Small shop barista seeks advice about Astoria espresso machine

[spans]

Hey guys, first timer here, so be gentle. I work at small shop trying to get better so I thought I'd ask the pros here for some machine advice. We have an Astoria Espresso Italiano, or at least that's all the info I can find on the machine. I haven't had a lot of luck finding it through web searches, so I was hoping somebody here could tell me something about the machine and things to look for or any other advice. Thanks so much.

[HB]

Which Astoria model? BTW, a good place to start is the site's FAQs and Faves.

[spans]

It's the Astoria Divina 2 Group Automatic. Thanks for that site!

[hperry]

Try a quick Google on Astoria Divina. I got quite a few hits.

[spans]

Thanks guys. Now that I've graduated college, I can move on to more important things . . . like espresso I was starting to get embarrassed that I didn't know anything about our machine after working there for eight months. It's time I buckle down and "focus on my craft" Now if I can work on that side channeling . . .

[Psyd]

I work at small shop trying to get better so I thought I'd ask the pros here for some machine advice. We have an Astoria Espresso Italiano,

I have the Argenta two-group known as the 'Big Gulp' (it's the SAE2 in the SAE2RG frame, so it has the same specs as the 2 but is the same height as the raised group). What is it that you wanted to know? I took mine down the very first thing when I got it, so I am familiar with the insides and the out.

[spans]

I guess I'm seeing if there are any particulars you notice about the machine. One is, I'm having trouble understanding the temp gauge. I get the pressure gauge, but does the temp measure by tens? By the metric system? Also, is it really newbie to use the automatic button instead of the manual? I'm not comfortable with discerning when it's appropriate to shut it off. I know it's when it starts blonding, but how blond?

[Paul_Pratt]

What temp gauge is that? It has a standard dual brew pressure and boiler pressure gauge. Both are in bar. You want your steam pressure 1.0-1.2 Yes yes I am being picky because the pressure is related to temp but really there's a bit more to it than that.

The Divina is a good solid machine, the groups are different than the Argenta and funnily enough has what is known as the "Divina group". It is a hx system but like some of the Cimbalis has this funny "thermofinger" system. (do we have a proper word for this type??) Works very well and I have always had good results with the Divinas. The only real problem I have had with them is that the button boxes will break when the plastic becomes hot and brittle. In particular the manual brew button box is the first to break.

There's no shot quality wise difference between manual and auto. With regards shot blonding, the best way is to test it. Pull shots and stop them at various stages and taste.

Nice machines with the potential to give you great shots.

Paul