tanders2008 Senior Member Joined: 19 Mar 2012 Posts: 3 Location: Dubai, UAE Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Rocket Giotto Grinder: Eureka Mignon
Posted Tue Mar 20, 2012, 1:54am Subject: La Marzocco GS/3 questions
Hi, I'm new to this forum, but did a lot of reading here prior to buying my first machine (Rocket Giotto) a couple of years ago.
I'm now strongly considering buying the GS/3 (standard version, 220V). However, there is a couple of things I need to know before making such an investment, but haven't been able to find the answers yet (LM directed me to the local retailer, which could not help me)
Hopefully a GS3 owner out there who could help me out;
1) Does the 220V come with an insulated steam wand? 2) The "Tea water / hot water"; Is this water coming from the coffe-boiler or the steam-boiler? 3) Are there any major changes from the earlier version to the latest 2012 version? (I'm considering the normal version, not the paddle). 4) Is a timer a part of the machine? (my current Rocket is connected to an external timer, which works well)
shawndo Senior Member Joined: 5 Jan 2010 Posts: 100 Location: NYC Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: LM Shot Brewer Grinder: Versalab M3/Robur E
Posted Tue Mar 20, 2012, 11:19am Subject: Re: La Marzocco GS/3 questions
I'm also doing a bit of reading on this and here is what I've found:
1: the insulated wand is the default but depending on your retailer, you can request the "burn-me" wand if you want. Double check with your retailer before you buy. Many people on the forums prefer the "burn-me" wand because it creates drier steam 2: steam boiler mixed with reservoir/plumbed water ---edited from the totally wrong answer 3: don't know 4: Timer is a built-in function
PS If your retailer couldn't help you, maybe consider an online retailer. There are several with excellent reputations. PPS Just noticed you are in Dubai. Not sure how that would affect dealing with an online retailer. Might still be worth an email.
Posted Tue Mar 20, 2012, 11:35am Subject: Re: La Marzocco GS/3 questions
I am pretty sure there is a mixer that combines water from the steam and brew boilers for the hot water tap, and it has a thumbwheel so you can adjust the proportion of the mix.
The only "major" changes from the earlier versions that I'm aware of is a new drip tray cover design and new firmware control program, that allows the shot to run up to 50 seconds instead fo the prior 40 second limit (I think).
laservet Senior Member Joined: 12 Jun 2003 Posts: 233 Location: Williamsburg Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: La Marzocco GS/3 Grinder: Versalab M3, Mazzer Mini Vac Pot: Zojirushi Drip: Bunn SmartWave APS, Bodum...
Posted Tue Mar 20, 2012, 11:46am Subject: Re: La Marzocco GS/3 questions
JonR10 Said:
I am pretty sure there is a mixer that combines water from the steam and brew boilers for the hot water tap, and it has a thumbwheel so you can adjust the proportion of the mix.
The only "major" changes from the earlier versions that I'm aware of is a new drip tray cover design and new firmware control program, that allows the shot to run up to 50 seconds instead fo the prior 40 second limit (I think).
The newer firmware also adds an automatic rinse program, indicator lights for both boiler heaters, and loses the ability to adjust the PID for the steam boiler.
TonyVan Senior Member Joined: 24 May 2010 Posts: 269 Location: Pacific Northwest Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: GS/3, La Pavoni Grinder: Macap M7K, Rocky Drip: Kone
Posted Tue Mar 20, 2012, 9:48pm Subject: Re: La Marzocco GS/3 questions
1) Which wand? - Do check with your seller. In the USA with the 110VAC version, the regulatory and safety approvals were apparently conducted with the cool-touch wand, so all units are imported that way (to avoid the cost of recertifications). Individual owners can then change out the wand for the (generally considered) preferable "burn-me" version, and many sellers will switch them for the buyer as part of the initial setup. All this said, however, the regulatory environment may be different where you live, so I can't say with any certainty how your GS/3 will be delivered - so that's why you need to check with the importer or seller.
2) Tea Mix? - CORRECTED as per BC's ultimately authoritative comment below, with my thanks: It is a mix of the steam boiler and line/reservoir water with the proportions regulated by the thumb-wheel on the lower right side. This enables a fairly precise setting since you also control the temperature of the steam boiler. One thing to watch - even with good or filtered water, the taste of the water from the coffee boiler is better than that of the steam boiler water which is larger, isn't used up as much, and therefore doesn't turn over its contents as fast. The steam boiler water can get pretty stale or metallic, so taste your tea water every couple of days and change out the steam boiler water if it's not right.
3) Updates? -There has been a steady progression of fixes over the years including those mentioned by others and firmware improvements. Physical upgrades to the drain box (now really nice and even kind of dressy in comparison to the early versions) and all those vibration and OPV problems you see in the old threads were handled well. Since the version you're considering has had at least a dozen firmware updates over time there are going to be a lot of little improvements as well as big convenience features such as the auto-back flush.
4) Timer? -The shot timer is programmable with several pre-sets you can store. There's also a machine-on/off timer built in that will turn your machine on at a programmed time and then off when you choose. This machine timer can also be set to stay off ("closed") if there's one day per week you want to leave it shut down or control it manually. (I know it's kind of funny to have these parameters so limited when even the cheapest play-toy these days would enable you to set multiple start and stop times every day with each day having different options etc. And maybe a Bluetooth connection to a iPhone where all the settings are managed via scrolling wheels... But nope, not there yet.)
tanders2008 Senior Member Joined: 19 Mar 2012 Posts: 3 Location: Dubai, UAE Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Rocket Giotto Grinder: Eureka Mignon
Posted Wed Mar 21, 2012, 2:36am Subject: Re: La Marzocco GS/3 questions
Thanks for all the good answers and advices.
Is a lot of the steam power lost in the insulated wand (which I assume has a reduced ID) ?
Good to hear that the hot-water can be routed from the brew boiler. In my Rocket (with its single boiler), the hot-water isn’t very appealing unless it is used a lot.
As Shawndo pointed out, I’m currently living in Dubai and there are no online retailers here.
billc Senior Member Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 81 Location: Seattle, Washington Expertise: Professional
Espresso: CC1 - GS - GS3 - GB5 Grinder: Baratza - Mazzer-Marzocco Drip: My own Creation
Posted Thu Mar 22, 2012, 9:21pm Subject: Re: La Marzocco GS/3 questions
Just a clarification on the tea water. The water comes from the steam boiler only. The mix valve allows a bit of cold water (from the water reservoir or water supply on plumbed versions) to mix with the steam boiler water and cool it off.
tanders2008 Senior Member Joined: 19 Mar 2012 Posts: 3 Location: Dubai, UAE Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Rocket Giotto Grinder: Eureka Mignon
Posted Sun Mar 25, 2012, 1:53am Subject: Re: La Marzocco GS/3 questions
Thanks for the info. I'm not sure why they designed it that way, usually this water becomes quite stained unless used a lot (at least that is the case with my Rocket Giotto).
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