HB wrote:Actually both systems (HX and dual boiler) are under some pressure due to thermal expansion. You'll notice that the brew gauge on HX E61 lever-type espresso machines will read zero immediately after a shot and then slowly creep upward. Brewtus doesn't have a brew gauge, but it should behave similarly. This residual pressure can push out some water at the mid-way position, but not enough to preinfuse per se ("partially wet the top of the puck" is more accurate).

1/2 to 1 ounce of water (try it with a measuring cup). A double puck requires a little over an ounce to soak. If I'd known then about this, I wouldn't have wasted a week on "pre-pre-infuse" experiments on my Tea when I got it.

Wow...little did I know my fairly dumb question would engender such interesting responses...
One final question...I believe DanK had posted his "recommended" (starting) brew and boiler pressure settings for the Andreja...would they apply for the Anita as well?.....what are they?....I realize these are reference points and the flush and waiting period before the pull is still the most critical elements.....Thanks to all!...and a belated Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanks dan....hope you had a wonderful T-Day!
Oh, interesting (to me) thing...this morning, I pulled a shot using my stock PF (not bottomless with the double basket...2 glasses...my yemen 3 day old roast....
may be the best textured shot yet....hmmm..maybe I like the mouthfeel coming from the spouts?....seemed less "airy"....
I got a perfectly even liquid amount in both demitasse cups...just a touch less than 2oz total in 28 seconds...
Of course, cleaning the spouted PF is a bit more tedious!
I'm also using a Reg barber with the slightly convex bottom( I have the flat bottomed piston as well....)
I'm purchasing an HB Reg as a present for a friend for Christmas....mine is the RB version....
Sorry for digressing here

skyryders90 wrote:My plumbed-in factory Bricc behaves this way - if I move the lever to the upper-middle position, it opens the valve but has not yet hit the pump microswitch, and water flows out of the grouphead under line pressure. All I had to do to make this work was to adjust the microswitch so that it engaged at a higher lever position than when I got it.

I didn't need to adjust the microswitch on my lever Bric' to use line pressure preinfusion. I believe the "Monster Bricoletta" is attacking the electronic dosage model.