I would highly recommend opening up the machine especially if you are hearing hissing. Some Strega's arrived with over tightened steam and hot water brass fittings. They most likely cracked during transport. I had to replace both of mine! It's a very easy repair and if the Strega is still within war...

+1 for road cycling and a morning espresso

Clement73, Thanks for sharing!! I love the wall mounted hand grinder. Any chance to see some close up shots of it?

Will, Thanks for posting the video. I absolutely love how you used the upper black o rings to keep the stainless steel catching bin in place. Brilliant!!

WOW!!! Now that's what I call " A Find "!!! Where about's "up here" is your café?

+1

Bravo Sir!! Is this a mod that you will be selling?

clumeng, Thanks for posting the videos. I love the handle on the Strega in the video. Wish mine had shipped with one of those. Ben

I think I saw the same video as I too have not been pressing right to the end. I wait until I here the first sound of air being pushed through and stop. I push the rest of the liquid into the sink. The video I saw said something about the bottom part tends to have a bitter taste. I

I too have noticed that my Vario will shift it's grind quality a tad even if I haven't touched the macro or micro tabs. One day I am pulling beautiful shots on the Strega, the next day I am getting gushers and the tabs haven't moved. I added shims thinking this may fix the issue and haven't noticed ...