Thread: Coffee Enthusiasts

Originally Posted by Dieseld

On their home page, you should be able to find the reviews of the most popular/useful machines for consumer use as well.

I agree with Midway, La Pavoni makes a great machine from the reviews I've read and my perusing of coffee forums. I own a lever machine myself. An Elektra, it is great and makes some very fine shots once you get the details dialed in.

The Breville is a good grinder, so you're half way there. The only thing with espresso is you need to be able to grind fine enough for proper extraction. Make sure you follow the recommendations on adjusting your grinder to the more fine grinds. Some do things a bit differently. For an example, My Baratza Vario, I need to adjust my burrs running the grinder when going to a finer grind. I do this without beans going through it. But to open them up,I can just make my adjustment on the go.

Good luck and I'll help ya any way I can

Dieseld - Thank you for the advice. The Breville has the option of dialing in the grind by adjusting the burrs internally - in addition to the external dial. I haven't had to do that since I am only grinding for pour over and french press coffee at this point.

I started to look at that site - a ton of info so I will read - read - read to get up to speed before thinking about getting anything.

The gasket on my old Solar-Sturgis vacuum pot has given up the ghost, Now to figure out how to make one, anybody have any tips.

If he hasn't yet, contact Geezer - a master at repair and rejuvenation of all things not easily found.

Originally Posted by spazola

The gasket on my old Solar-Sturgis vacuum pot has given up the ghost, Now to figure out how to make one, anybody have any tiTTACH]

Done similar. Get some artist clay. Olive oil, NO petrochemical!!
Go online to search for RTV molding technique.
There are a few good you tube and manufacture'scoops.
Good books..

By Thurzton James. Property builder's molding and casting and casting handbook

Above all no hydrocarbons around RTV. Not even for going off.
MikeB52 has hands on experience since I have. Have fun!

Thank you Geezer, That vacuum pot is functioning again thanks to your advice. I repaired the old seal with a bit of sisal twine and some rtv, not the classiest repair but fully functional thanks.

Some day in the future I will cast a whole new seal, but for not it is working and I am happy.

Hi friends....I just happened upon this thread and I am very happy to say I will be reading this at night before going to sleep instead of reading a book....I am a coffee lover and I really enjoy all your different opinions....this is my little espresso type coffee maker that I use for a quick zap pick me up...I use Melita espresso beans , grind them and pop them in this mini marvel.....thought I’d share ....Kathy.https://youtu.be/c_-3mdZuu2k

""

Some day in the future I will cast a whole new seal, but for not it is working and I am happy.

I stopped to think..what about a thin coat of RTV around the inside wall of the seal doughnut???

~Richard

Originally Posted by Geezer

""
I stopped to think..what about a thin coat of RTV around the inside wall of the seal doughnut???

~Richard

That is basically what I did, I built the ribs back up with rtv soaked sisal/jute then over coated with a thin layer. It is working well so far.

Finally remembered to bring the “camera” over to my friend’s house for the periodic, weekly siphoning of his Speedster. Mine lacks the automatic shot-timer (top-center) and a small pressostat upgrade. And, that’s my grinder hanging out to the left side for any single-dosing needs. Grant wired his Dogé Conico to a timer control box set to yield about 19 grams — just press the green for go button!









Progressive preinfusion indicator button atop right extends outward as brewing preinfusion begins, peaking at around 1” out and equal to full line pressure at the grouphead (so, “mildly” from 0 atm to say 3.0 atm in ~ 10-12s).

Lowering the notched drive handle about halfway down, then moving the whole handle laterally leftward, places its notch over the a hook for preinfusion. Or, you simply hold the handle halfway down if you like.

Extending the handle fully downward, the commercial-duty rotary pump (housed in his basement thanks to one serious OEM extension kit he bought; mine was under sink) kicks on to bring group pressure immediately to 9.0 atm (typical, not gospel) until brewing cycle has completed. Lever can be locked under the preinfusion hook or held until barista finishes pulling the shot.

The levering mechanism Kees engineered is phenomenally brilliant using 2 plunger-actuated switches (all steel w/ steel contact wheels, no plastique, no sirree!) for the brewing features. Will need to take an interior right-side shot someday to show that engineering off.

Bloody hell. That's some machine and setup!