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Diadema Perfetta - The assessment

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  • #16
    Re: Diadema Perfetta - The assessment

    Originally posted by 0F323E36245D0 link=1230793442/5#5 date=1232535857
    I then purge the Group again and pull my next shot, and if I need some more milk I go through the steaming process again.
    Ive seen the Perfetta at Denniss - certainly is a beautiful piece of gear.

    Your process sounds great, Hal, particularly with your attention to re-priming. One thing that might result in your first shot being superior to others that follow quickly after is that, after steaming, the temperature of the water in the boiler and the whole system has heated to above suitable brewing temp. Even with a large flush before brewing again, it may take 5-10 mins (IIRC) to come back down to brewing temp (one of the problems with single boiler machines). (There was a thread some time back about this, good discussions between Jim from PID Kits and Greg Pullman - cant find it at present.) Why dont you try brewing all your shots first, then steaming your milk.

    Greg

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    • #17
      Re: Diadema Perfetta - The assessment

      Hi nelo, I agree with 2mcm. I am mostly doing 4 or fewer coffees in a sitting and so I dont mind a bit of repetition. If I was regularly doing 6 coffees at a time I would have bought an HX. I solved the bench space problem with a trolley that holds all my gear. I just wheel it into the kitchen & plug it in beside the sink.
      Greg, your point about the temp between shots is a good one, I hadnt really thought about that. I hadnt noticed any difference in quality with the subsequent pours but in future I will pull the straight shots first and the ones with milk second.
      Cheers.

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      • #18
        Re: Diadema Perfetta - The assessment

        Thanks Rocky,

        I had also considered the trolley idea, given there is space elsewhere in the kitchen, just not benchspace. Did you get one custom made, or simply pick one up from a furniture retailer or a catering company? Obviously, measurements need to be right and the top needs to be strong enough to hold the machine, tamp and the like. What was your solution?

        Thanks, Nelo.

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        • #19
          Re: Diadema Perfetta - The assessment

          My trolley came from Howard Storage World and cost about $200.
          This is expensive for a trolley but I had no choice as there was simply no room for an espresso machine in the kitchen.
          The trolley is reasonably robust but I am careful moving it around as the whole outfit is obviously top-heavy.  
          I made a couple more wooden shelves out of plywood to make a more stable place for my cups & jugs etc.  I had intended to put the Rocky on the bottom shelf but it is more convenient to just get it out of the cupboard when I need it.  

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          • #20
            Re: Diadema Perfetta - The assessment

            Howards are not cheap.

            I picked up a very similar trolley from Bunnings.
            It was on special at the time but normal price was around what you paid.

            Mine has a slide out basket in the middle and a bottle rack as a bottom shelf.
            I plan to add some wood to the bottom one like youve done.

            Your set up looks nice.

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            • #21
              Re: Diadema Perfetta - The assessment

              Originally posted by 172A262E3C450 link=1230793442/18#18 date=1235648108
              I am careful moving it around as the whole outfit is obviously top-heavy.
              Might have to give some thought to fitting a set of large diameter, high mounted axle wheels.... After the style of vintage prams :P

              Mal.

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              • #22
                Re: Diadema Perfetta - The assessment

                Looks goood, but there is no room for the grinder :-/

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                • #23
                  Re: Diadema Perfetta - The assessment

                  Thanks Rocky,

                  you certainly looked well organised!

                  The grinder in the cupboard would bug me, so I will look for something a bit wider where the grinder can fit as well. I notice Ikea have some stainless steel trolleys that might fit the bill around the same price. Not sure of quality though! Yours looks fairly robust.

                  I am still thinking Ill wait a little and go with a heat exchange model. I personally like the more compact machines and dont need the hot water spout, but the wait before steaming milk would be frustrating with a batch of coffees.

                  Cheers. Nelo.

                  Comment


                  • #24
                    Re: Diadema Perfetta - The assessment

                    TG: I never thought to look at Bummings, although I have never seen anything like that in the local store. My only reservation about the set-up is the weight of the Perfetta on the top shelf. If one of the wheels failed there would be hole in the floor.
                    It all looks strong enough, but accidents do happen. I would prefer a trolley with an axel such as Mal suggests and a bigger wheelbase but choice is very limited up here in the sticks.
                    The Grinder is in the pantry next to the bench and I am building up nice bicepts lifting it in & out. If I had the weight of the grinder on the trolley as well as the Perfetta I would really be worried about the wheels failing. One day I will see a stronger trolley somewhere and grab it.
                    Good luck with your HX nelo, I think it is the right choice for you.

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                    • #25
                      Re: Diadema Perfetta - The assessment

                      I have one of the Ikea trollys in stainless. Good piece of kit. 350 ish if I recall.

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                      • #26
                        Re: Diadema Perfetta - The assessment

                        First of all, as a new member, I would like to say Hi to all...

                        Now my dilemma - I am looking at purchasing the Diadema Perfetta but I am concerned that I may be let down by the fact that its not a HX machine. The other options at the moment are the Junior Extra or the Isomac TEA. Can anyone enlighten me?

                        I will be primarily be using it for myself and for my guests... espresso, ristretto and macchiatos for me; and for the guests - I guess they will be wanting froth!

                        Can the Perfetta deliver?

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                        • #27
                          Re: Diadema Perfetta - The assessment

                          Hi emdebee,
                          I only just got my Perfetta the other day and couldnt be happier.
                          I just made two Sunday morning lattes and there was ample steam to texture the milk after pulling the shots.

                          The machine is easy to use. I followed the process in the above posts (thanks guys) and found it easy, however you do have to wait a short time for the steam.

                          I think most here would suggest that if the budget stretches to it , and if you are regularly making milk based drinks, then a HX would be the way to go.

                          Sniff

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                          • #28
                            Re: Diadema Perfetta - The assessment

                            Cheers for the response... still, its quite a confusing process but I have been assured of the quality of the Diadema Perfetta. I guess, if I outgrow it I can always upgrade

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                            • #29
                              Re: Diadema Perfetta - The assessment

                              Rocky,
                              I recently acquired a Perfetta and think the boiler pressure is much too high. With a blind basket in the portafilter, the pressure gauge reads 13.1 bar. pulling a shot results in a pressure of around 12 bar, slowly decreasing as the shot progresses. Could you tell me what your readings are under these conditions? I want to take it down some but have no idea where the OPV on this machine is. Thanks

                              Comment


                              • #30
                                Re: Diadema Perfetta - The assessment

                                Originally posted by 607B6477607324232A120 link=1230793442/28#28 date=1250691269
                                Rocky,
                                I recently acquired a Perfetta and think the boiler pressure is much too high. With a blind basket in the group handle, the pressure gauge reads 13.1 bar. pulling a shot results in a pressure of around 12 bar, slowly decreasing as the shot progresses. Could you tell me what your readings are under these conditions? I want to take it down some but have no idea where the OPV on this machine is. Thanks  
                                Hi Rivera,

                                We have found that they typically arrive set to 12bar actual (with a higher reading on the gauge). Best bet is to ask your supplier to set the OPV on your machine with the correct equipment. We do this as a part of the bench test on this machine.

                                Beware that if you open up and tinker, you may void your warranty.

                                Chris

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