Just bought a Cremina off e-bay (for $750, seemed like a fair price, and there was a Buy-it-now, so I didn't have to succumb to the last minute bid-frenzy).

I have thought about making the shift to a lever a few times before now, but this will be my first one. Excited and scared all at once.

What is the filter size on these? 49mm?

mattwells wrote:What is the filter size on these? 49mm?

Yes. The basket for the Elektra Microcasa fits nicely, if you have trouble sourcing an OEM basket.

Matt, you lucky dog!
I just checked and the one you bought seems like a winner! Both Elektra Microcasa a' Leva and LaPavoni Europiccola 49mm baskets fit well. You may want to file / polish off a little around the outside top of a'Leva baskets as the OD is a smidgen large and may hang a bit in the group. Mine catches but I haven't trimmed it yet. 8 months..yet.
I use the a' Leva basket all the time as it holds a nice 16gr double easily. Tamp 5mm down from the basket top.
The best tamper diameter I've found is 49.5mm.
Now, get your LMWDP number!
Enjoy!
Richard espressme

mattwells wrote:Just bought a Cremina off e-bay (for $750, seemed like a fair price, and there was a Buy-it-now, so I didn't have to succumb to the last minute bid-frenzy).

I have thought about making the shift to a lever a few times before now, but this will be my first one. Excited and scared all at once.

What is the filter size on these? 49mm?

Thanks for the input on the baskets, I will probably be making an order post-X-mas.

Shipped out yesterday, can't wait to get my hands on it.

Just arrived, I am currently running water through it to clean out all the internals.

There should be a caveat somewhere on HB - "warning, Cremina's were designed for small hands" The PF handle is TINY and I have huge hands (may have to get a friend to turn a new handle for me - has anyone done this on their machine?)

Will report post-first shots.

The wife isn't going to like this - two espresso machines right now (although the Andreja is for sale) - it was hard enough to justify 2 grinders.

Hi Matt, the 112mm long McMaster handles reported on the other PF thread will do the job, they are almost an inch longer.:
http://www.home-barista.com/forum...afilter-t5436.html
Cheers
richard espressme /
This week I are mainly cleaning and shipping!

mattwells wrote:Just arrived, I am currently running water through it to clean out all the internals.

There should be a caveat somewhere on HB - "warning, Cremina's were designed for small hands" The PF handle is TINY and I have huge hands (may have to get a friend to turn a new handle for me - has anyone done this on their machine?)

Will report post-first shots.

The wife isn't going to like this - two espresso machines right now (although the Andreja is for sale) - it was hard enough to justify 2 grinders.

Very cool, thanks for the advice on the McMaster, but that got me Jonesin' for wood handles and a wooden knob.

First shot - had to use the italian method (grind really fine with a light tamp) because I don't have anything close to a tamper.

Totally shocked at how forgiving the Italian Method was - first pull on a lever, coffee that is getting toward the 'old' end of the spectrum, and a million other reasons why it should not have worked. BUT, the proof is in the cup - the temperature is a little off (but I will blame that on the fact I just ran 3 tanks through to make sure the machine was clean), but all in all a decent shot and I didn't do any of the worrying I typically do with my HX machine.

Maybe beginners luck. I will be using the italian method until after X-mas and will report back on it after some more usage.

Shot did not have much crema, but that is likely a bean issue not a machine issue.

I felt the same way with my first Cremina pull. It was a "Wow" moment. You're gonna love this machine.

Jon

mattwells wrote:Totally shocked at how forgiving the Italian Method was ... BUT, the proof is in the cup

Yes, the Italians too are continually amazed at how well the Italian method works.

Regards
Timo

Next issue - what steaming pitcher are folks using with the Cremina? The one I have is (IIRC) 20 oz, and it too tall to fit under the wand without tilting it (I would rather not tilt the pitcher to get it underneath). Any pitcher suggestions?

Does anyone know if you can buy just the piston for the Reg Barber Tampers and if so where? I have the HB-branded 58mm, and would like to keep it for if/when I get another 58mm machine, but need to get a 49 (or 49.5?) piston for it.