.0F

The majority of blends will be either 93C or 94C.

I could use more elbow grease and them perhaps another half or full turn, but it would take tools to tighten them to the ends of the threads. How are people dealing with this?

You can use extreme persuasion, or one of the alternatives in Problems with loose portafilter spout (Teflon tapes, washers/O-rings, Loctite).

[chris]

If you have any questions all you have to do is email me and I will be happy to answer your questions. You can either email me at contact us from the site or directly at chris@chriscoffee.com I watch my emails 7 days a week right up to 11:00 PM EST most nights.

[timo888]

... the temperature, which arrived set at 93, but which seems a bit low, no? What temperatures are you all using?

It depends on the roast and blend. Some roasts, such as Barefoot Redwood, want the water quite hot, but I've had excellent espresso from Terroir Coffee with temperature set very low, only 90°C.

Regards
Timo

[IMAWriter]

Oh, and two more questions:

1) The spouts are attached to the bottom of the portafilers by means of a screw. While the spouts are easily attached, it is difficult to screw them all the way into the threads. I hand tightened it so that they are securely attached, but there is still another few turns worth of threads. I could use more elbow grease and them perhaps another half or full turn, but it would take tools to tighten them to the ends of the threads. How are people dealing with this?

2) For now I am turning off my steam boiler and leaving the group boiler on 24/7. When I turn the machine completely off however, the ON/STBY button blinks rather annoyingly. Is there a way to turn this blinking off? I'm afraid that the blinking might drive me crazy if I decide to turn the machine off entirely.

Thanks again.

as a longtime "nekked" PF user, I highly recommend you purchase one. Chris has one especially made for your machine.