Yes, we cremina owners tend to brag, something that tends to piss of non-cremina owners much of the time.

I should know, I was so sick of hearing about the cremina when I was a happy europiccola owner. I thought "what is the big difference? Both are manual levers, so how could they vary that much". But when the chance to pick up a cremina here in Oz arose (and they arise rarely, 3 on ebay in the past 2 years!) I snapped it up.

Now I can assert that there really is a difference, especially in temperature stability and general build quality. In the end, pavonis and creminas are very different machines, and I am so happy with the cremina that my lust for new machines (upgradeitis?)no longer exists. For the first time in 10 years I am totally happy with my coffee set up, my only concern being to keep a good supply of spare parts for the cremina so as to keep it on the road indefinitely. My europiccola is now my travel machine, and giving good service that way.

chopinhauer wrote:Now I can assert that there really is a difference, especially in temperature stability and general build quality. In the end, pavonis and creminas are very different machines, and I am so happy with the cremina that my lust for new machines (upgradeitis?)no longer exists. For the first time in 10 years I am totally happy with my coffee set up, my only concern being to keep a good supply of spare parts for the cremina so as to keep it on the road indefinitely. My europiccola is now my travel machine, and giving good service that way.

"Amen brother!" You said it well... I own both and have done exactly as you have stated. Euros to the office and as an excellent traveling companion. The only thing I look for now is the rare deal of a century on a Cremina or parts that I can scrounge from different parts of the globe (literally)...

Congratulations! Great purchase! Excellent lever.

I too had to find out what the Cremina craze was about and jumped at an old e bay Cremina. I wondered what condition it would arrive in. I was apprehensive considering it was a 30+ year old machine. First time ordering off of e bay.

Got lucky as well. Excellent condition. Only thing she's needed is a new set of piston seals which I've recently replaced. I'm glad to hear the old machines are good. Mine I've had almost a year now and apart from general cleaning/maintainance and a seal/gasket replacement she runs great. If she's lasted 30 years and stayed in good condition, what's another 30 years?

Brag away. We'll join you

Yeah, it's true about the parts. I've jumped on spare parts, especially the seals, when a vendor has them in stock. Haven't ordered directly from Olympia but I hear they're taking and filling orders now for North America.

mrgnomer wrote:Yeah, it's true about the parts. I've jumped on spare parts, especially the seals, when a vendor has them in stock. Haven't ordered directly from Olympia but I hear they're taking and filling orders now for North America.

This is true as I received a complete Cremina gasket set from the factory recently. And although it took a couple months and was not cheap, I am happy to have the set as a spare if and when I need them, to keep my machine running smoothly for a long time to come!

ccfore wrote:This is true as I received a complete Cremina gasket set from the factory recently. And although it took a couple months and was not cheap

ccfore,

I'm curious about the details of your transaction with the factory. I'd like to order the boiler cap. I see they don't have any online method of payment! Did you fax a Mastercard number or wire funds?

starry wrote:ccfore,

I'm curious about the details of your transaction with the factory. I'd like to order the boiler cap. I see they don't have any online method of payment! Did you fax a Mastercard number or wire funds?

Ralph, I just put the order in and you wait for an email back. Then I just sent in my credit card number and got an email back confirming my order. This all took quite some time though. Good luck!