The S1 Cafe - Helping Your Espresso Dreams Become Reality

Unfortunately, I was in a hurry and didn't take pictures. I'll try to remember the next time I take it apart. In spite of how quiet it was after the initial placement of the Duramat, I still noticed a hint of rattle from the drip tray if run without anything on top of the grate. So I also added a co...

A few weeks back after replacing my expansion valve and seeing no change it the drip rate, Chris said he would keep an eye on the S1's he had in stock. Here's what he found: I just wanted to drop you a line about the drip. I just got a new shipment of La Spaziale S1 machines in. I have been testing ...

The Dynamat Extreme kit arrived. I spend a fair amount of time cutting pieces to fit pretty much every nook and cranny of both sides. I also cut three strips and stuck those on the inside of the back. WOW! It's almost as quiet as a Mazzer Mini running with no beans. Do it. Do it now!!! I keep one es...

Those of you that have perused my S1 web site have noticed the page devoted to S1 Quieting: http://www.rimpo.org/s1/S1Quieting.html The bottom of the page notes my final attempts to get as quiet as possible by inserting sections of loud speaker insulation into the side panels. When searching for ins...

Since the S1 requires plumbing in I assume that a number of S1 users may have also purchased the filter kit from Chris Coffee. For replacement cartridges Chris Coffee charges $19.95 for a 10 micron carbon filter. I found a web site that sells three 5 micron filters for $18.16. If interested check it...

I'm not sure why the images aren't showing. Chas, maybe you can fix. The URL is http://www.barjohn.com/images the file names are Procon.gif and Vibepump.jpg If I go to the web page they are visible and can be opened. Capitalization matters on this forum (it's UNIX, not Windows!). The link names you...

Not tha I am aware of. How would that make it run faster? That would slow it down instead due to too little pressure. By the way, what was your time for 2 oz flow? Update: Water Debit is 85-90 Ml in 10 seconds (Just for info) May have found a possible problem. It seems that I over tightened the nut...

1. PF setting is 8.5 bars calibrated reading 2. 7-8 sec. 3. Occasionally but not always. 4. Yes and they are in the factory configuration (not the alternate one) 5. No as the basket lip curves over the edge of the PF. How does the time compare to your unit? I will double check PF pressure again as ...

This is truly curious. I, too, have never had to go more than 2 from factory setting on the Mini. Based on the fact that your grind is like flour and you're still having this problem, it sounds more like the S1 than the grinder. 1) What's your portafilter pressure setting? 2) How long does it take 2...

Yesterday I received some Black Cat and it has been interesting. I am amazed at two things I am learning. One is that as the grind setting is changed the volume changes (as I think about it, it makes sense as there is less space between the grains). The right grind when one changes beans may be the...

Even with a new expansion valve and the pressure as low as 15psi, mine still drips. Chris said he was going to discuss it with LaSpaziale. I've sent him a few e-mails the week and have gotten no replies. I'm guessing he's out of town on a business trip.

I started at the Mazer factory setting and it ran through much too fast. I just kept going two notches at a time and that's what it comes out to. I thought I was doing something wrong so I went back to the factory setting and started over. Same result. Since I only have about two doubles worth of b...

Success! You were right. I dropped the pressure another 5 psi and now I am high and dry. Now the inlet water pressure is 19 psi when idle and 15 psi when the pump is running. I recently dropped and screwed up my PF pressure gauge but a replacement arrives tomorrow. Thanks for the heads up that I'll ...

Try the towel method and see for yourself. I even put my shot glasses up on the warmer. I have a couple of those stainless steel insultated cups and the handles get so hot I can hardly touch them.

Wow. I'm almost alway +-1 from the Mazzer recommended setting. Of course I haven't tried either of the coffees you mentioned.

As with any other espresso machine the magic range for the best extraction on the S1 is 25-30 seconds. Some folks prefer a finer grind and a lighter tamp. Others prefer a coarser grind and a heavier tamp. In either case the correct time is the key element. So long as you hit that range on the S1, th...

Once you've pulled that God Shot you have to maintain that correct pulled temperature as long as possible. The heat on the S1 cup warmer is very good for a machine of its class. However, if you want those cups hot rather than just warm, fold a clean dish towel in half and place it over the cups on t...

I'm glad you posted this note. I actually received a pressure regulator from Chris about 10 days ago. When I installed it - even with pressure set to its highest - hardly anything came out of the hose and the nasty noise from the pump made it obvious it was starving for water. I guess I wasn't in th...

Have you noticed that whenever the steam boiler light is blinking you can hear the sound of a fan running inside the machine? Even though I've had all the covers off and looked for it several times, I had never sighted it until the other day. To get a clear view of it you have to: 1) Remove the drip...

I have been having trouble with a slight drip from the expansion valve since I received the S1. It's not a big deal - about 12-16oz per day. Of course it might be a big deal if you left the machine on and went on a business trip for a few days. After adjusting it, cleaning, inspecting and readjustin...