Musings of a new Giotto owner

[Jonathon]

Musings of a new Giotto owner

Of course watching a nice pour is pretty cool so feel free to stick your head under the group, salivate over the espresso and leave the milk until afterwards.
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Yeah I do find myself watching the shot, but as I've only done less than 20 shots so far, I'm sure that will wear off.

Today was my first day back at work, I found myself missing my new machine!

[kike10]

I upgraded to a Giotto also only few weeks back, and I'm loving it. It's an awesome machine. No doubt you will be playing with it a bit to get a great shot and its rewarding, and don't worry about the expense you quickly forget about it!
If your concerned about heating time go and buy yourself a digital timer only cost$20, with about 16 settings. I have mine set up so it comes on at 5:30am so when I get up for work it's ready to go, turns off at 10:00 am, then comes on again at 2:00 pm so when I get back home from work it's ready!!!
Enjoy.

Kike

[chonski]

A complete state of bewilderment over workflow.

I moved from a Silvia to a Giotto as well.
At the start I'd watch the shot and stop the pour, then get the milk ready and do it. Then I thought - do the milk while the shot is pouring - you're only waiting because you're used to waiting for the Silvia. Plus you'll get your coffee quicker

It wasn't too hard to change but like everything took a bit of practice. Just have the milk ready to go in the jug and have the wand bled before you start the shot.
I count in my head once the pump starts, roughly time how long it takes for the first drops to appear and that's an indication of how the timing is going to go.
Then get the milk happening. Stop the shot with my right hand when it looks like its done. For a 300ml jug it's finished not long after when the shot finishes too.

Of course watching a nice pour is pretty cool so feel free to stick your head under the group, salivate over the espresso and leave the milk until afterwards.

My machine has a cabinet up against its left side so I don't have any room on that side of the machine.
Hence I sit the jug on the drip tray to steam and play with the wand depth / angle to get it right. Works for me.
The "Some tricks for creating great microfoam" thread in the Milk Froth and Bubbles forum might help you get good results while you make the adjustment.

[Mono]

Hi J. I find mine [Evo] is ready to go in 40~45 minutes, I also run a timer. Once the boiler is up to pressure you can flush boiler water through the handle to save some time. You will adjust your routine to suit in time. I cam from a VBM to the Rocket so had no real adjustment to make. Remember you are heating a much larger volume of water and great lump of brass......takes time. "be patient grashopper" :-) :-) as the rewards are there.

STeve

[Jonathon]

I upgraded from my trusty Silvia to a new Giotto PP this week, keeping my Rocky until I can persuade my wife that a better grinder will produce even better coffee.

I've been really happy with the shots so far, either the Giotto is incredibly forgiving or my skills have improved considerably since I first started using a Silvia 3 years ago. Probably the Giotto covering my shortcomings like modern golf clubs improve my swing.

But there were a few unexpected issues:

A complete state of bewilderment over workflow. Like most Silvia users, I had my workflow down pat. Of course I expected to rejig my workflow with a HX, but it's hard to get out of the Silvia mindset of having a minute or so while the steam is heating up to fill the jug, etc. I find myself staring at the machine in disbelief that it's ready to steam or pull a shot whenever I want. No steam switch, no temp surfing. No thinking 'did the light just go on and off when I wasn't looking? I'll just surf again to be sure'.

The left sided steam wand is challenging. Again I'm amazed at how forgiving the Giotto is, a couple of times I thought I'd ruined the milk, only for a bit of swirling and tapping to produce half decent milk. But I've got a lot of work to do to get the left-sided steaming working for me.

When you look at the Giotto in the shop it doesn't look that big, so you think kitchen space won't be an issue. You get it home and realise the width isn't the issue, it's the depth. From front to back its a lot longer than the Silvia. Luckily my wife drinks coffee so she's understanding, but only a little.

Warm up time seems to be a lot longer. I used to turn on the Silvia, have a shower and get dressed, do a quick flush and she'd be ready, I've now put in a timer switch to give the Giotto over an hour to warm up. Is there a 'cheating mr Giotto' anywhere?

But none of this is buyer's remorse, it's an awesome machine and I love it. Luckily a great deal came along and I was able to justify the expense.

Cheers
Jonathon