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!)

Mikeyb

Ernie1 yeah don’t know what happened. If you squint your head it looks okay. 😉

MattH

Mikeyb And now it begins, scales,cups,screens,baskets,tampers,gadgets etc !

Ernie1

Update on the tamper front. Sadly Torr don’t have any convex bases in stock for a while so going to wait.

I did some reading up on convex tampers because I couldn’t work out how a tamper that very clearly wasn’t even close to the right size for the basket could work so well. Turns out (and I’m stating the obvious now I’ve realised) it pushes the coffee out toward the edges to reduce the chance of edge channeling.

BrewLiam

Ernie1 I was looking on there again this evening trying to decide between one and a Pullman I’ve seen.

I was going to ask how you got on with ordering one. Still much prefer the look of the Torr.

Ernie1

BrewLiam

The guy from Torr was really helpful and emailed pretty quick, he did say if I wanted a flat base one it could be dispatched now or I could wait 4-6 weeks for a convex one.

I said I’d wait as I am keen to stick with convex.

MattH

Question of the day - has anyone tried putting the orange silicon group head seal on the micra ?

Also if you want to remove the existing one I assume you pretty much destroy it pulling it of the group head with the pick tool ?

Ernie1

MattH

I will report back shortly as I’m going to replace it with that one. I know people sometimes recommend it if new owners don’t like how firm the factory one can be.

BrewLiam

One for the Micra owners

MattH

BrewLiam Thats a hard pass for the 15mm I would gain (and the 250 euro it would cost)

BrewLiam

MattH yeah there is no way I’ll be buying it, plenty will though.

Ernie1

Why isn’t it centred?

Edit: Just watched the vid.

Seems like a bit of a hack there to get the bottomless to work. Why is there a big chunk obstructed inside the drip tray?

BrewLiam

Ernie1 I think it’s just the only place it can go. I did watch the video wondering how the hell it would work.

The big chunk missing is the house the water tank.

MattH

Ernie1 the water tank is on the right side under the tray.. hence the left is the only option

Ernie1

MattH

Ah that makes sense. I don’t think I’d acknowledged how different the Micra is in its design internally.

MattH

New version of the LM app is out and there is a gateway update (whatever that means) 😂

Ernie1

Inspired by @Cuprajake vids I thought I’d make a process video with the LM and the x54. This was using Caravan’s Daily Blend and Oatly Barista.

MattH

Ernie1 it had been very quiet in here - though I am just finding my workflow with the allground and LM just works - even my milk frothing is almost automatic now.

Very little variety in latte art - its a wavy heart or nothing 😂

And funny enough I never froth the milk at the sametime - now sure why - probably too busy watching the pour 😂

Ernie1

Yeah it just works for sure. Still such a joy to use.

I didn’t used to do the milk at the same time as the coffee, but I’m often making two drinks so I’ll steam milk on the second so the first coffee doesn’t cool too much.

Ernie1

I know it’s LM but thought their shipping costs for two towels were a bit much…

John_Yossarian

Ernie1 a bit steep delivery fee LM or not 😀
If you ordered a piece of gold/diamond jewellery I would expect lower shipping cost.

MediumRoastSteam

Ernie1 - Now I know why the machine is so expensive… All of that delivery cost baked in! 🤣

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