DavecUK I’m curious if the right angled fitting that comes with the Lelit pump needs to be used in order to get the reduced noise? I guess it may have a flow restrictor that helps with the noise?

Thanks!

      Snooze I’m curious if the right angled fitting that comes with the Lelit pump needs to be used in order to get the reduced noise?

      No it doesn’t, the pump itself is different.

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          Bigsav First post on this forum too… glad to have found it. I am having the same thoughts. First time into buying a proper espresso machine after playing with a Rok and getting some good shots, but mainly drinking V60s at home as never thought I could make shots that I would want to drink on a home machine. I am very picky about what cafes I go to.

          However now budget and kitchen allows and I think I can convince the wife to let me have space for a machine. 2 months ago I was looking at Sylvias and their mods and realised that if I am going to do this, it needs to be right, so moved up to look at the Lelit MaraX and now seem to be considering the Minima!

          I drink 2 possibly 3 shots a day, probably only 1-2 will be with milk, and rarely guests that want coffee. The HX is probably fine, but I like the idea of the stability of the Minima. I know I will also like the flow profiling, but that kit can obviously go on both.

          One problem I have is I am likely to have to put it in a corner against a left hand wall. Steaming with the MaraX would be difficult, so the Minima looks much better there, but would I have an issue with the portafilter? It looks from Dave’s videos that the handle extends past the left hand edge when putting it in?

              simonc It looks from Dave’s videos that the handle extends past the left hand edge when putting it in?

              It’s an interesting point, I went and checked, and I think the machine would have to be 10 cm from the left wall to have clearance to lock the portafilter in.

              Of course portafilters and groups are standard, so the real estate taken up by any machine will be almost the same… if the portafilter is to miss the wall.

              Welcome to the forum.

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                  DavecUK cheers. Very good point that I hadn’t considered, coming from a Rok where it locks in the other way. I might then need to consider the Mara and have it against the right wall which will take some more negotiation!

                  Wow, I hadn’t realised how deep it is vs the MaraX. The wall is only 33cm deep, so I guessing the group might be far enough forward for the handle to clear the wall.

                  Interestingly in the Show us your setup thread there are some which do appear to be agains the wall, maybe there is a little gap.

                    simonc I was considering exactly the same machines as you and I make fewer milk drinks - ¾ a week if no guests.

                    Ultimately I went for ‘no fuss’ and keeping it simple.

                    Solenoid operated group = no lever maintenance. Physical switches for boilers - I only turn the service boiler on when I want it, no menus. And the big one for me - no firmware, no ‘mode selection’ and other things to worry about. Yes, there is still a lot going on in the GICAR, but I wanted the simplest machine I could get.

                    I can add a flow profile paddle at a later date if I want to.

                        PortafilterProcrastinator Yes, I definitely want simple.. need to be able to have it come on on a timer / smart switch and be ready to go when I need. The idea of not lubricating a lever is good.

                        I understand the heat up is long, is that just the brew boiler and group head or the service boiler too? ie if I had it on for an hour on brew only, and decided I wanted to steam, how long do I have to wait.

                        Just spotted your footer.. my Clever Dripper, Moka and Aeropress all went last week on ebay. Clearing room for the big machine!

                            simonc I have my machine set to come on (brew boiler only) at 0530 - it is then ready for my first coffee at 0615-0630. Days in the office I’ll switch on the service boiler at about 0700 if I need to and will make me another to go and a latte to go for my wife. All done by 0725/ 0730.

                            Ready to brew I think you really want to give it 45mins. Service boiler, under 10mins easy - I think closer to 5, but I’ve not timed it (which itself says a lot I think).

                                simonc One problem I have is I am likely to have to put it in a corner against a left hand wall. Steaming with the MaraX would be difficult, so the Minima looks much better there, but would I have an issue with the portafilter? It looks from Dave’s videos that the handle extends past the left hand edge when putting it in?

                                Yes I have mine up against a cupboard and have had to move it out a little fir this reason. If you have the felt pads o the feet you can easily slide the machine so you can move it when you need to use it and push it back flush when not in use. Depends on whether this is something you are happy to do or not.

                                From my perspective it’s a pretty minor inconvenience to live with to have the machine I wanted. Not sure I’d have been able to fit any other dual boiler machine in the space anyway

                                    PortafilterProcrastinator Thank you. Move to consider dual boiler is new, so wasn’t even sure which boiler drove the heating of the group. I guess heating a tank of water to hot to steam is quick.. its the settling the temp of the block of metal in the group that takes the time.

                                      dutchy101 Thanks.. yes I had considered felt and sliding it. The other option is I put it in the walk in pantry which would have room, but just worried about steam in a small room 1.5m x 1.5m with little ventilation.

                                      Could I check what the measurement is from the handle when just inserted, and sticks out beyond the left hand side, to the wall?

                                      At least this bit I can understand… I am baffled by water solution to my very hard water.

                                        So if you can get a spare 5cm and keep the machine this far from the wall that’s just about enough clearance to get the portafilter in. Not sure if that answers your question, but it does slide very easily making it very easy to do this when in use.

                                        I don’t think using the steam wand in the room you have as an option is an issue. When I open the wand before steaming I have a slightly wet microfiber cloth wrapped around the wand

                                        I’m using a Zero water jug to filter my very hard tap water (circa 335 TDS). I make up 5 litre batches and remineralise with 320mg of sodium bicarbonate to bring up alkakinity. It’s a temporary measure until my Skuma reverse osmosis unit is delivered, which will hopefully be in June

                                          dutchy101 I’m thinking I’ll do the same. The zero jug that is. Not sure I’m going to be allowed to buy anything else coffee related for a long while after this!!

                                              simonc Just to add, I have mine on timer via a smart plug and have mine come on at 06:45 and it’s ready by the time I’m ready half hour later. I always make milk drinks and it takes somewhere between 5 and 10 mins for the steam to get up to heat. The brew boiler retains heat well so is quicker later in the day when I turn it back on for the 2nd drink.

                                              You won’t go wrong with the Minima if that’s the way you go.

                                                About ⅔ weeks I’d say. That’s making ⅔ milk based drinks and backflushing every day. I also draw water for a cup of tea most days / every 2nd day

                                                  Would be fun to see a quiet x pump in one of these.

                                                  The solenoid group is fantastic

                                                  Decent De1pro v1.45 - Niche Duo - Niche Zero - Decent is the best machine ever made -

                                                    dutchy101 great. That’s not too much effort then. I’d make less probably. Although then if I’m only making 10-15l in the 2 months you are supposed to replace the filter it gets expensive per litre.