Everyone must now know that I always have too many questions. So let me fire away:

1/ I used some stale bean to try a couple of shots. The first one I used same grind size as that for my Robot. Almost choke the machine and got 18g in and 35g out in 75s. For the second shot, I tried two dot coarser, similar result. Wet puck too. I will try to go coarser. But do you think the soupy puck is due to the choking?

2/ I dose 18g and mess up with coffee ground spilled around. Do I need a ring or the dose size is wrong or my technique is bad?

3/ between shots, I followed the instruction to remove the PF, left for 15sec, then flush the group head and clean it with cloth. Do I really need to use the brush every time?

4/ I found two scratch in the inner wall of the PF. Don’t think it is deep enough to cause channeling. Was it design like this or did I do anything wrong to scratch it?

5/ how do I know the machine is ready for the next shot?

6/ when standby, the pressure is 1.4 bar for the steam boiler but zero for both the group head and boiler pressure is it normal?

    Single basket?

    Yes you need a dosing ring. Get one that goes on the outside of the basket, and magnetic if you can.

    Decent De1pro v1.45 - Niche Duo - Niche Zero - Decent is the best machine ever made -

    Normcore 58mm Magnetic Dosing Funnel - Espresso Coffee Dosing Ring - 15mm Anodized Aluminum with 9 magnetized Steel Compatible with 58mm Portafilter https://amzn.eu/d/1z1ojTW

    Or similar some are higher. But you get the idea

    Steam boiler you can set I always drop mine to 125oc other gauges won’t do anything till you use the machine

    My routine was after making my coffee’s I would back flush the group with the blind filter and just water.

    Temp wise and shot wise by the time you have made the next shot you should be good to go

    Decent De1pro v1.45 - Niche Duo - Niche Zero - Decent is the best machine ever made -

    Don’t flush between shots

    What water are you using?

    Decent De1pro v1.45 - Niche Duo - Niche Zero - Decent is the best machine ever made -

      During a batch of shots, knock out the PF and clean with a dry paintbrush. Don’t wash it until you finished your last shot of that run.

      If you use the paddle to reduce pressure towards the end of a shot, pucks will usually be a bit wetter. After PF removal give it grinding time to drain and dry befor knocking then brushing out.

      Contact me

        Knluk I dose 18g and mess up with coffee ground spilled around

        You either grind into the cup which comes with the Niche and then transfer the grinds, or you use a tall ring around the PF.

            Which basket are you using? It looks like a smaller one than I used regularly. I don’t think I ever used that one you have in the pic. The basket that was already in the spouted PF was the one I used. I’d dose 19g usually.

            The scratches were in the baskets when it was new, I think they’re just machine marks and won’t affect the performance.

            You shouldn’t need to wait any time between shots.

            The pressure should be at zero and then rise to 9-10 for pump pressure (or whatever you’ve set it at) and then the group will vary based on paddle position.

            Also Dave’s tip about letting the puck drain before knocking out was a game changer for me. I’d sometimes sit the PF on the drip tray while I steamed milk to let the puck dry out. 5-10 seconds and most wet pucks will be dry enough to knock out clean.

              Thanks all for the timely reply! Look forward to my first drinkable shot

              Ernie1 MediumRoastSteam DavecUK

              Cuprajake"#p28427 LOL on not using the cup. I can’t explain my stupidity. :p

                      Knluk

                      As your first semi-auto machine it’ll take time before you get to grips with it. Feel free to keep asking questions.

                      I remember the frustration of soooo much wasted coffee. I remember learning on a machine with awful temp stability and I almost gave up.

                      The most important thing is to only change one variable - keep the dose size the same, the ratio, and then tweak grind size until you’re getting a nice shot. Typically 19g/38g in 28-32 seconds should be at least decent and then tweak further to taste if required.

                      Also if you have a dark roast to learn on, they tend to be more forgiving.

                        Quick question again pls.

                        For the shots I pulled so far, I spotted some channeling and I think it was due to the grind size is too fine. Taste was very bitter/ burnt and the mouth feel was thick. I have got 18g in and 40g out in 45s (no preinfusion and flow control fully open start to finish). (Btw I love the brew timer, it so handy). However, I have adjusted my NZ grind setting to 24 (close or filter coffee lever as suggested on the NZ). I used to grind at 17-20 setting when I was making coffee with the same bean with Robot. Anyone have NZ+Bianca can shed some light? I would keep going coarser today but I am quite skeptical when I look at the setting.

                        I also think my temp setting maybe too high currently the setting is at 95 degree for my medium dark roast. Maybe the temp is too high causing over extraction and making the burnt taste? I also noted that the coffee produced is noticeably hotter than that of my Robot.

                        The manual said this machine is designed to make 1-2 shots. How to I know the machine is ready and when it is not ready to pull another shot after one? I asked so because the temperature gauge still at 95 degree, group head still very hot to touch, and pressure gauge was zero (I presume it is normal) after each shot. So feel the machine is always ready to pull another one.

                        Any input will be appreciated.

                        • LMSC replied to this.

                          Knluk I am not a Bianca owner. For medium dark / dark, I would drop to 90/92. I would also dose lower, say 16.5-17g and grind a little grind coarser. For medium dark, I aim 1:2 on 16.5/17g. The dark would be about 1:1:5 for me. The lighter stuffs would be 1:2.5.

                            For Rave’s darker roasts I found anything above about 36 seconds for 19/38g to be bitter.

                            Try a coarser grind until you’re getting about 32 seconds. It makes a huge difference even for only a few seconds.

                            The Bianca should be ready to pull shots back to back quicker than you can prep the next shot.

                            @“Knluk”

                            You’re over thinking. Try to just focus on the coffee. The machine is great.

                            The machine is ready for you when you are. 15-20 min warm up then just use it

                            Decent De1pro v1.45 - Niche Duo - Niche Zero - Decent is the best machine ever made -

                            With the Niche, don’t worry about how close you are to “filter”, that’s just a word. If the coffee needs to go coarser, go coarser.

                            Contact me

                            Knluk I think it’s not unusual ( from my own experience) to get some residue on the shower screen. I tend to wipe my shower screen in between each shot with a cloth and try to leave adequate headspace in the basket to allow some freedom for the water to circulate. I use the upper circular line within the basket as my limit. it works for me

                              Can I just check ( as a new Lelit user ) that i am not overdoing things.

                              I run about a batch of about 3 shots in the morning and the same in the evening. After my last shot ( morning and evening) I backflush 2 to 3 times with water only. So in essence I backflush ( with water only) twice a day. I have noticed the paddle can sometimes get a little stiffer when warm compared to cold. Is this normal? expansion? I was going to lubricate the o’rings after about 2 months. Should i do it sooner? The shots are good. So no complaints there.

                              Also I clean the portafilter with washing up liquid at the end of use for the day. I take out the shower screen every 3- 4 days to clean it and also clean underneath the grouphead with a wet pad and a very small amount of fairy liquid, opening the lever at the end to flush any residue down. Finally wiping with a plain wet pad.

                              I was going to use puly every 2 months or so and then grease the cam. If I use puly should I grease the o’rings on the paddle also?

                                Knluk I got this after every shot. Is it normal?

                                Yes. You need to drop the shower screen every 2-3 days and keep things clean.