I've gotten in contact with ACS about the Minima cost since I can't find a UK retailer and Maria got back to me with a standard stainless steel Minima for €1200,00 (approx. £1050) including shipping to UK with 24 months of warranty where they will support for any issue/s or replacements (free of charge for the warranty period) by emails, pictures and video calls. Am I right in thinking this is a fantastic price right?

@"Verion"#p28064 It used to retail £1179 to £1379. Please note, unless they have advised you otherwise, you will be charged VAT and import duties by DHL for customs clearance in the UK.

@"LMSC"#p28065 Good point about the VAT and import duties by DHL for customs clearance in the UK. I'll ask Maria about that.

Still a good price though. Is there another dual boiler in or around that price available from a UK retailer?

id buy now before it goes 2 euro to a pound haha there a good machine tbf

@"Verion"#p28066 One point to note - there should be no duties, only VAT, as the machine is made in the EU. I was charged (incorrectly) a fairly minimal amount of duty on my ACS machine, and I didn't challenge it. I was charged a much higher % amount on a recent import of a sweater (from Italy, as it happens)… and DHL backpedalled very quickly when I challenged them. Just make sure that ACS adds a declaration of origin to the paperwork if you go the 'direct from manufacturer' route.

@"dfk41"#p28067 The only dual boiler that comes close is the Lelit Elizabeth v3 at Bella Barista for £1,149 in price. But I'm not into the design. Maybe it looks too much like my current Sage DTP which I'm ready to move on from after a number of years. If Black Cat Coffee had the stainless steel Minima in stock it would have been £1,279, so the prices direct assuming I am liable for VAT and Import duties makes it around £1,260(ish). If not, then it makes it better value at £1,050 with everything included than the Lelit Elizabeth v3 or if I wanted an HX machine, then the Lelit Mara X v2. The next jump is closer to £1,800 with the Lelit Bianca v3 or something from Profitec or ECM. It's a lot of money when a Minima is a lot, lot less.

@"CoyoteOldMan"#p28071 Can I assume you bought your Minima direct?

@"Verion"#p28073 It was a Vesuvius Evo Leva, but yes - direct from ACS, so dealing with exactly the same people and carrier that you'd be!

@"Cuprajake"#p28070 Would be good if it did go 2 euro to the pound - Minima would only cost £600! Sadly parity is more likely.

haha you know what i mean lol the bianca is a different kettle of fish, alot more for your money than the minima - but its £600 more

ACS Minima

dutchy101

Ah yes, of course - the £10 fee I have to pay for someone falling over themselves to pay this on my behalf.

dutchy101

I note in @DavecUK’s installation video he uses Molykote on the washer. Is this only necessary when fitting the flow control or do you need to reapply every so often?

Also, stupid question, what Molykote is the correct one?

MediumRoastSteam

dutchy101 - Dow Corning Molycote 111.

https://www.cromwell.co.uk/shop/lubricants-and-chemicals/lubricants/111-silicone-grease-compounds/f/9597?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7P-yqfjJ-gIVVeDtCh12JweQEAAYASAAEgJUo_D_BwE

DavecUK

dutchy101 I feel it necessary to use molykote at every opportunity, because I bought a whole tube and I want to use it all before I die. 🤣

dutchy101

Brilliant- thanks MediumRoastSteam

Ordered. Got it for £14.78 with free delivery from ManoMano, via Zoro Tools who would have charged me £11.99 with £5 deliery if I purchased from them directly

https://www.manomano.co.uk/garden-machinery-oil-and-lubricants-4873?model_id=12406387&referer_id=702619&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1vSZBhDuARIsAKZlijRLSrpj2fpd_pit9wCQBMvlA0nRvvZqybO0E6lXeSjRZHq7S4FNQSMaAsLvEALw_wcB

dutchy101

As @Cuprajake says “This bloody forum” haha

MediumRoastSteam

DavecUK I feel it necessary to use molykote at every opportunity

Well… it’s food grade. You can try it on bread? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

dutchy101

Haha - I do see it mentioned a lot in your videos

CoyoteOldMan

MediumRoastSteam It’s a bit greasy.

dutchy101

Verion

Maria has got back me. Machine is being shipped next week.

Now to see if I can sell the current Sage DTP.

dutchy101

Flow control kit has arrived - no VAT or duty charges so £120. Result

Verion

My Minima is on the way from Italy.

Whilst I’m waiting, I’m rereading the manual and wondering if it’s a no-no to do the commission and set up with tap water and then move onto my OZ water.

I presume a one time tap water through the system and subsequent flush won’t cause scale.

PortafilterProcrastinator

Verion Given Lockhills is £1.60 for 8ltr I’d use that.

I’ve been using Lockhills since I got mine in Feb/ March, I’ve done one full service boiler descale and no sign of issues.

Look forward to hearing how you get on!

Cuprajake

That or just buy some big bottled water, but yeah you will be fine

DavecUK

As Jake says, you will be fine, but you will know you did it! 🤣

Verion

Apparently DHL tells me the machine is going to be delivered today. Looks like I’ve got a commissioning to do tonight.

At some point in the near future the rubber 8mm gasket will need to be replaced which is easy enough with an 8mm silicone version. There are a few brands out there be it a red Cafelat one for £2.99 and an orange Repa one for £2.49. Both can be bought from Bella Barista.

Does anyone have a preference? Also how much longer will a silicone one last over a rubber one?

Doram

Verion Does anyone have a preference? Also how much longer will a silicone one last over a rubber one?

I got a Cafelat gasket when I bought my my machine. After using it for a couple of days I decided that although the original rubber gasket will only last for a short time - I might as well use it till it dies, so I returned it to the machine.

Fast forward: over two years have gone by and the original gasket is still going strong - no leaks, no cracks, still flexible with no sigh of deterioration. Moral of the story: there is no rush. If it aint broke, no need to fix it.

Cuprajake

go cafelat

ken0062

Doram Personally I also think rubber gaskets give a nicer feel when inserting the portafilter, silicon tends to be more stickyer and also makes it harder to remove shower screen

Cuprajake

mine went bad real quick on my minima haha

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