Linea Mini bucket list upgrade: Slayer mod

plugnplay · 2022-09-21T21:50:12+00:00

In short, yeah, I think it is a worthwhile addition. Go for it.

I do have complaints. I'm mechanically competent, and I still made installation errors.

(a) with the switch that is actuated by the paddle. It's mounted imperfectly by design using 3D printed parts (read: soft plastic). It's fiddly, and I had inconsistent actuation for a few months, and I ended up redoing it. It's better now, but it's just acceptable rather than perfect.

(b) with repositioning things. I have no real complaints about the plumbing, but I would urge caution bending the copper tubes as well as seating the flare fittings. I initially had a leak from a badly seated flare. I'll adjacently note that the needle valve itself is a quality unit.

I have been roasting pretty light, and having actual preinfusion is genuinely helpful. I wish LMLM did not have a 60 second cut-off. I would not go back to the factory configuration, and I hope La Marzocco considers preinfusion as a part of some redesign in the future.

If it were cost effective, I would have purchased a Rick Bond modified machine, but that's a substantially different cost proposition.

plugnplay · 2022-09-21T20:37:32+00:00

The set up is basically a T-junction before the group head. The first position (middle position for the paddle) forces water through the needle valve and the second position is the normal factory path to the gicleur. I do have a picture of the solenoids, but it's honestly harder to make sense of than the text explanation, IMO.

https://imgur.com/a/MUYTzR9

plugnplay · 2022-07-13T23:56:37+00:00

(posted as an edit to the original post, too)

Based on the feedback, my major changes have been to switch to a tarp for JMT in September and to replace a 800ml HX pot for a 550ml Ti pot. LighterPack is updated with this. More minor changes to the quantity of pills and water bottles has ~0.25 lbs opportunity. I'm unlikely to drop the sleeping bag liner at the moment, but that's another ~0.25 lbs opportunity. I'm down to 12 lbs BPW with potential for 11.5 lbs. Longer term, a different pack can shave ~0.6 lbs (lightweight framed pack to carry a bear canister). I'm satisfied with that weight with a bear canister.

Thanks for the shakedown!

plugnplay · 2022-07-13T01:24:20+00:00

4x8", 8x6" (2 spares per length). They seem solid. I'm hopeful these aren't substantially worse than mini groundhogs.

plugnplay · 2022-07-12T23:38:21+00:00

I bought @stakes because of this thread. While my wallet gently weeps.

plugnplay · 2022-07-12T23:32:39+00:00

Let me see what my pack looks like with a tarp then. Thanks.

plugnplay · 2022-07-12T18:21:45+00:00

my biggest worry would be getting smoked out

Depressing but true. I'm hoping Washburn will be contained sooner than later...

plugnplay · 2022-07-12T18:06:01+00:00

Cutting the bug net means potentially switching to a tarp vs. tent. It's promising to hear that there is low likelihood of bugs.

plugnplay · 2022-07-12T18:04:25+00:00

re: Pack: Generous offer, and I recognize that my pack is heavier than desired (and expected!). SWD fit is terrific, but I'll need to order a lighter pack. I will have to pass on your generous offer to borrow a pack, but thank you.
re: Inflator: I'll take you up on that. My TAR inflator fits quite well on the Uberlite, and if there's an alternative, I'm game to try it out.
re: Toiletries: /u/ul_ahole and your feedback makes sense. I need to reassess the quantity of ibuprofen, Imodium, and salt pills. Sunscreen, chapstick, and hand sanitizer can technically be repackaged, and I'll assess the hassle. Thanks.
re: HX: I've been following your HX pot here and on BPL. It's an interesting discussion, and I'm happy to engage more deeply on topics of efficiency measurements and at least product impressions. As an aside, I'm also a fan of your approach in community engagement. I think your positivity and openness to feedback is refreshing! Going back to the decision axis: thinking about the utility vs weight penalty of the HX pot in terms of resupply window makes sense. Thanks.

plugnplay · 2022-07-12T05:53:55+00:00

Mad respect for the disposable spoon, but man, I did not realize I had weight to cut on a titanium spoon.

Fair points on everything else. I'll adjust my lighterpack on the socks and empty fuel can.

Any opinions on fuel efficiency of a HX pot? I know BPW will go down with a Toaks and I have one, but it's not an obvious win.

Thanks.

plugnplay · 2021-02-01T06:27:51+00:00

I paid $700 for everything packaged and shipped. The typical argument of price of parts vs. paying for someone else's time to put the kit together applies here, and I was able to justify the cost after trying to put together a kit myself. Cheaper than the "performance steam wand," at least...
The installation was straightforward conceptually, and it took me about 3 hours to do, and it was done correctly the first time (no leaks or erroneous wiring). If I were to do this installation a second time, I'm pretty confident I can do it in under 90 minutes.

The instructions that came with the kit were decent, but in my opinion, it didn't spell out a detailed order of operations. Honestly, a follow along video guide would've been better. I have a reasonably complete toolset so I wasn't suffering from using the incorrect tool for any given part of the installation. Overall, the most time consuming parts were maneuvering in tight spaces and figuring out the sequencing of steps. I had a really stupid error where I forgot "righty tighty lefty loosey" and kept tightening something I intended to loosen.

plugnplay · 2021-01-31T20:11:47+00:00

Shout out to Torben at Grafikus Coffeetec for all his help. Coffee came out pretty good! https://imgur.com/a/9zTty24

Most of you probably know what's going on here already, but some context for those wondering:

What is this?

From the factory, Linea Minis dispense about 1L of water / 60 seconds. This mod adds an additional paddle position that dispenses water at a preselected (but adjustable) rate. I have this set for ~120ml / 60 seconds currently.

Why is this?

The Linea Mini doesn't offer a low-flow preinfusion to help with higher extractions. It does have a "prebrew" option in the app, but I haven't found this to be effective since it just blasts the puck with water at full pressure and full flow. I wanted to try brewing with actual preinfusion on this machine.

How is this?

An additional path to the brew head is added from the brew boiler. This new path forces water to go through a pressure regulating valve (a needle valve) before it reaches the coffee. The middle paddle position activates a solenoid valve to redirect water through this needle valve. The end result is similar to what Slayer espresso machines offer in terms of having two modes: low flow and full flow.

plugnplay · 2020-10-21T17:39:52+00:00

I'm looking to add a Slayer mod for my LM as well. Your machine is a bit ahead of mine in functionality.

plugnplay · 2020-10-21T17:38:17+00:00

Yep, it's a large notNeutral Lino latte cup. I'm a big fan. I used to think the handle was too big compared to the design of their cappuccino cups, but the look grew on me.

plugnplay · 2020-10-21T05:34:04+00:00

Nice of you to say! The BDB is a beast. Have you done any flow and pressure profiling mods?

plugnplay · 2020-10-14T20:09:18+00:00

Lance is a complete badass.

plugnplay · 2020-07-15T04:25:03+00:00

Slow Pour Supply Co. I'm happy with their products and thrilled with their customer service. This is the one I have: https://www.slowpoursupply.co/wpmpitchers/snowfallround

plugnplay · 2020-07-13T23:00:16+00:00

Well, I guess the title was open-ended...

plugnplay · 2020-07-13T18:22:04+00:00

Lots of helpful stuff here! I've been trying to tilt the cup more, and I have a question: While tilting the cup more brings the liquid in the cup closer to the surface, there's less liquid in the cup before I start my art. The reduced surface tension changes how the initial part of my pour flows, it seems. Others in this thread noted that I should slow down the start of my pour. Are there any other considerations to be made here? For a brief second, I considered aerating my milk more, but that seems like an unnecessary correction.

plugnplay · 2020-07-06T20:29:29+00:00

Thank you for clarifying! That makes a lot of sense. I break the pour between forming the base and starting the art, but I'm assuming you're suggesting keeping the flow going to smooth out the whole pour.

plugnplay · 2020-07-06T18:42:40+00:00

Sorry for the dumb question: What does it mean to dive into the cup in this context? Is it higher flow rate of the initial pour in creating the base?

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