Does that lead into the brew channel? You are probably a ways off digging into the machine, but inquiring minds want to know (and want to see someone stick a TC in there...)

Dave,
From your description of what does and doesn't happen when you raise the lever (i.e. no water comes out until you depress the lever) I am tempted to venture an explanation.

Lifting the lever causes water to flow, via gravity, into the brew water chamber in the piston cylinder. But there is a one-way valve, normally shut, that prevents the water from flowing from there down through dispersion screen. Depressing the lever forces that check-valve open, and voila.


Regards
Timo

cpl593h wrote:Does that lead into the brew channel? You are probably a ways off digging into the machine, but inquiring minds want to know (and want to see someone stick a TC in there...)

Nope. The group is two pieces, the lower portion the lugs lock into and an upper that houses the brew chamber and piston. That is the front screw that holds the works together. To appease the parts gods, here is a parts diagram of the machine that I was saving for later.

I have popped the covers and dug a little deeper into the mystery, but I have been enjoying the machine with all the mystery in place. Take a moment to enjoy the butterfly in all its beauty before you stick it under a microscope and dissect it.

cannonfodder wrote:Take a moment to enjoy the butterfly in all its beauty before you stick it under a microscope and dissect it.

You may be enjoying the nectar of the butterfly, but out here in e-land we've got to find our pleasures in the design. That no water flows until the lever is depressed suggests some sort of one-way valve. I thought it might be #18 on the parts diagram. A ball check valve?

Regards
Timo

Ya, they have not invented taste-a-vision yet. There is a one way something in there. I will eventually pull some parts to see what is under the covers.

First impressions.

Let me be the first to say that the stock sales photos of the Gaggia Achille do not do it justice. The machine boasts a clear coated brushed stainless steel body and base with a chrome plated group, lever and portafilter with black accents. The handles for the portafilter and lever are made of black plastic and shaped just like Achille Gaggia's first espresso machines. The pearl handles provide a very good grip which is important when you are laying on a lever pulling a shot.


Three features jumped out at me right out of the box. How many times have you read about someone looking for options to secure their lever machine to the kitchen counter? For some reason, most manufactures use a hard plastic bottom on the machine base and these nearly always scoot all over the countertop while pulling shots. The Achille uses the same black plastic base, but on that base are 5 nickel sized sticky rubber feet. These do a superb job of anchoring the machine to the counter top. I even had my wife grab the handle and portafilter and try to wiggle/slide the machine on the counter. It did not budge, and the boiler was still empty.


The second feature is the stainless steel base. The La Pavoni style lever machines have a screw under the drip tray. I always found that to be a curious location for a screw. Any water that splashes over the drip tray will run to the bottom of the drip tray holder, then around that screw and into the base of the machine. I cannot count the number of times a new owner of a used lever machine removed the base to clean the machine just to find out the entire base is rusted to pieces. That should not be a problem with the Achilles seamless stainless steel base.


Case in point look at Vintage Europiccola - pretty, but yikes...


The third was the boiler. Most lever machines use an exposed boiler. You have to be careful not to accidentally touch the machine while it is running. Many of us have burned our fingers and forearms by accidentally touching the boiler while reaching behind the machine. The Achille has a stainless steel boiler, but around that boiler is a brushed stainless steel facade. The machine does not get blisteringly hot, a big plus for those of us with young curious children. After three hours of use, I can still grab a hold of the boiler. Don't try doing this after your Elektra Microcasa a Leva has been on for three hours!


The Achille is also larger than your average lever machine. The machine measures 17-1/2 tall, 22-1/2 long (from the back of the removable cup rack to the end of the lever extended to its horizontal position) and 9-1/2 wide from the steam valve to the manometer using my tape measure. Gaggia lists the weight as 9kg which is just short of 20 pounds dry (19.8 lbs). If you have low kitchen cabinets it could be tight. When sitting beside its little sister (Gaggia Factory), the size is apparent.


The Achille also uses a commercial 58mm portafilter. So if you have a particular basket preference, you can use it. I have used the stock single and double basket, Faema style double and La Marzocco ridgeless basket. Getting a tamper should not be a problem either. I am using a flat bottom Reg Barber 58mm tamper.

Faema, Gaggia Achille, Gaggia Factory/La Pavoni 51mm millennium group

The group on the Achille is massive. It is twice the size of my Factory and probable makes up a substantial portion of that 9 kilo weight. The group is made of chrome plated brass as is the portafilter. The group pivot is held together by two large countersunk flat head screws. Gone are the C-clip retained pins, and good riddance. The group lever is substantial in diameter and the pivot points are noticeably large. The group has a very commercial appearance.


The portafilter locks into the group like most non lever machines. To insert the portafilter on many levers you start with the portafilter handle aimed at you and then twist the handle to the left to lock into the group. On the Achille you insert the portafilter at a 45 degree angle to the left and then twist to the right. That points the handle toward your chest. The group has two small marks on it. The one to the left side is a gray circle. Line the portafilter handle up with that dot and twist to the right until the handle lines up with the gray inverted triangle.

Enjoying the butterfly...

I do like the retro look, and the whole thing appears to be well thought out. It's possible that its too well thought out, and that it will lose the simplicity of operation that makes lever machines so rewarding. We'll see how that goes once you've had a chance to get up to speed on pulling shots.

The boiler cover is a must in my opinion - I wonder who, at La Pavoni, ever decided that 230+ degree brass should be exposed - it's a wonder they're legal in the good old USA (where coffee cups are required by law to have "this beverage is hot" disclaimers).

Not sure about the clear coat - I've had some issues with it discoloring in the past. Why not just leave it stainless steel?

Removable plug - A++

How about stability? I've read that the Factory/La Pavonis are a little squirrelly when pulling shots (but not the eminent threat of the Peppina!). Does Achille keep his feet (and heels) firmly planted when one wants to push the crema envelope?

Basic dimensions would be of interest - height and weight.

Looking forward to more!!!

PC

AH..., while I was writing, you posted answers to nearly all of my questions!!! BTW, the sticky feet are standard on the 30+yr old Ponte Vecchio/Sama desigh (as is the boiler cover) - I've also seen them on the old Amore lever machines.

PC

middle of the above post.

The machine measures 17-1/2 tall, 22-1/2 long (from the back of the removable cup rack to the end of the lever extended to its horizontal position) and 9-1/2 wide from the steam valve to the manometer using my tape measure

much more coming tomorrow.

Gaggia lists the machine specs as...

Power supply 230-240V 50Hz 1250W
Heating system Stainless steel boiler
Water tank Removable
Water tank capacity 0,8 lt.
Continuous refill tank Yes
Visible water level Yes
Cappuccino accessory Pannarello
1-cup filter and/or pod, 2-cups Yes
Makes two cups simultaneously Yes
Group and Filter holder Chromed brass
Cup plate Stainless steel / Removable
Other Boiler safety valve, manostat, professional manometer
Accessories Measuring spoon, Tamper
Dimensions cm. (LxHxD) 24,7x55,4x45,3
Weight 9 kg
Bodywork Stainless steel

So for those of you (Timo) that wanted metric, Dimensions cm. (LxHxD) 24,7x55,4x45,3