emradguy Senior Member Joined: 31 Mar 2011 Posts: 1,698 Location: Houston Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto II Grinder: MacapM4T, Macap M4, OE Lido,... Drip: Espro press; Aeropress Roaster: internet
Posted Tue Oct 2, 2012, 5:01am Subject: Re: Buying a new machine, down to 3
I prefer naked PF handles. I still have the stock single and double spout handles that came with my Duetto. I use the single spout for backflush. I rarely use the double. I stick mainly to my custom naked, and occasionally use my old Rancilio naked.
I have one correction to make to my last post regarding undercbinet clearance...The latte cups do NOT fit under the cabinet, but the demitasse cups do. Here is a photo of most of my setup...
Posted Tue Oct 2, 2012, 8:01am Subject: Re: Buying a new machine, down to 3
emradguy Said:
I prefer naked PF handles. I still have the stock single and double spout handles that came with my Duetto. I use the single spout for backflush. I rarely use the double. I stick mainly to my custom naked, and occasionally use my old Rancilio naked.
I have one correction to make to my last post regarding undercbinet clearance...The latte cups do NOT fit under the cabinet, but the demitasse cups do. Here is a photo of most of my setup...
emradguy Senior Member Joined: 31 Mar 2011 Posts: 1,698 Location: Houston Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto II Grinder: MacapM4T, Macap M4, OE Lido,... Drip: Espro press; Aeropress Roaster: internet
Posted Tue Oct 2, 2012, 9:01am Subject: Re: Buying a new machine, down to 3
ha, thanks! The builder meant for this to be a wine bar, but I had a different idea. :) My cup prep area and knock box are off to the left side (where I wish I had a sink). Let me know if you have any other questions about Duetto.
Bgosselin Senior Member Joined: 26 Jul 2012 Posts: 51 Location: Canada,quebec Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Tue Oct 2, 2012, 10:04am Subject: Re: Buying a new machine, down to 3
Are you planning to plumb it in? My R58 is not but I plan to in a near future. The reservoir like the Alex, is on the back and it's a pain to fill. You need to remove the cups and then move the machine to get the reservoir out.
Posted Tue Oct 2, 2012, 10:34am Subject: Re: Buying a new machine, down to 3
So I actually decided on the Brewtus iv-P. It seems to have all of the options I was looking for at a fraction of the price. Heavy steel, larger boilers, gicar PID, Pre-infusion, smaller size.
I ordered it with some steam tips to play around with so we'll see how that goes.
Whole Latte love was very convincing, and very helpful with all my questions about the machines. I cant wait to receive it, I will of course be posting a review.
Anthony C
Currently pulling: -espresso- Social Coffee Co. (Ontario, Canada): -Peoples Liberation -Peoples Daily -El Socorro Palo Blanco Espresso
Augsburg57 Senior Member Joined: 3 Sep 2012 Posts: 15 Location: Seattle Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Rocket R58 Grinder: Mazzer Mini E Type A
Posted Tue Oct 2, 2012, 1:03pm Subject: Re: Buying a new machine, R58? Duetto?
I've had the R58 for a week now. I am very, very happy with the machine. I've owned a variety of lesser machines over the past 35 years, and this is the first one that can routinely pull a shot better than 99% of the espresso bars I've visited (keeping in mind they are normally in production mode). My grinder is a Mazzer Mini E, Type A. I use the triple, bottomless portafilter dosed at about 23 grams.
My R58 was purchased from Seattle Coffee Gear and I picked it up at their retail store. I had no shipping damage issues and my machine was perfect right out of the box.
I have never run out of hot brew water or steam. The size of the boilers is apparently just right for my use. I typically make 1 to 3 lattes in a row.
Regarding the PID, I leave mine plugged in when in use - at least until I get a timer to turn the machine on in the morning. For home use, the PID lets you know you are up to brew temperature - which comes in very handy in an environment where you do not leave the machine on for extended periods. I've set my brew boiler to 226F, as I use a lighter roast (Victrola Streamliner). (Note, I have a June build date on the machine and firmware Version 5.10, with temp settings available in Fahrenheit.) I think the external PID would be a non-issue if the machine was turned on all day, as once the settings in the PID are made, I have not changed them. Like I said, my PID is only in use to verify temp when starting up. I left the steam boiler set per the factory settings and never run out of steam. I always maintain 1 Bar when steaming. My machine did come with the newer (thinner/smaller) temperature probe, as is discussed in another thread. So this probe may respond faster than the first one Rocket used and not require a higher temperature setting.
As far as the steam wand, I leave a large coffee mug on the counter next to the machine and purge excess water and steam into that when I start steaming or go to cleaning mode. The steam wand works fine and the non-burn feature is great.
Bottom line, the R58 is a piece of art that performs beautifully. I highly recommend it.
I got the brewtus iv-P meaning it has a reservoir, but can be plumbed. This model has a vibration pump. The rotary was only available on the plumb only models.
I was concerned what effect this would have on pre-infusion but I was assured it was minimal. There is a modification to the e61 group that allows water to collect for this purpose, and I'm confident this will work out fine.
Also, I got a pretty killer deal.
Anthony C
Currently pulling: -espresso- Social Coffee Co. (Ontario, Canada): -Peoples Liberation -Peoples Daily -El Socorro Palo Blanco Espresso
randychar813 Senior Member Joined: 16 Jan 2012 Posts: 41 Location: Louisiana Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: 95% of time: Izzo Alex... Grinder: Mazzer Mini E type A;... Vac Pot: french press Drip: no Roaster: SF 6 lber; Hottop
Posted Wed Oct 3, 2012, 4:26pm Subject: Re: Buying a new machine, down to 3
I hope it works out. Rotary punps do cost a bit more and are quieter. But the real test is how it delivers in the cup and I'm sure it will. Good on you.
Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit = No New Posts since last visit = Newest post
Forum Rules: No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards. No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum. No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum. Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards. Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics. Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies. Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies. Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts. Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings.
![emradguy: DSCN3205.JPG](javascript:ImagePopup("/images/58762/DSCN3205.JPG", 422, 316, "emradguy: DSCN3205.JPG");)
= No New Posts since last visit 