Hi all, long time member/lurker and new Linea Micra owner. I upgraded from an Izzo Alex Duetto III which I've used reliably for at least 10 years. Ordered on Dec 5, delivered on Jan 27. Loving it so far! I found I had to go a few dots finer on my Niche Zero, other than that dialing in was a

Wouldn't it be faster to steam first since you can help cool down the machine by opening the steam valve and run the pump until hot water comes out? This is what WLL recommends: {link}

It may be more beneficial for the OP if we provide facts based on actual use. If I was in the Netherlands I'd let you use my machine so you could get hands on experience

Thanks for the tips. Yes, I found going hotter than a usual hand hold hot, C130F, to a 140F hand drop hot made the pour more defined. It seems the froth floats quicker and defines more. Maybe I'm just imagining it, the change is subtle. At 140F I have to be careful not go too far

If the previous owner has had that machine for some time I would recommend tearing the group down for an inspection and thorough overhaul: For more detail on the E-61 group, see these two articles on my website: "How-To 19 - Overhauling and Lubricating the E-61 Group"

$400-500 for 20 year old machines, $500-600 for 10 year olds. I suppose that's a good thing that it holds value, but may as well buy new at this price point. After you add a PID and such to a new Silvia, its total price gets close to low end HX or even used DB territory. That

Will steaming at too low a temperature affect milk texture, for ex. it won't remain stable for too long?

You're not alone in being confused, especially as a lot of the people spouting off on the subject don't have first-hand experience with a broad range of burr sets. Flat vs. conical is an oversimplification. There are flat burrs that "taste like the best conicals" for classic espresso (the Mythos burrs as one example) and there are conical burrs

Ah I haven't thought about that. Yes I do use a Stagg. I will try using the usual wide spout kettle. Thanks for the suggestion!

The spring valve instead of a cap on the boiler is interesting. I think my Argos will have a cap. With this funnel/spring system the pressure in the boiler will still have to be at zero to stick the funnel in, correct?