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Coming to terms with the witch: strega

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  • Re: Coming to terms with the witch: strega

    Welcome aboard and nice upgrade!

    I can well understand the compulsion of the lever particularly the Strega, and trust me you wont regret it for a second.

    +1 to Chriss suggestion on the Brita - thats all I use (6 months now) but then again Im on good water to start with (about 90% off the roof). Also agree to experiment, but I think most of us have settled for a few seconds on the pump and then letting the lever do its thing (you have to listen to the trickle - still think that I should record it and make that my ring tone!)

    Personally two mods Id recommend are plumbing in the drip tray drain (if possible) and replacing the plastic handles (especially the slippery lever handle). Something, maybe 50mm longer in turned timber will make your connection with your new machine all the more rewarding (and also safer! ;D).

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    • Re: Coming to terms with the witch: strega

      Yeah, Im going to get the C150 from Bernard at bombora, waiting patiently for it to arrive so that I may finally use my strega! Any idea if there are people in melbourne who will be able to make the timber handle replacements?

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      • Re: Coming to terms with the witch: strega

        Yeah the point is you could be using it now ,,, why wait? Im sure i couldnt! ;D

        Im sure anyone with a lathe and basic skills could do your handles (I did mine). You might like to give KK a pm - by the sound of it he is going into production!

        The other thing I forgot is bench height, I built mine up a bit as it was better from an ergonomic pov - see pics back in this thread somewhere. Depends a lot on you and the longer, more secure handle will help a lot as well.

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        • Re: Coming to terms with the witch: strega

          We have had several PMs back and forth regarding use
          Congrats on the new machine and may you have great coffee from it

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          • Re: Coming to terms with the witch: strega

            I cant bear putting non-filtered water into her . Are you making any KK?

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            • Re: Coming to terms with the witch: strega

              Originally posted by 57445553585F4253360 link=1319882086/139#139 date=1338476933
              I cant bear putting non-filtered water into her . Are you making any KK?
              No I am only making handles for personal use

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              • Re: Coming to terms with the witch: strega

                After reading this post and I have just been reading some articles on pressure profiling and it seems intuitive that one can control the pressure from the beginning to the end of the shot, rather than pumping water though at a constant bar.   I can imagine that this is a huge advantage when it comes to near the middle to the end of the shot where you can reduce the pressure down and pro-long the extraction of the oils, putting off the blonding stage for longer?  Not sure if this is correct?   Also does this enable one to achieve richer more concentrated extractions? 

                So Im guessing most of you have had conventional pump machines before you got your Strega.  I Am really interested to see what are you are experiencing and tasting thats different for you? 

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                • Re: Coming to terms with the witch: strega

                  I assume youve been watching Jim Schulmans videos? Unfortunately being a complete snob I wouldnt use my strega until I get my under sink filter installed. KK and Java are probably the most experienced ones here with the Strega, hopefully they can help you out! But I have to agree the pressure profiling is extremely exciting, cant wait! ;D

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                  • Re: Coming to terms with the witch: strega

                    Arcenite RE timber handles
                    I visited sponsor Barazi and seen on display several hand turned handles of different timbers and shapes
                    So give Chris a ring to enquire

                    Jaffa
                    Pre infusion differs with every individual set up environment
                    Mostly because we use different beans , grinders, water, and the list goes on

                    What you need to know now is that the coffee the Strega produces is exceptionally good, and over time you will get to be intimate with its inner workings
                    Then you can try different techniques

                    Just remember the basics, tamp to the correct depth, grind to the right resistance

                    And most of all enjoy the coffee

                    KK

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                    • Re: Coming to terms with the witch: strega

                      Will do KK! Thanks for the heads up!

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                      • Re: Coming to terms with the witch: strega

                        Originally posted by 53777E7E7D7D4753776B7577180 link=1319882086/128#128 date=1337227924
                        I need turning blanks for a pull handle and Group handles ect
                        If you have enough I would be happy to pay something for it plus postage

                        PM me with sizes to see if they are suitable for the project

                        KK
                        KK

                        I now have the blackwood timber in Sydney. I will send you a PM.

                        Barry

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                        • Strega friends,
                          Apologize for "awakening" this thread, but a couple of points spurred me to post.
                          First off, after nearly a year with my Strega, I'm going more towards Jim Schulman's video demonstrations, especially as they pertain to my favorite drink, the Single Origin 35-40mlm pull with generally 17.5/18 grams in an Espresso Parts HQ 15 gram basket.
                          After the aforementioned 6-ish count, I gently lift the "leeever" (as Jim calls it...around here in the deep south US, it's LEH-ver) only an ich or so to remove it from it's lock down. This allows a GENTLE pre-infusion...no water pouring in the chamber any longer, as the pump is disengaged. If I see drips, I tighten the grind next time. After maybe 4-5 counts, I allow the lever to travel upwards unimpeded. If I nailed it, there is a few seconds of drip, the stream coalesces, and a beautiful thin steady stream emerges. When I have the amount I prefer, I just pull the cup. Yum. I'm using both Baratza Forte and the OE Pharos manual 68mm conical burr grinders.

                          My other comment regards Brita. IMO, the ph level of water filtered by the Brita filter system is too low for the innards of the Strega, or really any machine. This has also been corroborated by others, as a cause of possible corrosion. In fact, the owner of 1st Line Espresso, US recommends not using Brita filtered water in the Strega. My combo of "ThePurestOne" filtered tap water and simple bottled RO with "added minerals" gives me a 7.5ph, and very good KH/GH readings. I imagine Volvic is used around your parts?
                          I truthfully don't want to create a controversy here. I just wanted to relay my measurements, and comments that have been posted by those wiser than me. TYhis is a great community, and I regret not having enough time to enjoy a visit here more often!
                          Respectfully, Rob Jason

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                          • Hi

                            A Brita filter system (or any other ion-exchange based filter system) will not remove enough OH^- or add H^+ to give you water that is acidic enough to cause corrosion problems in any machine. Removing minerals from tap water such as Na, Ca, carbonates, sulphates etc will change the taste of the water and can limit buildup of calcium carbonates. It won't make your water pH6.

                            Mike

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                            • You might want to read through this H-B thread: Brita Water destroyed my GS3 (cartridge pitcher type) - Espresso Machines • Home-Barista.com

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                              • Wow after a decade and a bit I've dug out this machine from storage! Just came back from servicing. Excited to pull some shots tomorrow!

                                Awakening the witch. Not to mention digging up the ol' Robur E.

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