LMWDP Rollcall - Page 192

A haven dedicated to manual espresso machine aficionados.
Wally
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Joined: 7 years ago

#1911: Post by Wally »

Hello,

I like vintage lever machines and in the process of rebuilding 2 europiccola.
I have learned a lot from this site. Thank you all!

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LBIespresso
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#1912: Post by LBIespresso »

I used to think coffee was good because it was a source of caffeine that, with enough sugar and milk tasted good.

Then I spent a bunch of time in Costa Rica. While I was there I learned quite a bit volunteering in a coffee growing community. I also learned that good coffee is best straight up with no sugar or milk. I returned home and began my search for a method of making a good cup at home. Until recently I had managed to do quite well with an Aeropress and a Hario Skerton that I rigged up with my drill.

I decided it was time to up my coffee game and I know I like espresso so...I got my HG-One a few days ago and my brand new Cremina today (thanks to Johnny from Cerini Coffee). I pulled my first shot and will post a video asking for advice (It didn't suck) as I am totally new to this game. So, World Domination? I am so far from being there but it's good to have goals, right?

Andrew

LMWDP #580

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mivanitsky
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#1913: Post by mivanitsky »

Tastewise, that is an endgame setup, unless you at some point decide you need a motor.

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FotonDrv
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#1914: Post by FotonDrv replying to mivanitsky »

+1 :-)
That Light at the End of the Tunnel is actually a train

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LBIespresso
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#1915: Post by LBIespresso »

mivanitsky wrote:Tastewise, that is an endgame setup, unless you at some point decide you need a motor.
FotonDrv wrote:+1 :-)
I like to say, "I don't F around." Hehe. That said I am 5 shots in to my newest obsession and not exactly intimidated but certainly impatient with how long this is going to take to get good at!

I think my biggest problem for now is going to be my hands shaking from drinking so much coffee!!! At least I have some friends to experiment on.

Edit: As promised, here is a video of my first ever attempt at LMWD ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpnD_4Q7ABA ). Clearly a long way to go. My grind was way too coarse and my tamp needs work. I will post another video with hopefully much better results today.
LMWDP #580

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FotonDrv
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#1916: Post by FotonDrv »

LBIespresso wrote:I like to say, "I don't F around." Hehe. That said I am 5 shots in to my newest obsession and not exactly intimidated but certainly impatient with how long this is going to take to get good at!

I think my biggest problem for now is going to be my hands shaking from drinking so much coffee!!! At least I have some friends to experiment on.
Caffeine overdose is real...
That Light at the End of the Tunnel is actually a train

Tonefish
Posts: 1401
Joined: 7 years ago

#1917: Post by Tonefish »

So I finally figured out what LMWDP is all about, and it is definitely a group I can relate to. I've been roasting coffee for more than a decade but had mostly used vacuum pots until several trips to Italy and Switzerland made me appreciate the espresso. First thing I did was figure out what the best espresso forum is, and here I am. You all, and especially Vlad (vberch), really got me up to speed quickly, for which I am forever grateful. When we first dug into it, after woeful shots from my Mr Coffee Caffe Ristorante (bought in the '80s), my wife thought there was no way we should spend that kind of money on espresso equipment, so we started off with the Flair. Then I got her going on the Breve, Con Panna, and the occasional Affogato that she could never forget. She's a big fan now. Next came the La Pavoni Europiccola (pre-mil, gen 2) and then the Cremina '67.

And now for the setup pics. I've actually got three different espresso setups; one for the home, the office, and the camper.

Here's the Cremina at home near the sink, and the Mahlgut which for counter space conservation has it's own spot in the breakfast nook corner:


And now the Flair, along with Z Mahlgut inspiration grinder, is my office kit:



Finally, the LPE and Kinu M47 make up my camper kit:

(pic to come in a few weeks when I get to go camping again)

Happy Pulls!
LMWDP #581 .......... May your roasts, grinds, and pulls be the best!

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RockyIII
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#1918: Post by RockyIII »

Wow, this is page 193 and post 1923. I guess lever machines are here to stay, eh?

I've had several espresso machines over the years, dating back to the mid 1990s, but they were mostly HX semiautomatic machines. I didn't get my first lever machine until just a few years ago, a lovely little La Pavoni PC-16. I didn't get the hang of it and gave up too soon because I had no idea what I was doing and had not heard of this forum yet. Then later I got a Londinium I, an excellent machine, which my daughter is using now.

My next lever machine was a Strietman CT-1. I really enjoyed using it and made some of the best shots I've ever tasted. I missed having steam though and ended up going back to another pump machine, this time a double boiler with excellent stability and repeatable shots. However, I have been missing those extra special shots that I made many times, but not all the time, with the manual lever machine.

I have been drooling over an Olympia Cremina for a while, and I finally bought one that will arrive tomorrow. I have never used one or even seen one in person, but I'm hopeful and even fairly confident that it will turn out to be a good experience. I have read a lot of posts to help me with the learning curve, including reading the temperature study ones multiple times, so I feel ready to try it out.

I think I've come a long way with my espresso knowledge and abilities in the few years since I tried the La Pavoni, and the resources and members of Home-Barista.com deserve a great deal of credit in helping me along the way. The pursuit of great tasting espresso really is a great hobby and a passion.

Well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Rocky

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vberch
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#1919: Post by vberch »

Great setup, Jim!!!
Tonefish wrote:So I finally figured out what LMWDP is all about,

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redbone
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#1920: Post by redbone »

vberch wrote:Great setup, Jim!!!
Ya it's about "Living the Vida Lever" :wink:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCEvCXuglqo

I couldn't help myself
Between order and chaos there is espresso.
Semper discens.


Rob
LMWDP #549

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