For some reason, about a month ago, I became obsessed with owning an espresso machine --I think that it was related to finding this site while learning to use my Aeropress (which I love BTW). Since then, I've been lurking and lurking, stealing all your informations and dreaming up schemes to justify ever more costly machines to my wife. As it turned out, in order to get me to stop talking to her about espresso machines, she said that up to $200 would be OK. With this limit in mind I had my choice down to:
a used Solis SL-90 if I could get it shipped for <$200
a used Solis SL-70 if I could get it shipped to <$150
a used Gaggia Baby if I could it shipped for <$150
a new Nemox Fenice for $300 shipped (this would require some bold and decisive action followed by several months of apologetic humility)
The SL-90 was my first choice. It's automatic capabilities seem ideal for learning because I can adjust parameters and compare results. I also like that it is quiet since noise travels a little too well in my house and I am likely to be trying to make espresso while my kids are asleep.
Don't worry, I already have a grinder. A Solis Maestro Plus --perhaps not as fancy as some would recommend, but to my eye, the grind is very even. And I've been roasting my own coffee for the last 6 months or so (whirley pop and in the oven) with great results.
Anyway, I just wanted to brag, and say thanks to all the posters who gave me the info I needed to jump on this machine. Feel free to shower me with tips or links on how to get the most out of the SL-90.
(now I just have to hope that the machine that I bought is in full working order)
Beezer Senior Member Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 414 Location: Fresno, CA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Quickmill Anita Grinder: La Cimbali Max Hybrid
Posted Sun Jan 11, 2009, 8:52pm Subject: Re: I'm In! Just bought my first machine!
Congratulations on the new machine. Looks like a good score. The only upgrade i'd recommend is to get a depressurized filter if the machine didn't come with one. That will allow you to get much better body and crema then the stock pressurized filter. Oh, and get fresh, high quality beans and a proper 53mm tamper. Then enjoy the ride.
MonkeyK Senior Member Joined: 12 Dec 2008 Posts: 92 Location: Twin Cities, MN Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Solis SL-90 Grinder: Solis Maestro Pro Drip: Aeropress, Krups ProAroma Roaster: Whirlypop, and my big gas...
Posted Sun Jan 11, 2009, 9:54pm Subject: Re: I'm In! Just bought my first machine!
You know, I didn't notice that until just after the auction. I am a little worried because the pictures do not represent everything that should come with the machine. OTOH, I can easily see someone loosing track of the water tank cover.
Posted Sun Jan 11, 2009, 10:28pm Subject: Re: I'm In! Just bought my first machine!
The water tank should have a cover (think black plastic). It would be easy enough to use something else if it doesn't show up w/the machine. You may even be able to find a replacement part for it, if its that big of a deal. I think you got it for a good price.
MonkeyK Senior Member Joined: 12 Dec 2008 Posts: 92 Location: Twin Cities, MN Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Solis SL-90 Grinder: Solis Maestro Pro Drip: Aeropress, Krups ProAroma Roaster: Whirlypop, and my big gas...
Posted Tue Jan 20, 2009, 9:23pm Subject: Re: I'm In! Just bought my first machine!
Gaaa! this is not going as well as I hoped. I'll tell my story to date (one day) with appologies for my poor narative skill. Feel free to offer any suggestions.
Arrival:
The Solis SL-90 arrived today. Very well packed: no original packaging, but it was double boxed foam peanuts between boxes, and the actual machine wrapped in bubble wrap in the inner box. However when I finally got it all unwrapped, my first impressions were not favorable. The machine was not particularly clean. I took the porta filter out and did not see a basket in it. Looking inside the porta filter, it appeared to have never been cleaned (photo in link). The real kicker, though, was that the control unit was pushed in at the top (photo in link). Looking at the auction, I can see a picture of it, but for some reason I do not recall noticing it before bidding. I also noticed that the steam wand was dripping. Odd, so I gave it a shake and could hear water. So maybe there was still water in the boiler. (I guess it would be hard to get all of the water out, but even so, I don't get why it would make it's way out of the steam wand.
Trial run: Time to see what it will do. According to the user manual (I downloaded it), I should vent the machine first. So I filled the tank, plugged it in, turned on the machine and when it began to hum, I opened the steam valve to wait for 2 dl of water to come out. ...nothing came out of it, not even any noise. I even waited a couple of minutes
Then I tried running a cup. ...nothing again! But the PF got quite hot.
I tried turning on the steam (button) and opening up the valve again. ...now some steam came out but rather anemically so.
not good.
I turned the machine off and tried removing the pf. What happens? A filter basket falls out (photo in link). Turns out that the odd looking group head that I saw was really the filter basket! In its place, attached to the group head is a dry hard little puck. Maybe the last user stalled it and left it for broken (although the auction did not suggest this)
So I knocked the puck off and wipped down the group head as best I could with a washcloth (photo in link). Then I reattached the pf, sans basket, wated for the green light and pressed the one cup button again. ...still nothing, not even a drip
Tried the steam again. A bit more this time, but still barely anything. At least until I twisted the knob the other way, then the steam started blasting out like a demon! OK so I just misunderstood which way to turn the knob. Maybe the steam knob was in the wrong position for coffee. I twisted it fully out to turn the steam back down and pressed the steam button to turn it off. The steam wand still hissed a bit, but I can ignore that for now. I waited for the coffee indicator to go from blinking green to solid green and then hit the one cup button. ...nothing two cup button? nothing
Perhaps the head is just clogged. It is now time to vastly exceed my know how.
Cleaning: I turned off and unplugged the machine, waited for it to cool off and then removed the showerhead (photo in link). Sticky little guy. Not sure what to do with the next thing, so I turned the machine upside down and poured a cafiza solution into the group head. I also set the PF, shower head, and old filter basket in some cafiza to soak while I wrote this up.
MonkeyK Senior Member Joined: 12 Dec 2008 Posts: 92 Location: Twin Cities, MN Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Solis SL-90 Grinder: Solis Maestro Pro Drip: Aeropress, Krups ProAroma Roaster: Whirlypop, and my big gas...
Posted Tue Jan 20, 2009, 9:50pm Subject: Re: I'm In! Just bought my first machine!
OK cleaning looks pretty good (album updated) Seeing the showerhead clean, I looked at a light through it and could see light through all of the holes (wish I had thought of trying that before cleaning)
Now I will try running a shot of water again, but this time before putting the shower head back in place.
<A few minutes later>
drats still nothing. Since I can hear the pump humming away. I am guessing that something may be disconnected inside (I've read that happens with the Solis Crema models). I guess that I have my weekend project cut out for me.
Joel_B Senior Member Joined: 9 Oct 2007 Posts: 675 Location: Pacific NW Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Astra Pro Grinder: Macap M4 & Digital M4, BV Drip: stainless french press Roaster: Behmor, WP, BBQ drum
Posted Wed Jan 21, 2009, 6:05am Subject: Re: I'm In! Just bought my first machine!
The lack of water could be a # of reasons, but a likely reason is the pump isn't primed. Vibe pumps need water in them to work. Disconect the pump at the outlet end (so there is no back pressure at the pump) and run the pump for a few seconds. The water should shoot out pretty good so do it near your sink or into a large bowl to collect the water. This will A) prime the pump, and B) tell you if the pump is actually working.
calblacksmith Senior Member Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 491 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: 2 SJs, NS MCD 65, Solis 166 Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Wed Jan 21, 2009, 7:48am Subject: Re: I'm In! Just bought my first machine!
You should not need to disconnect the pump to prime it. On any single boiler/dual use I have seen (I could be wrong here but I don't think so) all you need to do is open the steam wand and turn the pump on, the steam wand venting will relieve the pressure and allow the pump to move water. This should also be the way to get hot water out of the machine for things like tea, hot cocoa etc.
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 