Here is the story of my first experiance with my new baby.

I found a working europiccola, which looked like it was barely used. It was one that I could actually afford, so I snatched it up quickly. It included a portafilter, and a single basket but unfortunately, it didn't come with a tamper. I couldn't wait for my new tamper to arrive on Monday. So, in desperation, I dug through the spice cabinet. There, suddenly I saw a glowing aura surrounding a small jar of honey. To my amazement, it fit the portafilter perfectly!

I put a quick grind to my beans, and filled the basket with a couple teaspoons of grind. Inserted the honey jar, and pressed down, and twisted. Wow it worked! I slid the basket into the portafilter, proceeded to set the portafilter down on the counter, to make sure everything was set. Make note: Portafilters don't stand too well on their own. After picking up PF, and the now emptied basket, I found myself having to fill the basket and tamp again.

This time I didn't set the PF down. I inserted it into my pavoni, and waited for the water to finish heating up. I flicked the temperature switch to number 1, slowly lifted the handle, counted to 10, and started the pull. Around 1/4 of the way through the first pull, I lifted the handle back to the top, and slowly pulled down until it reached the end. There, inches below it, lay 2 small cups. They were now half full of the dark, nectar from the Gods. On top of it all lay a light crema, as if sent from heaven.

It was far from a perfect pull, however even now, I can see that this will be a beautiful relationship. Despite everything working against me, I can say it is better than anything I have had from a larger coffee chain who shall remain nameless.

Congrats!
I still remember my first pull on the Vibiemme Domobar. That wow-feeling and slight dizzyness... Your post radiates it. Could have been me writing, only mine was on alt.coffee, and yours was much more eloquent.

That jar tamper was a good idea - must remember to try it out. It would be interesting to see what happens with a concave tamper. Wish you the best of luck, and feel welcome to join the LMWDP artillery (we should be since we are the ones that truly pull shots, right?)

I've been pulling shots almost exclusively of lever machines the past 3 years, and the espresso just keeps getting better.

PC

zix wrote:Congrats!
I still remember my first pull on the Vibiemme Domobar. That wow-feeling and slight dizzyness... Your post radiates it. Could have been me writing, only mine was on alt.coffee, and yours was much more eloquent.

That jar tamper was a good idea - must remember to try it out. It would be interesting to see what happens with a concave tamper. Wish you the best of luck, and feel welcome to join the LMWDP artillery (we should be since we are the ones that truly pull shots, right?)

Hopefully you meant "conVEX" tamper!

No, I figured it as concave - unless Kuyote tamped his coffee with the lid of his honey jar, turning it upside down. But then it should've read "flat"

I guess I should have said mentioned how I used it, I did turn it upside down to use the flat lid. My rosewood tamper arrived from 1st-line a few days ago. It is a perfect fit for the double basket, and does a much better job. I decided to turn the portafilter on my lathe, so now I have a nice bottomless PF. Next up, I'm keeping an eye out for a decent inexpensive grinder.

Tomorrow I'm going to the grocery store portafilter in hand and I'm gonna get myself a nice new tamper