New owner

[Roger]

I find it surprising what a week of drinking coffee made from a Krups espresso machine can cause me to do (spend 2K on a coffee maker). My Cimbali Domus cracked its boiler last weekend and the replacement part price caused me to consider a new machine. Long story short, after much research I ordered a LaSoazile 2 from Chris. I want to thank you all, as the postings here were a major influence in my decision making.

Should be here on Friday. Another week of Krups coffee :( oh well this will give me time to prepare. I ordered a timer, bottomless portafilter, drain kit, the new steam tip, and a Espro tamper. I

[Niko]

Roger,

Welcome to the S1 Cafe and congratulations on the opening of your new cafe this coming week :D

Things don't get better than Stumpy (Stumptown), try starting out with Hairbender, it's one of my all-time favorite blends. If you feel like making your life miserable, start out with Single Origin Espresso and you'll soon want to throw everything out the window. I pull S.O. about 80-90% of the time for the challenge....and it's a headache but it keeps me on my toes. You can try mail order but it would be crazy not to go to Stumpy when you live so close, as a matter of fact I'd probably not home roast so much if I lived in that area. I have several (other peoples) favorites down here in the Bay Area that I don't care much for, so the home roasting is full throttle for me.

You did well by choosing the Espro tamper, though the fit may not be perfect it's still a better tamper than most out there in the fact that it does remove one more variable for people who don't pull shots everyday (you mentioned training your wife to use it). I still use my Espro among 8 other tampers, they all have their specific uses .
I wouldn't give it second thought about that choice.

So for me, given the choice between Stumptown and Peet's....I'd go with Stumptown on their worst day of burning beans and dragging them through the mud.
...and given the choice between Black Cat and Hairbender....let's just say I'm allergic to cats.

What grinder will you be using?

Keep us posted on the arrival of your machine.

[Roger]

Hi Niko,

I have read a lot of your posts; you do love coffee. Was nice to see a reply so quickly, thanks. Sounds like I did ok in my choices. I have a Mazzer Mini grinder.

Yes, Stumptown has provided me with some great shots. I had just finished off the last of my Hairbender before my Cimbali died. I am lucky in that they stock a store just a mile away from me, and are religious about keeping it fresh (everything is roast dated). They don

[Niko]

I have a Mazzer Mini grinder.

NICE.
Doser or Doserless Type A/B, etc.?

[chas]

Welcome Roger. I am curious when you requested the new tip if they offered to swap you even for the original tip rather than charging for it or did you want both tips anyway?

From reading posts on this forum you probably know that when UPS gets west of the Mississippi they apparently drag the VII boxes the rest of the way behind the truck. Damage is usually limited to a part or two vibrating off and the manometer bending out of place. Let us know how yours makes out!

[Roger]

I have the Mini with the doser and timer. If I had it to do over again I may have made another choice, but it grinds coffee well.

I was not offered a swap on the tip, but I think I might like trying both. It was under $15.

Yes, I have seen where there are some problems with shipping. What a drag it would be to receive a damaged machine. I hope to be lucky.

Niko any suggestions on brew temp for the Hairbender.

[Niko]

Niko any suggestions on brew temp for the Hairbender.

I like it at 93C, another notch up ain't bad either but something about 93 makes it sing.

[MDL]

Sounds like you have made good choices to get yourself off and running. I have an Espro tamper and really like it. It looks good, feels good in my hand and works well. Unless you have someone match a tamper to a basket for you I don't know that you ever get a better fit than I have with my Espro. (I say this from watching the forum not from experience purchasing many tampers)

Good luck and enjoy yourself; I can almost guarantee that your manometer will be knocked out of alignment but it is easy to straighten out yourself (as I learned when my machine arrived in April).

Mark

[fxdxt]

Hi Roger
I live in Sandy. I have the same setup as you.
VII and the mini. As far as roasted coffee goes I roast my own.
I get all my greens from Sweet Maria

[Roger]

All is well here in coffee heaven. Spaz arrived on time with only bent meter, but that was almost expected. They did a great job of packing everything else was fine.

Water in was a breeze. Dialing in didn

[Niko]

Great news, Roger.

The caffeine buzz goes away after the 9th shot of the day.... :D

So you're happy with the drain kit and it works well?

[Roger]

It works great.

You need to buy a drainpipe and ad it under the sink to hook into but other than that no problems. Three small bolts, drill a hole in the little reinforced area of the drain pan that sets directly over the item you bolt on, run the provided hose, that

[Niko]

That's it, huh?
You make it sound so nice, others have scared me away from that thing after reading some bad reports on it. You and Richard are the only two positives so far.

[bbqnut]

Niko, check your PM.

[Niko]

Just did, thanks.