I've got a ski vacation coming up in a few weeks, we're renting a house up in NH with a bunch of family and friends for a week. Normally if we're driving somewhere for vacation I'd pack up my old Gaggia and Lelit grinder and bring those to make espresso in the mornings. But this time there might be mornings when there are 8 people having breakfast, and I remember what it's like trying to make that many drinks with the little machine.

So, am I crazy to think about bringing the Duetto and K10? My initial reaction is "yes I am", but I'm willing to be convinced otherwise. I'm not so much concerned about the weight or transportation, we're driving, and there should be plenty of space to set it up. But I'm afraid of the risk of damaging something by accident.

Has anyone done something similar? And if so, are there any precautions I should I take? For example, when the Duetto showed up the connection to the pressure gauge was unhooked at the boiler, I assume to avoid some kind of damage in shipping. Same question for the grinder too?

I've been known to bring my Quickmill Anita and Cimbali Max grinder on vacation if I'm driving. But sometimes I bring the Gaggia instead. It's much lighter and easier to carry. Now that I've got the Duetto, I'll probably use the Gaggia for travel. Alex is just too damn heavy! And if you have to carry him across icy or snowy walkways and steps, you're asking for a disaster.

You probably would be considered a little crazy by some folks but so would I. I'm sure your friends won't be complaining. I'd have no problem bringing my Strega (70lbs) & either the K10 or Major on a trip like that. Of course I also thought it was perfectly normal behavior to set up a 12v to 120v inverter in the back of our old wagon to run the Microcasa on trips.

TrlstanC wrote:I've got a ski vacation coming up in a few weeks, we're renting a house up in NH with a bunch of family and friends for a week. Normally if we're driving somewhere for vacation I'd pack up my old Gaggia and Lelit grinder and bring those to make espresso in the mornings. But this time there might be mornings when there are 8 people having breakfast, and I remember what it's like trying to make that many drinks with the little machine.

So, am I crazy to think about bringing the Duetto and K10? My initial reaction is "yes I am", but I'm willing to be convinced otherwise. I'm not so much concerned about the weight or transportation, we're driving, and there should be plenty of space to set it up. But I'm afraid of the risk of damaging something by accident.

Has anyone done something similar? And if so, are there any precautions I should I take? For example, when the Duetto showed up the connection to the pressure gauge was unhooked at the boiler, I assume to avoid some kind of damage in shipping. Same question for the grinder too?

For a week long vacation in one place I'd bring everything that fits in the car and the rental house.

We are driving up, and actually just heard that some more people will be showing up, so it looks like I'll probably be packing up the whole shabang. Any advice besides just "be careful" ?

JohnB. wrote: Of course I also thought it was perfectly normal behavior to set up a 12v to 120v inverter in the back of our old wagon to run the Microcasa on trips.

That is pimp.

Well, I bring my Europiccola on vacations partly because my main machine is pseudo plumbed in and partly because I enjoy using the lever on occasion.

I do however, bring the Rocky for drip and the Major for espresso. This last year I also brought an SJ and a Blendtec blender. This is for a week and a half trip for me and the wife, our sons and girlfriends join us for about 3 days of this. With 2 people and a full size SUV there is not a space concern, it makes for more enjoyment while on vacation. I say bring what you can

TrlstanC wrote:Has anyone done something similar? And if so, are there any precautions I should I take?

When I hit the road, I leave the case at home - that's 10 lbs. less to lug in and out, and it saves dings and scratches. For the same reason, I pack the drip tray separately. And think about what would happen in a crash - you don't want a 70-lb. missile nailing you from behind. I anchor the machine against the tailgate with a pair of tie-downs, like a motorcycle or snowmobile. And with the case off, it's easy to find attachment points on the frame.

I drag the levers out to H-B meet-ups along with the Vario and a bunch of other accessories. I saved the original box with the foam padding for the Vario and Gaggia Factory which makes packing easier, the La Peppina I throw in a wicker basket with the PID and other supplies.

If I'm flying somewhere, I'll usually just go with a small coffee case containing coffee, a hand grinder and an Aeropress, camping I plan on bringing my Mypressi Twist along, but I'd be tempted to bring the Gaggia along to a vacation and it'll probably travel with me to Portland in April. The Gaggia Factory IS my biggest espresso machine.