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.

                      I would just flush a few seconds after each shot while the PF drains, cleaned off the screen a treat.

                      Then once a week -

                      Drop the screen and gasket into very slightly soapy water, use the group brush while the screen is off, and then rinse and refit the screen/gasket.

                      Wash the water tank.

                      Backflush four 10 sec cycles with water.

                      Monthly -

                      Pulycaff backflush & cam lube. Soak PF/basket in Pulycaff

                      3-monthly -

                      Lubricate paddle and steam wand ball-joint.

                      Which gram basket are you using and also which dose style of bean, quick flush will bring the crud off. I used to water blind back flush the end of every session.

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

                        coffeealex

                        This is the routine I have more or less been following with my Bianca and based on how frequently I use it. Some useful links below (mostly to guides from @DavecUK).

                        Hope you find this useful and feel free to adapt as you see fit…

                            I forget I wrote some of this stuff…in fact when I comission my Bianca Vs, I’m going to have to read my own stuff cos I’ve forgotten so much of it. 🤣

                            Contact me

                            Well, after re-watching Dave’s excellent videos I thought i would just double check the lubrication on the o rings ( as i thought it would be good practice for getting used to the feel of the thread for later on. The job was thankfully pretty straightforward and with the help of the great videos it was back together in 10 min. Except for the fact that the grub screw ( I hadn’t noticed) had come out completely and rolled silently off the table. So having spent 10 minutes to do the job I spent nearly 50 on my hands and knees doing an inch by inch search of my floor, akin to a crime scene. Somehow I found it. It had bounced right underneath the recycling bin in the corner. So do not do what I did. Make sure you place everything you remove in a container so that it is all contained.

                              DavecUK you are so right! I have certainly learnt my lesson IE. to never assume that something won’t fall out, move or drop down. Assume it can and place it into a container.