So there's a lot of people buying Minimas on here at the moment and a few experienced users so I thought a thread dedicated to the Minima with questions / information on the machine would be useful to myself and the others who have recently purchased and are about to take the plunge (and to prevent myself from hijacking other people's threads). One question I have to kick us off is about the brew boiler and PID. For some reason my Minima does not seem to like bring set at 93 degrees. Despite me having it set at 93, the display shows it settling at 94. I'm not sure if this is indicative of an issue or standard behaviour. It occasionally will drop to 93 but then goes up to 94 again

Edit…I've just found the PID Values Explained section at the back of the manual where it explains this is normal.

Mine does the same and I confirmed with other Minima users when I bought the machine.

> @"dutchy101"#p6482 Edit…I’ve just found the PID Values Explained section atvthe back of the manual where it explains this is normal. Very good manual that one…, online version available as well. https://sway.office.com/xofz72xFBgYyiWqi?ref=Link

@"dutchy101"#56 @"HVL87"#57 How have you found the stock filter baskets? I'm already thinking of upgrading, but won't do unecessarily quickly - although that is also partly tamper dependent.

@"PortafilterProcrastinator"#p6679 they are fine. Easier to pull a nice looking bottomless shot - in my opinion that doesn’t mean much. I moved on to a 18g VST to optimise my shots as much as possible.

It's been a bit of a transition for me this week as I've changed from Sage 54mm baskets and didn't have a 58mm tamper until a few days after the machine arrived. I got a new distributor yesterday which has also helped so still finding my feet a bit with the stock baskets, but pretty happy with them so far

Thanks both, if they're a similar ID then I can get a tamper (thinking bravo ATM) first and upgrade the basket later when looking for refinement, rather than just trying to make something palatable!

Yeah - I've got a Nomcore 58.5mm tamper on order and coming this week so will get a better handle on things once that has arrived

@"dutchy101"#p6686 I'd be really interested and grateful to hear how you get on. How are you finding the Minima overall?

Absolutely loving it - so glad I went with it I'm really enjoying using it. How about you? Made my wife a tea using water from the service boiler to drain some water this morning and she commented how much better it looked and tasted (using the zero and remineralised water I've been making up).

The General ACS Minima Thread

PortafilterProcrastinator

DavecUK @simonc I was about to say the same thing. It looks like it has a little lip.

If you measure the diameter of the new lid, mask over the top of the bottle and use a compass carefully, you should be able to mark the exact size and then use a craft knife to cut.

simonc

PortafilterProcrastinator good idea both

PortafilterProcrastinator

Has anyone replaced the group gasket with a silicone one (cafelat?) and noticed a meaningful difference?

Not sure why I’m thinking about it, the one it comes with seems fine.

dutchy101

I might change to a silicone one at some point - when the one I got with the machine gives up the ghost, for no other reason other than it will enable me to get the portafilter into the group at 6 o clock with the VST basket.

PortafilterProcrastinator

dutchy101 I might be over tightening mine then, as I’m pretty much at 6O’clock with the VST! Whoops!

Cuprajake

i had one, i think it was blue, but cant remember now

simonc

I have one but came with it (got Minima used) so nothing to compare to

Alexvs

PortafilterProcrastinator Mine’s fine with my naked PF but with the double it’s about 7. As long as it’s held in firmly it’s all good, don’t think you want to over tighten it.

dutchy101

PortafilterProcrastinator

Is that with the naked portafilter?

PortafilterProcrastinator

dutchy101 Yes.

dutchy101

Maybe I need to get working on my guns haha

simonc

dutchy101 mine goes to 6 with naked PF and vst basket and cafélat gasket.

Alexvs

What steam tip is everyone using with their Minima? I decided to try out the original 3 hole for a couple of weeks which was interesting as steamed in probably 10s or less. Didn’t do too bad but never got nice silky milk. Put the 2 hole back and have so much more control, feels like I’ve got all the time in the world to steam and even managed a couple of nice pours with art.

I would highly recommend (if you have both) trying a little while on the 3 hole and switching back to the 2, just to realise how much a difference there is and when you move back you’ll appreciate the time you have.

PortafilterProcrastinator

Alexvs My steaming is atrocious. Always ends up either too thin or two thick. I try swirling for the latter, but it never quite works. Not got close to art.

I also think I might be making it too hot. My wife says it tastes very nice, but I think it’s only meant to be 65-70 degrees and by the time I’m done the milk jug is too hot to touch.

I may well try the 3 hole just so I can go back again!

Ovidiu

Alexvs my machine only came with one tip (2 wholes) so I am wondering if you could share where/what steam tip works on the minima, and how would I unscrew the old one? It looks so seamless to me, it didn’t even occur that one could change it.

Alexvs

PortafilterProcrastinator Mine was the same which made me try the 3 again as thought can’t be worse. It’s crazy how much longer it feels like it takes which has made me actually better, could help you too. Just give it at least a week with the 3 so you notice a difference.

simonc

I switched down from the 3 hole to 2 hole tip. Even so on a 300ml jug at 125c I’ve stretched the milk in 5 seconds maybe then just heat. Any longer and I think I end up with too thick milk for art, although maybe slightly nicer mouthfeel.

PortafilterProcrastinator

Alexvs Noted, thanks. We’re about to go away for a week, but I’ll swap the over as soon as I get back.

Gtbarringer

Any ACS Minima owners have a sound deadening solution for the pump noise? We recently moved to an open floor plan home, and the wife is now making comments on the sounds levels in the morning. Looked into a Lelit quiet pump, but cant tell if its a plug and play compatible. Don’t mind spending $100 for a new pump if it is significantly quieter and an easy install.

DavecUK

Gtbarringer It’s plug and play compatible.

Gtbarringer

DavecUK Have you tested the Lelit quiet version side by side to a standard vibe pump? I understand volume/pitch is subjective, but in your opinion is it noticeably quieter?

DavecUK

Gtbarringer My Elizabeth had the Ulka, one of the specification changes I asked for Was the inclusion of the Lelit Olab Quiet pump, important you get the Lelit one, not the Olab quiet pump!

It’s significantly quieter.

« Previous Page Next Page »