Thread: Coffee Enthusiasts

Kees van der Westen produced the most gorgeous lever-operated machine I’ve ever seen — the Mirage Idrocompresso — which was discontinued in 2015 due to the unfortunate popularity of the whiz-bang variable pressure profiling machines.



Ironically and sadly, the only “pressure profile” I’ve ever seen coffee shops use is the vaunted “lever profile.” Sort of reminds me how DE razors killed off straight razors despite the straight’s ability to provide a better, more enjoyable shave.

<sigh>

One thing I forgot to mention is that a small lever machine like the LaPavoni, Cremina, and Microcasa can warm to steaming temperature in very few minutes.
Only a couple liters at most warm. And 1KW + to do it.

Some pump machines can take 20 minutes or more. Consumer steam machines and some pump machines can do better than a large boiler(s)can.
It is watts per liter of water + weight of the boiler material and group that make the difference. Many small machines have a boiler/group combination that heats faster.
JMO, YMMV
~Richard

Well I ordered the lever machine. Got an open box discount on it and saved $300. It was used for a photo shoot. And the grinder as well. Went with the one without the “weight” option. No need to have the grinder weigh the grounds. I have a good scale for that already. So looking forward to getting on the road to making my own Espresso and learning this fine art

Thanks again Richard. Your help and advise was very very useful

Originally Posted by Dieseld

Well I ordered the lever machine. Got an open box discount on it and saved $300. It was used for a photo shoot. And the grinder as well. Went with the one without the “weight” option. No need to have the grinder weigh the grounds. I have a good scale for that already. So looking forward to getting on the road to making my own Espresso and learning this fine art

Thanks again Richard. Your help and advise was very very useful

Don't forget pictures when you get it or we don't believe you

After weighing beans for many years I got the Vario-W and I'll tell you it's a real convenience.

Originally Posted by Dieseld

Well I ordered the lever machine. Got an open box discount on it and saved $300. It was used for a photo shoot. And the grinder as well. Went with the one without the “weight” option. No need to have the grinder weigh the grounds. I have a good scale for that already. So looking forward to getting on the road to making my own Espresso and learning this fine art

Thanks again Richard. Your help and advise was very very useful

"FOOOOMP!"

"What was that?"

"Dave disappearing down the rabbit hole - jumped in with both feet!"



It's probably a good thing I don't have any extra cash these days, as I'd no doubt be doing the exact same thing. For now though, I'll have to enjoy your adventure vicariously!

We've had our La Povoni lever for 20 some years with minimum of four cups a day. Took some practice to get the grind, cup pack and lever pull just so. Loads of crema once we got the drill down. Only two services in that time. We found leaving on for too long slowly cooked the gaskets the first couple of years. Now it is only on while pulling a cup and then off. Went 15 year before next service. We have Peet's Italian roast beans delivered in mail with in 48 hours of roasting. In the stores Peet's one to two weeks old.

Much like SR shaving, lever pulls are an art as far as I'm concerned. The grind, cup pack and pull have to be learned. When you find the sweet spot, it is like hitting a home run. You know just by the sound and feel it is going out of the park and you have that perfect crema and a perfect shave.

[reply to Speedster's post]

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Don't forget pictures when you get it or we don't believe you

After weighing beans for many years I got the Vario-W and I'll tell you it's a real convenience.

I was trying to keep the cost down as much as possible. And I hope I don't regret not getting the weight option.
And of course there will be pictures. I know how much we all love them

Originally Posted by Cangooner

"FOOOOMP!"

"What was that?"

"Dave disappearing down the rabbit hole - jumped in with both feet!"



It's probably a good thing I don't have any extra cash these days, as I'd no doubt be doing the exact same thing. For now though, I'll have to enjoy your adventure vicariously!

Is there any other way to jump down a rabbit hole
Hope you enjoy my learning experience. I'll be posting questions and my success as well as failures here

Originally Posted by jmercer

We've had our La Povoni lever for 20 some years with minimum of four cups a day. Took some practice to get the grind, cup pack and lever pull just so. Loads of crema once we got the drill down. Only two services in that time. We found leaving on for too long slowly cooked the gaskets the first couple of years. Now it is only on while pulling a cup and then off. Went 15 year before next service. We have Peet's Italian roast beans delivered in mail with in 48 hours of roasting. In the stores Peet's one to two weeks old.

Beautiful machine there, I consider these works of art!
And thanks for the info on the gaskets and the link to a great roaster as well

Well tracking says the machine will be here tomorrow.........then I'll get to make my first mistakes Thursday morning

Roasted some coffee yesterday to use. I read that it's best for the coffee to be 3 days old for the best use in these machines. I can understand that, as fresh and with in a day, you still get the volcano affect.


Stay tuned..........

PULL lever action machines are my favorite. Beautiful to look at, hand crafted, and delicious coffee.