Posted Sun Nov 21, 2004, 8:41pm Subject: Highlights from the CCC prosumer espresso track
What a blast! Alas, yesterday we had the sad task of boxing up a lot of hot, gleaming stainless steel. :-(
Over the next couple days I'll try to capture some of the highlights of the prosumer track of the Counter Culture Coffee EspressoFest. For many attendees, including myself, this was the first opportunity to get hands-on experience with equipment I've heard talked about on this board -- or what might be the next up-and-coming dream machine.
Our focus was on high-end equipment and techniques for making great espresso at home. Thanks to Jim at 1st-line, Chris at Chris' Coffee, and Todd at Whole Latte Love, we had larger assembly of equipment than at the Atlanta SCAA consumer espresso lab (yeah!). If you haven't seen the list, check out "Behind the scenes of the Counter Culture Coffee EspressoFest 2004"
Attendees, please feel free to add your comments... there was too much stuff for any one person to "play" with everything, and I'm sure others are as interested in your thoughts and impressions as I am.
Posted Sun Nov 21, 2004, 9:15pm Subject: Highlights from the CCC prosumer espresso track - Fiorenzato Briccoletta
Jim at 1st-line sent down the Fiorenzato Briccoletta lever model with rotary pump and direct water connect. I've plumbed in my own machine, La Valentina, and wouldn't go back to the tank-and-driptray routine again. The Briccoletta represented one of the three machines with direct plumbing at the 'Fest.
The Briccoletta arrived Friday, so I didn't get any quality pictures (sorry!). It initially didn't heat up and we found that one of the heating element wires had pulled loose during shipping. While we had the covers off, I had a chance to peek more closely inside. I was impressed by the component choices at the price -- in addition to the rotary pump, it includes a Gicar controller, two-level driptray drain like on the Cimbali Junior, and even stainless steel push-in connectors between the pump and boiler. The boiler is nickel plated, which made for a machine nearly as bright on the inside as the outside. :-o
I watched a couple attendees using the Briccoletta but somehow never managed to get behind the wheel myself. I was curious to see how the combination E61 / rotary pump worked in comparison to an E61 / vibration pump, i.e., would the faster ramp up in pressure affect the preinfusion noticeably? And how was the steaming on it?
Thanks to volunteeer Lino Verna, we had a fully disassembled E61 group for attendees to check out. I think you really never appreciate the simple ingenuity of this design until you've taken it apart yourself, not to mention how heavy a jewel it is! This led to an interesting discussion of E61s and different pump types, plus how what I've dubbed an "E60.5" like my own machine, the Wega Lyra, Expobar and others compare to the real McCoy (see image below where the expansion chamber is replaced by a solenoid).
Posted Sun Nov 21, 2004, 10:01pm Subject: Highlights from the CCC prosumer espresso track - Olympia Cremina
The Olympia Cremina was also offered by 1st-line.
I was lucky to receive this early enough to photograph and pull shots on it for several days. My wife liked the small profile ("It doesn't dominate the countertop like your other one..."). I find the 'handcrafted' aspect of lever machines irresistable, which accounts for my unwavering adoration of the Elektra Microcasa a Leva. Unlike the spring-powered Microcasa, the Olympia Cremina is 100% manual.
The groups and portafilters of these two lever machines are nearly identical -- attentive eyes will note the superior finish and polish work on the Swiss lever machine. The price is out of my league, but I can very easily picture this on the credenza of a Zurich banker or international CEO. It oozes Swiss precision. The Cremina was also the only machine to come with its own custom knockbox and frothing picture, not to mention its stainless steel funnel and perfectly sized scoop.
The instructions are also a model of what we could only dream other manufacturers would follow. I was a bit dubious of the suggestion to use the back of the scoop to lightly tamp ("What? Not even a POS tamper?!?"), but what do you know, it worked well. As a point of interest, I found that the suggestions documented in Mark's excellent detailed review of the Microcasa applied almost exactly to the Cremina, which may explain why I was able to pull good shots in short order.
One difference, however, is a plus -- the Cremina grouphead heats up more slowly when idle. That means you can turn on the Cremina, take a leisurely shower, come back and prepare your espresso. With the Microcasa, you better not dilly-dally or the group will be blazing hot! Also like the Microcasa, the Cremina is ideally a three or four shot machine. After that, the group no longer acts as a heat sink for the boiler water. I found the second and third shots were the best, and the fourth was "cappuccino worthy."
*sigh* I would love the sort of office credenza (or job!) worthy of such a luxury as the understated, elegant Olympia Cremina. Attendees gasped at the price. Well, I figure it's like a Rolex watch. If you have to ask why it costs that much, you just don't understand. :-o
Posted Mon Nov 22, 2004, 5:48am Subject: Re: Highlights from the CCC prosumer espresso track - Olympia Cremina
That's interesting Dan, since I had always thought of the Cremina as a really expensive La Pavoni, with approximately the same size group. I figured that the Cremina must also suffer from the same problem of overheating. It is nice to hear that it doesn't, but I still can't imagine that it is worth a $1500 premium. I know they are hand built with swiss precision, but their price is ludicrous, and imho, unjustifiable.
I wish I could have made it, as it sounds like it was a blast. Sadly, NC is on the other side of the country from me.
Chris
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Posted Tue Nov 23, 2004, 1:28pm Subject: Highlights from the CCC prosumer espresso track - espro tamper
Café West and espro company president Bruce Constantine generously offered five of their innovative tampers for us to try. David Morris wasted no time in checking its "click" on a nearby scale (geeks... ya gotta love 'em). Several attendees spoke positively about it and asked about a special price.
It surprised me how light 30 pounds of pressure is. During the commercial espresso track, Chris Deferio (Gimme Coffee) pointed out that proper tamping pressure and good hand placement is as much about avoiding occupational overuse (carpel tunnel syndrome) as producing consistent shots. Good advice!
It's going to take some practice for me to "dial down" my tamp to 30 pounds... well, at least with the espro tamper, I can leave the scale in the bathroom. :-)
Fair question. Here's my nominees for best of show "newcomers" in alphabetical order:
Andreja Premium - after Isomac's decision to change to a single distributor, I figured it was only time before their prices rocketed upward (see "Re: ALERT: Isomac Tea for $799 on Whole Latte Love"). Indeed that's what has come to pass, leaving a gaping hole for a new upstart to enter the U.S. market. Quick Mill, makers of the Andreja Premium, have demonstrated a willingness to listen to American consumers and their distribution chain. Other Italian manufacturers should take note or their more open-minded fratellos are going to eat their lunch.
Expobar Brewtus (double-boiler with digital temperature control) - yes, there's two 1.7 liter boilers wedged into the frame of a standard Expobar Lever. Todd Salzmon demonstrated the temperature control by connecting an in-basket TC probe to his Fluke thermometer. The big red LED display on the front of the machine matched the grouphead temperature while pulling a shot. Schomer wanabees will swoon when this one comes to market.
Fiorenzato Briccoletta - although I only watched others work this machine, I had time before the event to poke around the insides and noted good component choices. The rotary pump filled the space usually reserved for a water tank and the drip tray was ready for plumbing. In my book, any rotary machine that breaks the "fill it / empty it" cycle out of the box and doesn't scrimp on the internals at the Briccoletta's price point is one to watch.
The prosumer regulars were also represented (e.g., ECM, Isomac) as well as the compact commercial crowd (Cimbali, La Spaziale). Toss in a lever machine by Olympia, entry level machines by Krups and Le'Lit, and we had a good representation of what's out there. It won't be easy to top it next year... :-o
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