Search found 105 matches

by cbrucecampbell
July 29th, 2018, 10:24 am
Forum: Cafes and Get-togethers
Replies: 1
Views: 189

Almaty, Kazakhstan espresso recommendation?

If anyone cares, after a few days, "Bowlers Coffee Roasters" seemed to be the best. Generally light, acidic roasts. "New wave" coffee I think its called. Tiny shop. One old Mazzer and a Faema E61 on the counter. Barista was pretty good. Good espresso, dirt cheap, as is most everything in Almaty. -br...
by cbrucecampbell
July 1st, 2018, 1:31 am
Forum: Cafes and Get-togethers
Replies: 1
Views: 189

Almaty, Kazakhstan espresso recommendation?

Hi. I'm in Almaty, Kazakhstan for a few days. Can anyone recommend an espresso cafe in the city ? Thanks! -bruce
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by cbrucecampbell
June 19th, 2017, 10:29 am
Forum: Espresso Machines
Replies: 3
Views: 515

Astoria Divina SAE 2N - Manual Boiler Refill

If auto-refill fails for whatever reason (scaled probe, brain box failure, etc...) as it will from time to time, the manual fill allows you to continue to use the machine indefinitely. You just have to keep an eye on the boiler level. Nice feature IMHO. -bruce
by cbrucecampbell
June 12th, 2017, 8:25 am
Forum: Buying Advice
Replies: 23
Views: 8046

La Marzocco GS3 MP, Strada EP 1 group, Slayer, or Synesso MVP Hydra?

The MVP legs have a removable section. When removed the height to top of rail is right at 19". The shortened legs look better IMHO. I believe the long 4" legs are a health law requirement of some sort. -bruce
by cbrucecampbell
April 16th, 2017, 7:08 pm
Forum: Grinders
Replies: 6
Views: 368

La Marzocco Vulcano/Kony E not grinding fine enough

That works... Perhaps overkill, but I've learned I'm a bit more comfortable taking care to mark where the upper and lower carriers meet - as the top releases when I unscrew it. Then when I put it back together I'm only searching within a few millimeters of where the threads need to start. I hate not...
by cbrucecampbell
April 8th, 2017, 2:06 pm
Forum: Buying Advice
Replies: 5
Views: 207

Question on selling Silvia

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by cbrucecampbell
March 15th, 2017, 9:47 am
Forum: Buying Advice
Replies: 4
Views: 253

Pair Mazzer Kony with La Marzocco GS3 MP 2016?

My machine (Hydra w/a .6mm restrictor) does pump-less PI - set at 3.5 bar. In general, if I do a 20 seconds to beading PI with an 18 gm dose, the Kony E still has a quarter turn or so on the collar to go finer. I'm not gonna see how far I can go, but my guess is minutes
by cbrucecampbell
March 6th, 2017, 8:26 pm
Forum: Repairs, Restorations & Mods
Replies: 4
Views: 577

Boiler drain tap in Astoria Tanya

I've had two of those, one had a drain plug, and one did not. Over time I came to prefer just removing the vacuum breaker and siphoning from that opening with a small clear hose. I found I preferred that to dealing with the plug. Easier to get to. Less messy. And pretty much just as quick. And you can
by cbrucecampbell
February 22nd, 2017, 8:08 am
Forum: Buying Advice
Replies: 6
Views: 337

Need some expert opinions: Repair vs. purchase new espresso machine

Call a few espresso cafes near you. Ask who does their maintenance, and if they are happy with them
by cbrucecampbell
February 19th, 2017, 6:13 pm
Forum: Buying Advice
Replies: 27
Views: 4819

Opinions from Salvatore espresso machine owners...

I bought one of the early "One Blacks". I used it for about a year I think, and then sold to to a friend. She still uses it every day, and likes it very much. I moved away from it primarily because I wanted more cup height - and a bigger machine overall. It did/does have