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

Alexvs

Verion Ridgeless, I never liked ridged and in my head I feel there’s more even flow across the bed without ridges but probably making that up lol.

PortafilterProcrastinator

Not sure if this video has been posted else where, but given the recent conversation:

I use a VST, but more because they stated a more specific dose than IMS than anything else.

Also, only ever seen a couple of other videos from this chap so no comment on the validity of his method or findings.

DavecUK

PortafilterProcrastinator Also, only ever seen a couple of other videos from this chap so no comment on the validity of his method or findings.

I’ve seen most of his videos, he’s fairly logical, sensible and fair.

Cuprajake

So it wasn’t me, it was the vat basket🤣 fwiw, I’ve always preferred ims baskets

DavecUK

Cuprajake So it wasn’t me, it was the vat basket🤣 fwiw, I’ve always preferred ims baskets

Me to…I only use the VST when I want to treat myself to a good dose of sackcloth and ashes. I would imagine the Weber special all in one portafilter, the solution looking for a problem, is a bit like that.

ST30B

How do! How is the after sales with ACS. Contemplating the minima but concerned about potential faults (not sure about the frequency of these occuring) and how I would rectify them as I’m not very handy.

PortafilterProcrastinator

ST30B I’ve had my Minima for just over a year. Bought directly from ACS - payment/ shipping/ receipt was flawless.

As already stated, it is a parts only warranty - but 2yrs which is good. Note you have to pay postage on replacement parts.

I’ve had a couple of niggles with the steam power, but very minor and never amounted to anything in the end. I’ve not had to go inside at all.

If you ever did have an issue then making a video along with a good description will get you a long way. That goes for fault finding and repair. Lots of incredibly knowledgeable and helpful people round here.

Cuprajake

its a parts warranty so, you will get the parts supplied and you would have to fit them,

while rare it does happen, ive been inside mine twice in 2yrs (acs evo)

ST30B

Cheers. I can see you had the minima, but do you know whether it’s relatively simple layout in terms of getting at parts? (For a novice)

Cuprajake

It depends what you are doing, if you use good water to start then you’re limiting water scale issues.

Most the stuff is on top of the boilers so easy access.

I never went inside the minima, but I presume @DavecUK has a vid on one 😂

ST30B

Ha. Yes I have watched it several times. It would just be good to have a safety net (i.e. a BB) I suppose that’s the trade off for going direct and a very competitive price.

I would be interested if anyone else was in the same position before going for the minima. And whether they have had any issues post purchase with the machine.

DavecUK

ST30B I would be interested if anyone else was in the same position before going for the minima. And whether they have had any issues post purchase with the machine.

The Minima has evolved greatly since the early models, lots of improvements (plus lots of fixed issues) and are now very reliable machines because they are a mature product. They look fantastic in Black. I believe they are now fitting drain taps on both boilers, just underneath a service hatch ( you can check that with them.)

dutchy101

ST30B

I purchased my Minima (in black) from Black Cat Coffee just over a year ago now. I’ve not had to take the cover off since I bought it and it has been in use pretty much every day since I’ve owned it. It’s a fantastic machine - I absolutely love mine and can’t see myself wanting to upgrade it at least anytime soon. Other than fitting a flow control device to it a few months ago (not necessary, but just fancied trying one out) I haven’t needed to do anything to it at all.

ST30B

DavecUK Looks like the new look PID housing on this photo too? (Yes, I have watched you’re YT videos)

PortafilterProcrastinator

@DavecUK Not wanting to distract the vostok thread - do you know if drain taps can be retro-fittwd to the Minima?

Not thinking of doing it for the sake of it, but could always stash a couple away should I ever have to take it apart.

DavecUK

PortafilterProcrastinator Not wanting to distract the vostok thread - do you know if drain taps can be retro-fittwd to the Minima?

It would be a real pain in the bum to retrofit. ACS could send you the parts, but you would have to remove a LOT of stuff before you could fit them!

PortafilterProcrastinator

DavecUK No doubt, which is why I wouldn’t plan on doing it ‘on purpose’.

But if I happen to be in there anyway, maybe…

DavecUK

ST30B yes, it’s a lot nicer.

ST30B

Thanks for taking the time to reply folks. It does offer reassurance. I must say Maria @ACS has been fantastic via email.

Cuprajake

I love the fact they are now using polished stainless on the inside 😂

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