I gave really longer time than most here. Original query assumed production of two drinks? I like to fuss w the machines a little. Wipe here, check tightness of that valve. Did I empty drip tray (yecch)? Is the grinder really what it wants to be? No real urgency here: I don't need the kick anymore, ...

I'm not sure understand would happen unless they happen to share the same passion. To some extent the reaction corresponds to the person's degree of liking coffee. On the far (nether) end of the scale are tea-drinkers, and strictly-beer guys, to whom the whole espresso thing is a blur anyway. If the...

On ILLY... From limited experience in northern Italy, Illy seems more a supplier of roasted coffee beans, ready to grind and extract from. Where in the U.S. a restaurant might serve Boyds or somesuch, the dominant supplier there seems to be Illy. I don't think the draw there is the precise blend --i...

Another slant here. Agreed, their stuff is less than fresh and their marketing strategy impressive. But pondering at some length my personal reaction to the phenomenon of the place, I realize that for me Starbucks is useful as a focus for personal snobbery. The corner Starbucks is where the hoi poll...

Depends. In Italy yes, it's part of trying to emulate the culture --they sweeten as a matter of course, but a less (I draw the line at gulping the shot, getting instantly wired). In a random coffee-house here in California, maybe, because unless it's really dreadful, I'm too cheap to leave it on the...

Mine arrived today, looking fresh and shiny, awaiting its handle now. Will see what my stash o' stuff may yield. Kudos to Richard for skill and tenacity and willingness to go for it on behalf of us needy folk. I'm expecting sort of a little-kid Christmas eve hard-to-get-to-sleep night, before pairin...

Thanks for thus-far responses. I think in some ways I was unconsciously comparing the espresso of southern France w espresso of northern Italy, and the French stuff ranked poorly-er than I would have imagined. Kinda blah, in fact, after the more pungent southeastern-neighbors' product. Both produced...

This topic, admittedly, may belong more properly to one of the other forum headings but hey, some of the machines I have observed have boasted levers. And besides, since I mainly read the comments of this bunch, somehow I feel you are more like acquaintances. So here it is. Best wife Michele and I h...

Count me in -- handle (wood) only, please

Absolutely! Good plan; in optimism for the outcome of Richard's genius --and, of course, his time-- re Cremina portafilters. Um, sorry, wrong thread for that ongoing subject. {image}