Practice makes...

[porsche917k]

...well, not sure about perfect, but certainly a couple weeks has now gotten me to the point where this is a morning AND nightly ritual (decaf pour moi of course at the end of the day!) and has become something I enjoy making as much as actually drinking...my Olympia Cremina has become an integral part of my daily life: the micro foam is working well, the crema is in nice, the process is fast and easy, the taste is good, cleanup is a fast, I no longer spray the counter with foam and coffee grinds everywhere, and it's just a plain old-fashioned gas! How in the world did I live without one of these machines for so many years!

I must confess I even flirted with selling this for a few moments, as these seem to sell for a big bunch of bucks on eBay, but at this point folks, I have to tell you I just don't see how I could even live without this fantastic machine!

One other unrelated question, there is someone selling gaskets on eBay for portafilters. How was easy are these to replace, has anyone had any experience with removing and replacing them?

By the way, anyone watching the final season of the Sopranos? What machine is that that Paulie gave Tony and Carmela? Tony seems to hate it, I think he even said at one point he needed a pilot's license to learn how to use the thing! Even A.J. ridiculed the machine as well!

Best,

Paul

[mogogear]

Good to hear that all is progressing Paul... We all have our frustration "curve" with any lever... glad to know you didn't bail... Wait till you have had her 6 months... ....wait till you get so low on water it won't pull a shot........ wait till you almost drive off in the morning and leave her "on"................wait till you wear a place in your shoe- right above your toe and it takes you a while before you think about the fact that you are hooking your toe under the counter toe-kick to gain a little more leverage...

[Cathi]

I'm pretty sure its a MCasa a Leva. Cheep Bastard finally came through. Go figure.

[timo888]

One other unrelated question, there is someone selling gaskets on eBay for portafilters. How was easy are these to replace, has anyone had any experience with removing and replacing them?

You may have to dig the old one out with a dentist's pick or similar tool. If the gasket wall has a hump on one end and is flat on the other, the end with the arch goes up into the slot.

If the new gasket is not properly seated in the slot, you will know because then the PF cannot be locked into place: push the gasket farther up into the slot with the dull edge of something having the right thickness...the handle end of an old teaspoon for example. It may help to have the machine lying on its back as you do this.

Regards
Timo