It was mentioned in the Micra thread that maybe we should have a LM thread now that there's more than just one of us! A space to share photos/findings/tips/tricks and other observations about the joys of owning one of the frankly brilliant yet totally marmite machines. I'll start with a few things I've noticed after about 6 months of owning the Linea Mini. Firstly the joys of ownership haven't faded one bit. It's still an absolute pleasure to own and use. Coffee - It's so unbelievably forgiving. I'm not sure if it's the temp/pressure consistency or what but even shots that I fully expect to be terrible are often great. There's been times my tamper has had a drop of moisture on and ruined the puck but the shot still extracts fine. Build quality - Seriously, this thing is just so rock solid, no flex on the panels, everything feels robust and weighty and there's something special about the polished stainless PF over the chromed brass I've had before. I also really like having a machine that isn't chrome/stainless - no more fingerprints, smudges and smears! Warmup time - I have mine on a smart plug and it's steam ready in well under 10 mins, even less for just coffee. LM App - I've never used this or felt a need to. Steam - I set this to 1.5 and find it to be the perfect balance of power and ease of use for 2 flat-whites worth of milk. The factory setting is 2 I think and I found it a handful with smaller pitchers. Water tank location - It's really great to be able to leave the tank connected and just pour water in. I think because of the location of it, I've also never had the fishtank smell I've had on machines where the tank ends up at a higher ambient temperature due to it being closer to the boiler. Maintenance / cleaning - I never really minded the cleaning and maintenance of an E61 but it's definitely quicker/easier on the LM. Modifications - I bought the wood kit originally but ended up returning it and now just have the LM walnut PF handle. I think in it's standard guise, it's just a great looking machine and doesn't benefit from the wooden accents. It can look amazing if you go full [Specht](https://spechtdesign.com.au) but otherwise I think it looks great as it. Rotary pump - It's no quieter than the Bianca but still a huge plus. [URL=https://i.imgur.com/9dEiOWN.jpg][IMG]https://i.imgur.com/9dEiOWN.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=https://i.imgur.com/lDDfsQA.jpg][IMG]https://i.imgur.com/lDDfsQA.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Well as mentioned I ordered a grey/silver micra on Wednesday and it should be arriving Monday morning. The space is setup for it - though I am hand grinders only at the moment 😂 [URL=https://i.imgur.com/xcxyk69.jpg][IMG]https://i.imgur.com/xcxyk69.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Found this about differences in screens - (short answer not alot 😂) https://youtu.be/-gLbnSzDvEI

And a guide to changing your paddle etc on the micra - good videos if you want to see it taken apart. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZKjP9MFOttsxnZLOWt14AehVGEk248_8

I hadn't seen that, not much difference at all! The LM screen is great and mine also looks new after 6 months. On that note, this is a really great little tool for making cleaning a little easier and quicker. Not at all crucial as a stubby screwdriver and group brush does the same job but it's a nice to have for sure! https://www.artpressodesign.com/product/espresso-machine-58mm-group-head-cleaning-tool/ I'd say give the stock screen and baskets a good go first. I've never quite understood it but there's a trend where people get a brand new machine and start changing the baskets and screens immediately. The standard stuff is very good in this case!

@"Ernie1"#164 In terms of upkeep/cleaning what schedule do you follow ? And if you are going away for a few days - do you do anything specific like emptying the boilers/tank as much as possible ? Cheers matt

@"MattH"#p42125 I've seen contrasting advice from LM on cleaning. I suspect the instructions might be aimed at commercial use as it advises flushes with cleaner every day... but my process is as follows - (I make about 2-4 espressos day and top up the water with Waitrose Lockhills once a day.) **Daily** - just briefly flush the group (not backflush) between shots and I'll rinse the PF under the group after the last shot of the day. Some people like to backflush with water each day but I've never seen the need or any negatives from not doing it. **Weekly** - Empty / wipe tank (whilst connected) with a damp cloth (no detergent). Remove screen/screw and wash with dish soap, also wash PF properly. Wipe group under screen and use brush to clean around the seal. Baskflush 4x 10 secs with water. Drain 500ml from steam boiler, run steam for 20 seconds and properly wipe down wand. We use oat milk exclusively so easier to clean wand. **Monthly** - Soak PF in Puly Caff (or LM cleaner), backflush with Puly Caff, remove water tank and clean with dish soap (NOT with Puly Caff!!), rinse everything properly and repeat weekly cleaning routine above. I'll also run a shot of espresso through and discard it after properly cleaning. **Yearly** - I haven't got to this point yet but I'll be replacing screen/gasket, removing lid to inspect, clean as above. Some more info here: https://au.lamarzoccohome.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/cleaning-procedure.pdf If I'm going away then yep, I just empty tank and drain boilers as fully as possible and then do a weekly style clean when I'm back.

@"Ernie1"#p42127 Thats brilliant 🤩 thanks.

'Nordic Edition' Mini announced. Nicely done! [URL=https://i.imgur.com/gVWJ73g.jpg][IMG]https://i.imgur.com/gVWJ73g.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=https://i.imgur.com/I1pTFpr.jpg][IMG]https://i.imgur.com/I1pTFpr.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=https://i.imgur.com/XEwGsfe.jpg][IMG]https://i.imgur.com/XEwGsfe.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

I saw all the “live” streams on youtube and wondered what was going on as it seemed like a bunch of screensavers 😂 - makes sense now…. But 5.8k 🤩

@"MattH"#p42156 Yeah! Slightly odd way of revealing it but nice animation. Crazy amount of money but considering the regular mini with the maple parts is like £5100 I guess £700 for a good paint job and metal badges isn't too obscene.

La Marzocco Owners Chat (All welcome!)

MattH

caffeinated-carp Awesome - really like its size and simple workflow - just means I can spend all my time making dodgy expresso and fluffy milk 😂. I have used the plastic portafilter - seems fine - certainly cuts down on the mess.

The app is fine - had a couple of times where the connection has dropped during the shot timer so its reset to Zero - but setting the temp/pressure and the start/stop schedule works fine. Perfect for the missus morning takeaway.

Its coming upto the weekend so will do the cleaning routine posted above and try the autoflush process - sounds like I just put in the blind portafilter and kick the process off in the app.

I seem to be getting on better with my 400ml jugs. Hard to believe it only arrived Monday - supposedly I have done 26 shots 😂

App also seems to work outside the home - not that useful but handy I wanted to remote heatbit 😂

caffeinated-carp

MattH had a couple of times where the connection has dropped during the shot timer so its reset to Zero

The shot timer seems very random for me, pops up sometimes, not others. I’m just using the phone stopwatch now.

MattH and try the autoflush process

I didn’t even notice this! That’s quite cool

MattH supposedly I have done 26 shots

5 a day eh, you’ll be buzzing :)

MattH

caffeinated-carp Not all for me tbh 😂 and I do wonder if it counts a shot everytime you flip the paddle.

caffeinated-carp

MattH being as I do so much “machine flushing” I think it must count a flip of the paddle as a flush? Wonder how it knows, pressure? Time?

I did the back flush today, had no idea that was there until you said! That’s quite a nice feature although for me it restarted as soon as it had finished which is annoying.

Seems LM do good machines (I hope!) but not good apps, no surprise!

Ernie1

caffeinated-carp Seems LM do good machines (I hope!) but not good apps, no surprise

Exactly. It’s why I haven’t bothered with the app.

I use a smart plug for the scheduled on/off twice a day. My watch for the shot-counter, and my hand for the backflushing. So far no problems!

Cuprajake

with the bianca, i usd to backflush blind with just water at the end of a brewing session, and cafiza once every couple of months

caffeinated-carp

Cuprajake I seem to do a backfludh once a day, the. I will do pulo once a week until I get bored of that and then maybe less 🙂

Cuprajake

Ernie1

please explain this hand backflush

Giphy - you know better blake shelton GIF by The Voice

MattH

Ernie1 Thanks for the cleaning regime - have done the weekly runthrough - judt need to clean the grouphead once it calls.

I used the automated backflush process worked fine . So quite impressed 👍

caffeinated-carp

Cuprajake yeh @Ernie1 you’re definitely not going to have any skin left 😂

Ernie1

Cuprajake please explain this hand backflush

Missed this! The LM app allows you to run an automated backflush cycle where it starts/stops the pump a few times. I just meant I do it manually, thankfully no burns involved!

@MattH nice video! Thorough service, and good to see someone walk through it.

Interesting to hear about the steam wand length, I did think it would be a bit short. The one on the Mini isn’t exactly long (certainly in comparison to most other machines in this price bracket).

Not sure why that guy in the vid would sacrifice the looks of his machine with that shot timer… He’s wearing a watch for goodness sake… one glance when you pull the paddle, one glance when you stop, voila… no ugly shot timer needed!

MattH

Maybe getting the hang of it… set steam to 1 and with whole milk.

caffeinated-carp

MattH looking good 🙂 latte art is bloody hard I find

caffeinated-carp

MattH did a good one today!

The one after was crap though..

LMSC

caffeinated-carp

That’s why, I only drink

Giphy - Black Coffee GIF !

DavecUK

Ernie1 Always good to have a new pair of jugs to play with.

When I was a young man I always thought so!

MattH

caffeinated-carp Looks awesome!

So you have a very dark colour coffee - how much much milk are you making up ? Mine seem to be very milky ? Usually do about 200ml …

caffeinated-carp

MattH so I’m using a 9oz cup with 36g espresso and probably about 190ml milk (before steaming), using the LM jug that came with the LMLU

MattH

@Ernie1 One for you - was quite interesting…

MattH

So I have had the machine just over a week now… I seem to be getting the hang of it… the milk steaming is getting better - needs more practice but I have done a lot of soapy water attempts :)

I have set the steam power back to 2 as I am learning to not blow up the foam as I steam…

Thanks for the tip @Ernie1 I have ordered the grouphead tool/cleaner and whilst there picked up a ims shower screen just because.. its the hobby of a million accessories…

All in all a very pleasant experience so far - I guess in machine terms its as simple as it can be compared to others - and has been mentioned before seems very forgiving even when your shots are not as dialed in as you would like.

The only thing I think can be said against the Micra is the steam wand length of you want to use say a 600ml jug - unless its quite full its not really feasible imho. But for the 200ml or so I usually steam for a drink the smaller 400ml jugs are perfect once you get the hang of not overdoing it. My goal is to work on getting the milk mixed in properly before its upto temp.. which due to the power does not give you a huge amount of time to work with.

That’s it ramble over - best go make the morning cuppa!

Cheers

Matt

caffeinated-carp

My main gripe (and it doesn’t bother me that much) is the app, it really is quite crap :) I was doing the cleaning the other day and it restarted itself weirdly.

Then a couple of days ago I tried to use the shot timer, it said it had stopped brewing about 4 times during the shot, totally useless!

Possibly the wifi signal for the machine is not strong, not sure.

Ernie1

caffeinated-carp

I’m almost certain LM just jumped on the ‘technification’ bandwagon and tried to add unnecessary digital features. I agree the app feels totally superfluous.

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