Search found 22 matches

by lowellw2
Tue Apr 09, 2019 5:03 pm
Forum: Dream General Q&A
Topic: Shot time.
Replies: 2
Views: 5646

Re: Shot time.

The grind of coffee you are using is way too coarse. You should grind the beans to a much finer consistency and you will find that you will control the shot time in that manner. Once you get to a 60ml output of espresso in about 25-30 seconds you will start to “dial in” to that bean. Stick with that...
by lowellw2
Fri Oct 19, 2018 12:07 pm
Forum: Dream T General Q&A
Topic: Any buyer's remorse? Dream T vs Mini
Replies: 4
Views: 14332

Re: Any buyer's remorse? Dream T vs Mini

I’ll second the “loud” vibratory pump although I have noticed it is a fair amount quieter when the tank is completely full. I have no idea as to why. Of course sound is rather relative. Very dependable and consistent otherwise. The sound (to my recollection) is less than my LaSpaziale Mini I had som...
by lowellw2
Sun Sep 03, 2017 2:35 pm
Forum: Dream General Q&A
Topic: Dream T - Full Power
Replies: 2
Views: 6038

Re: Dream T - Full Power

Well, my machine is obviously working correctly and I can certainly understand that design parameter. Thanks Chas. 8)
by lowellw2
Sun Sep 03, 2017 11:33 am
Forum: Dream General Q&A
Topic: Dream T - Full Power
Replies: 2
Views: 6038

Dream T - Full Power

Does one have to make a switch change to get full power on a Dream T. I've set it in the software to full power mode but when it turns on each morning the steam boiler waits for the group boiler to reach temperature before it kicks in. In other words does the Dream T have a 15-20A switch like my pre...
by lowellw2
Fri Mar 17, 2017 3:46 pm
Forum: Dream T General Q&A
Topic: Loose pump?
Replies: 2
Views: 7687

Re: Loose pump?

Thanks. I got some energy and took my Dream T apart as you noted. It was a lot easier than I remember on the Mini as the side panels are much easier to manage (excellent improvement). I did not find the pump loose nor anything touching it. However, as I listened to the pump running it became quite c...
by lowellw2
Tue Mar 14, 2017 10:40 am
Forum: Dream T General Q&A
Topic: Loose pump?
Replies: 2
Views: 7687

Loose pump?

The vibratory pump in my new Dream T seems somewhat louder than my previously owned Mini S1. This has surprised me given that I believed it was going to be somewhat quieter. Of course my ears and memory have aged about a decade so my perception may also be suspect. In looking at the factory parts di...
by lowellw2
Fri Dec 30, 2016 7:55 pm
Forum: Pride Page
Topic: I'm Back In The Fold
Replies: 1
Views: 5798

I'm Back In The Fold

Well, after quite a few years with first a Mini S1-VI and then veering a little off track with a Breville BES900 I just got a new Dream T delivered from Chris Coffee. I had recently sold my Baratza Vario grinder and upgraded to an Anfim CODY II and decided a new espresso machine would get me back in...
by lowellw2
Sun Dec 13, 2015 4:08 pm
Forum: General Q&A
Topic: Thanks for the memories.
Replies: 4
Views: 10584

Re: Thanks for the memories.

Well good luck with the GS/3. I'm sure you will enjoy as much as it looks like you enjoyed your S1V2. Very nice pours. Happy Holidays. :grin:
by lowellw2
Sat Jul 25, 2015 9:36 pm
Forum: Accessories
Topic: Wood Side Panels
Replies: 35
Views: 63611

Re: Wood Side Panels

residuenyc wrote:Got the panels installed. If you still want the plastic ones...
I like the sharper corners of these panels better than the more rounded ones I've seen before. To my eyes they highlight the machine. However, we each have our own tastes.
by lowellw2
Wed Jul 01, 2015 9:46 pm
Forum: Accessories
Topic: Wood Side Panels
Replies: 35
Views: 63611

Re: Wood Side Panels

Well I think $450 is pretty steep but getting a piece of wood large enough can be a challenge. The maple Andrew used is very nice. If I get another Vivaldi I might try to do panels in mesquite which can have interesting grain patterns. There's a lot of it available here in Texas and several mills cu...
by lowellw2
Wed Jul 01, 2015 5:02 pm
Forum: Accessories
Topic: Wood Side Panels
Replies: 35
Views: 63611

Re: Wood Side Panels

I just noticed Chris Coffee has wood panels for sale.
by lowellw2
Mon Apr 13, 2015 8:50 am
Forum: Pride Page
Topic: My 2011 model S1 Rossini setup
Replies: 10
Views: 22304

Re: My 2011 model S1 Rossini setup

:oops: Well, I stand corrected. I went up on the Italian website and the Rrosinni is a single boiler machine.
by lowellw2
Fri Apr 10, 2015 7:59 pm
Forum: Pride Page
Topic: My 2011 model S1 Rossini setup
Replies: 10
Views: 22304

Re: My 2011 model S1 Rossini setup

I think the LaSpaziale models' sold by Clive Coffee out in Portland may be later model Rossini type machines. They are called Lucca A53. Just my guess.
by lowellw2
Sat Mar 21, 2015 8:06 pm
Forum: Accessories
Topic: Wood Side Panels
Replies: 35
Views: 63611

Re: Wood Side Panels

Very very nice work. I find the recessed allen nuts to be a great visual highlight (sorta like a G3) and could really make getting the panels off a simple matter. Did you secure the bolts somehow to the inside of the metal panels? Now if I just had a nice CNC machine (and my old Vivaldi) I would att...
by lowellw2
Tue Jul 03, 2012 8:21 pm
Forum: General Q&A
Topic: Breville BES900XL - Competition?
Replies: 15
Views: 20814

Re: Breville BES900XL - Competition?

I have not had that experience yet, but my machine is just barely broken in. I think the gasket is a softer material and that may contribute to a loosening. Endo, I will say my Mini shots did seem a little sour to the BDB so I may kick up the temp and see if that evens out the taste. I don't know if...
by lowellw2
Mon Jun 18, 2012 9:46 am
Forum: General Q&A
Topic: Breville BES900XL - Competition?
Replies: 15
Views: 20814

Re: Breville BES900XL - Competition?

Here's a picture of my test setup. I've got everything plugged into a 20 amp circuit (Mini in 20 amp mode), but I don't turn them on together to start up. I guess I could test my circuits that way but choose to be prudent. So far, and this is really preliminary, both my wife and I like the lattes ma...
by lowellw2
Wed Jun 13, 2012 12:04 am
Forum: General Q&A
Topic: Breville BES900XL - Competition?
Replies: 15
Views: 20814

Re: Breville BES900XL - Competition?

I picked mine up on eBay for US$970 so the price differential is somewhat greater. However, the extra grand for a more modern Mini would be enticing. I wonder whena V III will come out. There's a BDB in Quebec at $800 + 50 shipping right now on eBay with a buy it now for $100 more. Descaling will be...
by lowellw2
Mon Jun 11, 2012 11:21 pm
Forum: General Q&A
Topic: Breville BES900XL - Competition?
Replies: 15
Views: 20814

Re: Breville BES900XL - Competition?

Endo, You are quite right. Much slower. I don't have much experience with my BDB yet, but I would say my steaming is about 60 sec. to make a 12 oz latte (350cc for you guys north of the 49th). My Mini was 25 sec. and maybe a max of 30 sec. For my wife and I that means I only lose about 7 minutes a w...
by lowellw2
Sat Jun 09, 2012 11:07 pm
Forum: Suggested Improvements
Topic: Basket Improvements
Replies: 114
Views: 127201

Re: Basket Improvements

Yes, I will second the well designed. However, how it performs and holds up will be the real test. Certainly Breville has put a lot on the line jumping into the prosumer market. So far I'm very pleased, as is the spouse. I plan to use her taste buds in blind taste tests. My preference would be to ge...
by lowellw2
Thu Jun 07, 2012 10:13 pm
Forum: Suggested Improvements
Topic: Basket Improvements
Replies: 114
Views: 127201

Re: Basket Improvements

I just put a BES900XL next to my Mini (v1) and plan to do a side by side comparison, but to keep on subject can state that the Breville basket, while good, has trouble releasing the puck. In fact the basket usually ends up in the knock box. Tapered sides seem to be the problem I'm told. However the ...
by lowellw2
Sun Nov 14, 2010 5:41 pm
Forum: S1 General Q&A
Topic: Reasonable price?
Replies: 3
Views: 7019

Re: Reasonable price?

I paid $1200 early this year for a V1 Mini. I guess I considered that reasonable. 8)
by lowellw2
Tue Jun 29, 2010 11:06 pm
Forum: Tips & Tricks
Topic: Brewhead shot pressure monitor mod./added secondary gauge
Replies: 17
Views: 29870

Re: Brewhead shot pressure monitor mod./added secondary gaug

FYI I just had to get replacement upper panel and the cost from Chris' was $97.35 plus shipping. The reason I needed the panel is a long story I may share sometime but it had to do with shipping. No, not from Chris'. That was for a Mini but you would think the "regular" would be the same.

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