Wega Mini Nova Classic - First Shots

[wattgn]

I picked it up this arvo from LeafBeanMachine down in Bibra Lake.

It all went extra smoothly. They gave me 2 bags of some very nice coffee along with the machine. I haven't tried that yet but I did have some of their Burundi single origin coffee when I was looking at the machine on Friday. It was excellent.

I had discussed the fittings for the water line in and drain line out and so all the fittings were in place and I just had to hook it up. Very quick and easy.

I did two brews, using the Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, the first was with soymilk, the other just an espresso. I changed the grind slightly for the second. Both were excellent shots. It goes to show how easy these machines are to use, a walk in the park.

It doesn't seem to need much cooling down and I love the E61 head.

The only difference I notice in behaviour from my Bezzera BZ40, is that when filling a large mug with water (I probably should use the kettle for this) in order to warm it, the rotary pump turns on and off every few seconds. My Bezzera had a high and low level probe but the technician says, there is only a low level probe. I find that odd. I just assumed all machines had low and high level probes. I guess draining 320mls into a mug is a bit of an ask, it takes about a minute to get back up to pressure after doing this.

The steam it produces is impressive but I would expect that with a 2L boiler.

It does have only one gauge for brew pressure. I would be nice to have two gauges although honestly, the pressures never vary much.

The only other downside is my old Bezzera portafilters don't fit on these so my special pressure gauge portafilter handle will have to be sold with the Bezzera.

I will do a full report in a while but it is an amazingly well built machine and the insides are beautiful as is the outside. It was also $800 cheaper than a near identical ECM Technika so very good value and every bit as good.

I weighed the portafilter handles and these are 560grams with the double basket in it, same as the Bezzera. All nice heavy lashings of chrome dribbled over the brass. Nice.

[sprezzatura]

I picked it up this arvo from LeafBeanMachine down in Bibra Lake.

It all went extra smoothly. They gave me 2 bags of some very nice coffee along with the machine. I haven't tried that yet but I did have some of their Burundi single origin coffee when I was looking at the machine on Friday. It was excellent.

I had discussed the fittings for the water line in and drain line out and so all the fittings were in place and I just had to hook it up. Very quick and easy.

I did two brews, using the Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, the first was with soymilk, the other just an espresso. I changed the grind slightly for the second. Both were excellent shots. It goes to show how easy these machines are to use, a walk in the park.

It doesn't seem to need much cooling down and I love the E61 head.

The only difference I notice in behaviour from my Bezzera BZ40, is that when filling a large mug with water (I probably should use the kettle for this) in order to warm it, the rotary pump turns on and off every few seconds. My Bezzera had a high and low level probe but the technician says, there is only a low level probe. I find that odd. I just assumed all machines had low and high level probes. I guess draining 320mls into a mug is a bit of an ask, it takes about a minute to get back up to pressure after doing this.

The steam it produces is impressive but I would expect that with a 2L boiler.

It does have only one gauge for brew pressure. I would be nice to have two gauges although honestly, the pressures never vary much.

The only other downside is my old Bezzera portafilters don't fit on these so my special pressure gauge portafilter handle will have to be sold with the Bezzera.

I will do a full report in a while but it is an amazingly well built machine and the insides are beautiful as is the outside. It was also $800 cheaper than a near identical ECM Technika so very good value and every bit as good.

I weighed the portafilter handles and these are 560grams with the double basket in it, same as the Bezzera. All nice heavy lashings of chrome dribbled over the brass. Nice.

A fine, sturdy and well-built machine.

[wattgn]

Pulling great shots. The pucks are as well formed and tough as a vegan's turd.

Drinking a single origin bean from commercial link removed per Site Posting Policy where I bought the machine, a Honduras Silvestre Vasquez. Some name.

I'm also ordered a Macap M4D Grinder from Mr * ****, thanks Paul. Maybe get it before the gathering on Saturday.

I also swapped the five hole steam tip for a four hole one. Still almost too quick to steam. On the Bezzera I fitted a two hole tip which was great for small amounts of milk. The four hole tip or I guess the five hole tip leave no room for error as there is little time before it is up to temperature.

[sprezzatura]

Tough as a ... Ha! Ha! Ha! Are you sure that's not a Paleoturd?

[wattgn]

Tough as a ... Ha! Ha! Ha! Are you sure that's not a Paleoturd?

I've heard other people complain of pucks that fell apart. I've never had that happen with either the Bezzera or the Wega. I'm not sure if a well formed stool is the result of a paleo bean diet or the result of a rotary pump.

You tell me or does a firm puck just mean no channeling or damage? I don't know.

[sprezzatura]

A well formed puck is a good thing - regardless of diet [emoji3]

[wattgn]

The 4 hole steam tip is working well. I am getting the knack of frothing soy milk well enough.

I purchased an in line water softening cartridge that is in place after the branch to my machine. The micron sediment filter and carbon filter filter the water for both the machine and drinking water. It is a cost to do this but it a pretty good system.

The Wega is a great machine. The quality of the espresso is very good and I get very consistent results. The grind setting for my Rocky grinder has not required any changes in the past few days.

[metho]

I am glad you like your Wega. I purchased a broken one to fix and have been very happy with the results.

My only issue with the Wega Classic is that the internals seem to use non-commercial size components; so you either go back to Wega or have to buy the right BSP convertor. In my case I purchased a convertor connector to use a commercial anti-vacuum valve and purchased a new Wega safety valve rather than using a convertor for a commercial safety valve. I am not sure about the pressure stat thread size.

The unit seems really well build and I cannot see why the unit will not last for many years. Descaling is slightly weird with a HX hot water tap. I found you have to "lean/tip" the machine to force water through the steam wand to expel the descalling solution from the boiler. Maybe someone knows a better way. I'm all ears!

Best of luck and great coffee with your new baby!

[wattgn]

I am glad you like your Wega. I purchased a broken one to fix and have been very happy with the results.

My only issue with the Wega Classic is that the internals seem to use non-commercial size components; so you either go back to Wega or have to buy the right BSP convertor. In my case I purchased a convertor connector to use a commercial anti-vacuum valve and purchased a new Wega safety valve rather than using a convertor for a commercial safety valve. I am not sure about the pressure stat thread size.

The unit seems really well build and I cannot see why the unit will not last for many years. Descaling is slightly weird with a HX hot water tap. I found you have to "lean/tip" the machine to force water through the steam wand to expel the descalling solution from the boiler. Maybe someone knows a better way. I'm all ears!

Best of luck and great coffee with your new baby!

I think there is a boiler drain valve. I saw it on the diagrammatic

[Laj]

Congratulations on your purchase(s). It looks terrific. I love the manual lever.

[wattgn]

I am glad you like your Wega. I purchased a broken one to fix and have been very happy with the results.

My only issue with the Wega Classic is that the internals seem to use non-commercial size components; so you either go back to Wega or have to buy the right BSP convertor. In my case I purchased a convertor connector to use a commercial anti-vacuum valve and purchased a new Wega safety valve rather than using a convertor for a commercial safety valve. I am not sure about the pressure stat thread size.

The unit seems really well build and I cannot see why the unit will not last for many years. Descaling is slightly weird with a HX hot water tap. I found you have to "lean/tip" the machine to force water through the steam wand to expel the descalling solution from the boiler. Maybe someone knows a better way. I'm all ears!

Best of luck and great coffee with your new baby!

I had a look today. There is definitely a drain valve on the bottom. It is located in a nice handy location so you can place a tube on the end and drain it into the sink which is what I will do when I do my first descale in six months time.

You may have an older model but a drain on a boiler is a basic requirement.

The internal layout of the Wega is impeccable. Very tidy. I don't know where you get the idea of 'non-commerical size' components. The internals are mostly just standard parts on any coffee machines but actual diameters of lines and so on look similar. It is pretty irrelevant anyway. If they use a 3/8 rather than 1/2 inch drain or something it is because it is sized for the intended use and flow rates. Things like pressure stats again are designed for the machine and commercial / non-commercial is an artificial distinction. If I look at my Bezzera which has two 1400W elements and a much bigger boiler 3.4L, some internal components may be bigger.

It also seems you have a Wega that is quite different to mine anyway.

[wattgn]

Congratulations on your purchase(s). It looks terrific. I love the manual lever.

I'm extremely pleased with the Wega. I also got it for $2400. I almost get the ECM Technika Profi 4 but it was $800 more and I didn't see enough value in the extra cost. It also had levers instead of normal turn off valves for water and steam which meant you need one hand on the steam. I would find that very difficult, as I like having two hands for steaming.

I would definitely recommend it. I will probably do a review soon. I wanted to use it a fair while though first but I haven't found any issues on it. I plugged and plumbed it and it worked flawlessly from the first shot.

[metho]

Doh!

Ah my brain is not working. I have a Wega Mini Nova, not Mini Nova Classic! That must be why the boiler is different!

I had a look today. There is definitely a drain valve on the bottom. It is located in a nice handy location so you can place a tube on the end and drain it into the sink which is what I will do when I do my first descale in six months time.

You may have an older model but a drain on a boiler is a basic requirement.

I'll have to have a better look, but I don't think it has one on the Wega Mini Nova.

The internal layout of the Wega is impeccable. Very tidy. I don't know where you get the idea of 'non-commerical size' components. The internals are mostly just standard parts on any coffee machines but actual diameters of lines and so on look similar. It is pretty irrelevant anyway. If they use a 3/8 rather than 1/2 inch drain or something it is because it is sized for the intended use and flow rates. Things like pressure stats again are designed for the machine and commercial / non-commercial is an artificial distinction. If I look at my Bezzera which has two 1400W elements and a much bigger boiler 3.4L, some internal components may be bigger.

On the Wega Mini Nova the parts have odd BSP thread sizes which means you will struggle to go the aftermarket route. So basically you are stuck with Wega domestic sized parts (say 1/8" BSP threads) or part that are not widely avaliable. Generally more expensive. Don't get me wrong the quality of the parts from Wega look top notch and they should last a long time.

It also seems you have a Wega that is quite different to mine anyway.

My machine is a Wega Mini Nova, not Mini Nova Classic! Again sorry!

[Stu76]

I'm extremely pleased with the Wega. I also got it for $2400. I almost get the ECM Technika Profi 4 but it was $800 more and I didn't see enough value in the extra cost. It also had levers instead of normal turn off valves for water and steam which meant you need one hand on the steam. I would find that very difficult, as I like having two hands for steaming.

I would definitely recommend it. I will probably do a review soon. I wanted to use it a fair while though first but I haven't found any issues on it. I plugged and plumbed it and it worked flawlessly from the first shot.

"One hand on the steam" - Please explain?

[readeral]

wattgn, the steam valve of the ECM locks open, I use two hands holding my milk jug every time I use my ECM.