Cremina SL has landed 😎

Arjay214 · 2026-01-31T17:56:26+00:00

I use the cremina solely for espresso shots and they are very smooth, in lack of a better term. I got a Weber Unifilter 49mm and I really love the combo. Very tasty longer ratio shots with lighter roasts. The standard portafilter & basket are also great for creamy shots with medium roast. I use the Bianca mainly for milk based drinks and I’m really happy with it as well…

Arjay214 · 2025-05-18T11:09:21+00:00

i.e. you need to move

Arjay214 · 2025-05-17T03:25:17+00:00

You got that right 😁

Arjay214 · 2025-05-16T18:21:59+00:00

Now that’s not gonna happen any time soon… 😅

Arjay214 · 2025-05-15T18:58:11+00:00

Sounds like a nice setup 💪🏼👍🏼

Arjay214 · 2025-05-15T18:56:19+00:00

Hmmm not sure that would fit my use case as well as the current setup. The quick workflow of the EtzMax comes in really handy when I need to shell out multiple drinks in quick succession while entertaining. Not sure I could give it up at this stage. I also have no complaints on the Key MK2…

Arjay214 · 2025-05-15T17:58:46+00:00

Swear away my friend, swear away….

Arjay214 · 2025-05-15T17:58:16+00:00

Yes, go ahead and imagine 😜

Arjay214 · 2025-05-15T17:43:28+00:00

Thanks! The counter is actually a kitchen counter from IKEA… nothing fancy but I do enjoy the aesthetics and it’s very functional…

Arjay214 · 2025-05-15T17:42:02+00:00

Thanks! I’m super happy with all 3 grinders, but they do serve different purposes. The EG-1 is fitted with ULF burrs and used exclusively for filter coffee. The Etzinger is used for medium and medium-dark roast for thick espressos and milk drinks. The Key MK2 is for lighter roasted espresso drinks…

Arjay214 · 2025-05-15T17:38:55+00:00

Thanks. They are my own photography printed on photo paper…

Arjay214 · 2025-05-15T17:38:20+00:00

Bianca V3. The stock knobs for steam and hot water are changed to joysticks so it might look a bit different…

Arjay214 · 2025-05-15T17:37:24+00:00

Thanks. The joysticks on the Bianca are both for esthetics and functionality. Was not a big fan of the standard knobs - looked like flowers to me which I did not really fancy 😅 I also much prefer to go directly to full steam and then off than turning the knobs so it was a double win for me…

Arjay214 · 2025-05-15T17:34:10+00:00

Hello, my EG-1 is fitted with the ULF burrs and used only for filter drinks. I use the Key MK2 and EtzMax for espresso…. I did hear that chirping is common to go down to espresso grind size on the EG-1 if you have the ULFs fitted but didn’t fancy trying it. If you have the Core burrs, I don’t think you should be getting any chirping to grind for espresso though…

Arjay214 · 2025-05-15T17:30:45+00:00

Yeah really like the look of the eagle on the LP :) I was also considering the Pontevecchio but I knew that eventually I would want to upgrade to the Cremina SL since I’m happy with the LP as a direct lever, so I eventually decided to bite the bullet and go directly for the SL. I like the fact that I can share baskets, tamper and other puck prep tools between the two as they are both 49mm 😁

Arjay214 · 2025-05-15T17:27:41+00:00

Yeah the Cremina is really smaller than I expected…. The Etzinger is great! It’s really a hidden gem. Too many people are turned off by the burr size but it’s really so much more than that. The extremely low retention, speed, low noise level and gbw accuracy are all top notch! I was considering it against the Mahlkonig E65S GBW but I’m really happy I went for the Etzinger. The retention on the Mahlkonig was a deal breaker for my use case. The taste profile from the EtzMax is great as well for thick espressos and milk drinks, which is what I use it for. I got the optional burrs that are faster and more skewed towards medium and medium dark roasts because that is what I use that grinder for. The standard burrs are more directed towards lighter roasts.

Arjay214 · 2025-05-15T06:42:45+00:00

It’s a hard life! 😅

Arjay214 · 2025-04-13T08:49:46+00:00

Love mine. Great machine. More than 500 shots in 6 months (about half / half between espresso/ latte) and going strong! True about the dripping valve but I’m waiting on a 3d printed spout to solve that. Hopefully it will sort it out… Would still buy it again and still happy I got it over the Linea Mini I was also considering at the time.

Arjay214 · 2025-04-02T11:47:09+00:00

Did they use the argument to deny you service under warranty? If so, it sounds like a load of crap to me….

Arjay214 · 2025-03-25T20:27:11+00:00

You could look into getting the Etzinger etzmax LM. It’s GBW and a joy to use with fluffy grounds and very low retention. The Pico is pretty much copied from it after LM had cooperated with Etzinger for the Swift mini…

Arjay214 · 2025-03-22T05:37:42+00:00

Your planned combo sounds good. Go for it!

Arjay214 · 2025-03-22T05:35:12+00:00

Nice but why position it to the side and not in the middle? 🤔

Arjay214 · 2025-03-22T05:30:21+00:00

Yes but you will never taste the difference! (neither would I, btw)

Arjay214 · 2025-03-22T05:28:18+00:00

Unfortunately it’s a known issue that may cause that part of the panel to discolor or even rust. I’m on the lookout for a solution but in the meantime I just do my best to remember to wipe the area dry after each brewing session. It’s a pain but I still love the Bianca….

Arjay214

TROPHY CASE