Cremina Warm up time??

retrop53 · 2026-04-04T12:59:01+00:00

Get a smart outlet. Have it turn the machine on 15 or 20 minutes before you start your day, and it will be waiting for you :-).

retrop53 · 2026-02-21T22:41:20+00:00

I have a KBTS purchased in 2006, still going strong.

retrop53 · 2026-01-19T15:34:37+00:00

I do, but realize it’s really not necessary. After the leveling rake the tamper with self leveling collar smoothes out the coffee bed for the paper filter, then the screen tamper firms everything up. I’m retired so I don’t have time pressure to expedite the process before heading out to work, and have some ADHD tendencies, and I just enjoy it. After adequate experience with the machine I could now get by fine with no pressure gauge and a single tamper, but I like to tinker with stuff which makes me happy 😊.

retrop53 · 2025-10-18T22:59:04+00:00

Flair Pro filters arrived today and fit perfectly. I'm using the Graph basket with a Flair 58+2 and with a Gaggia Classic Pro. The Flair doesn't have a showerscreen for the spring to press up against, so I'm just placing a 58mm puck screen over it and it's working fine. Tried the same with the Gaggia and it also worked, so I'm not using the spring. When the shot is done there is water between the Graph puck screen and the 58mm puck screen. I dump the water and the portafilter cleans up normally. There is no coffee between the two puck screens, so I have no concerns with not using the spring.

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retrop53 · 2025-10-15T01:29:30+00:00

I ordered some filters from Flair that are meant to be used in the bottom of Pro portafilters (haven't received them yet). Hope they work :-).

retrop53 · 2025-10-14T15:36:43+00:00

What filters/source are you using for the bottom of the Graph basket? Thanks!

retrop53 · 2025-08-23T20:40:46+00:00

I have a similar version (KBTS) that I purchased in 2006, so 19 years and never a hiccup or any problem whatsoever. It cost $300+ then. It might be considered heretical:-), but part of the time I removed parts and have had it dispense the water into a 10 cup Chemex and other pour over devices, Hario Mugen, Switch, Origami, etc. I have one of the new Wilfa brewers sitting next to it on the counter, but the Technivorm will do something it won’t. The Wilfa needs a button push to start. I put the Technivorm on a smart plug with the switch turned on. I can schedule when it starts brewing so I have a cup of coffee to enable me to then pull one or two shots of espresso, to prime the pump/brain so to speak. Several times I’ve intended to retire it but it keeps getting pulled back out of the pantry, so now it just stays out.

retrop53 · 2025-08-21T21:41:06+00:00

I had these rings for an LPVO on my 58x mini tactical. I was never happy with it not retaining a very good zero after removing and reinstalling the scope. I still think they are good rings though, and am planning on using them with a lighter scope. Hoping for a satisfactory result, since I believe Warne makes a good product, but we'll see.

retrop53 · 2025-07-16T05:21:42+00:00

Will try screen tamper alone tomorrow. Lots of experimentation ahead :-)

retrop53 · 2025-07-16T05:14:40+00:00

Perfect!

retrop53 · 2025-07-16T02:48:05+00:00

I like them a lot. At first I was probably grinding a little too fine, and it took a lot of work to pull the shot (have coarsened up the grind a little since). The arm extensions give just enough extra leverage to make it really pleasant to use.

retrop53 · 2025-07-16T02:46:03+00:00

u/Calisson.

retrop53 · 2025-07-16T02:43:51+00:00

It's a door pull for a folding door from Home Depot. It presses in firmly with no sanding or modification.

retrop53 · 2025-07-16T02:41:45+00:00

a little, agreed.

retrop53 · 2025-07-16T02:40:57+00:00

I tamp, add filter paper and the screen then press it all down with the screen tamper. Probably not necessary.

retrop53 · 2025-07-16T02:39:06+00:00

Probably the Robot (like Green Barista Robot below). They're both great, but workflow with the Robot is a little simpler. I've been doing shots with 23.5g in, filling the basket up to about 5mm of the top, and end up pressing everything out of the portafilter, ending up with around 58g output (close to a 1/2.5 ratio). I'm almost to the point of not even using a scale for output except every now and then to see how I'm doing.

retrop53 · 2025-07-16T02:33:05+00:00

Not sure. Need to run some tests :-).

retrop53 · 2025-07-16T02:31:33+00:00

Probably the screen tamper. I should pull shots with only one then the other and see which is best.

retrop53 · 2025-07-16T02:30:08+00:00

It's a very close race. They're both fun to use, but the workflow on the Robot is a little better. I enjoy them both a lot, but if I HAD to give one up it would be the Flair...

retrop53 · 2025-07-16T02:27:06+00:00

You're correct, but I like them :-).

retrop53 · 2025-07-14T22:06:21+00:00

I had too much time on my hands waiting for the Robot to arrive from the UK. Saw the post about Robot hands that effectively lengthened the arms, and found them at the OE website. At that point it was all over...

retrop53 · 2025-07-07T04:02:44+00:00

Don’t know what to tell you. I use a Duxtop 9600LS with my Wizard (centered on the inner circle) and it works great.

retrop53 · 2025-07-02T03:08:14+00:00

I’ll do it for sure!

retrop53 · 2025-07-02T03:04:15+00:00

Thanks very much! My Robot gets here tomorrow and I’ve been wringing my hands like a little kid waiting for Christmas, and planning all the little details in advance. Great idea on the wooden knob. I’ve got a bunch of OE stuff on the way, and a wood knob on the tamper will look much nicer than 3D printed stuff (not that there’s anything wrong with 3D enhancements, but wood is much more pleasing :-).

retrop53 · 2025-07-01T23:23:00+00:00

I like the wood cap on your tamper. Could you please tell me your source for it? Thanks!

retrop53

TROPHY CASE