Coffee Appreciation

http://www.espressoservices.co.uk/la_pavoni_spare_parts_2.html

Cheers, I'd be interested in how you get on with the new piston.

Brass piston- interesting, where did you order the parts from?

This was the scale I found in mine when I took it apart Christmas 2012.

Do you have manicures, Dammit? Such neat nails are rare on a man, even rarer on a male cyclist.

Mine aren't exactly in tip-top condition, mind.

Regarding buying commercial machines, I'd never buy another which I couldn't confirm had either been used with soft water or had been regularly descaled.

Others might - some people are willing to work on them.

I had 0 scale in mine, bit of blackness on the element and near the top of the boiler. I think the seal around the plastic boiler mount has perished/gone manky but you need a $95 tool to remove the mount.

Any recommendations for a decent cup (and maybe a sandwich) in/ near Canary Wharf?
Added bonus if they sell coffee beans too.

I ended up ordering this
http://www.bellabarista.co.uk/espresso-machines/plumbed-and-internal-tank/package-deal-giotto-evoluzione-v2-eureka-mignon-mk2-matt-black.html
I'll set the grind size and timing so people just have to push a button to get the right amount in the porta filer then turn on the machine with the handle.

So this arrived today. I was really impressed with Bella Barista, I called them up and the woman was telling me how they don't have anything in stock on their website that they don't actually have in stock, and they test all the machines before sending them out. Also it was £18 for next day delivery for a large heavy box.
I'm equally impressed with the Rocket and Eureka. Both feel really good quality and getting things like a tamper with it was nice.

even though there's probably better machines for the money I would love a rocket.

I had 0 scale in mine, bit of blackness on the element and near the top of the boiler. I think the seal around the plastic boiler mount has perished/gone manky but you need a $95 tool to remove the mount.

Really? I took mine totally apart (from memory) with a socket set and some spanners.

My machine is like this ^

The black plastic ring needs what is essentially a massive pin spanner that fits in the lugs. A coffee website in the US got some made out of a big piece of pipe with little pins welded to it.

Older machines have a brass mount that attaches to the base with 3 screws.
Like this

IIRC, if you're lucky, you can smack that ring off which a screwdriver and hammer. A bit like we used to do with cup-and-cone bottom bracket shells.

I think I may have issues; I bought a Gaggia Achille which is a heat exchanger boiler, lever machine. I already own an Expobar commercial machine, and the kitchen is tiny.

Any recommendations for a decent cup (and maybe a sandwich) in/ near Canary Wharf?
Added bonus if they sell coffee beans too.
Taylor St know their coffee: http://www.taylor-st.com/locations/canary-wharf

It's the best place I know of round there, by a long stretch.

YourAmericanLover might know of others...

There coffee is nice but they take such a long time to make it.

^ Their

(Mainly because Alex will send her cats to kill you if she sees it!)

Porlex for aero press - 2 clicks from finest?

^ coarser

^ Their

(Mainly because Alex will send her cats to kill you if she sees it!)
Haha!

Not tried the Taylor St, but when I worked there (when there was only chains), the best coffee without fail was from Krispy Kreme.

Having just looked at their website that actually looks quite plausible.

"Krispy Kreme blend of Arabica & Robusta beans are responsibly sourced and we freshly grind our beans in-store everyday."

I do find it a shame/weird that some of the most affluent areas and high streets in London (Chelsea, Kensington, Fulham, Putney, Westminster, Canary Wharf etc.) have a squillion coffee chains but very few independents. Yet in Shoreditch, Dalston, Hackney and Soho you're literally spoilt for choice.*

*Obvious observation is obvious.

My machine is like this ^

The black plastic ring needs what is essentially a massive pin spanner that fits in the lugs. A coffee website in the US got some made out of a big piece of pipe with little pins welded to it.

Older machines have a brass mount that attaches to the base with 3 screws.
Like this

What is the width of the plastic wheel?

even though there's probably better machines for the money I would love a rocket.

if buying new I really don't think you can get better for your money

http://www.geargrinder.co.uk

I thought this was a joke but those two guys are actually real.

Still a joke.

http://publicdomainreview.org/2013/08/07/the-lost-world-of-the-london-coffeehouse/

Apparently the coffee that was served in those places was shit back then; so, better coffee equals bland discourse?