Dan please remove this if it's too "commercial.


But, in these hard economic times, if one can assist a little bit, I would like to.
A while back,Orphan Espressos kindly loaned me a Caravel while they were performing surgery (successful) on my Olympia Cremina.
I loved this little guy once I got into the vibe.
Anyhow, it's over at Orphan, pining for a new home. (Italians are emotional)
Just thought I'd spread the word.


Note...I have no affiliation business-wise with OE. other than spending some bucks with them...always getting more than I paid for.
However, I'm too lazy to post the link.

Hello all. I just wanted to say thank you for all the wonderful information and stories here that led me to a very pleasing purchase. My gray Caravel arrived from Italy yesterday and after a little bit of cleaning I pulled my first shot from some not-freshly-ground kinda stale beans. It didn't taste all that good, but it tasted a whole lot better than what I've been drinking and had way more body than anything I've made before.

I'm fairly amazed at how fast this thing heats up and how well it keeps temperature. I turned the little thermostat one click at a time and the little power light would flash on for a second and there I was another degree hotter and it would just stay there.

I've ordered some seals and what not from Orphan Espresso and soon this little beauty will be joining me on my desk at work. I never would have sought it out were it not for this site. So thanks again all, I'm very grateful! Time for me to really start learning what espresso should taste like. It probably helps that PT's is right in my backyard too.

mikekarr wrote:Hello all. I just wanted to say thank you for all the wonderful information and stories here power light would flash on for a second and there I was another degree hotter and it would just stay there.

I've ordered some seals and what not from Orphan Espresso and soon this little beauty will be joining me on my desk at work. I never would have sought it out were it not for this site. So thanks again all, I'm very grateful! Time for me to really start learning what espresso should taste like. It probably helps that PT's is right in my backyard too.

PT's in your backyard! Not Fair.

mikekarr wrote:It probably helps that PT's is right in my backyard too.

Gizmo blend from PTs is a great blend for the Caravel.

The wonders of the Caravel are extolled at length here but I don't see the same said about seemingly similar machines of the same era, e.g., La Peppina. Not knowing much about espresso machines, I am wondering if the Caravel is that much better and if so, what (design feature?) accounts for it's fabulousness?

For one, the La Peppoina is a spring lever while the Caravel is a manual lever.

seymour wrote:The wonders of the Caravel are extolled at length here but I don't see the same said about seemingly similar machines of the same era, e.g., La Peppina. Not knowing much about espresso machines, I am wondering if the Caravel is that much better and if so, what (design feature?) accounts for it's fabulousness?

I think part of the reason people round here started getting interested in such machines is that Jim Schulman wrote several enticing posts on alt.coffee about his Peppina about 4-5 years ago.

The Caravel seems to be as capable as the Peppina but wins out on looks and flexibility (easily cleaned/fixed, manual lever, etc).

Regards, Henry