Archive for the ‘Tips – Tech’ CategoryWhat is a Thermoblock?
May 7th, 2012
A thermoblock or thermocoil takes water from the reservoir in an espresso machine and heats it on the fly, versus heating up a full boiler of water. This technology is commonly seen on home espresso machines, where it manages either the brew function, steam function or both. The benefit of a thermoblock is that it [...]  Brew Head Maintenance on the La Marzocco GS/3
April 25th, 2012
You know how we feel about cleanliness, baby! So we asked Gail to give us the lowdown and the what-for on how to maintain the brew head on the GS/3. Watch as ahe takes it apart, cleans and then re-assembles for maximum cleanliness and joy. Getting Started with the Crossland CC1
April 20th, 2012
We’ll admit that we have a little bit of a soft spot for Crossland Coffee’s CC1. While it may not be the sexiest machine on the block, it’s hard to beat all the excellent features for the price! Setting it up for the first time does involve a bit of care and feeding to ensure [...] Can I use Grindz in my Superautomatic Espresso Machine?
March 5th, 2012
Since this is one of the most common questions we get around superautomatic espresso machine maintenance, we asked Gail to break it down for us. Find out if these lovely wheat-based pellets can be used to clean the grinder in your superauto. How To: Installing the Saeco Panarello
July 13th, 2011
Whether you’re looking to upgrade the stock plastic panarello on your Saeco Via Venezia or Aroma with the stainless steel version or you just need to replace a well-loved panarello on your Sirena, the most important thing to keep in mind is: Do not lose those compression fittings! These aren’t sold separately, so if you [...] Testing: Nuova Simonelli Eureka and MDX Grinders
June 29th, 2011
Yo know how important we believe a great grinder is and we take two commercial-grade options from Nuova Simonelli on. Gail demonstrates their grind, takes one apart to show the burrs and tests them out. We likey! Crew Review: La Marzocco Linea Commercial Espresso Machine
June 14th, 2011
While we’ve carried the GS/3 for awhile now, we’ve decided to expand our La Marzocco selection to include their commercial-class equipment. Our first round of testing and reviews covers one of their most popular machines, the Linea, which comes with choice of 1 – 4 group heads and is available in manual paddle, semi-automatic and [...] Measuring Temperature on the Saeco Xelsis & Jura Z7
June 10th, 2011
Based on a viewer request, we practically measured the temperature of an espresso shot and a one-touch cappuccino on the Saeco Xelsis and Jura Impressa Z7 superautomatic espresso machines. How-To: Mavea Purity C Water Filter Installation
June 7th, 2011
Filtering your water is essential if you plan on plumbing in your espresso machine to a direct water line in your location. Without this, you run the risk of scale build-up that can only be removed by a professional taking apart the machine and physically removing the scale. How quickly this occurs will depend on [...] Tech Tip: Portafilter Positioning
May 27th, 2011
When is it time to say when? We’re often asked where the portafilter should be in respect to the machine — at a 90 degree angle? 45 degree? A little over to the right? Every machine will be a little bit different and the key is to make sure that it feels snug. Additionally, you’ll [...] |
