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

StevenG91 I have just messaged you on Instagram in case you are wondering who that nutter is :)

MattH

I think it was the other thread where the lack of a shot clock was mentioned. Now I also thought it was something the LM app would do but I could not find it mentioned (or it was a future release)

Saw this on insta - I wonder if its now available ?

Ernie1

MattH More questions… if buying a tamper for the LMM do I go for a 58mm or 58.55 ?

Not sure if the Micra ships with the same steel tamper as the Mini but it’s really great. 58mm with a convex base.

I found 58.5 doesn’t fit properly. The GS3 used to ship with a 57mm but I’d guess that was when lower doses were more common and the tamper needed to fit further into the basket.

This is the LM one I have. The only issue is that it’s not hugely ergonomic in the hand, I’ve tried to remove the base but no luck.

MediumRoastSteam

Ernie1 Not sure if the Micra ships with the same steel tamper as the Mini but it’s really great. 58mm with a convex base.

I found 58.5 doesn’t fit properly

This is strange. I used to have a 58.5mm tamper and use LM Strada baskets (apparently same as VST). Fitted perfectly.

Ernie1

MediumRoastSteam

That is weird as I’m pretty sure the Strada baskets are practically the same as the Linea ones, the latter just doesn’t get the certificate. But both made by VST.

It might’ve been difference basket volumes, the ones I have narrow as they go down the side so it depends on dose/density. A 58.5 will comfortably fit, but not be able to tamp as deep as a 58.

MediumRoastSteam

Ernie1 - ok. That makes sense. But if you dose 18g of coffee in those baskets (or whatever they are designed for, I.e.: 22g, 20g) sure a 58.5mm fits perfectly fine? As in, unless you put so little coffee into the basket, then you might have a problem.

Ernie1

MediumRoastSteam

I’m gonna test again, I tend to use the 18g basket and dose 17-19. I might have got this wrong.

Ernie1

MediumRoastSteam

Yeah you’re right, not sure what I’d done before to make a 58.5 bind.

Weirdly the included LM one is actually a noticeable amount smaller in diameter than the basket, but the results are really good. I’d expect edge channelling. Perhaps the convex nature helps.

MediumRoastSteam

Ernie1 also, I don’t know which 58.5mm tamper you have, but if I remember correctly, the one I had at the time had a slightly angled base and it was a tight fit. I didn’t have vernier callipers at the time so it might be even it was a 58.5 something rather than a perfect 58.5mm.

I currently use a VST 18g, I dose 18.5g in it and I have a 58.5mm (measured with vernier callipers) tamper and if it’s perfectly.

Edit: you posted above as I was typing this. 👍

MattH

I maybe sometime…..

MattH

Ok so its in place - will get it up and running at lunch…

I see it comes with a 14/17g basket - I guess I will need to buy a bigger one for 18g doses ?

Also took a couple of pics with my timemore scale and a couple of espresso sized cups - you can use the single spout but without there is plenty of space - so no new scales needed at the moment!

MediumRoastSteam

MattH I see it comes with a 14/17g basket

I wouldn’t go by that too much. Just have a feel for the basket. Try to stick 18g in it, or 17g. Do you still have a good headspace?

Best to get to know your machine and then start splurging on accessories :-)

phil28

MattH Timemore have just added a discount on the Nano scales with the sculptor on KS. I believe its 0.5 thinner?

I want the Acaia Lunar but $250 for a scale is just outrageous! 😂

Cuprajake

i dose between 16 and 17g on the evo dont worry too much,

looks fab

Ernie1

Looks awesome!

Yeah I use the 17g (I saw last night while cleaning, I don’t know why but I thought I was using a 18g) and typically dose 17-17.5.

Also as a sidenote, assuming the shower screen/bolt is the same as the Linea, you’ll notice the puck gets imprinted almost no matter what you dose… I faffed around with this for ages until I realised it happens due to the 3-way valve releasing pressure and sucking the puck up to the screen so the imprint happens after the extraction when you close the paddle and won’t affect the shot.

Happens occasionally on Linea PB and Stradas also occasionally.

MattH

Well tried a quick shot -18g of the roast I tried fit fine…. And I can confirm a shot clock kicks off in the app as soon as you flip the paddle.

Its quick to heatup as expected.. i have flipped the steam back to 2 and the boiler to 92c as a starting point. App works fine so far - all in all a very slick package (and loving how compact it is)

The grey/silver is also a great colour - looks better in real life than pictures !

Now just to got learn how to use it all properly now 😂

MediumRoastSteam

MattH - with temperature… Try at 90, 92 and 94 and see if you can pick up differences. 👍
Then adjust to your taste.

Ernie1

Great news!

On temperature, I set mine to 92ish when it arrived and haven’t touched it since.

Again it’s a variable people love to mess with when they first get their machine for some reason but I’d recommend only changing it if you have good reason to later on.

caffeinated-carp

@MattH what’s the build quality like on yours? I am maybe being picky, but on mine the front stainless panel is coming out a little on the right, and I notice the top white bit where the brew boiler is sits flush with the cups warmer on the left, but the cup warmer is a little proud on the right

MattH

caffeinated-carp let me have a look - tbh spent too much time chucking milk all over - way more powerful than the nanofoamer 😂

MattH

caffeinated-carp Had a look could not see any issues…probably just needs tightening?

Migh need to drop the steam down to setting 1 til i get the hang of it… only so much I can do with a jug of merangue!

caffeinated-carp

MattH oh the steam power, honestly I feel like I’ve never used an espresso machine before. I’m terrible at using it

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