It's going up against a pair of Elektras. We will pull all three shots simultaneously. The taster will pick the odd shot and say if it's better or worse. Reasons why it's better or worse are optional. Five to six rounds will establish if one can consistently pick the Mini. If one cannot, it performs similarly to the Elektra. If one can consistently pick it, the preferences come into play. They may consistently for one machine or the other, or mixed (i.e. the machines taste different, but not better/worse). In any case, with sufficient rounds, the experimental set up is decisive (this is why I got a pair of identical machines); and the result will be as assured as any taste test could be.

I asked James Warren at DC USA about how these machines are set up here and in Italy. The Italian machines ae delivered with the thick dispersion block, and the same baskets. The baskets are specified at 7 and 14 grams, at which point both gently touch the shower screen and produce a puck which is neither dry nor soggy.

James resets the vibe pumps to 9.5 bar against a blind filter; it's almost a certainty that the machines come from Italy set to 11 bar, which has been the vibe pump standard there for years.

With the thin dispersion block, both baskets can take an extra 3 to 4 grams before hitting the shower screen.

I don't think the changes for the US market are particularly happy. As far as I'm concerned, the machine performs hugely better with the thick block, set at 11 bar (at 11 bar, the OPV remains closed for a normal double, so it's no different from having no OPV, while it would pass a small amount of water for singles), dosed at 14 grams, and set to lower temperatures, around 87.5C to 92.5C. Set up in this fashion, it is, IMO, in contention for a good espresso score; used in the US style, it performs poorly.

Marshall or Ian may disagree; but the taste tests will tell. If it fails in this set up; I'll recalibrate it back to the US set up and repeat the blind testing.

another_jim wrote:
I don't think the changes for the US market are particularly happy. As far as I'm concerned, the machine performs hugely better with the thick block, set at 11 bar (at 11 bar, the OPV remains closed for a normal double, so it's no different from having no OPV, while it would pass a small amount of water for singles), dosed at 14 grams, and set to lower temperatures, around 87.5C to 92.5C. Set up in this fashion, it is, IMO, in contention for a good espresso score; used in the US style, it performs poorly.

Marshall or Ian may disagree; but the taste tests will tell. If it fails in this set up; I'll recalibrate it back to the US set up and repeat the blind testing.

Recognizing that you are not evaluating a Super Mini, any guesses whether similar performance parameters might also be true for it?

I've found at very high pressures I either get severe channeling, or the portafilter unscrews itself from the mount (not a pretty sight). I've been happy at 8.5-9 bar.

Can I come? I'll be the one wearing the carbon-fibre easter bonnet.

Dissing carbon fiber loses you 15 in-style points:

I'll stick with my BIC and its black plastic side panels, thank you very much.

Jim, I'll pit my Pelikan M400/800s, not to even mention my 1930s Duofold, against your silly Namiki Vanishing Point for style any day. :p

hperry wrote:Recognizing that you are not evaluating a Super Mini, any guesses whether similar performance parameters might also be true for it?

I'm guessing pre-infusion issues separate the two, with the Super mini actually being able to pre-infuse. Dunno about gicleurs in the SM. I'm guessing that these other brew parameters obfuscate the results.

-Greg

Cool pen. Is that a Namiki Vanishing Point?

another_jim wrote:Dissing carbon fiber loses you 15 in-style points:
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shadowfax wrote:Jim, I'll pit my Pelikan M400/800s, not to even mention my 1930s Duofold, against your silly Namiki Vanishing Point for style any day. :p

Those are lever machine pens; for the sheer absurdity of a high tech, double boiler, manual espresso machine, only a retractable nib fountain pen will do. In any case, your pens don't match the decor.

Jim, I'll give you that. My Robur looks kinda silly next to the T1, too... Should have shelled out for the Nino, I guess. I guess my style is that I'll sacrifice a setup that 'matches' for badass coffee. I guess you're in the same boat with the headless K10 and Semi, though, wouldn't you say?