Ponte Vecchio Lusso - advice please?

Moon

on 1418166361:

P.s Moony I don't  remember spending  7 grand

Oh .. sorry about that .. thought I read it somewhere in another thread  :doh: ... and didn't bother checking. Probably after making a 7.8/10 coffee when my brain was hallucinating .. and deprived of a decent cup of coffee :question: On another forum I'm on .. we don't accept excuses .. are they acceptable here?  Will have to give the plunger another go sometime. I doubt I'll be too impressed, as I don't like my coffee being too watery .. and that's what plungers are.. a long black with a dash of milk .. reminds me of my Nescafe days .. before doing the coffee sugar paste method and thinking it was great.  ::)  How times have changed ... for the better.  :thumb: ps. Congrats on the 1k post count Db. May future posts contain ratings well above 5/10   ;D

Moon

After a series of single shot lattes in my 160ml cup .. I reckon they are sitting around 9.1/10 The microfoam hadn't been as good as I had been making it a while ago .. so I figured it must be partially blocked. I'd kept the 2 little steam wand cleaners that came with the Sunbeam Cafe series machine going back 3-4 years. I gave the 2 holes a good poking and it seemed like there was a little crust that had built up inside. A couple of weeks ago I tried soaking the tip in vinegar .. only that didn't appear to do anything .. and gave it a bit of a poke as well .. which didn't seem to help. Anyway .. after the clean this morning .. I gave it a run and the microfoam was heaps better. I gave the coffee a 9.2/10  :thumb: Goes to show that according to my calculation/taste buds .. using the Moon Scale - the difference between ok microfoam and  excellent microfoam makes the difference between a 9.1 and a 9.2/10 The smoother texture of the milk certainly adds to the enjoyment of the coffee experience. The wire used for the wand cleaner is very thin .. I wonder if there is a file the same gauge - which would be better than the wire .. as it would scrape much more of the inside surface of the steam wand to get that crusty milk out. With the wire .. it is really only the tip that does the scraping.

Lacehim

There's not much you can do with the PV Lusso steam wands. Just make sure you give them a good blast straight afterwards (ie finish milk, put it down, steam into spare jug while you pour your milk.  I used to keep a clean jug around just for that because the drip tray is mostly metal sheeting.

Moon

on 1418816087:

There's not much you can do with the PV Lusso steam wands.

Would have made it easier to clean if the wand could be unscrewed and taken off .. only it has one of those rubber grommets .. the ones you've taken out once before and weren't able to get it back in. Either that or being able to unscrew the tip. Looks like it's 0/2 on the user friendly cleaning features. You'd think it would have one or the other, but hey .. we know the PV Lusso is the bare basics with no frills. Good golly -  having a screw tip would probably add about $2.50 to the cost of manufacture.  :'(

on 1418816087:

Just make sure you give them a good blast straight afterwards (ie finish milk, put it down, steam into spare jug while you pour your milk.  I used to keep a clean jug around just for that because the drip tray is mostly metal sheeting.

I have a 2nd jug to flush the group head to heat it up prior to pouring the shot .. and for doing a cleaning flush at the end. With the hot water in the jug .. it's easy enough to use a small paint brush to brush around the seal and shower screen. I use a hand towel to dry the screen after the first heating flush - so that the grinds don't get wet and stick if the dose is a bit full. Best to avoid this in case you've overdosed and need to take the PF off to remove some grinds. I considered that fancy tube that attaches to the steam wand from some d00d in the UK that Koffee Kosmo found .. only it was around $75 + shipping iirc. Would be nice but a bit expensive I thought for what it was. Could always put together one myself .. if I was keen enough. Get some plastic tubing and slip it on the end of the steam wand tip .. and put a rubber sleeve over it for insulation so that the steam doesn't burn your fingers as it goes through the tubing. It has a small brush at the tip .. only you could use just the steam in conjunction with the small brush I already have .. although you wouldn't really need it, as the steam pressure would be powerful enough to blow any coffee grinds out from under the group head. Hmm .. might look into that? The steam is there .. so why not use it  :lamp: Gee .. get a long piece of tubing and steam clean your whole kitchen .. around the taps, and even give the grouting in the floor tiles a crack The pressure is pretty decent so I can't see why not.  :P

Kevohere

on 1418797557:

The wire used for the wand cleaner is very thin .. I wonder if there is a file the same gauge - which would be better than the wire .. as it would scrape much more of the inside surface of the steam wand to get that crusty milk out. With the wire .. it is really only the tip that does the scraping.

There are' tip cleaners' used for cleaning oxy cutting/welding tips in different gauges available from Bunnings I imagine or any Gas/welding equipment place. A possible problem with excessive (and vigorous) use of these cleaning wires, is that you may cause irregular wear to the the steam nozzle opening. Choosing the correct neat fit size wire should minimise this wear (and tear) to a degree, but as with the brass oxy tips, the wear necessitated in eventual replacement.  :o Otherwise I'd go along with Lacehim's suggestion.  :thumb:

mycuppa

There is milk cleaner solution (liquid) available to purchase which is designed specifically for dissolving milk solids (or scum as it is often referred to). Great for cleaning milk-jugs as well - particularly those brown milk-stains that develop over time. The product is essential for those who use automatic machines with in-built milk-frothers. I would recommend you source the correct cleaning product, soak in a concentrate with some hot water for a day or 2 (depending upon the buildup) and this should aid in the removal of any built-up milk solids.

Moon

Well .. after 10 days up at the Gold Coast coping with the humidity .. it was good to get back to Melbourne on a 38 deg day followed by 41 deg tomorrow. I'll miss the pool. Finally caught up with Glenn Anthony from Ground Control in South Tweed .. which was great, and purchased 500g of another bean blend called 'Love Bites' which was very nice. My Sister had purchased some of these beans .. which tasted great on her $610 Lelit coffee machine .. so I was keen to take some home to use on my PV Lusso .. expecting it to be even nicer Well .. it hasn't bean .. and as much as I'm loathed to admit .. the coffees were better on her cheaper Lelit machine. Can't be happy about that .. eh? With 5oog to get through .. I still have time to rectify that situation. Needless to say .. I haven't told my Sister that her coffees ware better than mine. Heaven forbid .. we don't go there * Wonder what happened to all the smileys? I haven't ticked the 'Don't use smileys box'

Brett H

Smileys are for suckers :P Love Bites... Oh the irony.... Grind dose and tamp Moony!  You get there

Moon

Yeah .. thanks for that Brett .. and in the meantime .. spare me the 9.6/10 Godshots until I can at least claw my way back to making coffees as good as my darling Sister does. Deal?  <

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insert smiley there. Apologies .. like my coffees, something is a little awry for the mo.. Needless to say, but I will anyway ... I'm working on it .. trust me.  <

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here too .. oh .. hang on :D Ahhh .. now I get it .. do it old school on the keyboard and it converts automatically .. hmm .. err .. ok I can live with that .. at a pinch ;P Hmm .. didn't work that time <--- haha .. take that!

Lacehim

Welcome back Moon.  smiley's are broke in FF, Safari and IE.  Will be back soon once I get Kelsey to myself for a few hours!  :pan  :coffee2: Glad to see you back!  It's been too quiet without you!

Moon

Crikey .. ^^ congrats to Lacehim for the 1,000th reply on the thread. I tried so hard .. oh well

Lacehim

Haha 1,000!  Wow.  I remember when you first posted up about buying a lusso.  That went quick!   You've kept the thread entertaining all along the way!   It's great to see your coffee journey out there for everyone to follow!

Moon

Damn .. wrote out this whopping post - and when hitting the post button it told me I didn't have access to this section, and the log-in window popped up. Go figure. Then when I logged in again .. my post had disappeared and couldn't retrieve it .. gone - and it took me ages Oh well .. I had fun writing it .. sorry folks. The one that got away. Spewin

Brett H

Not to worry... Congratulations on your Milestone Moony!!

Moon

^ Late night grizzle (my post) I put it down to not enough coffee consumption. Only bean having 2 coffees a day in recent times .. which, admittedly .. is a pretty piss poor effort on my part .. oh, and not being able to make any 9.3/10 coffees of late.

on 1420629808:

It's great to see your coffee journey out there for everyone to follow!

Cheers Lacehim .. you get the credit along with Jack from Sorrentino for me choosing the PV Lusso - after reading your inspiring posts about your Lusso when you had one. These posts ended up being the deal-breaker for me joining the lever club. It has served me very well so far.. and certainly a fun machine to use. The stepless Compak grinder was also a winner .. as it has allowed small adjustment to the grind setting. For you coffee n00bys out there ---> Even when you purchase a good coffee machine and grinder ... it doesn't guarantee you a good quality coffee as there is so much more to achieving Cafe quality brews than just having the equipment. Many Cafes who have all the good gear can't make a quality cup of coffee. As shown along my journey .. it can go from making a few excellent coffees to pretty ordinary overnight. Getting a new batch of the same beans or trying different ones will test your coffee making mojo. Yep I've cracked it one day .. to oh no I've lost it the next. It makes you appreciate the good ones when you happen to hit the target. Last time I was up at my Sisters on the Gold Coast .. her Lelit machine wasn't making particularly nice coffees ..  due to the pour being too fast - resulting in the flavour being washed out and lacking body. After adjusting the grind setting to finer to slow the pour time - the improvement was immediate. The Lelit seems to be able to handle a change of beans without needing to change the grind a lot better than my PV Lusso. I also noticed that my Sis now only uses a light tamp, as she says a heavier tamp chokes it. It still did the odd faster pour for me .. but I put that down to variations in the dose. I was still using a polish only tamp like I do on my machine. I suspect that she leaves the grind on the one setting .. although she is well aware of the need for a slowish pour .. so if she gets beans that are light and low density .. the only way to slow a faster pour down .. is adjusting the setting to finer. She has a stepped Lelit grinder. Prior to my stay .. my Sister confessed that the new Man in her life .. was .. wait for it .. *gasp* an Instant drinker, and that we need to work on him when up there. We tried our best .. and although admitting our coffees were better .. I could not interest him in getting a coffee machine for his apartment. He didn't like all the fuss, cleanup and maintenance. Suggesting a pod machine didn't raise any interest. Needles to say .. I won't be accepting any offers of making me a cup of swill at his place. Luckily there are a couple of decent Cafes just across the road. Phew. We visited them at midday on Boxing Day .. One wasn't open and the other was closing. You'd think being a tourist area on the Gold Coast .. Cafes would be peaking catering for all the visitors out looking for something to do. Same on New Years Day .. and we breathed a sigh of relief when in Byron Bay where all the Cafes and eating places were thriving. I did the healthy thing .. and opted for a falafel, dips, bread and salad for lunch .. hmm .. then went to the pub and washed it down with a Bundy & Cola. It was a hot day. ps. Went to Edit and copied this post before hitting the post button. Gotcha! :D Hahaha .. Hit the post button .. and Yep .. 'An error has occurred .. you do not have access to this section' and the login window popped up .. and had to log in again. Hahaha .. once bitten .. twice shy ;P pss. Cheers Brett  X <-- Thumbs up

Brett H

Great stuff all round Moony... Except possibly the instant drinker!!  Intervention time me thinks

Moon

on 1420709659:

Except possibly the instant drinker!!

Oh yeah .. the Instant drinker Rating - 9.6/10 +ve - Top bloke .. excellent choice. -ve - Instant drinker ---> That's gotta lose you some points right there. 0.2 deducted for drinking instant 0.1 deducted for not being interested in getting a coffee machine 0.1 deducted cause he loves to sing .. and it's real bad .. trust me.

Moon

Good news folks .. Moony is on the comeback trail .. yep .. you heard it right. A solid 9.25/10 with the last cup. Pour was a little drippy and slow .. but certainly a good sign .. with a lovely cup of coffee. Grind has bean too fine and easing it off with small increments .. towards that Heavenly 9.3/10 again. Not long now .. so stay tuned folks .. it's coming .. which is good. Let's not get ahead of ourselves .. so best to hold off on the fanfare and celebrations .. not quite there yet. :D

Brett H

Nice work here mate!! I'm enjoying a .... Wait for it.... 9.15 myself using some stunning Mexican beans from Beangreen! That's a low score BH... Why so? I'm glad you asked voice in my head... The foam is so strong and resilient it's more of a cappuccino than a mid-morning latte!! We all have our crosses to bear...

Moon

on 1420854286:

Nice work here mate!! I'm enjoying a .... Wait for it.... 9.15

9.15/10 ... pulled another 9.2 ish latte meself this morning. Funny .. for 2-3 months I've bean having problems getting good microfoam - and thought it was maybe a partially blocked steam wand .. but recently getting a couple of 2ltr milks from 7 Eleven (2 for $5) are having no problem getting good foam with that milk - so I've concluded that it must've bean the Farmhouse Gold milk. I've also bean noticing that the FH Gold milk hasn't bean as smooth and rich over the same time period according to my taste buds - and my coffee ratings had taken a hit as a result.. or is it Moony just losing his mojo due to the warmer weather? Admittedly, it is nice if something else puts its hand up and takes the blame for my sub-standard results in the cup occasionally. Yep .. I'll go with that .. Since using the 7 Eleven brand milk .. the ratings have claimed back up to 9.2 and 9.25/10. Still not up to where I'd ideally like them to be (9.3/+ .. but hey, you'd be a real snob if you turned your nose up at any coffee that rates a 9.2 Not sure who 7 Elevens source is .. I'm guessing Pura, and will ask next time I'm in there .. it isn't as good quality as the Pauls FHG .. but is definitely frothing better. It may be a case of giving the FHG a miss each year over Spring/Summer and returning once the weather has cooled - as it may have something to do with the Cows feed.. or fat content of the milk. After all .. the stuff is produced for their calves .. so its makeup is designed to suit them .. not our milk coffees. I guess I can live with that.. well, not if I'm giving it a miss during those times when it doesn't froth to my personal standard. I've no doubt the Cows can live with that.

Brett H

I've been using the dreaded 3litres woollies milk.. Thus the uber-froth.  I can't get our regularly used Makeny or senic rim milks to froth like that but for flavour they're unbeAtable!

Moon

on 1420867292:

I've been using the dreaded 3litres woollies milk..

Oh no .. the cheap stuff .. blasphemy in a coffee. (well .. these days anyway) At least Pauls milk up your way doesn't have the bad odour that it has in Melbourne

on 1420867292:

Thus the uber-froth.  I can't get our regularly used Makeny or senic rim milks to froth like that but for flavour they're unbeAtable!

I don't drink a glass of plain milk .. so I'm not in it for the flavour. In fact .. I prefer it didn't have any at all. What I want it to do is add texture to the body and richness .. which probably has something to do with the fat content. Apparently milk with a higher fat content is considered better quality .. which is why Aldi's Farrmdale got the gong for best homebrand milk due to its higher fat content over the Coles and Woolies homebrand milk. When I contacted Parmalat who supply Pauls with their organic brand .. the lady admitted that the milk varies at certain times of the year and mentioned the feed .. so as previously mentioned .. late Spring and Summer appears to be the time that the usual quality of the milk goes off the boil. What would I know .. maybe we should go ask a Cow. Moo .. mooo .. warming up the chops

Moon

Test Hmm .. ok .. this is Moon figuring out how to take a screenshot and posting it in this forum. Rather than starting up a new thread in off-Topic .. I figured I might as well try in here .. Crikey - it worked! Reason is to check out that little 'Weatherzone' window up on the right side. Lacehim knows why.. Oh .. and logging in issues are all sorted ;D

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In other coffee news - lattes have bean rating around the 9.25 lately .. which is good. I must confess .. that I've done a Brett .. and gone out and bought some of that cheap Coles homebrand milk after telling Brettmate that it was blasphemous to use this cheap stuff in our coffees. Gotta love a hypocrite. Seeing the Pauls Farmhouse Gold is off the boil with frothing problems .. I figure why still pay the premium price. I'll go back to it at a later stage. Anyway, cofees have been good .. even though it has bean a bit tricky getting the grind setting right, as I've had to adjust it backwards and forwards a number of times due to being too fast or too slow .. then ended up reducing the dose slightly. I'm also using a partial 2nd lever pull to bump the shot up to 30ml from 25ml previously .. which seems to be going well. The lattes have bean tasting chocolatey as a result. My guess is that the chocolate notes come out more towards the latter part of the extraction .. up to a point. I'm no expert .. so don't take it as the Gospel. I'm getting some pretty tasty coffees using only the single basket. Strong enough for my taste if made well and using nice beans. My Sister was over yesterday and she likes her lattes watery with 70-80% of the volume via the pour. Doing long blacks using a lever means you have to keep pulling the lever. Much easier to hit the long black button  (perhaps a couple of times?) on her Sunbeam 6910 machine. It apparently came out pretty strong .. although she finished it. I figure that the pour needs to run more quickly for a long black type coffee .. which means that it probably required a coarser grind. Next time I'll use the Spong No 4 hand grinder and see how that goes.

cosmic_couple22

Hi Moon So the weather app is on the Crema magazine homepage rather than the forum home page (couldn't work out where you were seeing it yesterday but now makes sense), I think you will find very few of us enter the forum from there.  The magazine is a different identity and is only the realm of Admin (aka Ashley). 

Dry_bean.

FWIW Moon, I visited the Crema home page this morning and changed the weather from Sydney to Adelaide without problem, drop down box > select city all good.

Moon

Might explain why I was having login-in issues to the forum .. as there were a few options and I was choosing the wrong one and getting myself confused. I've removed the Crema mag icon in my dock and now have the Coffee forum one. Heaps quicker now Like my coffees .. getting it sorted. Cheers Edit: DB .. Yeah .. it will stay on Melbourne for a couple of days .. then revert back to Sydney .. even though I am supposedly logged in forever .. so I'm baffled as to why it doesn't just stay on Melbourne once I've changed it. Not a huge life problem is it..  lol *I seem to be getting it wrong lately Db .. well, more often than usual .. so if I end up hopping up and down and frothing at the mouth over something .. I should be thinking 'what am I doing wrong?' rather than point the finger elsewhere.

Dry_bean.

I use this for local weather Moon http://weather.adelaidenow.com.au/nsw/sydney/sydney have a short cut set up on my home page.

Moon

Thanks Db. I was using BOM .. only I like more detail. I've included your one now. :D

C-man

" so I'm not in it for the flavour. In fact .. I prefer it didn't have any at all. What I want it to do is add texture to the body and richness .. which probably has something to do with the fat content."  quote This is how I see milk too, as a canvas for the coffee If you find a better one than Farmhouse gold let me know<

Lacehim

Chester bought us some $7 local top quality milk when we went for our visit and would you believe C-Man complained! lol.  I loved it, I prefer a quality coffee, with quality milk myself.   You can keep your supermarket brand milk!