Paul L wrote:Any thoughts on the Brewtus II versus the original?

I've not seen the redesigned Brewtus, which according to WLL: "...features a brewing pressure gauge (in addition to a steam pressure gauge), a brewing pressure adjustment knob that is located behind the drip tray, and a no-burn steam wand." A cup rail is part of their "gift" package. After all the anticipation, I was hoping for more significant differences, such as 1F degree adjustments of the temperature control or option of a rotary pump.

(In terms familiar to the software development industry, I would designate it a "Brewtus 1.5" tweak release, but that's a marketing question. )

I think that's fair Dan and I can see that some folk buy a refurbished MK-I and then add a new steam wand and portafilter gauge instead. With the Brewtus just being brought into the UK it all seemed an issue of luck or timing as I learned this, learned there were 2 new Brewtus II's in the UK for the next 4 weeks and at a good starting price. so, I just went for it and I'm in day 5 so early days.

It's good to have a machine from new that I would like to think will be with me for many years and, as a non-pro who has lived only with a Krups for years, a Gaggia Cubika for 6 months and then a Pavoni for 6 months I have to say that, for me personally, this is an awesome experience and a different league to my own experiences to date. It's the first time I have stopped feeling the need to go out of my way and visit the rare coffee shops that coffee folk seek out. More ot the point, when I do so I won't be feeling deflated when I get home.

So far, my own roast Ethiopian Djimmah have been a delight, I can taste Monsoon Malabar properly for the first time and it produces results it doesn't have a right to bought roasts that are known to have mixed reputations. As a roaster said to me a while ago, he knows that quite often people are not tasting the coffee he is tasting or necessarily getting all the quality in the cup. I would like to think I'm starting to get a lot further along that path now.

Hey Paul,

I can comment a little on this one. I had a Brewus I but had to send it back as it was having some issues. During the time it was in for "the fix" the Brewtus II came online and I requested the I be replaced with a II. The obvious differences aside, I think that at their core they both execute how they are supposed to; essentially providing a digitally controlled double boiler which allows for a stable temp environment. At least that's what I bought it for. I'm happy with my temp stability at the grouphead and like yourself (iroast2, Macap and Brewtus II) I am more than happy with the end results.

In my opinion, at this level of espresso, the limitation is my skill-set more so than the "devices". I just got in a wild assortment of green and having a decent grinder and espresso machine allows me to focus on putting together an uber-shot blend rather than second guessing the variables of beans versus chrome.

Not sure if that was of any use, maybe not. But as a home roaster pulling on good machinery just know you are drinking better quality espresso than most everyone around you.

Does anyone know where Todd Michael, formerly at Wholelattelove is now and how he can be reached?

Sorry, no. Try calling WLL and asking for co-owner Todd Salzman, he would know. You may need to be persistent, he's quite busy and sometimes forgets to return calls.