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!)

caffeinated-carp

MattH looking good 🙂 latte art is bloody hard I find

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!

caffeinated-carp

MattH did a good one today!

The one after was crap though..

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.

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!

MediumRoastSteam

Ernie1 I agree the app feels totally superfluous.

I thought the only way to adjust pre-infusion time on those machines is through the app? Fair enough if you just want to keep at factory setting, but it would be nice to not need to use the app for such simple things :-)

It’s also my understanding temperature and boiler pressure are adjusted by manual controls - presumably analog controls on the machine. Is that correct?

MattH

MediumRoastSteam theres a manual dial on the mini for temp - but its all in the app for the micra!

@Ernie1 the video service was for a client who wanted a shot clock - and I think they were going for the solution as a interim measure until a better solution appeared !

The wand is only an issue for the deep jugs if you did not want that much milk steamed - i find its just harder to get the right angle in the jug when I am watching youtube vids where they are using huge long stream wands 😂

@caffeinated-carp Agree the app shot time has reset a couple of time when I have used it - sure its the way the comms works - not sure if that part is via wifi or the bluetooth connection ?

Not had any issues with the auto backflush or the power on/off schedule thats come on each day at 7am 👍

Ernie1

MediumRoastSteam

Yeah pre-infusion is app only. It has a built in 1-second preinfusion.

Controversial point but I find preinfusion absolutely unnecessary on medium and darker roasts. Useful on light roasts for sure but I’ve not touched it. I didn’t even use it on the Bianca even though it was accessible via the menu. I’d be interested to know how many people faff with it for the sake of faffing.

And yes analog controls for other temps. Personally I prefer analog as they’re serviceable and longer lasting. I’m somewhat of a Luddite when it comes to electronics. It pains me that my car and some of my motorbikes have an ecu…

I get that lots of people like to tweak though and digital/apps is the easier way.

MediumRoastSteam

Ernie1 - I’m somewhat the same. But are you sure those “analog” controls are not simply interfaces to digital inputs? Most likely they are :-)

For me, I don’t mind digital controls. But I would much prefer if the machine had its own interface, even if it was tucked away.

Saying all of that, technology has moved on quite a bit, and, in the grand scheme of things, it is simpler to have a mobile app. The UI is more polished, can be updated, and the controller inside the machine can also be patched significantly easily, through the app, if needs be. Worse case scenario, you just buy an el cheapo phone/tablet and keep next to the machine. I would even go a step further and think that those temp. selectors might as well be inside the app. How often do we really change temperature?

MattH

MediumRoastSteam Well for me once - I have bumped it to 94c - though I fiddled quite a bit with then steam power settings and the pre brew settings (this is basically a timed soak of the puck without pressure - if i wanted pre infusion i would need to plumb in the Micra)

Ernie1

MediumRoastSteam But are you sure those “analog” controls are not simply interfaces to digital inputs? Most likely they are :-)

That’s a good point, I’ve no idea. It’s just a little wheel that clicks round and adjust boiler temp up and down.

Regarding apps, my concern is that with ‘big’ purchases (cars/bikes/coffee machines) that as soon as these companies/developers cease to exist or no longer update software, it risks becoming obsolete. The optimist in me hopes that companies that have been around 50 years will continue to be around, but will some of these newer companies? Only time will tell.

On the bike thing again, a friend of mine has a 1960 Triumph, aside from some rudimentary lighting it’s entirely mechanical and could be maintained indefinitely. Literally forever. Parts that can’t be sourced can often be fabricated. With my 2022 Triumph, and as with every vehicle made today, I’m fully reliant on someone somewhere with access to the tools/software to plug it in.

I guess it’s reflective of the more disposable world we live in these days.

caffeinated-carp

MediumRoastSteam For me, I don’t mind digital controls. But I would much prefer if the machine had its own interface, even if it was tucked away.

My thoughts as well, I don’t mind an app but I do dislike crappy apps, the LM app really is not good. I can’t figure if it is connected via bluetooth or wifi, why it has the complexity of local and remote only modes is just weird, I’m a software developer and I find it confusing personally so someone who maybe is not used to apps or whatever must just think what is this.

I do like though that the machine looks sleek and simple, not scattered with controls, so hey ho..

Ernie1 as soon as these companies/developers cease to exist or no longer update software, it risks becoming obsolete

Yeh this as well.

MediumRoastSteam

Ernie1 I guess it’s reflective of the more disposable world we live in these days.

True. But even without the app, your LMLM has a brain. If LMLM goes out of business, and whoever makes that brain box (Gicar?) doesn’t supply it to you anymore for whichever reason, you’ll have a door stopper.

I had a long discussion with Dave about this, as I was quite pedantic about the Sandbox Smart roaster. It’s controlled fully by an app, which I’m not a fan.

Dave managed to shove some sense into me, saying, if the app is no longer supported, you can always have a backup of the app (for example, the Android version of it) and buy a compatible phone to run it. Providing the roaster bluetooth interface/brain doesn’t die, it should be good for a long, long time. Same for the coffee machine, in a way.

Milko

If there’s demand, 3rd parties can manufacture the electrical components as well. Where I work we are maintaining giant LED panels built originally by a now-defunct company in that way. So hopefully not all would be lost if it’s a popular machine or can use some relatively standard gubbins. It’s still annoying when you can’t theoretically fix something by getting busy with a spanner and a screwdriver though!

Ernie1

MediumRoastSteam

Yeah it’s true, it’s frustrating that things aren’t built to be infinitely serviceable anymore but I suppose that’s a small trade-off for some of the advancements technology has brought us.

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