HB wrote:My main question was about the cooling of the (stock) portafilter while the 3rd Shot is locked in. Two minutes is a long time out of the grouphead...

I can share my experience. I cool down the grouphead currently using stock spouted portafilter and pull with bottomless. It takes some time for portafilter, especially bottomless to start drawing heat away from the group. And that time is longer than it takes to pull the shot meaning I did not notice it having any effect even when just luke warm...

You can't realistically expect exact temperature management with these machine anyway (and IMO not needed given quality of espresso they can make) so all you are trying to do is make sure you are in the range and not overheating.

With my Gaggia Factory Millennium it's a bit of a challenge to get the temp to the point I want (below the bottom marker on the temperature strip) with the bottomless portafilter that came with the machine. I can do some tricks with cold water soaks of the portafilter handle and locking it into the group to drop the temperature, but even then I've had to resort to using cold rags or ice cubes on occasion. That's why I just picked up a full portafilter handle.

I actually like the idea of having two handles anyway, so that I can lock one into the group to cool it down and prepare my coffee in the bottomless one, otherwise it's a bit of a dance to get the timing to work out right to pull the shot. I had considered replacing the plastic (Bakelite?) handle on the full portafilter with a metal handle if necessary to aid in cooling, but it sounds like that won't be a problem. I'll also be able to split shots now, in the event I have company that wants a straight espresso.

I don't get to play with the new portafilter handle, or the new OE dosing funnel for the Factory, until the Wife gives it to me as a present for the holidays this year.

espressme wrote:Hi Folks,
If your machine can use a 49mm Espressme portafilter, it will work!
Cheers to All! Merry Christmas.
~Richard

Richard, My Cremina has been doing VERY nicely now for 4 years with your PF and tamper.
Merry Christmas.
Regarding this new heat sink, if you froze it, I bet you could lower that group temp in about 30 seconds!

yakster wrote:...
I don't get to play with the new portafilter handle, or the new OE dosing funnel for the Factory, until the Wife gives it to me as a present for the holidays this year.

OK, when was the last time you had a gift that made it to the day on which it was supposed to be opened? Truth, now. <Grins>

B|Java

Forgot to say, a very merry Christmas/Happy Hanukkah to all here.
Be safe, healthy, and prosperous in 2012 and beyond.
RJ

Alright got my heat sucker, er, 3rd shot today. Does it work? It sucks! Heat. Greatly sucks.

I really like this. It is much more effective, faster, than locking in cold portafilter. Group-head temperature is down to the good range in about 2-3 minutes. I kept it in the fridge and on 3rd shot locked it in to bring temperature of the group back to acceptable range. You've got to keep the eye on this sucker or it will over-cool! On 4th shot I just cooled it under cold water and locked it in. Works.

If you are making more than 2 shots on Cremina, you can't beat the utility of this heat sink. You lock it in while you prepare the basket and group-head will be good to go by the time you measured and ground the coffee. Love it.

This is a great idea, and should make pulling consecutive shots on any home lever a lot easier. In the time it takes to dose and tamp the next shot the group should be ready. Look forward to hearing users' experiences.

PC

Boldjava wrote:OK, when was the last time you had a gift that made it to the day on which it was supposed to be opened? Truth, now. <Grins>

B|Java

I've been a good boy and haven't used the portafilter or dosing funnel after testing it for fit upon arrival.

I probably would have ordered myself an OE 3rd shot instead, had it been available then, but I'm sure I'll find a use beyond cooling the group for the spouted portafilter.

For her part, the Wife gave me specific directions on what she wants, a Nook Color.

Happy holidays, all, and if your lucky enough to find an OE 3rd shot in your stocking, may it suck the heat from your group before your able to dose, grind, distribute, tamp, and lock your portafilter into place.