All I can say about my Cremina is "WOW"
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Well I finally got my Cremina up and running after purchasing a year ago off of Ebay. The heating element was shorting to the base so I put on the workbench until I could find so time to rebuild it. Well I finally found the time and about 15hrs over six weeks. (It's amazing how life just gets in the way of things) I had her back together with a replacement element from OE (I failed to save the original).
Last week I finally pulled my first shots with her and all I can say is "WOW" This machine is amazing. I couldn't even imagine it being that much better then my LP. But it makes the LP seem like a 60's VW while the Cremina is like an 90's BMW. The flavor in the cup is striking compared to the LP. With about two dozen shots of Metropolis Colombia Alto Palmar-Viota & Redline I'm not even sure it's possible to pull a bad shot with her.
I'm really looking forward to spending more time with her, I'm thinking Miss. LP and I are heading for a divorce.
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I had the same upgrade path as you, starting with the pre-mil LP. I enjoyed it, but it can't hold a candle to the Cremina.
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- Sponsor
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Awesome. I went from a LP Pre-Millenium too, but went to a Caravel, then a Bezzera normal pump HX machine. Now I'm wanting to get back into a lever...was looking at the Strega, but the Cremina catches my eye too.
I must say, you're much more patient than I would be, if I had that machine waiting for repair, I'd spend the next few days doing it until it was done and I could pull a satisfaction shot of completion.
I must say, you're much more patient than I would be, if I had that machine waiting for repair, I'd spend the next few days doing it until it was done and I could pull a satisfaction shot of completion.
- galumay
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If you dont have a pressing need to stretch milk, then you would be better going back to the Caravel, i swear it pulls better shots than my commercial lever!
LMWDP #322 i started with nothing.........i still have most of it.
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Of course these matters are unavoidably subjective, but there was a head-to-head competition reported on this forum in the summer which concluded: "we found the shot quality and consistency of Cremina and Pavoni virtually identical."
Another Lever Smackdown: Olympia Cremina, La Pavoni Europiccola, Elektra Microcasa a Leva
Another Lever Smackdown: Olympia Cremina, La Pavoni Europiccola, Elektra Microcasa a Leva
- uscfroadie
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Matt,
Like others here and having owned both for years, I can easily conclude that while my Pavonis could equal the shots I get on my Creminas, they do so with far less frequency or consistency. And I won't even touch on the build quality. Creminas are vastly superior to a Pavoni on all fronts, minus cost.
Like others here and having owned both for years, I can easily conclude that while my Pavonis could equal the shots I get on my Creminas, they do so with far less frequency or consistency. And I won't even touch on the build quality. Creminas are vastly superior to a Pavoni on all fronts, minus cost.
Merle
- drgary
- Team HB
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My thoughts, exactly! To sum up that thread, you need to pay attention to temperature control on both Cremina and Pavoni. If you're moving from a non-PSTAT Pavoni that you haven't been using with the precision added with a manometer and a group thermometer you'll experience a huge step-up in consistency. A Millennium Pavoni is equal to the Cremina for temperature control and shot quality if you take care to set the PSTAT at 0.85 bar and if you use at least a temperature strip on the group of each. The Cremina is better built by far than the newer Pavonis, not so much better built than the older ones, but very pricy for what you get because so many people have lavished praise like the OP. Added later: I've tested the Cremina versus others because I want people to know they can enjoy consistently excellent espresso without spending $800-$900 or more for a vintage collectible that will need probably servicing.mathof wrote:Of course these matters are unavoidably subjective, but there was a head-to-head competition reported on this forum in the summer which concluded: "we found the shot quality and consistency of Cremina and Pavoni virtually identical."
Another Lever Smackdown: Olympia Cremina, La Pavoni Europiccola, Elektra Microcasa a Leva
Also the machine is only one of the Four M's, and the least important of those. You're likely to love any machine on which you finally achieve consistency.
Gary
LMWDP#308
What I WOULD do for a good cup of coffee!
LMWDP#308
What I WOULD do for a good cup of coffee!
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My time with the Cremina is vary limited. I've got about a year and a half playing with the LP which I'm sure made pulling my first shot with the Cremina much easier. I would agree that the best shots on the LP are every bit as good as the Cremina. But with my limited experience with the Cremina, pulling shots seem much easier(easier lever pulls and temp management and no portafilter sneeze) and much more consistency between shots.That's one of the charms for the LP, each shot had it's own personality.
I'll have to play the two against one another and see for myself. Maybe it's just new toy syndrome.
Yea,I was having more then enough fun playing with the LP and the Tea, and I really wanted to try and save the original heating element. I just wanted a rebuild project.
I'll have to play the two against one another and see for myself. Maybe it's just new toy syndrome.
EspressoForge wrote:I must say, you're much more patient than I would be, if I had that machine waiting for repair, I'd spend the next few days doing it until it was done and I could pull a satisfaction shot of completion.
Yea,I was having more then enough fun playing with the LP and the Tea, and I really wanted to try and save the original heating element. I just wanted a rebuild project.
- bostonbuzz
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If you think it's good now, buy some aluminum tape and a taylor thermometer and find out what it's really capable of.
LMWDP #353
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Congrats, Bob--that's a nice looking Cremina and I'm jealous as hell!
I'm sure there are loads more good shots where those came from--keep us posted on your developing impressions if you have time.
I'm sure there are loads more good shots where those came from--keep us posted on your developing impressions if you have time.