basic lever

C-man · July 2012

Are the La- P's any good?

beanflying · July 2012

Yes :coffee2:

Lacehim · July 2012

BUT only good for a couple of shots at a time before they overheat. Might be okay with the you and the Mrs, but not when you invite guests over. Also they take some getting used to, a finer grind and a lot of patience until you get your routine sorted. The principal is very similar to AMs Olympic Cremina that we had outside during the social. ie no spring, and you push the lever down creating pressure. My machine the Ponte Vecchio Lusso & the smaller Export use a spring lever, where the spring does the work.

derrilex · July 2012

I'm all for something / someone else doing the work :D

Brett H · July 2012

on 1342918183:

Are the La- P's any good?

on 1342918912:

Yes :coffee2:

Absolutely!

on 1342920800:

BUT only good for a couple of shots at a time before they overheat. Might be okay with the you and the Mrs, but not when you invite guests over. Also they take some getting used to, a finer grind and a lot of patience until you get your routine sorted. The principal is very similar to AMs Olympic Cremina that we had outside during the social. ie no spring, and you push the lever down creating pressure.

My La Pav Pro can do two lovely double Lattes or even four single caps before overheating. It looks beautiful, makes a pretty good shot but yes, it is finicky.

Kelsey · July 2012

Certainly the repeat use limitations on the La Pavoni Europiccolo or Pro would be no worse than the Presso!

C-man · July 2012

there are a few on E-butt which is better, chrome or what looks like Brass or copper? I live on the beach so chrome if it is not SS or alloy, it will rust pretty quick which model too? New run about 1K but a sort of tarnished used brass one used is about $4-500 so it seems.

C-man · July 2012

on 1342935586:

Don't rush... Some are OK but many I have seen have been mistreated... Full of scale etc And or other issues... Like a good wine; it take time and same for coffee machines.... Sometimes you just have to wait. I have seen many a HX and other systems that I would get over many of the Lever's if you after coffee with ease OR might like to have a few guest around... These levers as an aside; can be great for playing and those "YOU" times, but they would be 3 time the effort of your presso... Go an try one out; it is worth a drive to go and play and do it on your own. Only then can you make an informed decision...

good advice AM I would never buy anything without running it by you guys first.

beanflying · July 2012

I paid around $600 for mine NIB a couple of years ago. Forget about the Professional as you can't use the boiler volume anyway (hot shots) and the gauge just isn't needed. 5 or 6 minutes, bleed off the false pressure, make coffee at 14-15 minutes (correct temp) then switch off and repeat as required :thumb: Forget about BS methods of temp control as they are not stable and won't really make more than 2 or 3 if your quick coffees in a row.

FreshCoffee2 · July 2012

wrt the question at top. Depends on what you mean by "basic". I have 2 La Pavs and a PV Lusso. While the la Pav is a great looking little machine, in terms of ease of use VS end product etc as already touched on by others, I personally wouldnt go any more "basic" than a PV Lusso which to my way of thinking is still fun but easier to manage despite the "lesser" aesthetic quality of the external package.

Kelsey · July 2012

I prefer the Ponte Vecchio Lusso aesthetic to the La Pav. I think it looks like a real machine... Although in person the first impression is one of amazement at its size. I've enjoyed playing with Lacehim's two-group PV enormously - at the recent social we brewed up at least 15-16 coffees, mostly milky, without needing a boiler refill.

C-man · July 2012

what about this puppy? http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CARAVEL-ARRAREX-Coffee-Lever-Maker-Machine-220-volt-/150858628467?pt=AU_CoffeeMakers&hash=item231fdffd73 or just an old dog?

Brett H · July 2012

on 1343113284:

what about this puppy? http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CARAVEL-ARRAREX-Coffee-Lever-Maker-Machine-220-volt-/150858628467?pt=AU_CoffeeMakers&hash=item231fdffd73 or just an old dog?

Nice machine capable of reasonable espresso but no steam wand/option.

FreshCoffee2 · July 2012

Well, you need to know what you want. For example......a project or a coffee machine, commercial style coffee or other, something that is finicky to use or not (already covered), new with a guarantee or used, and your budget. I would suggest buying at the upper end of whatever budget you decide on in order to try and get the best possible machine for your needs. Very important......do you want a coffee machine or a project? If you just want a coffee machine, you want it to work well immediately, and you want a coffee that atleast approximates (or better) commercial style brew, I would suggest buying a modern machine of whatever type. Be careful not to get too carried away with the things you read in these sites where you find a small number of hard core EQUIPMENT enthusiasts discussing and chasing equipment that the greatest majority of clients (consumers if you wish) have no interest in because, they just want a cuppa, and they want it now. If that is the case buy a modern new machine and enjoy your coffee no less than others that like to fiddle with interesting coffee making equipment and that is, they are coffee machine enthusiasts as well as coffee enthusiasts. You can be one without the other. Hope that helps.

RichardM · July 2012

on 1343127066:

they are coffee machine enthusiasts as well as coffee enthusiasts. You can be one without the other. Hope that helps.

I think this gets lost on a lot of us, as most people on this site are coffee equipment (not just machine) enthusiasts just as much as coffee enthusiasts.

Kelsey · July 2012

Great advice from both Fresh Coffee and perspective from Richard - we love our gear just as much as the coffee it produces. And it's all too easy to get lost in that enthusiasm and give some spectacularly ill-considered advice. Or be just incredibly confusing. Figure out your use-case, try a few machines, see what works for you in the cup. Then buy a Strega.

galumay · July 2012

on 1343113516:

Nice machine capable of reasonable espresso but no steam wand/option.

I was actually going to suggest a Caravel or similar kettle lever machine. Simple machines that make great coffee - and a reminder of the massive problems that the need to stretch milk introduced into coffee machine design!

FreshCoffee2 · July 2012

Yes I understand your logic, but once you get to a certain level of "basic/ness" ("base-isity"????), why bother with a lever at all.....may as well stick with (or "upgrade" to) a stove pot / top espresso machine (aka moka pot / whatever). They are excellent espresso makers when used properly (same caveat as usual), cost virtually nothing, require no maintenance, and may last as long as a piece of string (my parents have some that are atleast 50 years old). Which begs the question, how basic is "basic"....and another question....what are people looking for? I personally would rather use a stove top than for example a La Pav Europic type. The operation of the stove pot is much easier for a more consistent result and the resulting espresso is great anyway even if without crema on top. The europic on the other hand, looks great on the mantle piece and is a great talking point for guests..... So I guess it depends entirely on what any individual is looking for, and it isnt necessarily in the end, just to get a cup of coffee.

C-man · July 2012

thanks for the input guys. I don't want a project and I don't want big repair bills either. I like to keep things simple, that is why I like my Presso, you would be surprised at the shot quality I am getting now, the naked head and the good grinder has taken it to a new level. I will post some shots when I get a chance. It is a fussy beast but I have it pretty much sussed out now and can somewhat profile different beans. I like to have as much control over things as possible, temp, pressure and flow. It is the Milk issue that got me looking at different machines. cheers! C-

Kelsey · July 2012

Lacehim and I are both close(ish) to you Cman and both of us roast. The popper's a good way to start, but it's pretty unforgiving! I moved on pretty quickly to the KKTO and have never looked back. If I were to do it again, I'd either build Derrilex's modified KKTO or a standard using this technique: - potset and Turbo oven from KMart - used windscreen wiper motor - homemade box to mount it on - socket wrench extender for the driveshaft - laptop power supply - agitator, inner pot liner, silicone tubing and insulation from the KKTO shop

C-man · July 2012

I will get into roasting, I have stuck with professionally roasted fresh beans because I am still dialing in all my coffee making skills I did not want to add another variable yet, but will soon

Kelsey · July 2012

That's a fair call too.

FreshCoffee2 · July 2012

on 1343192624:

.........I have stuck with professionally roasted fresh beans because I am still dialing in all my coffee making skills I did not want to add another variable yet.........

Wise move :thumb:

C-man · July 2012

Lacehim and I are both close(ish) to you Cman and both of us roast. The popper's a good way to start, but it's pretty unforgiving! I moved on pretty quickly to the KKTO and have never looked back. If I were to do it again, I'd either build Derrilex's modified KKTO or a standard using this technique: - potset and Turbo oven from KMart - used windscreen wiper motor - homemade box to mount it on - socket wrench extender for the driveshaft - laptop power supply - agitator, inner pot liner, silicone tubing and insulation from the KKTO shop

sounds good, how much would it coast?

Lacehim · July 2012

Rough Prices C-Man from what I remember about Kelseys build. Turbo Oven $50 (I got mine from Homeart) Pot set $50 second hand - Kelsey got his off ebay I think Motor $25 from a wreckers Laptop Power supply ??? Find one off any old laptop. Need a bit of oomph. 4 or 5AMP I think AM said. Socket Wrench Extender $1 (Kelsey raided cashcoverter for that one!) Home made box $20 or free if you have some timber lying around For the following items check KKs shop. Probably adding around the $200 mark. Agitator Inner pot liner Silicone tubing Insulation So all up if you have some DIY skills, about $350. Cheaper if you have time, and want to fiddle more. ie make your own shaft/agitator. In mine I can roast from 100gm up to 6-700gm. Probably more, but my poor cooler wouldn't cope! Oh, and you'll need a cooler too. Big bucket from bunnings, fan, and use the colinder out of the pot set.

Koffee_Kosmo · July 2012

And I am always arround for help :thumb: KK

Kelsey · July 2012

KMart currently have both potsets and TOs for $25 and $39 respectively.

Brett H · July 2012

on 1343212755:

KMart currently have both potsets and TOs for $25 and $39 respectively.

Bargin!

Koffee_Kosmo · July 2012

on 1343212755:

KMart currently have both potsets and TOs for $25 and $39 respectively.

A note for the budding KKTO roaster builder Make sure that the handles are spot welded on ** not riveted ** And it is actually 24 cm not just under If you build the new version you don't need the pot set See the Hybrid KKTO thread KK

derrilex · July 2012

Go for it C-man. Us chippies have to stick together :thumb:

UNM · July 2012

I started roasting pretty early on. it doesn't actually add another variable (more like a few thousand), but I learnt a lot and get some satisfaction from home roasting. these days I buy some roasted as well as green to give me a reference point. do what suits, what is right for me is not right for everyone. Oh dear! maybe it isn't right for me either and I have been living in a fools paradise. c'est la vie.

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