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

Bigsav

First post on the new forum - it’s great to be here!

I’m currently building an extension for our new kitchen and my coffee ‘cupboard’ has been a non-negotiable throughout the planning!

I currently have a Niche Zero and La Pavoni Europiccola and, temporarily, a Bambino plus!

I’ve been debating the merits of Lelit MaraX (out of the running at the minute in favour of a dual boiler), Lelit Elizabeth and ACS Minima

I thought I had decided on the Elizabeth for many months but now have been tempted back to the Minima. If I can get the Minima cheaper than Elizabeth is the price enough to sway me back to the ACS?

Anyone else find themselves choosing between Minima and Elizabeth? What convinced you to go for one over the other? Workflow? Heat up times? boiler size?

Appreciate any thoughts - I’ve already enjoyed reading the rest of the thread!

Thanks,

Sav

DavecUK

Bigsav Welcome to the forum, right place to get a lot of different opinions 🙂, all with valid reasoning why they made the specific choice they did…or perhaps didn’t for those machines. Should help you figure out what you want to do.

Alexvs

Bigsav Welcome Sav, I’ve recently just picked up a used Minima so a new user and have to say it’s a lovely machine! My choices were the Minima or save for a Lelit Bianca as not drawn to the looks of the Elizabeth and wanted the E61 and profiling ability in future. I was lucky the previous owner loved the Minima and fitted the Lelit profiling kit to it so saved me a job. I opted for this in the end to save some money and I really think it’s a lovely looking machine. It’s lovely to use and the steam power is something else! Like Dave said, everyone will have personal reasons like you do towards the Liz but the group here are great whichever you choose.

PortafilterProcrastinator

Bigsav Welcome!

If this sways you at all - ACS are offering custom colours and the wood kit for no extra cost during February.

dutchy101

Bigsav Anyone else find themselves choosing between Minima and Elizabeth? What convinced you to go for one over the other? Workflow? Heat up times? boiler size?

For me it was a couple of things. I much prefer the look of the Minima personally and I like the look and thought of having an E61 grouphead (especially on a machine that doesn’t require a lever and the additional maintenance that comes with it). I got the Minima in black and love how it looks, although I realise a lot of people don’t like how the Minima looks.

I also like the thought of being able to add a flow profiling kit at a later stage should I wish.

Alexvs

Quick question, what size is the single basket supposed to be? I just tried doing some singles and the puck after was a chocolatey looking mess! Also mine just tasted like flavoured milk, missing the coffee, whereas the wife loved hers. I think I underdosed with 10g thinking you simply halve a double and that’s what it said in the manual. I think with my beans it would probably take 12g if not more. Just wondering if there was a guide amount.

Thanks

Alex

Bigsav

dutchy101 Thanks - I was never that keen on the looks of the Elizabeth but when it’s not being used, whatever I buy will be hidden behind a cabinet door so it doesn’t make a massive difference!

The ability to upgrade to play with flow profiling is a big draw for me as I primarily enjoy coffee as a hobby - my wife doesn’t drink coffee so the majority of shots will be for me on my own!

The shape of the Minima works perfectly as the machine will need to sit to the left hand side of the cabinet and access to the steam wand etc will be perfect there.

I know warm up times can be resolved by a wifi plug, but what’s the difference in start times between the Elizabeth and the Minima?

I’m certain I’ll be blown away by either of these machines so just want to be content in my own choice!!

PortafilterProcrastinator Yes - the current offer from ACS direct has me swaying all over the place! the black machine with wooden handles looks great imo!

PortafilterProcrastinator

DavecUK I really hope not!

I’ve already paid the customs charges through DHL as it said it would sure things up.

Positively tracking has now said it has left Bergamo and I’ve also had a Customs Clearance Update note to say that the clearance process will start in transit to the destination.

I am trying not to get excited as it’s still a week from getting here, but I can’t help it. Getting all kinds of carried away.

dutchy101

Hopefully it will be there for you soon mate

PortafilterProcrastinator

Bigsav Maria at ACS has been really helpful throughout the whole ordering process.

Alexvs

Bigsav The profiling paddle has already saved a couple of my drinks today, while testing a single basket shot it allowed me to reduce the flow to reduce the pressure to a stable 9 bar. Definitely going to have some fun with it I think as it’s a massive learning curve. Like you, mine is near a left side wall so Minima also suits the location perfectly.

I believe the Elizabeth will take around 15 minutes for everything to be warm. The minima is recommended around half hour and then I turn the steam boiler on while doing prep as only takes around 5 or so mins. I use a smart plug for mine so it’s ready first thing in the morning. It’s best to just put it on with brew boiler only as that takes the most time to heat and helps with long term system health.

As it’s smart now I just ask Google to turn it on in the day when I know I’ll be wanting another drink which is a nice gimmick haha. It takes even less time to warm up for the second drink as it’s still warm around midday when it goes back on.

I’m sure you’ll be happy with either machine as both get raving reviews and lots of happy owners of both on here. Oh and yeah the wooden handles look great, that’ll be my next upgrade.

Alexvs

Hi all, I’m still struggling to get a decent shot (for cappuccino) out of the machine other than my first 4 bar shot that actually tasted so good but obviously way under pressure. Every shot since I reduced the grind level (still using my Sage BE grinder) is shooting up to 10/11 bar which I’m then dialing down with the profiling paddle. I’ve been doing a 1:2 ratio or just over with between 20 - 21g in (testing weights for ideal 2 cups output) using the standard double basket but tastes weak. It’s a slow flow but haven’t managed multi-tasking to look at the timer at the end as trying to get the weight out right haha. I’ll try note the time on my lunchtime shot. After tamping, the bed sits just below the ridge, how much headroom is ideal using the standard basket?

For the high pressure I was thinking, maybe the previous owner didn’t adjust the pressure when they got it to 9 bar, so could be why it’s shooting up. Do I test this by running with a blank basket? I now have one as arrived yesterday so can do this.

Also @DavecUK @Cuprajake I know you’ve both used the profiling kit on the Minima so sure this will be an easy answer, for normal use do I leave the paddle fully open to the right or about 4 o’clock? Watched your video Dave and you state a medium flow but just wondering what would simulate a standard set up. After I get my Niche dialed in, I’ll start playing with profiles so just want a standard to work with for now.

Thanks guys, I feel like a noob again after getting my BE the best it could be.

DavecUK

Alexvs Also @DavecUK @Cuprajake I know you’ve both used the profiling kit on the Minima so sure this will be an easy answer, for normal use do I leave the paddle fully open to the right or about 4 o’clock? Watched your video Dave and you state a medium flow but just wondering what would simulate a standard set up. After I get my Niche dialed in, I’ll start playing with profiles so just want a standard to work with for now.

You can open it fully if you want, you won’t get any more flow than the minima can currently give. How old is your minima, and if you open the top lid and take a photo, I can tell you how easy the pressure is to adjust.

When adjusting pressure the expansion valve will limit the max pressure…but using a flow control system, you may want to have that pressure a little higher than 9 bar, in case you want to do a 10 bar+ declining pressure shot. This gives you more flexibility. Or you might want to set a hard limit at 9 bar.

Always remember adjusting the paddle only adjusts flow…..so against a puck that is very fine/choking, you may see an initially low pressure that inexorably climbs to the max pressure, no matter how low the flow…until you shot off the flow completely.

Do not forget to watch my videos on how to maintain/lubricate the flow control system

Alexvs

DavecUK Thanks for the reply Dave. It was originally purchased from BB in April 2020. I’ll remove the lid on my lunch and get a pic.

Oh ok, that’s interesting to know and this is why I love this place, always learning.

I’m testing the grind levels as could be that I’ve gone too fine but this grinder is showing it’s inconsistency, really can’t wait to get my Niche as will be so much better!

Sure thing, I’ve watched most of your Minima videos but will check out that one next.

DavecUK

Alexvs Thanks for the reply Dave. It was originally purchased from BB in April 2020. I’ll remove the lid on my lunch and get a pic.

That was one of the first 5 or 6 production machines ever made….you might have the PITA not really meant to be adjusted expansion valve….we shall see when you make the photo.

It can be adjusted, but it’s a major ball ache.

Alexvs

DavecUK Oh wow. Here’s the picture so let’s hope it’s not the hard one haha.

DavecUK

It’s not, you got a nice expansion valve easy to adjust, just undoe able tie, remove pipe and turn the thing with a spanner on the flats, then refit pipe and test (you might be able to gbet ¼ turn or so with the pipe on, so save removing it to often.

Perhaps the very early ones were only in 4 or 5 beta machines.

MediumRoastSteam

DavecUK - Dave, why would the user need to undo the cable tie and remove the pipe? Can’t it be done with the pipe on? Assuming the “pipe” here is the silicone hose?). If not, ignore me completely please!

Alexvs

DavecUK Awesome, thanks Dave will give it a go and report back. I had a coffee after taking the photo using a slightly lower weight in and although it went up to just over 10 bar it did come down quite smoothly after. Will go test the pressure with the blind basket and adjust if needed and then see how it is on tomorrow’s drink (can only manage 2 a day lol).

MediumRoastSteam From Dave’s video he made of the process it was to give the hose freedom of movement as otherwise would get twisted up as normally also tied to the other hoses going into the water tank. Mine hasn’t been cable tied to the other hoses so I probably don’t need to remove it, just make sure it’s got room to move about as I adjust.

DavecUK

MediumRoastSteam The cable tie might grip so tightly, the tube twists, as it did on mine.

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