My Great-Grandmother's Vintage Chicobar Espresso Machine - Page 4

A haven dedicated to manual espresso machine aficionados.
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rotchitos
Posts: 311
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#31: Post by rotchitos »

Pootoo is the best, comme d habitude :wink:
http://machines.cafeslevier.free.fr/
I look for persons to translate into English one or + pages of my site... :-)

IMAWriter
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#32: Post by IMAWriter »

Pootoo...go to the HEAD of the class!

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pootoogoo
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#33: Post by pootoogoo »

:lol:

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pootoogoo
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#34: Post by pootoogoo »

Lever Espresso Machine Gallery

(and follow Rotchitos link).

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cuppajoe
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#35: Post by cuppajoe »

Looking at the main casting, it reminds me of the body of the Caffomatic. Also has a resemblance to the Bruni machines, as well as Pedretti(Kim). The design and style of casting suggests a shared source, which would make sense as most small machine makers would probably not do their own aluminum production. About the only thing it seems to share with the MC is the sight glass design, but uses a different method for affixing to the body. Don't see the four acorn nuts.

Function wise, seems to be much like the original Gilda, group integral with boiler, which the Caffomatic is based on. Hopefully we will see it disassembled. So far has stumped even the experts.
David - LMWDP 448

My coffee wasn't strong enough to defend itself - Tom Waits

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pootoogoo
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#36: Post by pootoogoo »

I totally agree for the Bruni, the base is definitely Bruni Brunella style. «Expression reminiscent of the monolithic statues of Easter Island» as Francesco said. It just confirms the source. :wink:

IMAWriter
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#37: Post by IMAWriter »

cuppajoe wrote: Also has a resemblance to the Bruni machines,
As indicated on Pootoogoo's pictoral of a label.











Edited for typo

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doubleOsoul
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#38: Post by doubleOsoul »

Adam, you are one lucky dude to inherit that lever. I inherited a couple of crocheted doilies. But now you leave us wanting more. What does the boiler look like? Have you tried to fire it up? How big is the pf?

AGordo (original poster)
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Joined: 8 years ago

#39: Post by AGordo (original poster) »

Hey everyone, thanks so much for all of your insightful responses! There's a lot of very helpful information here. And pootoogoo, great find! I couldn't find anything on chicobar anywhere! And it makes even more sense since my family came from Milan and used to travel to Italy often, so it's very possible they bought it there!

Is it also possible that Alfonso Bruni & C. created the Chicobar after potentially being influenced by the style of the Microcimbali (notably sight glass and drain grate), while adding in design elements of their own (the base) which they then later used in the Bruni Brunella? Is it possible the Chicobar predates the Brunella?

Also, sorry for being MIA the last few days. I was speaking with my family and actually now have the Chicobar machine in my possession! I will post more pictures of it very shortly! But what I can tell you all in the meantime is that I won't be able to try firing up the machine as there is currently no power cord attached to it. Also, the lever appears to be stuck as I can't move it (and don't want to try forcing it). Lastly, I now have the machine, so if anyone has any questions about it please feel free to ask and I'll answer as best I can!

AGordo (original poster)
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#40: Post by AGordo (original poster) »

Here are a few more photos we took of the machine!