Search found 519 matches

by GVDub
June 15th, 2014, 1:50 am
Forum: Lever Espresso Machines
Replies: 12
Views: 1697

Is soap & water as good as commercial espresso cleaners?

I shy away from soap on coffee gear, as it doesn't rinse as clean, and any soap left behind with break down coffee oils. Since espresso is partially an oil/water emulsion, anything that can break down oils makes for worse espresso. Cafiza, et al, rinse off much more completely
by GVDub
May 1st, 2014, 10:46 am
Forum: Lever Espresso Machines
Replies: 30
Views: 2826

Would You Buy an Arrarex VAM or Caravel Bottomless Portafilter?

You can count me in for one
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by GVDub
April 25th, 2014, 9:22 am
Forum: Tips and Techniques
Replies: 6
Views: 2429

WDT with IDR dosing tool - has anyone tried this?

I use a stainless steel canning funnel that perfectly fits a 58mm basket. OE used to sell 'em, but they're around $8-9 at most places. Take a basket to check fit, as some of the plastic and silicone ones I've seen are not as good a fit. This one, {link}, looks as if it might sit over a basket well
by GVDub
April 25th, 2014, 9:12 am
Forum: Repairs, Restorations & Mods
Replies: 126
Views: 10950

Need replacement Caravel heating element

My understanding of bendable element stock is that there's an internal "sand" surrounding the actual resistive wire that creates the heat, and that sand fuses into a hard ceramic-like material when the element is heated. This makes it adjustable before it's used for long enough to fuse the sand. Sin...
by GVDub
April 24th, 2014, 10:52 pm
Forum: Repairs, Restorations & Mods
Replies: 126
Views: 10950

Need replacement Caravel heating element

It'll be a little dim, but usable
by GVDub
April 24th, 2014, 10:51 pm
Forum: Repairs, Restorations & Mods
Replies: 126
Views: 10950

Need replacement Caravel heating element

Some of the later Caravels don't have the big ceramic insulator through which the posts run. My 1.1 version has it my v2 (or whatever the numbering is for the cylinder where the seals have left the piston and become o-rings in the cylinder walls) doesn't, having the direct post connections that Simo...
by GVDub
April 23rd, 2014, 4:30 pm
Forum: Buying Advice
Replies: 5
Views: 974

Kitchen cart as espresso bar?

I've gone with stainless steel, NSF-rated prep tables from the local restaurant supply. Available in a variety of sizes, and you can get them rolling. Easy to clean, and I like the look. Plus, they've got plenty of storage space underneath, which can be set up in a number of ways. I like stacking ol...
by GVDub
April 20th, 2014, 1:45 am
Forum: Cafes and Get-togethers
Replies: 2
Views: 348

G & B Grand Central Market - I just don't get it

And coffee I had at their old pop-up in Silver Lake was just fine. This shot, though, was awful. It looked like what ends up in my drip tray after I pull the cup when the shot starts to blonde, had no body, no texture, and no flavors to recommend it. As I said, anyplace can have a
by GVDub
April 19th, 2014, 10:57 pm
Forum: Cafes and Get-togethers
Replies: 2
Views: 348

G & B Grand Central Market - I just don't get it

Stopped by there today. Got a plain ol' doppio. They were pulling one of Terroir's Ethiopians as an SO espresso. Blonde, sour, and pulled long enough to fill half of a rocks glass. Just looking at it, I would have not even bothered to taste the shot had it come from a place that hadn't had the build...
by GVDub
April 12th, 2014, 12:04 pm
Forum: Lever Espresso Machines
Replies: 2418
Views: 187732

The Arrarex Caravel

My biggest concern would be if the microswitch in the thermostat assembly can handle the current. Those things are not sourceable (at least not that I've been able to find). This is one of the reasons that I'm planning on converting my 220v machine with a 110v element to a PID system and bypassing t...