Posted Fri Jan 6, 2012, 7:25pm Subject: Re: Why would I want a commercial lever machine?
JasonBrandtLewis Said:
Ryan, I can't answer any of your questions, but that won't stop me from throwing in my own 2¢ . . . ;^)
I have an Elektra "Sixties" T1 HX machine. I have had zero desire to upgrade over the past 3+ years that I've owned this machine. But that doesn't stop me from lusting after a 2-group Mirage Idracomprosso from Kees van der Westen . . . or maybe a BOSCO. Doubt I'll ever get one mind you, but the "allure" of a commercial level is . . . shall we say, "enduring."
Yep...I want one. A two group T1 but a single will suffice. When I get one I will never want another machine. But I will keep my Aurora and Microcasa just to be sure ;-))...What is it about these machines anyway? Even the kees doesn't do it for me as much.
Warrior372 Senior Member Joined: 2 Jan 2007 Posts: 265 Location: Chicago Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Olympia Cremina, Conti... Grinder: Mazzer Major & Cimbali... Vac Pot: Sunbeam Drip: Trechnivorm Thermoking &... Roaster: Has Garanti 2kg & HotTop
Posted Fri Jan 6, 2012, 10:09pm Subject: Re: Why would I want a commercial lever machine?
Ryan,
I just posted the '91 Conti Prestina that I restored with all original parts in the B/S/T area. Also, I can give you info on Bosco's. I looked for your private email and you do not have one listed, so please feel free to email me at my public email address if you would like more info on either.
Other than directly controlling an actual valve instead of a push-button relay-tripper, I don't feel that the GS/3's paddle action feels or acts much like a lever at all, and trying to make it so would have been a seriously dubious design objective for LM.
The joy of the lever is in the complete moment-to-moment physical sense of shot creation, the zen and one-ness of working together with the machine, the immediate response and effect of your actions.
The accomplishment of a great pump machine is carrying out, with consumate consistency and efficiency, the choices you've made.
I will always choose my old and much-loved La Pavoni to extract a single evening demitasse or a delicate, floral SO such as Don Pachi. But stringing together ten after-dinner cappas for company, or a quick walk-up afternoon break, or eight shots back-to-back each and every morning will sure make a GS/3 - or one of its cousins - your best friend.
ryandunlap Senior Member Joined: 15 Sep 2009 Posts: 104 Location: Syracuse, NY
Posted Sat Jan 7, 2012, 7:48am Subject: Re: Why would I want a commercial lever machine?
All,
Thanks so much for your comments. You've all made very strong arguments.
I think as I've processed all of this, I can totally see the attraction of commercial lever. The sense of manually engaging the machine is super cool, and I believe you about the nuances it can produce in the cup. But as I've processed all this, I think a major hindrance is the shear size of these machines. Our previous machine was a Duetto II, and my wife felt that was "pushing the size." When I showed her this photo on HB, she (politely) flipped:
Sadly, The Pompei, the Conti Prestina, the two-group Brugnetti Aurora, just don't fit our lifestyle. They would DOMINATE our kitchen.
The Bosco seems like it has a reasonable footprint, but (a) having never used a lever, and (b) having never had an cappuccino from a lever, I don't think I can justify buying a top-of-the-line model. Add in the month out delay, and the costs to ship it, and I think I might have to put the Lever Dream on hold a few years 'till my next bout with upgraditis.
:(
That said, thanks so much for your feedback. It's been very eye-opening. And I'm looking forward to visiting a fine establishment with a lever. And this thread has also brought the (newly priced!) Elektra T1 into focus, and so in that sense too it's been very helpful.
Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit = No New Posts since last visit = Newest post
Forum Rules: No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards. No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum. No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum. Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards. Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics. Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies. Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies. Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts. Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings.
= No New Posts since last visit 