Londinium I Lever Espresso Machine

sctsprin · June 2013

:coffee2: arghhh, ipads and this website dont dance well together

galumay · June 2013

on 1371366147:

This second set is using a Synesso 18g basket, same amount of beans and same grind setting as before.

Ash, out of interest have you tried a more normal dose? I have found with levers that they don't like overdosing and 14-15g is usually the sweet spot. My Izzo certainly is spot on at 14g, also with Levers you have much more headspace between the screen and the top of the puck, the pre infusion allows this in a way that a non-lever generally wouldnt tolerate. Another improvement i discovered was lowering the pressure/temp, I was trying to chase the amazing flavours of the Caravel and one of the obvious differences is a much lower temperature. Anyway its good to hear you are enjoying your L1, its fantastic to see the increasing range of levers becoming available.

ash · June 2013

Hi Galumay, I'm still playing around with doses at the moment, and swapping between the stock basket, the Synesso and the VST baskets. In the stock basket I use no more than 15.5g as trying to put more in is an exercise in futility. Over this weekend I plan on playing with a 15g VST basket and doses in the 14 - 15g range. I'll be referencing them against the stock basket with nothing more scientific than whether or not I like the flavour I get. The machine can certainly handle bigger doses in baskets that can take the volume of ground coffee. But you do trade off some aspects of the flavour of your coffee, it can make for an interesting experiment!

Lacehim · June 2013

on 1371713912:

:coffee2: arghhh, ipads and this website dont dance well together

lol, it's better than some others I can tell you!

Nice set up, and I see you have the HG One. What size burrs did you get, and how do you find it for everyday use? I'm seriously tempted but don't have the $$$ at the moment. Also I use an espresso parts HQ basket, in the double I use 17.3g, which is just under the screen and 21g in the triple basket.

sctsprin · June 2013

, true most of it's just my ineptitude and impatience on webpage refreshes. 83mm burrs on the HG1, generally i find these pretty easy to turn and quick to grind, but i'm trying out a local roast at the moment "single guys espresso" and it's a bit lighter and tougher to grind. I love the HG1 though, it's quick and quiet, no grind retention with a drop of water in the beans, and no mess. I'm dosing 18g in the 18g VST at the moment, and get lovely rich shots, but am struggling a bit with a touch of grassy bitterness in whatever beans i use. I'm not sure if it's a temperature issue or what. I need to make myself a thermofilter. how do you find the EP basket vs a VST or OEM?

on 1371773594:

lol, it's better than some others I can tell you! Nice set up, and I see you have the HG One. What size burrs did you get, and how do you find it for everyday use? I'm seriously tempted but don't have the $$$ at the moment. Also I use an espresso parts HQ basket, in the double I use 17.3g, which is just under the screen and 21g in the triple basket.

Lacehim · June 2013

on 1371721577:

Ash, out of interest have you tried a more normal dose? I have found with levers that they don't like overdosing and 14-15g is usually the sweet spot.

I just find that if I dose that low it's usually a gusher.

Maybe it's the twin spring in the Achilles, not sure. I'm still learning though, and it took me a while to re learning to tamp a 58mm basket. I got very sloppy on the lusso. With a 17.3g dose which doesn't touch the screen, I find that no drips appear on the nakid during prefusion, and the pours are excellent, with no spitting or spraying. Tastes okay in milk, but there is improvement to me made straight up I think. Maybe I should try a lower dose again.

Lacehim · June 2013

on 1371774030:

83mm burrs on the HG1, generally i find these pretty easy to turn and quick to grind, but i'm trying out a local roast at the moment "single guys espresso" and it's a bit lighter and tougher to grind. I love the HG1 though, it's quick and quiet, no grind retention with a drop of water in the beans, and no mess.

I've got a Vario at the moment, and the grind retention is zero of that too. It does sound very good, I just wish postage was cheaper!

on 1371774030:

I'm dosing 18g in the 18g VST at the moment, and get lovely rich shots, but am struggling a bit with a touch of grassy bitterness in whatever beans i use. I'm not sure if it's a temperature issue or what. I need to make myself a thermofilter.

I've found that lighter beans don't work as well on my machine, I prefer beans roasted to 2nd crack if I roast myself. What's your boiler set to? Mines at 1.2bar I think (It's a QM Achilles though, but these machines are so similar).

on 1371774030:

how do you find the EP basket vs a VST or OEM?

I only have the OEM and EP, and the OEM was awful. Hated it! The EP has been a lot better I think, it's a ridgeless HQ double and triple.

sctsprin · June 2013

yeah it's not cheap, but geez it's pretty, does take up a bit of bench space though, but then i was going to get a k10 fresh before the HG1 came along. Eventually i think i'll make my own motorised version if i get the time. i'm running a bit over 1.2bar, i keep fiddling with it, as i went a bit lower and couldnt get any sweetness, now it's beautifully sweet, but i get a bitterness around the edge of my tongue that's not quite right. the L1 OEM basket i found to be pretty good and forgiving (it's a ridged), but the 15.8g dose that Reiss recommends does touch the screen. I do think a PID would be a nice addition as it would make adjusting the temperature quicker and easier for different roasts (Reiss would shoot me if i modded it though, simplicity is best)

on 1371774341:

I've got a Vario at the moment, and the grind retention is zero of that too. It does sound very good, I just wish postage was cheaper!I've found that lighter beans don't work as well on my machine, I prefer beans roasted to 2nd crack if I roast myself. What's your boiler set to? Mines at 1.2bar I think (It's a QM Achilles though, but these machines are so similar).I only have the OEM and EP, and the OEM was awful. Hated it! The EP has been a lot better I think, it's a ridgeless HQ double and triple.

Lacehim · October 2013

I nearly made it to see Reiss. Well I don't even know if he was there/open, but I set the Tomtom app on my phone to go via this place. Got taken back along the motorway, turned left, into a housing estate, then nearly took the side of the hire car out on some stupid bollards that cut the road down to car width for no reason! Then the Tomtom goes ding ding, and I ask the wife, WTF does that mean? lol. Turns out I just passed it but didn't realise that until I was back on the motorway again! Doh! So, I got within spitting distance of Londinium, and didn't get to see anything!

I didn't have time to go around again sadly.

Kelsey · October 2013

Ah that's a shame! I would've enjoyed hearing a first-hand account.

conikal · October 2013

on 1381105046:

..., turned left, into a housing estate, then nearly took the side of the hire car out on some stupid bollards that cut the road down to car width for no reason! ...

Ha Ha ! .. I think i know those bollards.... i used to drive that route daily in a previous life ! PS the bollards are there to stop trucks etc from "Rat Running" through that estate. ..and yes, they are a real squeeze !

Jonathon · October 2013

on 1381270609:

Ha Ha ! .. I think i know those bollards.... i used to drive that route daily in a previous life ! PS the bollards are there to stop trucks etc from "Rat Running" through that estate. ..and yes, they are a real squeeze !

I don't know where Reiss' factory is, but in my early 20s I lived in East London and it was a serious knock to your manhood to slow down even slightly as you approached those bollards.

Kelsey · December 2013

My shiny new toy arrived today. Attachment not found.A couple of points about the shipping process: My machine was sent on the evening (AU time) of Wednesday Nov 27. It arrived in Australia on Friday afternoon just in time for customs to knock off and call it a day. After sorting out the GST and customs fee (no duty applies to espresso machines, you just need the right harmony code) it arrived in the early afternoon of Tuesday Dec 3. 5 days door-to-door ain't bad. The machine now comes in two boxes, with the upper grouphead in the second box. Along with the insane amount of un-compressable foam, there's no way this thing is getting damaged in transit from anything less than catastrophic elephant accidents. Attachment not found.Attachment not found.Attachment not found.

Koffee_Kosmo · December 2013

I will let you get familiar with your new family member But a question Are those handles standard KK

Lacehim · December 2013

NOICE! Nice handles too.

When can I come play?

on 1386066527:

Leaving the steam wand open until it starts steaming prevents false pressure and aids in quick startup and once the element heating light turns on a quick 500ml flush gets it on its way to being up to temp. Very quick really, but didn't time it.

Ya what? I has an anti-vac doesn't it? If so you don't need to do that. Just let it heat up, give it a little flush when it's up to temp and the group will take around 15-20mins to full heat!

Keep the kiddies away, it gets hot!!! Did you get a nakid?

Kelsey · December 2013

on 1386067354:

I will let you get familiar with your new family member But a question Are those handles standard KK

Yes, the wooden handles are now standard and match the button tamper.

on 1386067740:

NOICE! Nice handles too. When can I come play? Ya what? I has an anti-vac doesn't it? If so you don't need to do that. Just let it heat up, give it a little flush when it's up to temp and the group will take around 15-20mins to full heat! Keep the kiddies away, it gets hot!!! Did you get a nakid?

Lacehim, I'm around all week. I've got meetings on Thursday and Friday that'll keep me occupied until about midday, but any other time you're welcome to drop by. No idea about the anti-vac, just going off the manual recommendation. I didn't get the naked, thinking the one you gave me may fit. If so I'll buy a matching wooden handle for it.

Seeya Latte · December 2013

Kelsey Purely on the machine and not focussing on any of the other discussion points surrounding the Londinium, please share your experiences and observations as you go.... Just like I've enjoyed reading all the other down to earth reviews shared on this site in particular. Enjoy your new beast

Kelsey · December 2013

I will, Seeya. I've got a lot to learn on this machine. I realised halfway through my second shot that I was counting out the extraction time.... but hadn't released the lever yet. 20sec pre-infusion. Whoops.

Kelsey · December 2013

One thing to add is that the pop-off panels on the machine make it an absolute dream to get inside of. I've had the opportunity to muck around with the innards of a few machines now and screws are the standard, of course. The pop-off panel thing is a commercial style setup, I believe. But because you need to pop off a clip on the anti-vac before operation, not to mention getting all the protective coating off, popping off the panels is necessary at least once during the machine's lifetime. So I really appreciated that it wasn't a chore. That's some good design right there.

sctsprin · December 2013

Hi Kelsey, give me a holla if you need a hand tweaking, i can bring my naked + vst's and HG1 Cheers James

Kelsey · December 2013

OOohhh James, that's a heck of an offer! I'd love to see the HG-1 put through its paces!

Ol Grumpy · December 2013

Nnniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiccce... Congrats on the new machine! If it's not too much to ask would you mind sharing the influences that led you to buying this particular machine?

sctsprin · December 2013

I wouldn't mind taking a peek at your kkto too let me know, i'm on holidays from the 17th

Kelsey · December 2013

on 1386110112:

Nnniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiccce... Congrats on the new machine! If it's not too much to ask would you mind sharing the influences that led you to buying this particular machine?

A few things - one, as my signature reveals, I have a commercial arrangement with LONDINIUM, so this made it financially viable to do so. Two, I've been itching for a lever, but also for a machine that I can have some control over the maintenance of. Most of the other levers out there have very similar features and capabilities and certainly the landed cost is pretty much equivalent. But having seen the inside of the Achillies and knowing the Strega has its cool pump pre-infusion feature, I felt I wanted something more basic. I live a long way from any service centre and it's not fun being unable to perform maintenance yourself. Still, it was a toss up between the L1 and the Strega because I'd already had such a good experience with my BZ07, which is now my office machine. I also liked the idea of having something a bit rarer in these parts. Finally, I just liked Reiss' chutzpah. No matter what you think of his approach, he's done something many of us dream of - rightly or wrongly, he wasn't happy with the levers that already existed and he did something about it.

on 1386111118:

I wouldn't mind taking a peek at your kkto too let me know, i'm on holidays from the 17th

I work from home up at Caloundra and I'll be winding down around that time too (I hope!), you'd be more than welcome and we can run through a roast while we're at it!

sctsprin · December 2013

Great, talk soon

galumay · December 2013

Nice machine Kelsey, my experience with levers has been to move to lower doses with finer grinding and also lower temps than are usual. I am running with 15g these days. You will never go back after owning a big spring lever, they are just so consistent and you get such a wide separation of the flavours from the bean. Congratulations!

Ol Grumpy · December 2013

Thanks for that Kelsey. BTW I use Tapatalk and the interface doesn't show the 'signature' you referred to, so I wasn't aware of the 'commercial interest'. I did say this about the machine on another forum, "I don't like many things Reiss has done and I definitely have a love/hate thing going with his machine (I don't own one), But man, the guy has some big Kahunas and I admire and respect that..." Somehow, "chutzpah" is somewhat more elegant.... : chuckle It seems some of the early adopters got quite 'buggy' machines, which is to be expected, but I will be looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the new machine. All the Best... Enjoy!!!

Kelsey · December 2013

on 1386122377:

Nice machine Kelsey, my experience with levers has been to move to lower doses with finer grinding and also lower temps than are usual. I am running with 15g these days. You will never go back after owning a big spring lever, they are just so consistent and you get such a wide separation of the flavours from the bean. Congratulations!

Thanks G! I've already knocked my dose back to 15.8g. I need to adjust the pstat a bit to adjust for the ambient temp here as it's running a little hot, but it's knocking out such balanced, clean shots I'm kind of amazed.

Kelsey · December 2013

on 1386123125:

Thanks for that Kelsey. BTW I use Tapatalk and the interface doesn't show the 'signature' you referred to, so I wasn't aware of the 'commercial interest'. I did say this about the machine on another forum, "I don't like many things Reiss has done and I definitely have a love/hate thing going with his machine (I don't own one), But man, the guy has some big Kahunas and I admire and respect that..." Somehow, "chutzpah" is somewhat more elegant.... : chuckle It seems some of the early adopters got quite 'buggy' machines, which is to be expected, but I will be looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the new machine. All the Best... Enjoy!!!

Well then I better add in that I also have a commercial arrangement with Bezzera as well (also in my sig). Long and the short of it is tho, that I don't work for businesses I don't like and I'm in the fortunate position that for the most part I don't have to. I probably wouldn't got so far as to say 'buggy', but certainly I think the build quality has improved significantly. I can't imagine anyone complaining about it now.

Brett H · December 2013

Wow.... That's terrific!! Nice work mate! Even better that you got a discount!!! What are the build quality differences between these newer versions and the older ones? Is there any signs of issues with the Thermosyphon loop stalling or inconsistency between shots as reported on Home Barista? That's an extraordinary delivery time. What hoops did you need to jump through for customs? Enjoy mate! :thumb:

frame

Howdy, Stranger!

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories

In this Discussion

Londinium I Lever Espresso Machine

Comments

foot

Policies

Social

frame

Howdy, Stranger!

Howdy, Stranger!

Quick Links

Categories

In this Discussion

Londinium I Lever Espresso Machine

Comments

foot

Policies

Social