bluebeardmcf

Macchinadelcaffe, big yes from me. This is my lovely at the office. Be sure to tell them which size you need, pre-millennium or new. It feels scary just wiring the money, but they are as honest as the wait may be long... Depending on what they have in stock. They told me before I ordered, to be fair, but I wanted to be at the head of the queue.

No, not... yet! TBH I've only used the Microcimbali a couple of dozen pleasant and uneventful times, because as @jimbojohn55 told me before I bought it (& demonstrated to me at the end of the lever day) there is still a problem of little bits of metal coming out when the boiler is emptied at the end of a session. I don't know yet whether that's coming from the boiler or from the sacrificial anode -so it is waiting for me to either source food-safe high temperature aluminium paint, or to anodise it, which is the current favourite. I've never attempted such a process and it holds a strange fascination for me ... when I do whatever I do I'll post some photos.

Some of you may want to shut your eyes, but my first coffee maker was a Krups. That's it, wash your eyes out. Fortunately a few months ago my brother asked if I minded him throwing it away while he was cleaning my mum's cupboards out. I looked it over. Single hole steamer tip, now on my Europicolla. My 2nd hand Professionale came with an attachment which slides on to the steamwand, tubes and a plastic block. I've hardly looked at it as I drink espressos... Though I should've brought it all home from the office because daughter is visiting & likes oatmilk lattés. Ho hum.

With my Pav I do this thing where I ½ lock the pf while beginning the pre-infusion, and tightening as I fully raise the lever. It's like ballet, and apparently decreases the chance of the puck splurging (I know, that's not a proper term either). A couple of times I've got it wrong. Just as messy, but less likely to cause injuries... well, chinjuries anyway. There, I've invented a new word. I'm glad you're ok, and that Ppapa is healing.

Bargain if you know anyone in chorley https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F123804638602

Everyone needs priorities.

Looking at the kitchen, it's a very good thing my missus is not on this forum. You may find this amusing and informative - many times over the last 40 years I have bought various rust eating chemicals and scrubbed for acheing toxic hours with wire brushes and wire wool - e.g. filled a petrol tank with grit and chemicals and strapped it to my cement mixer...

@nightslayer

@M_H_S You have a choice... I believe http://https://lamacchinadelcaffe.com/ricambi-la-pavoni-esperto.html are from La Pav, mine took a little while because they make them in batches. Be sure to order the right size for your machine's year.... Or I believe niche make a more finely engineered version.

I used mine to make my wife's first ever real coffee yesterday. She takes milk, so it was an adventure for me too. She smiled afterwards and said "that was lovely". Made my day.

If you want this let me know, I'm open to offers.

Many thanks @coffeechap & to all those who attended for making a very entertaining day, and of course to @mildredm because without my badge I would have been unrecognisable; @Thecatlinux for the lack of pyrotechnics; @Rhys for the photos, and to @RobW for saving me the task of clearing enough worktop. Thanks also to @lespresso for your amazing generosity, @Stevebee for improving my pre-infusion technique, Rave, & especially to @jimbojohn55, who ensured that I walked out with the best prize - the dedication and skill which you applied to restoring my new toy. I hope you won't be too upset to see the scuzzy conditions in which it now lives -one day I'll finish this house ... But then I'll have to tidy up so it won't be soon. This isn't the best shot I've made with it so far, perhaps because I'd left my beans at work with my Pav, so it's made with Monsoon Malabar medium/dark roasted in my popcorn maker literally minutes before -surprisingly pleasant. The Cyberman is mildly distressed at losing his temperature gauge, but I think he is far better placed on his new platform.

Grand day, many thanks to all... I hadn't enough coffee though so when I got back to my brother's house I continued to learn to play the microcimbali which will keep me awake for the forthcoming period. Extra thanks @jimbojohn55, beautiful work sir.

As a veteran of many journeys via flatbed, I feel your pain, tempered with happiness that you'll make it in any case. With luck my ancient veg burner will trundle to Rave tomorrow and I'll get to say a suitable hello. Many thanks for the appetising adventure of this avidly read thread. Phil, with a variegated mildly blue and fairly yellow beard this month.

Realistic offers?