@DavecUK mentioned that he would be interested in my impressions of the Streitman CT2 that landed on my coffee island on December the 21st. I’ve shot a video to show the workflow Coffee machines came and went from my coffee island in 2021 because I’m relatively new to serious espresso making (translation: “ I made a lot of mistakes ”) and I also enjoy trying new kit. But I suspect that that Streitman will be staying for quite a while though because: IMHO it’s a piece of art that would not be out of place in the Guggenheim The components are high quality It’s precision engineered I mainly drink espresso so the minimalist design means there are no unused extras e.g. steamer, large boiler That also means it has a small footprint (important cos the wife-deal is I can have what I like so long as it fits on the island) I enjoy the control that the direct lever gives me (I really like the LSM spring in the Valexia too) On a similar vein, like all lever-lovers, I enjoy pulling a shot with a lever rather than pushing a button For some reason, I rarely get any significant channelling (I still get too much with the Valexia) Following that, the espresso it produces is thick, silky and full bodied and full flavoured (not saying others aren’t great too) I love the mix of metals: copper, brass, stainless It’s a little under ten minutes to full heat What might be improved could be temperature stability. I haven’t had an issue with this but a recent review in Lever Magazine report some fluctuations. And of course it’s not for anyone who wants a steam or hot water wand. Lastly, if you want to make a bunch of coffees for visitors then it could take a while. But I can guarantee you they would love to pull that lever! Happy to field questions.

tompoland Very interesting Tom. I take my hat off to you though! I would have wanted to. make a coffee, drink a coffee and eat my breakfast by the time you were ready to pull your shot! But thats just me, a grumpy old git! I always swore I would never get into single dosing and for many years I stuck with big hopper fed grinders, then lock down came and the flow of guests stopped. The result, I got rid of everything and kept my Niche! One question. The pf seems to engage with lugs on the outside of the group head. Over time, what system are they using to prevent wear and scratching? I am sorry if it is a stupid question but I know nothing about this machine at all. Glad to see you are a darker coffee lover as well!

Streitman CT2

DavecUK

tompoland Great video Tom, the way the portafilter attaches to the group is unique. The CT2 is a functional piece of Art. The one thing I would have to do, is have my little piece of (holey) grip mat, cut into a neat circle, on that beautifully shiny drip tray to prevent cups scratching it…It’s a habit I got into long ago when I started testing machines.

Grahamsphillips

DavecUK Hi Dave: where’s the best place to obtain the wholly holey HOLY matt?

Thanks!

tompoland

Ooh great idea tx Dave.

Beverast

tompoland It really looks like a beautiful machine. Alas probably not affordable for me to be honest - I am assuming with import tax to the UK this will be over £2500 - certainly something I could save up for. Very tempted with the Odyssey Argos but don’t feel overly comfortable with preordering. I think may be best to save up for the Streitman.

By the way - you have some great machines there. If you could only have one which one would you pick?

DavecUK

Beverast By the way - you have some great machines there. If you could only have one which one would you pick?

That’s not fair….😉

tompoland

Beverast yes it’s a question I get asked a bit. I really struggle to answer it though. The Decent is quite incredible and I really see that as the flagship. Certainly others have come and gone around it. And I’m very aware that I’m still in the honeymoon phase with the Streitman. Ask me again in a month?

Looking back, the machine that I sold that I have the fondest memories of was an ECM Synchronika with flow control fitted. But the espresso it produced, at least the way I used it, was so similar to what the Decent can produce that it simply wasn’t getting used enough, if at all. And the Decent offers more versatility.

The Argos is a very interesting machine. Spring or direct lever, steaming, 58mm, PID. Be tempted!

tompoland

dfk41 Ha .. indeed, in a cafe I would be fired in about then minutes. Because I would have made 1.25 coffees with an ever increasing queue. The whole shaking with the tumbler thing: It’s the only method I’ve discovered to stop channeling in Levers, and even with that I’m still struggling with the Valexia. I’m a bit quicker on the Decent, but not much.

The group head lugs: I think it’s solid brass. The creator of the Streitman, Wouter, recommends an industrial lube initially. What it will look like over time, I really don’t know. There will be some wear and scratching I imagine. Adds to the character?

Re the Niche, “never say never” is a lesson I’m still learning.

Amberale

tompoland

We could go time share on your CT2 and my Argos. :)

Beverast

tompoland Well that’s a month gone by…what’s the verdict? 😁

tompoland

@Amberale let me know when your Argos arrives and I’ll have the private jet fired up. Limo waiting at your end please, OK?

pjw

@tompoland - What is the paper filter you are using? The standard for AP or Cafelat Robot is to big.

I have the CT2 for few days. Pleasure to use.

Regarding your video, great work. The only comment I have is you can try bit different pre-infusion approach. First, I do not believe there is a need to keep the lever in the top position for that long. In the open boiler setup as we have, as there is not high pressure in the boiler, this just wets the top of the puck, for the water to transfer to the bottom it would take too long. So I usually minimize this phase, and then just move the lever down till I feel a little of pressure (and I keep the pressure). Then it takes up to 10 seconds for the bottom of the PF to “sweat”. (for light roasted coffee, fine grinding). After the first drop, just apply the full pressure. For darker roasts, I usually finish the pre-infusion phase before I see the first drop, after around 5 seconds. Give it a try ;).

tompoland

Thanks @pjw yes indeed, I vary the pre infusion a fair bit. It’s just one video. Hey I have not found a source of paper filters yet. Would love to know if anyone else has. I just cut down the 55mm papers I have for the Valexia. Works fine just a bit of scissor work involve.

Grahamsphillips

tompoland I assume none of the standard Bplus etc metal screens will fit?

DavecUK

Grahamsphillips Hi Dave: where’s the best place to obtain the wholly holey HOLY matt?

Halfords Cathedral, or Amazon Chapel, then I trim it for what I want.

Grahamsphillips

Thanks Dave - sorry to be thick - could you post a link? Not quite sure what to buy.. Thanks as ever! G

DavecUK

Something like this.

tompoland

@Grahamsphillips actually I got a bplus lookalike from etsy that fits well but since I discovered* - and was horrified - how much gunk they retain, which eventually effects what’s in the cup, I have reverted to paper filters.

(*John Buckman of Decent fame messaged me on the coffeesnobs AU forum to point this out. I then boiled the bplus filter I used in the Decent basket with coffee cleaner tablet and it was really quite incredible how much brown muck came out. Yikes)

Amberale

You should buy yourself a 50mm wad punch.

I might need to buy one myself.

tompoland

Today it would be the Streitman.

Tomorrow… probably the Streitman … but being a Gemini I have a universally mandated right to change my mind 😜

The Decent is still, IMHO, the cleverest and most versatile espresso machine on the planet and produces as good a coffee as I’ve ever had from any machine and better than most.

But I really enjoy the more physical experience of pulling a shot with a lever and the Streitman is not only a piece of art but it’s simple, high quality and doesn’t channel easily. And being a direct lever, I get to play a bit with flow rates.

Yes, I think the Streitman is the one I’d want in the afterlife.

tompoland

If you have a Streitman then you may be interested in the Sworks funnel adapter for Strietman portafilters. Place it on top and twist it to lock into place and you can then use your Strietman portafilter on any grinder setup to accept 58mm portafilters. 58mm funnels also fit on top if needed to get closer to your grinder’s spout. You can tamp through before removing the adapter.

I pre-ordered the adaptor from https://sworksdesign.com/Twist-Lock-Funnel-Adapter-for-Strietman-Pre-order-p496362088

He has a few pre-orders (including mine) and needs ten in total before he gets them made.

Just saying….