Thanks to all for your comments and concerns. My purchase of the PVE was largely influenced by all the great info and people on this site. But, it does not mean that anyone other than myself is responsible for the purchase. Also I want to make it clear that even with its issues I do not regret purchasing the machine. I fully understood before purchasing the PVE that it is an entry level spring lever machine and priced accordingly. It is just happens to be a little more "rough around the edges" (pardon the pun) than I expected. Actually, I was not ready to post my findings with the PVE but when I read that GeneHal was intending to purchase one I considered it my responsibility to let him and others know what I had discovered.

narc wrote:The PVL 2 I own has mostly "cosmetic" faults

Sounds familiar, but your items 4. & 5. appear also to be functional issues? My intention is to later upgrade to a PVL. Knowing this I may become one of the "hesitant people" you wrote about!

peacecup wrote:In reference to the rubber feet, the base is designed to sit lower in the back for balance during use

I am not sure I understand this. Anyway, my machine banged on the countertop during use. I first screwed in the offending feet screws only to find the rear of the machine did the same thing. I fixed the 2nd problem by adding spacer washers under the back feet. My guess is peacecup's machine has a bit more clearance than mine.

peacecup wrote:It seems to me if Joe had noted so many problems with the machine he should have sent you a different one.

I felt it inappropriate to return the machine because Joe had been so "up front and honest" during the purchase and I had agreed to purchase the machine at least aware of the group head problem. Also, I was confident after examining the machine that I could fix most of the problems and that the functionality of the machine was not compromised.

Dogshot wrote:I have to wait for the group to lose pressure before I can remove the PF, it is by no means an espresso bomb.

My experience also. I wait about 30 seconds while cleaning off the steam tip or futzing around and never have a problem, and for me the 30 second wait is not an issue.

Dogshot wrote:I'm not trying to challenge your post or problems, but I do suspect that if you were able to examine the Export in the context of other espresso machines at that price-point, rather than comparing it to medical equipment, you account might not be so negative.

Good point, my level of criticism may be inappropriate for the quality of espresso machines in general. However, I want everyone to understand that I was trying to be factual not negative and apologize if it appeared so. Case in point, the burrs on the baseplate of my machine were very sharp. I drain my machine daily by lifting it under the base. To leave the burrs to cut my fingers would have been foolish.

HB wrote:GB's had more than his fair share of problems and I thank him for sharing these issues so vendors can (1) address them before shipment, or better yet, (2) have the manufacturer spend an extra 5 minutes on quality control before closing the box

Thanks. And I agree with 1 & 2. However, the most likely argument against it will be that the machine will cost more. But in my opinion it does not need to be a lot more. And frankly, I would be quite willing to pay more for the higher quality and increased trust in a manufacturer. Especially considering that there is 130 psi of steam in a boiler very close to my face.

Whoops, 130 psi steam pressure in the boiler is incorrect, it is more like 13 psi. I should have written "the pressure from the piston spring that could be about 130 psi". My apologies.

timo888 wrote:On the issue of portafilter depressurization after a shot, the following techniques can help:

Perfect! It deserves a posting in the "Tips & Techniques" thread.

Thanks, everyone
Geoffrey

GB wrote: Sounds familiar, but your items 4. & 5. appear also to be functional issues? My intention is to later upgrade to a PVL. Knowing this I may become one of the "hesitant people" you wrote about!

#4 the portafilter. I'm assuming PV outsources for the portafilters & baskets. Purchased a backup portafilter from Vanelis. Now PVert Newd (thanks Richard) fit perfect. Would be nice if someone at PV would check before packing the portafilters for fit issues.

#5 the sightglass position. Prior models lacked the low water cut off switch. I'm assuming the position of the glass in which has not changed in the newer edition was designed to make sure people had more than enough water in the boiler to reduce the chance of element damage. Drained the boiler to almost empty. From empty to the top of the glass is ~2L. There was ~600ml of water left in the boiler when the low water switch cut in. Total boiler capacity is stated to be 3L.

Outside of the improved thermostability, larger capacity, & pressure gauge of the PVL, the Lusso is not really much of an upgrade to the Export.

If you want to remove the PF immediately after brewing you can partially depress the lever, which reduces pressure in the brew basket, then unlock it. Still be careful, but it seems to work. If I do this I am sure to immediately flush the group with hot water afterwards to clear any grounds that might have been drawn up.

RE: the outsourcing of portafilters - this is possible, but I'm not award of any other 45-mm groups on the market. They may manufacture them in-house. The PF is pretty "no frills" as you know.

PC

peacecup,

Thanks for the tips and advice. How far do you move the lever down to get de-pressurization of the grouphead? I agree about flushing and concerned that with multiple pulls junk may get sucked back up into the head? Especially if I happen to end up with a sloppy puck! I may be a bit paranoid but have now added a cleaning flush to my shut down routine.

Also thanks for all your other tips and techniques that you have contributed on this site. e.g. I use plate to catch the grounds and keep the porta filter handle level when dosing. I have a card with the corner cut off to direct the grounds from the grinder drawer into my porta filter. And I grind fairly coarsely and tamp rather firmly - the latter I think is due to the limitations of my Dienes hand grinder? And confession time, its burrs are lightly rubbing.

Cheers
Geoffrey

GB,

I think you need to pull it down about 1/2 way, but just before the port pens, which negates the effect (actually, this causes MORE pressure). You need to pull and unlock in quick sequence. None of this is important if you can wait 30 sec.

Another tip is that milk can be drawn back up the steam wand as the machine cools. I purge lots of steam after I use the steam arm, then leave it open as the machine cools.

I have never seen any evidence of grounds being sucked into the piston. I've had the screen off a number of times, and the cylinder was lightly coated with film, but no grinds.

RE: the Dienes, most I've had can stall the PV, but it depends on the dose and coffee as well as the tamp. With good fresh lighter-roasted beans it will stall with a full (14-15g) dose, or at least pour very slowly. I don't worry if the burrs on mine touch, or even rub fairly firmly. This may cause long-term damage?, but so far it has not done so. In fact, I've proposed that this allows the grind to become finer and more even over time, but someone on the Hand Jive thread suggested that this may not be the case.

PC

Lately I've been drinking macchiattos in 3-oz Bodum polkadot cups. This AM's was particularly nice. This is a ~14g, two-pull shot, and I've gotten good at steaming very small quantiities of milk. My latte art and photo skills still need work!:



Its great to have some new PV owners to compare notes with. In retrospect I realize I should have reported on the ill-fitting drip tray- it does not stay put very well. Also, I should note that the plastic insulation on the wire has separated from the plug, and needed to be taped. I will replace the plug eventually, but it would be nice to have a removeable cord like those on computers.

PC

peacecup,

Thanks for the follow up. The 30 second wait for the porta filter removal has not been a problem for me, but it is good to know there is an alternative. I will give it a try.

Good point about the steam wand. After reading of cannonfodder' "suck back" experience with the Lusso I am very careful to blow lots of steam thru the wand after foaming milk. But always after I have cleaned the wand of milk otherwise it can bake on with the heat of the purge and become very hard to remove. My wand cleaning technique is to wet a piece of of paper towel ( it does not have to be a full sheet) and roll it tightly around the steam tip. Within a minute or two the milk residue becomes soft then a quick wipe and the tip is clean. Then the purge

It is reassuring to know that you have not seen grinds go back up into the piston, one fear dispelled!

With my Dienes I am having similar results as you and am looking forward to experimenting with different and better coffees. As for the grinder burrs touching, I think this is because we are reaching the limits of our grinders. With an ideal grinder this would not be necessary because it should be able to grind as fine as needed while maintaining a working clearance between the burrs. As for your theory that the grinds will become finer as the burrs wear. You are correct, but only if, as the burrs wear they are continually adjusted to rub. Alternately, if the burrs are not adjusted as they wear they should reach a wear limit resulting in some finite clearance between them. Technically this clearance adds to the grain size.

Nice looking cup and great looking pour. Nice Valentine's Day material!

When you replace the plug I would suggest getting one that has a decent chord clamp at the rear for that cord is stiff. I like your idea of a removable chord. Is there space inside the base for flush receptacle to fit?

Cheers
Geoffrey