MattH hmm that’s interesting, I can’t be 100% sure but I don’t think mine had cellophane on, which potentially then does make me think it was returned, possibly just bench tested but either way, scratched. I will contact them I think

      Thought I would try a latte 😂 300ml of milk (in a larger jug) - hmm this milk steaming is harder than it looks… more merangue in fact oodles of it…

      I have come to the conclusion that flat whites are about the right size for that pinch of taste with some milk - so I just need to work on using the small jugs without overdoing it.

      So far actual coffee wise its been great - not really fiddled with much - 18 in 36/40 out.

      I will at somepoint have to try some tweaks just to see if my tastebuds pick up on any differences - I have plenty of coffee to try.

      Also the hand grinding has not got old yet. Both the mazzer and c40 are not taking that long to whizz through the beans - the c40 is a bit easily but I did get the longer handle for it.

      Very tempted to do a class which some of the cafes/roasters run in London just to spend the morning with some hands on tuition👍

      Not had any emails about the home class offer either way 😎

      Only other thing so far is how quick the milk seems to dry hard on the wand after using it….

        MattH

        Glad to hear it’s all going well!

        The steam definitely takes some getting used to, I’d been steaming on the Bianca for a long while before I got the LM and yeah, still redecorated a corner of the Kitchen on initial attempts. I’ve gotten to the point where I can keep things under control in a 350ml pitcher. Starting with the nozzle just about touching the surface of the milk with the pitcher about half full.

        With the milk drying on the wand, I wipe it down before purging after steaming milk, then wipe again after. I find purging immediately will ‘bake’ the milk on.

        Having said that we use Oatly Barista exclusively which I must admit seems much easier to clean presumably due to the high water content.

            Ernie1 Aha - thats a good point - think i was purging then wiping….

            With regards to the group head - yes it does sit below the case - I suspect the shrinking of dimensions - the angle of my photo did not help 😂

            So question of the day - cups on warming tray - face up or down 😂

                caffeinated-carp

                Interesting. The reason I asked is that sometimes retailers test machines before sending them out so I wondered if that extra pair of hands had been a bit careless with testing it.

                Surprising LM would send out a machine looking like that. I know they’re not a small operation but I’d have expected higher QC. I’m sure there will be a good explanation and hopefully they can send a new drip tray at the very least!

                  caffeinated-carp I try and take the view these days to just use what I buy - so i will expect marks on the tray over time.. unless I buy rubber mats (probably not though) - he says nipping out to polish the water marks off 😂😜

                  And hell hath no fury if someone else trys to use it 🤔

                  I did buy a group brush to aid with cleaning - and hopefully thats it for a bit - oh and 2 other jugs to try out some different ones 😳

                      MattH Probably the best way to be, I’m generally not too bad, though I do seem to be handling the Micra with kid gloves, give it 3 weeks and I imagine I won’t be…!

                        I will say I am using skimmed milk which maybe making my life harder than full fat… its all good fun though !

                          Progress after some gushers and merangue

                          Set the steam down to 1 - seems to give me more time / control in the small pitcher

                            MattH Yeh I did the washing up liquid once with my Silvia, I completely forgot about it until I remember yesterday. Must admit, I just did about 5 pitchers of milk yesterday and threw them away, sorry cows ;(

                            Nothing though compared to a latte art class I went on once (fat lot of good that did me, I must have forgotten it!!) where they just used milk all the way through. I am not kidding, I must have gone through 50 pints of milk, it seemed a bit mad.

                            I’m also on steam power 1. I probably need a little bit more volume perhaps, though they’re turning out fairly well, my pouring talent is not fantastic though!

                              MattH

                              That’s normally a sign the wand is too deep in the milk as it’s injecting huge bubbles.

                              Try starting the wand sitting on the surface of the milk, almost not touching.

                              Also be sure to purge properly before, you see cafes just blast the wand for a split second but on a home machine that won’t purge enough and you’ll get spitting which can also cause the milk to rise instantly.

                              Purge til the steam is constant and not spitting at all, then steam quickly after.