fancy_pilot Senior Member Joined: 10 Oct 2007 Posts: 62 Location: Iowa Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Saeco Classico Grinder: Gaggia MDF
Posted Sat May 24, 2008, 5:31am Subject: Re: Shot ater modding Saeco PPF.
I have a depressurized Saeco Classico (Aroma).
The crema and the shot was thin - you need to see the "Guiness effect" in the espresso as the shot pours. Get yourself a digital kitchen timer for $5, that should help you the most. I picked one up, but cut the wire to the beeper - it was too annoying.
Also - the temperature stability of the Aroma units is abysmal. You will have trouble with repeatability unless you use some sort of temperature surfing technique. I no longer time surf with mine. I simply clamped a digital meat thermometer($10) to the side of the boiler and now I can pull shots easily +/- 2 degrees F, I just have to wait 2-3 minutes for the boiler to cool. I do not have the control and quality of a Synesso, but for my $75 investment (including machine, timer, and thermometer) it is much better than most cafes.
The temperature of the boiler could be +/- 20 degrees F when you pull a shot on the Saeco when the light is off.
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