Londinium I Lever Espresso Machine

Beanz · October 2012

Hi Reiss Great to see the Londinium prototype getting closer to the final production model. I was wondering if you could add some information regarding the water tank. Is it fixed or can it easily be removed for cleaning like the tank in the Giotto ? Is the top of the tank open or is it a narrow opening at the top for filling ? Just considering filling logistics in the space I have available. I recall when I was looking at machines in the past some gave excellent access and others were rather fiddly to fill. I note that it appears the on/off switch is in close proximity to hot parts of the machine. Is this the final location or just the position on the prototype ? If final location was there a specific reason it was located in this position ?

Lacehim · October 2012

on 1349158481:

I note that it appears the on/off switch is in close proximity to hot parts of the machine. Is this the final location or just the position on the prototype ? If final location was there a specific reason it was located in this position ?

Well spotted. Looks like it will be between the steam tap and the group. Might be a bit ouchy when it's all warmed up!

lespresso · October 2012

hi beanz water tank - its remarkably similar to that found on the other Fracino machines

you can see the lid on the top of the machine - you just lift that up and you can pull the whole tank out to fill it away from the machine the switch gets warm where it is, but not hot it will be tested for surface temperature safety compliance, but at the moment I don't see it will need to be relocated the specific reason is there is very little room on the other side of the panel, once you consider that you want the switch as high as possible on the panel to keep it out of the water and steam, and you want it out of the way so you don't flick it off whilst using the machine, and you want it on the front face so the group protects it from damage whilst in transit reiss.

conikal · October 2012

Reiss, I dont like to criticize such a impressive project, but... Those shiny slotted flat drip tray covers look nice in the showroom but dont work well in practice. Water falling on them will splash around and also sit on the surface ( so you need to wipe the base of all cups after removing from the cover) , they stain with coffee, and look a mess once they have a few cup scratches. Fine mesh / grid stainless is much more functional and doesnt show the scratches.

lespresso · October 2012

i don't have a problem with that kind of criticism at all - its very constructive i dont necessarily disagree with you either, but let's see obviously a fabricated wire grill is the most practical, but I'm not that keen on the look and they tend to vibrate and rattle because the height of the feet are never quite the same - which drives me mad im not in favour of mesh, underneath the spot welding looks poor and the fine mesh tends to sag with repeated use punch plate stainless is done elsewhere and i think we need to bring our own look to the table the great thing about stainless plate is you can stick a buffing wheel on a drill, get some metal polish, and restore it to factory condition fairly easily but i don't deny that you have a valid point

Lacehim · October 2012

on 1349254765:

the switch gets warm where it is, but not hot it will be tested for surface temperature safety compliance, but at the moment I don't see it will need to be relocated

I wasn't worried about the switch, more about me putting my hand between a hot group, and a hot steam tap to turn the machine off after making a coffee.

(Edit: said handle, should have been hand. Doh!) I've had a number of machines with switches near the bottom and I've never had an electrical issue, or problem due to water/steam being in that area. Just saying.

on 1349270389:

Those shiny slotted flat drip tray covers look nice in the showroom but dont work well in practice.

Being different is okay, but being different for the sake of being different isn't always the right way. The lusso has the most useless drip tray ever. It has holes, but nothing goes into them because it sits on the top and pools. If the Londinium is going to have a 1.5lt drip tray, it needs to function, and stay looking nice. I don't want to be buffing it to make it look nice.

lespresso · October 2012

not sure i agree with the first bit i agree with the second bit. what i am saying above is that a good point has been raised and I will go away and digest it.

SniffCoffee · October 2012

Reiss Another question for you. If, after the boiler has come to pressure, you don't give the lever a quick pull to start the thermosiphon (and then wait 7-8 minutes), how long will it take for the thermosiphon to get going? The question is based purely on laziness. I like my machines on a timer so that I can get up and pull a shot straightaway and get my fix immediately, rather than having to wait for the group to stabilize. Sniff

lespresso · October 2012

sniff - an hour as soon as you have boiler pressure you need to kick start the siphon, as unlike on a dipper where the group is warmed by conduction by being bolted directly to the boiler, on a thermosiphon the group is effectively sitting outside in the cold, if you like i.e. there is no direct contact between the group and the boiler with a thermosiphon when you initiate the thermosiphon from cold it is working flat tack because the hot side - cold side differential is at its maximum, until the group gets up to temp and the temp of the water returning to the group warms up as less heat has been sucked out of it as the group is warmer, reducing the hot side - cold side differential and so the rate of flow slows reiss

conikal · October 2012

on 1349307602:

as soon as you have boiler pressure you need to kick start the siphon, reiss

?? why is this necessary ?. other thermosiphon heated groups..lever or E61.. the siphon starts itself ??

lespresso · October 2012

conikal the thermosiphon will start flowing by itself if you're not in a hurry, but you won't have this big group up to operating temp in 10-11 minutes from switch on unless you initiate it as soon as you have the boiler pressure to do so i don't think that is any different from the others is it? reiss.

Lacehim · October 2012

Would there be any issues pulling the lever when cold to activate the thermosyphon?. I was always told not to pull on the lever until it was properly warned up. If the seals are cold they could get damaged or wear prematurely. Also out of interest how are the group seals changed? Is it a big job? The lusso group needs a tool to do it quickly so you have to stuff about with clamps and the like.

lespresso · October 2012

a fair question - when you put the seals in you lube the seals & bore with a food grade silicone lube, so the seals are pretty well protected - they are not being drawn across bare metal changing the seals is a piece of you know what - 4 machine screws (hex/allen heads) & you're in just pull the the whole top half of the group gently upwards, give it a gentle twist if you need to, but you shouldn't have to the whole assembly slides out of the bore in one piece you can also gently push the shower screen off the bottom from the inside and replace the seal that holds it in place - also very easy take note of which way the open side of the seals face, and off you go - 20 minutes and you will have it all back together ensure the seals and all the running surfaces have a very thin film of silicone grease over them shouldn't be required more than every 3 years as an estimate no special tools required

lespresso · October 2012

The groups finally arrived today, along with the water taps So we stopped twiddling our thumbs and made up a couple of machines Here's the Luxe edition http://londiniumespresso.com/blogs/londinium-espresso-blog/6714510-londinium-i-luxe-edition-first-images Solid wooden grips will be with us on monday Grate for drip tray still needs to be look at following previous concerns raised on this blog

SniffCoffee · October 2012

Looking fantastic Reiss!! When you're looking at modifying the drip tray grill, is there any way you could make it so that the grill could be flipped so that when flipped it lowers to allow bigger cups under the group? James/Sniff

lespresso · October 2012

thanks man, its been a ball ache.

SniffCoffee · October 2012

I can imagine!! I think the HG One grinder and Luxe will match nicely, both in appearance and hopefully 'in the cup'!

lespresso · October 2012

yep, I'm after one of those HGOne grinders - will boot the Robur E out - completely unsuitable for our needs

SniffCoffee · October 2012

HG one are taking pre-orders now!

Ol Grumpy · October 2012

Luxe; Sooooo Glossyeeeeee

Ol Grumpy · October 2012

Luxe; Sooooo Glossyeeeeee

Ol Grumpy · October 2012

Hmmm, note to self Don't press send twice on iPhone

jimmytb · October 2012

on 1350076014:

Grate for drip tray still needs to be look at following previous concerns raised on this blog

The drip tray on the strega looks gorgeous, a repeating pattern with over 50% of the material cut out so something like that would be nice, from my limited experience with bezzeras the drip trays are easy to keep clean (flat) and drain really well

Kelsey · October 2012

As a Bezzera owner with a fairly deep drip tray I can confirm. Easy to clean and plenty of volume.

derrilex · October 2012

Not a patch on the 99's tray Kelsey :rofl:

conikal · October 2012

Well, ..it looks like there is no point in debating the relative merits of different drip tray covers, wood grain handles, or case colours, as Reiss has now decided to stop "diddling with the details" and is going to press on with getting the current "standard" spec L1 on a few customers benches. A smart move i think, or he could be wasting weeks /months second guessing every suggestion for changes. Plenty of opportunity for "upgrade" or "Custom" parts , down the road. ..Now,..when do those tax refunds come in ??

Lacehim · October 2012

Probably a good idea keeping it simple to start with. I wish Reiss all the best with the Londinium I. I couldn't wait any longer and just purchased a Quick Mill 0996 Achilles. The price was right, it had everything I wanted in a machine, and it's here in Australia so less hassle importing stuff myself.

Paolo5 · October 2012

on 1350458870:

I wish Reiss all the best with the Londinium I. I couldn't wait any longer and just purchased a Quick Mill 0996 Achilles. The price was right, it had everything I wanted in a machine, and it's here in Australia so less hassle importing stuff myself.

My perspective on the situation exactly.

lespresso · October 2012

LONDINIUM I on sale now http://londiniumespresso.com/products/londinium-i Luxe on sale very shortly, along with photographs, etc You might want to check out new improved shipping rates & times to Australia Thanks for all your support & encouragement with this project Kind regards Reiss.

Brett H · October 2012

Nicely done Reiss! Congratulations on the product coming to fruition. Where else can we see photos? LOTS of photos?? :coffee2:

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