Ponte Vecchio Lusso - advice please?

Moon

Have received my new lot of beans from mycuppa .. Kenya and Indian Tiger Mountain. I was rapt that they were both roasted around 9 days ago and have completed their minimum resting period and can crack open a bag straight away. I've removed the remaining 70g from the grinder and into a plastic container which went into my pantry cupboard. I'm taking C-mans advice and resting the Kenyan for longer .. so I'm starting with the Indian TM beans. Had 2 already in a single basket .. and both poured a little quickly .. so I'm gradually adjusting the grind slightly each time to get it about right, then I'll change to the double basket and make my lattes in a mug sized glass cup This way I don't end up having to drink a larger volume coffee that doesn't quite cut it.. you know .. an 8.2/10 *yawn*

Brett_H

I reckon this thread has to stay as is. It's become an interactive blog and I reckon that's what this forum is all about! Happy 21st Moony!

mycuppa

Moony Ol chap, I do wish that just once you would time your order when it's not almost 40 deg and the heat killing the coffee. Feel like it's a constant handicap. Not your fault just bad timing again. Pretty sure there should have been a message on one of your packs to use first. Can't remember which one but if there is, then I would be suggesting perhaps taking that advice as it was from me directly. Of course if there was no marking then I would have gone the Kenyan first as it was roasted darker and would have peaked 2 days ago. Enjoy

Moon

Brett H wrote:

Happy 21st Moony!

Thanks Brett .. not sure what the 21st thing is .. but hey .. I'll take it 😃

mycuppa wrote:

Moony Ol chap, I do wish that just once you would time your order when it's not almost 40 deg and the heat killing the coffee. Feel like it's a constant handicap. Not your fault just bad timing again.

Yeah .. I realized I needed to get onto ordering some more beans .. and forgot about the weather. I'd say running out of beans trumps weather when I'm about to run out. To make matters worse .. I think I ordered them late on Wednesday night so you'd pack them Thursday .. and of course they'd arrive on Monday .. oh wait .. it's Australia Day. I had to nick out on Tuesday .. and the Postie turned up while I was out .. and left a card not to pick up until the following day. They never turn up that early. So all this time the beans are out being transported in a hot van or stored in a warehouse.

mycuppa wrote:

Pretty sure there should have been a message on one of your packs to use first.

Nope *Indian TM roasted on Jan 19 *Kenyan roasted on Jan 18

mycuppa wrote:

Of course if there was no marking then I would have gone the Kenyan first as it was roasted darker and would have peaked 2 days ago.

mycuppa wrote:

Enjoy

Will do .. and thanks heaps J. I'll keep working on my timing of orders ;P

Lacehim

Moon wrote:

Thanks Brett .. not sure what the 21st thing is .. but hey .. I'll take it 😃

Your on page 21 mate! 😉 I agree with DB though Moon. I love your journey, but it's time to step out of your comfort zone! 🙂 You can still keep us up to speed on your lusso journey even if you do that! 😉

Moon

Page 42 on my screen .. your page must be twice as long. Ok .. what's the score? Close the thread 1 Mod (Dry bean) 1 Administrator (Lacehim) Keep it going 1 Mod (Brett) Hmm? 2-1 close *Intermission/Coffee break One double shot latte in a mug please ... no worries, coming up. Would you like it made using a Ponte Vecchio Lusso? You bet ... what a machine .. a little beauty! What beans would you like? Mycuppa's Kenya single origin thanks.

cosmic_couple22

Keep your thread going Moon, all conversations morph somewhat but at some stage come back to point. Like you say, there are only a few of us that are actively growing the forum and your content is appreciated from my perspective. As BrettH says, some threads are more blog like and I can't see why anyone would have a problem with that. Members interacting/sharing isn't that what we are all here for. My project cosmic thread will continue to grow as small additions arrive and members come to visit and live it's life more blog like too. Keep on posting Moon I'm off to pull a 9.6 on the Slayer. Chester

Lacehim

Moon wrote:

Page 42 on my screen .. your page must be twice as long. Ok .. what's the score? Close the thread 1 Mod (Dry bean) 1 Administrator (Lacehim) Keep it going 1 Mod (Brett) Hmm? 2-1 close *Intermission/Coffee break One double shot latte in a mug please ... no worries, coming up. Would you like it made using a Ponte Vecchio Lusso? You bet ... what a machine .. a little beauty! What beans would you like? Mycuppa's Kenya single origin thanks.

Hey where's my coffee???? I miss my lusso too! 🙂 You got me all wrong. I don't think you should close the thread. You might need a part 2 if you continue lol, but what I was trying to say is that if your just talking about certain roasted coffee, it might be better off in the roasted coffee section so people can join in the discussion. This thread has been about your coffee journey with your lusso so I don't think it's OT, it's just that I think you can contribute a lot to the forum, you just need to spread you wings a bit. + I'm only a temp admin 😉 Should be back to a regular member soon!

Moon

Good golly .. hasn't participation in this forum dropped off to but a trickle. ??? I mean where is everyone? .. 3 members 80 guests .. most online today - 108? Something doesn't appear to be right .. eh? Well .. one thing is for sure ... my beloved Ponte Vecchio Lusso is in good form and cranking out some pretty decent coffees. Cheers to mycuppa for the Kenya beans .. very nice, and seemed to improve with age. I'd definitely rate the coffees in the 9.2s/10 I'm about to get back to the Indian Tiger Mountain .. in fact I'm going to make one right now :coffee2: Hmm .. emoticons back .. which is good :thumb: PF wouldn't lock in .. so I must've dosed a little high. After removing some grinds .. gave it another crack .. still no luck. Hmm? Can't be the dose level .. oh .. the basket wasn't seated in the PF properly .. ok. The pour was way too quick and was gushing out and had to hold back the lever which really doesn't help much. I'd normally sink it and realised I had only enough water left in the boiler for this coffee when the low water level light came on. Decided to go with it rather than top up with water and wait for it to heat up again. Turned out pretty nice .. and then adjusted the grind to a finer setting for the next cup. I've bean alternating between the Woolies Organic milk, Pauls Farmhouse Gold .. and noticed Coles are now stocking their own homebrand organic milk in the 1ltr. They only had the lite version until recently after ditching the full-cream about a year ago. This Coles organic sells for the same price as the Woolies version @ $2.30 ltr .. and smells and tastes like the same milk to me.

Lacehim

Well to be honest moon the forum was down for most of the day while we moved it. :angel: How how's the Lusso going? Any hardware issue with it?

Moon

Lacehim wrote:

How how's the Lusso going? Any hardware issue with it?

When you turn on the steam knob after the pressure has built up to max .. did your steam come out gradually as you turned the knob, cause with mine .. when the knob is turned up to half way .. the valve clicks/opens .. which releases the steam forcefully. You then have to turn it off and bring it back on gradually when the wand is inserted into the milk. Is this 'normal' .. as I've always thought the valve was sticking .. and did try oiling it, although it didn't make any difference. I know you suggested the mod to eradicate the false pressure problem .. which is probably the way to go .. only I didn't like the idea of drilling holes in my brand new coffee machine in case I stuffed it up. It's not new anymore .. and even though the false pressure is enough of a pain to want to remove it with the modification .. I'm not sure I'd do it. Strange they haven't sorted this problem at the factory. Other than that .. no problems. I think insulating the boiler and shielding the wiring and other parts from extreme internal heat under the cover was a vital modification. I also don't leave the machine on all day .. maybe for an hour at the most in the morning .. otherwise I switch it off and open the steam wand to release the pressure in the boiler after making my coffee. I think these measures help prolong the life of the machine and avoids problems. I'm yet to have to deal with changing the seals in the cylinder. Seems to be fine .. no leaking.

Lacehim

Have you tried a new seal? When it's off and cool, it comes straight out when you unscrew it and from memory it had a little stopper. It's been a while though! lol

C-man

Is it a good idea to drain out the steam when turning off my machine? I never heard of that before.

Lacehim

The PV lusso doesn't have an antivac valve, so when you turn on the machines you get false pressure. You have to let the boiler think it's at temp, then open the valve to let the false pressure out and then close it again and it gets up to temp. this is usually handled by a little valve, but PV are so stingy they couldn't be bothered to include it. I modified mine (without drilling holes in the case) and it worked like a charm. Cost me about $25 in parts I think. When you turn the machine off usually the valve drops down to let air into the boiler, with the PV lusso this doesn't happen so for safety sake a lot of people let the steam run until it runs out of pressure probably worried that it will implode or something. I forgot a lot of the time and it never blew up or imploded! 😉

Moon

I do try to remember to drain off the steam although I don't always think to do it. I figure it is better to release the pressure rather than let it escape gradually .. which I'm guessing would probably extend the life of any seals. It was there from the beginning .. I thought for a long time that it was just a sticky valve. As mentioned .. it opens when the pressure builds up to a certain point. Only a slight hitch .. like the false pressure .. you deal with it as a part of your routine.

Lacehim

This guy did a nice little how to for putting an antivac in. Use the same idea I had myself! 🙂 http://www.thuisbarista.nl/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=2945#p42538

littleroundman

Moon wrote:

When you turn on the steam knob after the pressure has built up to max .. did your steam come out gradually as you turned the knob, cause with mine .. when the knob is turned up to half way .. the valve clicks/opens .. which releases the steam forcefully. You then have to turn it off and bring it back on gradually when the wand is inserted into the milk. Is this 'normal' .. as I've always thought the valve was sticking .. and did try oiling it, although it didn't make any difference.

This happened to mine several times. The problem is the valve and seal dry out rapidly with the heat in that area. I ended up having to buy some Marlin-9 food grade high temp grease, removing the valve stem from the barrel and coating it with the grease to solve the problem

Moon

Hi little I did try removing the valve stem and coated it with some general purpose engine grease .. only it didn't solve it at the time.. so I figured it couldn't have been a lack of lubrication issue. The fact that it wasn't a food-grade grease shouldn't have mattered. The valve only opens when the pressure has built up. This made me think it was maybe designed to do that :question: I should get some of the Marlin grease and give it another go .. only I can't imagine the valve thinking .. yes, Marlin grease .. that's more like it. Any grease .. even Vaseline should at least worked initially.. until it dried out. I'll need the Marlin anyway to lube the seals in the lever cylinder when changing them over down the track. A Coffee Guru over on CS prefers to use a Teflon dry grease that he gets from a bicycle shop. little - Do you currently use a PV Lusso or did you have one once? What machine are you using now .. and how does it compare to the Lusso? What are the differences in the cup that you have noticed? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I've bean using your 'polish only' tamp method for several months now .. and works a treat :thumb: mycuppa Kenya and Indian Tiger Mountain single origins have bean a nice drop .. I'd rate my coffees on average 9.15/10 I'd say the slightly lower score is due to using a 30ml shot, single basket - in a std cup (up from 20ml) and 40ml double in a mug. The more diluted shots add that last part of the extraction which also includes the 'Yukky factor' into the mix. I guess I've ended up with the longer shots because the pour has bean too fast .. and has taken a while to get the grind right by small increments to grind finer each time. I'm yet to determine whether a slightly longer .. or shorter pour is better. I've favoured slightly longer in the past .. yet have had better at times from a 20 sec pour.

Lacehim

You've changed your tamping style so which is why your pours have changed. Grind finer and you should be ok, but keep the dose the same.

Moon

After little round Man first suggested the 'polish only' tamp .. I tried it without all that much success. I then tried a series of light to medium tamps but without much luck there either .. decided to go back to the polish only .. and yeah, took others advice to keep the tamp constant and focussed on changing the grind. I was weighing the dose .. so that was also a constant once working out what weight to use for the dose. I found that different beans required a different dose. Over the last few months I haven't bothered to weigh the dose .. as I can guess pretty well where the level should be. I polish only tamp when basket is 2/3 full and again when full .. and to get up to around 3mm from the top of the rim of the basket .. add a little more and polish for the 3rd time. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- i had a std cup latte (single basket) using the Indian Tiger Mountain beans today where I dropped the shot volume back to around 25ml. Much nicer .. rating a 9.2/10

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