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Wega Mini Nova Classic - First Shots

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  • wattgn
    replied
    Originally posted by Yelta View Post
    Seems to be a personal preference thing, I much prefer rotary valves to toggles, allows me to vary steam flow, I find milk stretches easily and rapidly during the winter months, needing less steam to achieve a good result, usually during a couple of the summer months I have to run steam flat out and still difficult to get a decent result.

    I'm led to believe it has to do with the quality of feed the dairy cows are on.

    Yep, I'm a control freak.
    I think it is an interesting move changing basic controls like rotary valves to toggle valves. The risk is people are used to dials and it may, such as in my case, affect the buying decision.

    I've also had no issues with rotary valves so the toggle valves would be solving a problem I don't have!

    It is a courageous move by ECM I think!

    Leave a comment:


  • Yelta
    replied
    Originally posted by wattgn View Post
    I'm happy enough with dials so I wasn't game to try something new and discover I didn't like it. Interestingly the person who showed me the ECM Technika put me off and said he didn't like them much and they'd had a few customers who weren't too pleased either.

    I found the Wega and in the end, it was the $800 price difference that made the difference although the levers did make me think twice too. Anyway, I am perfectly happy with Dial/wheel valves.
    Seems to be a personal preference thing, I much prefer rotary valves to toggles, allows me to vary steam flow, I find milk stretches easily and rapidly during the winter months, needing less steam to achieve a good result, usually during a couple of the summer months I have to run steam flat out and still difficult to get a decent result.

    I'm led to believe it has to do with the quality of feed the dairy cows are on.

    Yep, I'm a control freak.
    Last edited by Yelta; 15 October 2016, 03:48 PM.

    Leave a comment:


  • ArtW
    replied
    +1 for using as much steam as available. I prefer the look of rotary knobs but for functionality, an on/off steam option alla Nuova Simonelli, La Spaziale, ECM etc is much better.

    Leave a comment:


  • Dimal
    replied
    I s'pose...

    I reckon though if you get some professional tuition on how to use the steam properly, you'll never go back to trying to "tweak" the steam valve. Get way better results using all of what your machine can deliver, in my opinion of course...

    Mal.

    Leave a comment:


  • wattgn
    replied
    Originally posted by Dimal View Post
    I reckon it's all a bit of Furphy to be honest...

    Right from the outset, have always found it best to open the Steam Valve fully to get the best texture, and speed of course, even for small amounts of milk for a single cuppa.
    I reckon the newer flick valves make this much easier...

    Mal.
    It is a small but important detail. I haven't seen any other machines recently that have this valve control. It seems not everyone likes them so if someone is spending over $3000 for an ECM Technika, it would seem to me to be sensible to use one first. Some of the preference would be visual too and I prefer the dials and each maker puts some thought into how these look and distinguish one machine from another.

    Leave a comment:


  • Dimal
    replied
    I reckon it's all a bit of Furphy to be honest...

    Right from the outset, have always found it best to open the Steam Valve fully to get the best texture, and speed of course, even for small amounts of milk for a single cuppa.
    I reckon the newer flick valves make this much easier...

    Mal.

    Leave a comment:


  • wattgn
    replied
    Originally posted by readeral View Post
    wattgn, the steam valve of the ECM locks open, I use two hands holding my milk jug every time I use my ECM.
    I'm happy enough with dials so I wasn't game to try something new and discover I didn't like it. Interestingly the person who showed me the ECM Technika put me off and said he didn't like them much and they'd had a few customers who weren't too pleased either.

    I found the Wega and in the end, it was the $800 price difference that made the difference although the levers did make me think twice too. Anyway, I am perfectly happy with Dial/wheel valves.

    Leave a comment:


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

    Leave a comment:


  • Stu76
    replied
    Originally posted by wattgn View Post
    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?

    Leave a comment:


  • metho
    replied
    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!

    Originally posted by wattgn View Post
    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.


    Originally posted by wattgn View Post
    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.

    Originally posted by wattgn View Post
    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!

    Leave a comment:


  • wattgn
    replied
    Originally posted by Laj View Post
    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.

    Leave a comment:


  • wattgn
    replied
    Originally posted by metho View Post
    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.

    Leave a comment:


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

    Leave a comment:


  • wattgn
    replied
    Originally posted by metho View Post
    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

    Leave a comment:


  • metho
    replied
    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!

    Leave a comment:

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