Nice! I recognize that machine

I knew I couldn't do better than your photo.

RE: the Sama - I DON'T like it...I LOVE it. Min cappuccino i morse var topen!

I forgot the mention that the Sama came with a beautiful machined-steel tamper and a bottomless PF.

Three shots with the new Sama and I'm already learning new things and confirming old superstitions.

First, the bottomless PF has helped me confirm that multiple-pull shots, at least the way I prepare the puck, do not seem to lead to channeling. I'll try to get a video sometime.

Second, a few drops of olive oil on top of the piston rod smoothed the lever operation wonderfully. I'm not sure if this reduces friction only in the metal-metal contacts, or also lubes the piston seals themselves, but it works. PERHAPS this little bit of vegetable-based oil, when hot, coats the rubber seal, extending their lifespan? Could explain why my Ponte Vecchio is going strong on a 3-year old set of seals?

Peace,
PC

Oh, and I am very pleased with the vinyl cover installed on the body (which was done to exacting standards). It rather camoflages the Sama vs. it's former fire-engine red, allowing it to sit quitely in a dark recess of the countertop, where it may go unnoticed by any over-zealous kitchen remodelers who maintain the naive beleif that "one espresso machine is enough". As much as I might share the Italian taste for bright red objects on the kitchen counter, there are others who might condsider it conspicuous. Some of you may understand what I mean...

PC

The tamper is the OE45 HLE f orphanespresso.. The portafilter is a bottomless OME PV Lusso f pasmarose.de..

Thanks for the videos, now I don't need to hurry. Just pulled the second AM cappa and it was even better than the first. Backed off a 1/4 turn on the Dienes and the flow was just right. It's flavor is still lingering minutes later.

The 45-mm straight-walled basket design contiunes to prove itself very forgiving, i.e. 2-3 grind-setting changes, going from relatively fast to relatively slow espresso flow, still tastes very good. I.e., there is a broad sweet spot, at least as far as grind setting. I've experimented less with dose, always opting for a full basket (15g+). When I have dosed low on occasion I've found the results less satisfactory.

I suppose when you get the Mini trollklint, you'll find it more challenging to hit the sweet spot (at least I did). Once I got it dialed in though, it produced great espresso. You'll be especially pleased when you're experiementing with temperature considering all the different high-end coffees you're using.

PC

So how do you adjust boilerpressure?
Does it involve putting a manometer on the steamarm ?

A steamwand manometer is most common - orphanespresso sell them.
I just use trial and error to turn down the pstat, usually 1/4 or 1/2 turn at a time. When it gets too low it won't steam welll enough. I like it just a little warmer than that, i.e. just hot enough to steam milk well.

Remember even well below 1 bar, where the machines are often set, the water is way too hot for espresso. SO, even at lower pressures the group will need to sink some heat. With the pstat set at just the "good milk steaming" setting, the group will more or less never overheat unless multiple shots are pulled in rapid succession.

PC

peacecup wrote:My life has become to busy to use and maintain four lever machines, so I'm reducing to two for the time being, and both need to be able to steam.

Jack,
congratulations on your new (old) toy! does that mean that you got rid of both the Caravel and the Vam?
I am happy I don't drink milk all that much (means, I prepare almond milk from time to time - at home, obviously...) so that Caravel and La Peppina mean the top satisfaction to me

Well, I missed the six-year anniversary of the start date of this thread by a couple of days, but it's just late here on 1 January. I'm not sure I've seen any other threads here on HB where someone has written about using the same machine over a six-year period. Now I intend to update yearly! I'm actually thinking about going back through the posts and writing in editorial responses to my own questions, re: what years of experience have taught me. We'll see how the time goes on that project!

For 2012, I'll say that after six years I'm still enjoying and learning about this unique little home lever machine. In 2011 I added a second Export to the club, the original red Sama pictured above. I bought that one used here in Sweden - it would be interesting to know how it got here and how many more are around. I've never seen another. Buying a used machine came with a few problems, including the dreaded "rusted boiler bolt syndrome" that these machines are prone to. That took some patience to fix, but now all is well, with the rusted bolts replaced by stainless steel. ***Any Ponte Vecchio/Sama Export owners are encouraged to replace the four steel boiler bolts with stainless ones to prevent long-term problems.

I added the red Sama to the lineup because I needed a second lever with steaming capability. I paid a dear price in trading it for my MiniGaggia and selling a beloved Caravel to finance the rest of the purchase. Every cappuccino I pour makes the sacrifice worthwhile, though, and I have pulled quite a few the past few months.

My Exports continue to impress me - simple, durable, so easy to get great results. The past few months I've had a bottomless PF, and that has helped me dial in a very precise shot regime. It's taught me a lot about grinding and dosing, and also just how great the old Dienes hand grinders are. I hope I'll get to a few details later, but the summary is that for the coffees I normally use, a full dose (16g+) with two half-pulls, followed by one full pull, yields a very nice 30-40ml ristretto.

Great 2012 to all, and happy pours!
Peacecup

peacecup-

thank you for your thoughtful study and patient advocacy of the export. you helped me (and I am sure many others) understand the strength and beauty of these machines. i have 6 months to your 6 years, using the export's big brother (the lusso), and i've enjoyed every minute.

I dig that carbon fiber covering!! Where did you find that? This Friday I am picking up a Sama Export(cream colored), that needs minimal work..... just a new element and some piston seals.....ha,....ha.....ha.... I am looking forward to this new machine and using all the info that you have shared. Thanks!