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I think that a lot of these ‘failures’ are not the machine but of parts bought in. My Evo ‘failed’ after 8 months….actually it was the pstat and nothing to do with the design of the machine, but they all count!
Nearly decided on a new set up
delta76 - I think the whole dilemma is not about failure rate, but about warranty and repairability.
Buy a machine with standard parts and a reputable brand and you are likely to be OK. If something fails, hopefully you can contact the distribution network, obtain spares and fix the machine relatively effortlessly and inexpensively. That’s why I chose the Lelit Elizabeth over the Sage Dual boiler.
It’s my contention that the more standard generic parts used in a machine, the better. If they are high quality parts, that’s a big bonus. In the olden days La Spaziale and a few other companies were truly terrible for having bespoke parts.
This applies to grinders as well, those fancy screens are not standard parts and on some makes can cost £300 for something you think should cost less than £20 and in fact they should cost around that, but the manufacturer knows you can’t get one anywhere else…enter ceado.
DavecUK - same for gicar boxes, LCC and similars, right? My understanding is that you can only get those from the manufacturers directly, so technically they could charge whatever they want 😔
Stunning service from Bella Barista. Ordered 3pm Thursday. Arrived 1pm Friday. Not so slick from Niche - up to a week for despatch so I won’t be able to use it until I return from my epic 2 week adventure to the Italian Grand Prix and Prague (no apologies for the brag). I’ve borrowed a Sage Smart Grinder in the meantime, which is obviously awful. Finest setting and tamp hard! What I’m impressed with so far is how quiet it is compared to the LR. Also, all the accessories, especially the tamper and plumb in kit. I also like the external water tank and its movability, it just felt weird having hot water in the tank on the LR. Not so impressed with the plastic wood
Accessories wise, I’ve ordered the Timemore Black Mirror Nano, a Meross smart plug and Motta jug. I’m very keen on recommendations for a WDT tool and levelling tool. I had the Normcore WDT previously and thought it was awful. The prongs got bent very easily and it wasn’t long enough when using a funnel.
In summary, she’s looking very good and I’m excited to play around over the next couple of days before I leave. I’m going with the advice of normalising without messing with the flow control to begin with and may set the auto pre infusion for the time being. One other thing - what is the setting which is recommended to be changed from 0.8 to 0.4 for?
Many thanks for all the suggestions and discussions thus far.
Don’t need a levelling tool
Wdt needle tool and a normcore funnel
And this tamper
It’s a copy of the £170 force tamper I’ve had both and the copy is very good
Decent De1pro v1.45 - Niche Duo - Niche Zero - Decent is the best machine ever made -
The settings should be good to go from factory these days
In terms of the pre infusion use that. Font bother with the paddle unless you go way to corse on grind.
Set the low flow for 5-8s and then it will jump to normal flow.
Bianca is a top machine
Decent De1pro v1.45 - Niche Duo - Niche Zero - Decent is the best machine ever made -
Yeah it’s spring loaded
Decent De1pro v1.45 - Niche Duo - Niche Zero - Decent is the best machine ever made -
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Also there’s this from Bella Barista:
Looks like an imitation of the Bravo Tamper, but if the description is accurate, the mechanics are different.
MediumRoastSteam I have this one and is a levelling tamper as well. It’s nicely made but sure there’s cheaper versions!
a month later
I bought one from AliExpress, around £30, came today. Didn’t realise it was one that clicks back after you fully compress it which wouldn’t have been my first choice. Any issue with the puck becoming unsettled or cracked as a result?
The shots this evening seemed fine on that front, but I think it was a Lance H video ….that said the puck can become disturbed by these sorts of tampers, I will see if we get any bad shots over the next few weeks and make up my own mind.
But kudos where it’s due, it tamps pretty level, Certainly more level than the normcore v4, so on that front we’re in business, cheers for the recommendation.
Tal think it was a Lance H video ….that said the puck can become disturbed by these sorts of tampers, I will see if we get any bad shots over the next few weeks and make up my own mind.
Lance likes to find topics to stir up to generate YouTube views. Like the Blind Shaker video. I’d check to see what the day to day experience of everyday users is. Or search for empirical studies. I use an Eazytamp, which is self leveling and has a force controlling spring. It doesn’t do a big click, but you can feel it hir the button of the basket and then stop pressing. It gives me a consistent tamp, which is key.
PS I use a 3D printed WDT tool. I separately bought 0.35 mm acupuncture needles and trimmed their length.
