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!)

InfamousTuba

MattH think someone did but the shape of the tank cuts into the tray so the scale end up off to the side

Ok, that seems a bit rubbish then. I guess either the arc or the lunar would work for the Micra then

MattH

InfamousTuba

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1518925995/

phil28

HarveyMushman I know Acaia just released the brew-by-weight scale for the Mini so not sure if they’ll be adding Micra support in the future. I think they’ve said it’s Mini exclusive but feels inevitable the Micra will be compatible at some point.

I spoke to LM about this, and I don’t believe they are releasing it for the Micra any time soon. Also you have to buy the Lunar from them as it has specific software loaded onto it. LM are selling it for £400!!! 😂

phil28

MattH phil28 I have both (dont ask) though not started using the lunar yet as the arc is working fine .. i use the function which kicks off the timer once the cup is placed on the scale.

Only issue with either is the height of the cup - but these are both the slimmest scales I could find.

Not a bad problem to have haha.

Think I may steer towards a Lunar as they do it in white, which will match my current set up. Maybe I’ll treat myself for xmas.

This coffee hobby is expensive. I’d never thought I’d be spending close to £300 for a scale before this hobby started 😂

ristretto

Hi all, do you use the auto-back flush on app, with detergent, or do the manual back flush (5 seconds on/off)? Is one method preferable or better for the machine? Thanks.

HarveyMushman

ristretto

I just do a manual flush. Water flush once a week and detergent flush once a month.

I cycle 10 seconds on/off four times.

I’ve not actually set up/used the app at all.

ristretto

Thank you for the info. I should’ve probably specified this is for a Micra, which might be a slightly different process from the Mini?

HarveyMushman

ristretto

Ah ok, the internals of the two are quite similar so I’d imagine the process is much the same. I think the automated process simply means you don’t need to pull the paddle back and forth. It’s performing the exact same thing as doing it manually. I’m usually wiping the machine down, flushing the steam boiler etc at the same time so it’s no big deal.

Cleaning routine tends to be a bit of personal preference, some people flush with water after every shot, some once a day, some once a week. I’m not sure where I got into the habit of a weekly water/monthly detergent it’s just a routine I’ve had with every machine.

MattH

Once a week using the auto process in the app.

Then once every couple of months with the detergent. I also clean the screen and flush water out of the main tank / long purge from the steam wand.

ristretto

Thank you, very helpful.

HarveyMushman

I must set up the app at some point

MattH

HarveyMushman i love just flicking it on from the sofa… i have used the scheduler on the app as well - or even better remotely whilst out so its ready when I get home 😂

ristretto

Hi all, wondering if there’s a special screw driver/tool to use for the shower screen removal, or just use a shorter length flathead? Thanks

HarveyMushman

ristretto

There’s a couple of (expensive) options:

LM make one:

https://www.espressocoffeeshop.com/en/accessories/618-la-marzocco-screwdriver.html

And the Artpresso one which I and I think @MattH have:

https://www.artpressodesign.com/product/espresso-machine-58mm-group-head-cleaning-tool/

Am I ashamed that I spent $25 plus international shipping for a glorified stubby screwdriver? Mildly, but having spent £4K on an espresso machine by this point all bets are off.

MattH

Just a flat head / i have one in a small tool with a cleaning brush and mirror

ristretto

Thank you.

ristretto

Thank you for the options. Didn’t know there were all-in-one tools like this for shower screens. $25 is warranted, but L.M. fancy expensive tool is questionable. I’m in the U.S. so less shipping. Lucky me…

InfamousTuba

We use something like this in the cafes (the price seems to have gone up a lot since we bought them), a teaspoon will also easily work

https://www.coffeehit.co.uk/products/rhino-coffee-screen-driver

ristretto

Yes I saw that brand selling for much cheaper but out of stock. I would use a simple short screwdriver but the Micra is plumbed-in so I can’t remove the drip tray if I’m clumsy and drop the screw…

HarveyMushman

Linea Mini got an update. I like some of the details - the drip tray grille design and the matte finish rubber paddle/taps. Also looks very cool how the lines of the side line through with the angle of the PF handle.

Shame about the Micra portafilter as it made sense on the Micra but not much here, the LM PF’s are iconic so I’m not really sure why they’ve opted for the convertible one here. Do people really switch between spouted/bottomless? I think probably not.

Shot counter looks awful and out of place.

Yes it’s expensive (£4,890), wouldn’t expect anything less from LM!

phil28

HarveyMushman

Looks like they’ve brought some of the Micra features into the mini.

I’m liking the drip tray and rinse mode. Hopefully they can add the later to the existing home range. Looks like it’s just a software update.

Apparently the steam tip is polymer!

Super happy with my Micra purchase. I only make 1-2 coffees a day so it suits me perfectly.

How’s everyones LM’s doing? I’m thinking of dabbling in home roasting and might purchase a Ikawa roaster 😂

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