New to the site and to the Olympia Cremina

[chrisrocco]

A few weeks ago I stumbled upon (literally) an Olympia Cremina 67 that someone left out on the sidewalk. Since then I've been reading up about it online and thanks to this site I now know I am one lucky bastard. I tried it out using canned Lavazza Gold and some online instructions and the results weren't half bad. I know the purists would suggest grinding my own but this is another level for me right now. But I'm a bit overwhelmed at all the information. I brought it to FAMA for an estimate this week ( I don't really know what shape it's in or who had it before me) and they want $300 to replace water indicator ( which wasnt working) and replace gaskets & whatnot. What would you do in my position? I'm happy to keep it and learn all there is to learn because hell, because from what you all write ... I struck gold. After I fork over $300, is the burr grinder the next step? Does anyone used canned ground coffee? Since I don't have a booklet on this puppy, is there somewhere I can go to learn how to use it? Videos online are nice but I'd rather have the real deal, someone to show me...

[HB]

Q1. What would you do in my position?
A1. I would pay them to fix it.

Q2. ...is the burr grinder the next step?
A2. Absolutely, most agree the grinder is at least as important as the espresso machine.

Q3. Does anyone used canned ground coffee?
A3. I wouldn't because preground coffee = stale coffee. Search 'preground' in the FAQs and Favorites Digest for more.

Q4. ...is there somewhere I can go to learn how to use it?
A4. There are several threads that discuss how to use the Cremina (see the search results, especially the last couple pages).

[mhoy]

A few weeks ago I stumbled upon (literally) an Olympia Cremina 67 that someone left out on the sidewalk. Since then I've been reading up about it online and thanks to this site I now know I am one lucky bastard.

I have been walking on the wrong sidewalks all my life! If you stumble upon a Mahlkönig K30 Vario in your walks, I'm moving to your neighborhood.

Dan gave great advice. I second it, get it refurbished. You KNOW that you can always sell it to someone on this forum for more than $300.

Without a grinder, you just won't get the most out of your system.

Mark

[zin1953]

What they said . . .

What they said . . .

What they said . . .

[sweaner]

So that's where my Cremina went! I have been looking all over the neighborhood for it. I just went inside for 1 minute.

[rawman]

Wow nice find. I would agree with what was said before. If you don't want to pay to fix it I'm sure you can sell it right off the bat. Since you posted here asking the questions you did, it seems the lure of the lever has you Fix it and try it out. It's well worth fixing, and if you find you don't like it resell it and you're sure to get your investment back.

[orphanespresso]

No way, that one is mine....must have fallen out of the car or something! 300 bucks? Well, that's real money for something so easily fixed yourself. No spring to worry about, all you need is a new sight glass evidently, some seals , a group seal dit, you can get it done for less than a hun on your own and all you need is a crescent wrench as a bare minimum, and maybe a screwdriver and some patience. DIY gets it done and you also learn something at the same time, and have a bit of fun as well.
Doug

[Papaquebec]

Hi Chris,

Here is the users manual; http://www.olympia-express.ch/OMT...cremina_67_eng.pdf

Patrick

[chrisrocco]

Thanks for all the good advice ( Note to Doug & Scott: "finders keepers" )Sounds like $300 is a drop in the bucket compared to the value of the machine. I was just afraid of getting ripped off. I wanted to take it it for a second opinion, but schlepping around on the subways in the heat isn't my idea of fun. You may be right Doug, about fixing it myself but I'm really not up for the challenge. So, it looks like a grinder is in my future and buying whole beans. Is there a burr grinder that grinds and measures the exact dosage you need? Do you weigh the coffee or just eyeball the amount in the filter? Yes Jon, I am a bit intrigued by the lever. Everyone here is so passionate ...it's hard not to get sucked in. Besides, I've consumed many a coffee in Italy and finding something that comes close to that here has always been a chore. Even the broken Cremina managed a decent shot a few times. Thanks for that user manual, Patrick. In my first experiences, after raising the piston-lever and waiting a few seconds, the coffee decided to start coming down before I could count to three. Does that say something about the gaskets/seals or about my filling and tamping? It's almost comical how basic the user manual reads but in actuality, the process is much more complex and involved. It's a shame they don't have a troubleshooting manual to go with it. Again, thanks for the good advice and food for thought. I'll be up and running soon I hope.

[r-gordon-7]

Though the reason for "the coffee coming down before you count to three" could be any combination of, "the gaskets/seals or about my filling and tamping", the most likely reason by far (and the one you will absolutely need to correct) is simply the use of stale pre-ground coffee in a can.... That's where the need for a good grinder comes in... Believe me, you'll be amazed at how important this is... when I got my first lever not that long ago (not a Cremina - and not found on the sidewalk, unfortunately), I had the same problem. And the advice I got around here was that it was the lack of a suitable grinder grinding freshly roasted beans that was causing the water to almost instantly seep through the grounds without my having to even pull the lever... Somehow it seemed like that shouldn't (couldn't?) make THAT much difference. Simply put, it does! Once you get a grinder that grinds fine enough and consistently enough for espresso - and you have that grinder nicely "dialed in" for the particular freshly roasted beans you're using (assuming your Cremina's gaskets/seals are still at least reasonably good) you'll see and feel the difference - and you will be amazed. Even with freshly replaced gaskets and correct filling & tamping, with pre-ground canned coffee you'll likely never feel that resistance in the pull which is such a large part of the "reward of the process" of a lever machine...

r-gordon-7

[chrisrocco]

Thanks for such detailed info rich. Since I've decided to spend the money getting the machine in tip top shape, i'll need to research a grinder next. Your post convinces me there's no other way to go and eloquently describes what I will be (hopefully) experiencing soon..."resistance in the pull"...Thanks for exposing me to some of the new language i'll also be learning...

[IMAWriter]

What they said . . .

What they said . . .

What they said . . .

Ditto