Even before it arrives (UPS says Monday) my wife has decided the Alex II will cramp the counter space in her/our newly remodeled kitchen. So just outside the kitchen is a perfect place for a new cabinet / espresso bar. I've already met with our cabinet maker and have an initial design 69" x 21" x 35" cabinet in natural cherry to match the kitchen, cabinet doors left and right, 4 drawers down the center. We had a pretty large piece of granite left over from the kitchen remodel so the counter top will be the same giving me a top surface of ~ 69" x 22 1/2". I want an under mount stainless steel sink on the right haven't decided on size and shape yet but smallish with a SS single pedestal single handle faucet similar to the one in the kitchen.

What I'd like input most on is the plumbing and powering and positioning of the Alex. I'm thinking two holes in the granite towards the rear of the machine, one shared for filtered water supply and drain the other for the power cord. I don't want the power outlet above the counter top so it will be located inside the cabinet and most likely on a programmable timer. It will be a new receptacle so I plan a 20 amp dedicated, just in case I upgrade some day. I'll probably plan to center the Alex leaving some room on the right of the machine (I'm right handed) for tamping and knock box, grinder, misc tools, and beans on the left side. I've been scouring the 100's of pages of the "show me pictures of yours" thread for ideas.

I know many of you have either done this or plan to do this in the future so I know there is considerable brain share out there I'd like to tap. I want to avoid the you should have done it this other way after it's all done.

Thanks in advance for any ideas. Oh and after I get it setup I'll post a picture of it's temporary home in the kitchen sans plumbing. And my initial review. I think I have everything I need except the Alex I've had ~ two months to buy stuff.

Thanks,
jw

Here is how I have taken over my wife's laundry room. The counter is six feet long and I find it handy having the sink on the same side as the steam wand. That way water is purged right into the sink. I would not recommend drilling the counter since any spills will find there way to that hole for sure. I ran my water line up through the wall and used a skutchin to clean up the hole in the wall. Also being right next to the sink I find it quite convenient to just pull the drip tray out and dump it into the sink. Grinds collect in the tray and giving it a quick rinse keeps it clean and free of grunge. If you plumb in the drain grunge will remain without some major flushing. I put a drain fitting on the sink if in the future I decide I want to plumb in the drain but I don't find it inconvenient at all the way it is.

It sounds like your setup will be quite similar to mine in size. My counter is a bit deeper but using the leftover granite makes a lot of sense. I went with a rectangular bar sink in the corner. I can try and post a picture of my setup if you think it would be helpful.

As I do not have experience with plumbing directly in, my main suggestion would be for you to also think about lighting. I recently added under cabinet lighting--as I hadn't thought of it when we redid our kitchen 4 years ago--and I've found the change to be a great improvement. I don't know if you will have cabinets hung above the machine but if you do, be generous in the amount of space you leave above (even if you will not be using as pourover). Over the machine area, I have the cabinets at 24" above the countertop which leaves enough space for easy access and is visually appealing.

Also keep in mind that wherever you drill the hole for the power cord, make sure it's large enough for the plug end to fit through.

EDIT: Picture added (under cabinet light is on low and doesn't show much in pic)

jwill911 wrote: It will be a new receptacle so I plan a 20 amp dedicated, just in case I upgrade some day.

If it's a new receptacle, why limit yourself to 120V? I'd run wiring for possible 240V service (you don't have to hook up all the wires to breakers, but if they're run, you have the future expansion). You could run it as two separate circuits and have a spare 20A circuit for other coffee preparation devices, such as a drip pot, etc. Or a roaster (okay, probably not room or ventilation for that )

I feel you can never have too much power. You'll always find a use for it
Easier than not having enough...

GFCI protection would be a good idea on the power.

For plumbing, I'd recommend easy access to a ball valve cut-off (the kind that takes a 1/4 turn to open/close), and a relatively large line (not 1/4" tubing). Consider how the plumbing drain is going to impact the storage space under the sink.

In addition to the previously mentioned two separate 110v circuits in one receptacle, which can be later combined for 220v for potential upgrade, a rinser is also very helpful. Although these are not technically undermount sinks, a competent installer should be able to make it "undermount" with granite counter top.

http://www.espressoparts.com/RinsersDipperwells

I like to have a refrigerator underneath to store milk.

Here's an overview of my bar (notice the ski cap on the hopper, we get afternoon sun and I needed something to sheild the beans from the sunlight!):



This shows where the grinder is plugged in. If I were designing the bar (it came with the house), I would have put the receptacle on the rear wall right behind the grinder):



These are the plumbing/electrical routes. I made a mistake in planning, they should have been more to the center of the machine, or even further right. The problem was getting around the refrigerator below:

I liked having space to the right of the machine to put the knockbox and shot scale:



Just a shot of the robur with the Mini's short hopper:



The works under the counter in the cabinet below. I had to include 220v for the Linea but would strongly advise to get one whether you think you need it.




All in all I'm fairly happy with the setup. Some of the weaknesses from my point of view are the sink is too small and I've had to keep all the equipment away from it. It would be nice to have two bars, one for the machinery and the other for cleaning and water. Other than that, its a nice place to work.

Wow! Thanks! This list is great!

I just got back from a 60 mile bike ride and I'm a little wiped out right now but when I get a chance to digest the replies I'll undoubtedly have some questions/comments. Some nice setups gives me food for thought. I'll keep you apprised of my progress. Alex II arrives Monday, pour over for awhile.

jw

I like the idea of having the steam arm on the same side as the sink. I wish I could copy that idea, but I'd have to have the ugly black power cord dangling behind and along the back of the counter to the outlet on the wall on the opposite end of the counter.

You're beating me my at least a day. My Duetto doesn't come till Tuesday

Cheers.

My Alex II arrived this morning a very well built piece of machinery, I'm in awe of the shear mass and heft. So far I haven't pulled a shot to write home-barista about but not from not trying. I finally had to turn it off and get away from it as I was too buzzed and needed a break.

Here's a picture of Alex in its temporary home on the counter next to the sink. I have a temporary piece of vinyl tubing dumping the drip tray contents into the sink saves pulling and emptying.


This is where the new espresso bar will be once all the planning and execution is completed.



Before the remodel there was a piano there which has since move downstairs. The space has been crying out for a purpose, and as you can see it has become a catch all with a piece of our old media furniture taking up residence there looking out of place.

If the caffeine wears off by morning I'll be at it again. This is going to take practice but I'm up to the challenge.

John