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9.2 sounds pretty reasonable. You could kick it up to anywhere just under 10, as the consensus seems to be that they lose about .5 or a bit more between the gauge and the brew head, but 9.2 is in the ballpark. The OPV is on the left of the machine close to the front. Clockwise on mine is higher--adjust till the gauge reads what you want (use the blind filter).
The temp screw is under the cup warmer on the front right. Before adjusting it I recommend pre-heating a foam cup and fast-reading thermometer with boiling water and then pumping 50ml of water through the brew head to get an estimate of the temp. Anything close to 90° should be fine as the water cools very quickly.
92-96° is ideal but I doubt youll be able to be accurate without a special thermometer attached to a group handle. Some people are fussy within .5 of a degree!
Adjust the temp screw only about 1/12 of a revolution at a time--clockwise on mine is hotter.
Remember that taste is the ultimate criterion, and without known fresh beans, a good grinder, and a well-judged extraction, the taste will be less than optimal anyway.
HOWEVER--you should be able, with a bit of practice, to get shots that will put most cafes to shame, and satisfy you. Have fun and enjoy the coffee.
As I said , this was a display model , never used , but original packaging was lost and there is no name plate , just a compliance sticker on the boiler shield, Domobar appears but no manufacturing date.
Originally posted by 7C7B60677C7B70140 link=1231564967/17#17 date=1231973951
Here are some pictures.
As I said , this was a display model , never used , but original packaging was lost and there is no name plate , just a compliance sticker on the boiler shield, Domobar appears but no manufacturing date.
Definitely a Piccolo or previous version .....
Interesting hotshod...Your group handle is also non-standard. The VBM does not have offset lugs and the handle is fluted with an open end....
I chased up the supplier and retailer and they found another PF. At least with this new one I dont get burned on the steaming wand when Im inserting it .
Originally posted by 3A3D26213A3D36520 link=1231564967/19#19 date=1232149734
Thanks for the heads up 2MCM
I chased up the supplier and retailer and they found another PF. At least with this new one I dont get burned on the steaming wand when Im inserting it .
Check it out ...... ridgey didge..???
Erm- not authentic VBM, but at least it fits. Its just a cheapie generic. nevertheless, itll do the job fine...
A useful discussion for me to ponder over, as I am considering upgrading from my ... saeco via venezia, and are considering similar machines and have similar requirements regarding usage. I also wanted to leapfrog the 6910 and Silvia, as while they both seem like a good step up from what I have also have their limitations. The machines discussed here all seem to adequately cover those shortfalls.
Ill return to this thread when I have / Mr Rudd hands out more dollars
cheers
I reckon youve done well with the Piccolo. Just remember that this is a real coffee maker not a Saeco magic which lets you think you are making great coffee because of the crematic devices used.
When you get your grinder if you haven;t already you will find a marked difference in the coffee results once you have the settings right.
Something important to remember is that to get the best out of this sort of machine (including Silvia and up) is that you should haveit turned on for at least an hour before you start making shots.
1. Turn the machine on
2. Open up steam wand while it heats (normally what I do on any machine)
3. Once machine is heated run through a couple of cups of water from the head.
4. Let machine sit for at least 30 mins.
5. Pour some seasoning shots
6. Make yourself a great coffee.
7. Make yourself another coffee and wonder what the hell went wrong with that shot
8. Make another shot...........
I like to get the machine to an ambient heat before use.
Since we have been leaving our machine always on (at our cafe) the results have improved. I do not recommend leaving the Piccolo on all the time but if you give it a chance to heat all the way through it will give you a better result.
Ill take that on board and its pretty much what Im doing now except for opening the steam wand. Do you mean leave it open for .... how long ?? entire warm up 30+ min. Have to check this option out !
What I have been doing, is turning on machine , for 10 min , boiler light has gone out by then , .....Next hit the steaming button to raise temp ,..... after it is out, leave for about 5-10min then start to flush thru group head & PF in 10 second bursts wait 25-45 secs and repeat till boiler light comes on at BOC. When the light goes out at the top of the cycle I think it is pretty much heated up and stable maybe wait another 2-3 min.All that has still taken 25min plus.
Do you think it is ok to use the heat from steam cycle in this manner ??
Is there a reason why you wouldnt leave the machine on all the time ? I tend to start it at 7am and let it run till after midday, maybe 2-30pm. I gennerally dont drink espressos after 4pm... (currently Im making an exception)
Changing the subject slightly ...
Ive had this machine for just on a week,( basicly know nothing) .... I reckon the boiler could do with another 200mls, even though the temp is very consistant between TOC & BOC ,... and I know my technique is using more water than it should, I also think the water tank could do with another half a litre + + . ( 3 or 4 ltr tanks must be wonderful) I have re adjusted the water cut-off which was leaving 1.2 litres in the tank unusable....
It still seems a constant task of keeping water up to it. This is also at a stage where Im tossing away a few dud brews and going again. This will improve when I have the technique down pat and just make my 2-3 shots per day.
At this stage I definitely bought the right machine for our use. The Piccolo has no trouble at all heating milk for my wifes occasional cappuccino and its a perfect machine for an espresso fiend. A Hx machine is not needed in this house at the moment , though a bigger water tank you be appreciated.
Originally posted by 3E3922253E3932560 link=1231564967/23#23 date=1232333188
Do you mean leave it open for .... how long ??entire warm up30+ min. Have to check this option out !
Just leave the steam on until a little dribble of water comes out of the steam tip. This seems to help the thermostat kick in correctly. (look having said that I only assume the Piccolo works the same way)
I am getting a couple in this week, one for doing demos. Salvatore (ECA) has run through the Piccolo with me and it seems to work the same as other machines.
What I am basically suggesting is to make sure the machine has an ambient heat. This seems to give a better flavour. I am not entirely sure of the science behind this but from experience I have found that its all about maintaining consistent heat all the way through the process not just getting the flow from the head right. I even make sure my tamp is warm an obviously the cups.
As far as leaving the machine on all the time. Because it is not plumbed and has a relatively small boiler I would probably not leave it on all the time. Although i do tend to suggest leaving the Giotto or the Vibiemme on. You may go through a few more seals this way but you will save on coffee in the long run. I am open to comments on this by the way as I am still learning after 20 odd years in the industry.
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