HB wrote:As shipped, the evaluation Vetrano opens the valve slightly past the midpoint and a few millimeters before the pump engages. You could adjust the microswitch such that the cam lobe pushes it later in the arm's arc, if you want to play with it (or just turn off the machine and lift the lever fully to manually preinfuse). Initially I thought the no-pump flow might be an interesting way to hear the "water dance" better. The Vetrano's pump is so quiet though, I haven't bothered investigating that angle.

Interesting idea. Just tried it on my Bric', while I haven't had a problem hearing the dance with the pump engaged it is easier to hear line pressure only. Of course, flush & go timing would likely be different for a given temp target since less flow. Since I still have use of a borrowed Thermofilter & Fluke think I'll play with that a bit.

Sounds like whether partially raising the lever on the Vetrano for pre-infusion works or not varies by machine, same as it seems to on the Bricoletta. I didn't need to adjust the microswitch engage point but skyryders90 did.

RapidCoffee wrote:You're right - when the machine is off, water flows before the lever is fully up (but well past the midpoint position). I assume the microswitch is adjusted by simply loosening the nut and turning? Thanks to you both for the tip.

Yeah, you adjust it by turning the nuts on both the outside and inside of the case - they hold the switch in place like a sandwich.

RapidCoffee wrote:BTW, has anyone tried manual preinfusion on the Vetrano (or Bric)? Curious that Chris plainly said no dice (and adjusted the microswitch so that no manual preinfusion was possible).

You bet - I use it, and I'm pretty sure Mike uses it too. I run my machine off a FloJet/bottle setup, so my line pressue is a little "pulsed" but it still works fine. Once you get it adjusted, just play with it and see what works. If using a naked, you might start by preinfusing until you just see coffee peeking through the bottom of the basket.

miKe mcKoffee wrote:Sounds like whether partially raising the lever on the Vetrano for pre-infusion works or not varies by machine, same as it seems to on the Briccoletta. I didn't need to adjust the microswitch engage point but skyryders90 did.

I think it's just a matter of assembly - since it's dependent on the specific placement of the microswitch, if an assembler was only concerned that the switch engage in the lever-up position, it is likely that some would be installed in such a way as to allow preinfusion, and some wouldn't ... just a matter of chance. The hardware certainly allows it, but the manufacturer/retailer mindset is that you don't need to do this for preinfusion, that it's "built in" to the e-61 (see Chris' comment to RapidCoffee) - so they don't worry about that little aspect of assembly.

Hi. I stay here in the Philippines and I only have these various forums to learn from. I'm quite new as I got my Anita just last October. Anyway, with regards to pre-infusion, which I understand is the introduction of water on to the espresso grinds in the PF prior to brewing, can it be done by merely lifting up the brewing lever for 2 or 3 seconds and putting it down; and then after about 3 seconds, lifting it up again for actual brewing?

HB wrote:... I would like to offer a few "getting started" suggestions to those getting Vetranos this week, beginning with the drain hookup. My hope is to save a few scraped knuckles and cussing caused by the tight interior quarters.

I finally got around to plumbing the drip tray on my Vetrano this afternoon. Not nearly as difficult as I'd expected, perhaps due to your helpful hints - only one scraped knuckle, so thanks! Getting the !@#$% black plastic hole covers to pop out was one of the hardest parts. The tubing slid on relatively easily. It helps to have another set of hands to hold the hose clamp in place while you tighten it (my wife insists I give her credit). Hose currently drains into the sink, with a short level run along the counter. The drip tray drains quite well once it starts flowing, but unfortunately it doesn't always like to get started. Hopefully that will change after I drill another hole in the countertop for the drain line...

Did you receive a replacement drain tray? Chris sent me a new redesigned one a couple of weeks ago. Slightly shallower cutout in the rear, but otherwise looks identical. Placing the drain hole on the bottom of the drip tray (rather than routing the tubing through the machine) might be a more valuable redesign.

While I had the case open, I played around with the brew microswitch to see if I could adjust it for manual preinfusion. Not much luck.

skyryders90 wrote:Yeah, you adjust it by turning the nuts on both the outside and inside of the case - they hold the switch in place like a sandwich.

No nut on the inside, only the outside. It looks like you need to add a spacer on the inside to delay engagement of the pump. Oh well.

Minor rant: the Vetrano case isn't designed for tinkerers! It's a PITA to line up the screw holes to reattach the case. And slotted screws instead of Phillips head? I'm developing a lovely set of fine scratches on the SS... I dunno, maybe my Rancilio L7 (with removable side and back panels) has me spoiled.

Having said that, let me add: on the whole, I'm very pleased with this machine.

Looking forward to the rest of your review - John

I just got my Vetrano yesterday from Chris's second batch - unfortunately I have some plumbing to do before I can use it, so it's just sitting there looking pretty at the moment.

Dan Kehn - you've said on this thread that you had been planning a "long overdue" update to "How I Stopped Worrying...". As this is my first HX machine, I'm on the edge of my seat here. Is there any chance I can convince you to outline the main points that you plan to make or revise?

I'm not sure how long it will take me to get a plumber in, but I'll check back once I've had a chance to have first impressions. In the meantime, I thought some people might be interested in seeing the new gauge on this version.

Hi Dan,
I also received my Vetrano, and set it up last night. I've been pulling shots trying to learn the machine. I'm coming off a PIDed Silvia and initially (as one would expect) I've been fumbling around. It's funny how you get into a rigid routine, some things you know you're doing, others you don't; the natural rhythm or timing is an example. Obviously the my rhythm is completely off. Steaming is another big difference - night and day. Simply put, the Silvia is a toy next to the Vetrano. Don't get me wrong, Silvia is a great home machine and I had years of great service from her, but to compare the two, no, it's just ridiculous. One thing I'll be working on is steaming small amounts of milk for a double and triple cappa. My shots have been pretty good so far, I had read the articles here on HB on HX flushing and such. At the moment I am using Black Cat, I roast my own, but b/c I knew I'd be getting this machine I order some extra. As it turns out, I ran out of my own blend only having enough to pull one shot on Vetrano. My blend has a very nice berry flavor, ruined on a dirty Silvia. The Vetrano pulled this quality out of my blend, this was my very first pull, I was amazed to find this very delicate flavor come out, but on top of that I could taste that it was brewed just a tad too hot, something I could never detect with Silvia; it was either there or not. Now the Black Cat pulls I've been doing are also good, but I never pull any from my Silvia so I can't compare. I had thought that I would set up both machines and do side by sides, but after my one pull of my own blend, well, it would seem a waste of time, clearly I'm getting a much larger flavor profile with the Vetrano. I should note here, I don't feel I have a sharp palate, which indicates to me that I've really missed out....."ignorance it bliss". One other problem is it doesn't take to many pulls before I hit my caffeine limit, YIKES!
I roasted some Sweet Maria's Donkey blend 13 days ago (kinda jumped the gun on the Vetrano arrival), so I'll pull some of that this afternoon. Oh, an one other thing I've noticed using my naked portafilter: The Vetrano has such a beautiful, consistent pour, my Silvia would start out nice, but I always, always got those pin prick streams from about 2/3 of the shot in. I never did the pressure mod Silvia, and now that I have something else to compare it to I recognize what so many others have report regarding this.

The set up was quite easy. Along with my order, I got a water filter, water softener, and line pressure regulator, which came from Chris Coffee with everything needed to install. A word on the John Guest (JG) fittings - I've never used these, and was amazed at how simple this made the installation, I am also still in somewhat disbelief that these connections are water tight; no leaking at any of the 12 JG connections. Having followed this thread, I can say the drip tray plumbing re-design is a huge improvement. A couple of things I would have like to have seen included in the box are the two Allen wrenches need to remove and installed the plug and drain adaptor, respectively. Also, I have a decent set of "standard" open box wrenches (are they called SAE?), I did not have the size for the water supply line into the Vetrano, I'm sure it's metric since it's made in Italy, and would have like to seen an assembly wrench included. For me none of these were a problem as I could easily work around these with the other tools I have, and most people have adjustable wrenches, but as I suggested to Chris in an email, there's nothing worst than getting a new item and finding out you need to run out and get something, the old "oh, it needs batteries". I don't find the additional 3/4 inches added to accommodate bottom supply and waste line out of proportion; something I wondered about.

Oh, and the cup warmer real estate - For some reason I really like the look of all those cups on top of the machine.

kaioslider - the Vetrano came with both a braided metal cable and a thick vinyl tubing. It's not clear to me (being a neophyte, and since there are no directions) which one to use for the water line and which one to use for the drain line. Any ideas?

Thanks Dan - after thinking about how long it would take to get to use my new toy if I waited for a plumber, I started looking more at what needed to be done. I'm not very handy but decided I could handle it, and now a couple hours later I'm all hooked up. I'll be pulling my first shots tomorrow morning. Reports to follow.

Hey Jackbang, sorry I missed your post, glad you got it worked out. I'm currently renting so my hookup needed to be zero impact, ie no holes. I have a large kitchen and was lucky to have a perfect spot right next to the sink. My drain hose snakes out the back and around to the sink. I think my only concern is that this hose is transparent and can become unsightly. I'll have to wait and see, the advantage is that if there is a blockage, I can see it, same goes for knowing when it needs cleaning. Anyways, look forward to hearing how your first day goes.

I received my vetrano today. I could not find the green washer in the portafilter box. So it will be off to Home Depot in the am.
This is one very nice looking work of art. I cant wait to pull some shots on it.

Joe, are you referring to the washer mentioned in the directions? I think those directions were intended for the first 30 machines, the ones we received don't need it as the inlet hose is a little different.

Thanks for the info on the washers. I looked all over the house for them. After work I will be toying around with the vetrano and a shot or two may pass my lips. LOL cant wait.

I received mine today... thanks for the washer info, saved me a lot of time for sure. I have barely had the chance to play with it but will say that installation is made very easy with the wretch-less fittings. Enough extra tubing was included to allow me to be very creative in the routing to avoid any (new) holes in the counter/sink. I was timid about the direct connect only but am now glad i went that route.