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!)

Ernie1

MediumRoastSteam

Whilst the grind path on the SJ isn’t huge, there’s an anti-clumping screen which causes a few grams to get stuck in the chute. Technically you can remove it and brush it out pretty easily but I just purge about a seconds worth so probably 2-3g on the first shot of the day.

I’d imagine it’s slightly more on the x54 as it uses the same flapper thing used on the higher end MK’s. I probably only purge 3G or so on that though.

To be totally honest I’ve gone without the purge before and the difference in taste isn’t really all that noticeable. The simplicity of just having beans in the hopper and hitting the timer button makes up for any retention.

MediumRoastSteam

Ernie1 To be totally honest I’ve gone without the purge before and the difference in taste isn’t really all that noticeable. The simplicity of just having beans in the hopper and hitting the timer button makes up for any retention

This is so true. I do miss the flow of an on-demand grinder. Providing the timer is accurate enough and used as intended, the simplicity of putting your portafilter underneath the grinder, hitting a button and 6s or so later there’s a nice mound of grounds on the basket without any mess is great.

Glad you enjoy it. And that’s what really matters. 👍

Ernie1

Thanks yes I’m really happy with it.

The timer is actually really accurate on the x54, within 0.2g each time, I just make sure to keep the hopper topped to a similar level.

MattH

Quick question - any suggestions on a skinny scale to use under the micra ? Not sure the timemore black will fit with a cup. (I could buy a acacia lunar but thats alotta money 😂)

Cuprajake

https://clumsygoat.co.uk/products/yagua-scale-brew-timer-dual-display-series-1000g-x-0-1g-acc0002

Ernie1

I’ve had the Felicita Arc for a couple of years, really great but total overkill for me. Bought it for the auto tare and timer but now just use the scale functionality.

Tbh some of the cheaper scales on Amazon are fine, and very low profile.

MattH

Ernie1 Isn’t the Arc seemingly the Acacia software in a different case ?

Ernie1

MattH

It may well be yes. It’s got a lot of functionality I don’t use. I like that it’s rechargeable though and I’ve travelled with it on occasion also to use with pourover.

It’s also metal and feels very robust.

MattH

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

Very tempted by the tampers @StevenG91 has listed in the classifieds..

StevenG91

MattH I don’t know the la marzocco baskets but the 58.55 fits vst, Pullman and IMS

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.

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 ?

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…..

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