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?

      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….😉

      Contact me

        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.

          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!

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

              13 days later

              @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 ;).

              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 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.

                Contact me

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

                  @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)

                  You should buy yourself a 50mm wad punch.

                  I might need to buy one myself.

                  15 days later

                  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.

                  10 months later

                  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….