Izzo Alex Leva

[Hoggers]

Hello all..

Apologies if this has been asked and answered before or if this is the wrong thread / area but I was wondering how much coffee, in terms of weight, is standard for the naked with the leva ?

I prefer stronger shots so not sure if there is an idea weight to be aiming for. Does between 22 and 24g sound about right ?

Cheers.

Alastair

Ps.. I am a couple of weeks away from getting the new kitchen. machine plumbed in and ready to go... cannot wait

[timdimdom]

i think that'll depend heavily on what basket you are using and will be a matter of trial and error more than anything to find the right dose. i started dosing 20 on my 18g vst after several weeks of trial and error. i found a good start point is the weight the basket is rated for and moving up from there... any more than 20 and my puck starts to scratch the shower screen. sometimes i get an imprint of my shower screen if beans are a little light.

hope this helps

[Hoggers]

Sort of will have a play around and see what suits me best... happy days ahead.

[Dr_Dave]

Hi Alistair,
I dont have any scales and hence no idea of weight. I bought a large basket from TC when I purchased the machine - I dont know size however. As Tim says weight will depend on your basket. Just fill it up, practice with grind settings until you are happy with the result in the cup
Have fun practicing
Cheers
Dave

[amellor]

Hey hoggers

I dose 21-22g into the standard leva basket

[Hoggers]

Cheers all... much appreciated..

Kitchen has been delayed a bit so I may just end up getting a flo jet and bottled / filtered water for a bit as I am dying to play.

Will no more in the next few days but there is only so long a man can wait

[Dr_Dave]

Hi All,
A word of warning
I recently serviced my machine , however the piston was jammed on to the thread and I suspect locktite was used. I was unable to get the piston off and ended up taking the piston assembly out of the bore and to an engineer friend.
He had to put the rod into his lathe to undo the piston!!
I then serviced it: Cleaned it all, replaced the rudder gasket which was hardened by heat, replaced the teflon ring, put some lubricant on the thread to stop the piston binding, added MX6 to lubricate the shaft and reassembled it all
Works brilliantly again and I know that I won't have the same issue again. I will do this once every couple of years
Cheers
Dr Dave

[Peter42]

Hello Dave,
yes, this is excactly the same mess I had. Including the Loctite at the thread of the piston, which should be removable.

I am very happy that I did not ask a friend to do the service, who has a shop for espresso machines. He wouldn't have had a chance.
As everything is fine now, I am going to make a little bit gymnastics and turn the piston every several month. (left-right-left-right about 90°, with the tool I made).

Anyway, I want to point out that I still love my Izzo Alex Leva and this was the only case I was worrying within three years.

[Hoggers]

Apologies for bumping an old thread but I just wanted to share a photo of the new addition to the family...

After a good few months of sitting in a box the renovation and kitchen are finally complete and I set everything last night. I am beyond happy

I adjusted the grinder so the grind felt like 'gritty flour' and pulled a shot. First was a bit too quick but the second and subsequent started as 3 or 4 drips then came together to form a line of liquid gold.

Milk frothing is easy and the taste is amazing.... (coffee not the milk - that just tastes like milk)

I for one am looking forward to a long and happy life together 

[shortblackman]

Looks like a lovely Valexia.

You'll enjoy making coffee like never before!

[Dr_Dave]

Well done hogger, you won't regret it
Keep us up to date with how you get on with it
Cheers
DD

[Jackster]

Heat will soften loctite. Use a heat gun, make it as hot as you dare

[>Casa Espresso]

Great setup!

[Hoggers]

Cheers all....

I am loving getting to grips with it and love watching the nectar dribble from the naked... it really does look like liquid gold

On the Atom I am dosing for 10 seconds which gives me about 23g in the filter, 10 seconds with lever down and then release and let the spring do its magic.

I have never used another type of coffee machine so have little to compare to but I love the simplicity and feel of the lever.... the total silence is great.

Plan on booking in for a barista course through Jet Black in the New Year as some tips on things would be handy and really just a bit of a sanity check.

Will keep you posted as to progress and a very Happy Christmas to all.

Alastair

[Dr_Dave]

Excellent news Alistair, after 3 years I still love mine Leva and really like you enjoy seeing the gold nectar, let alone drinking it
Have a great Xmas all
Dave