Londinium I Lever Espresso Machine

Ol Grumpy · December 2013

I also took a few mins to have a read through the Londinium Blog and see what our mate Reiss has been up to. Still blowin his own trumpet nice and loud, but that's ok, it's his blog. I didn't go back too far, but far enough to pick up the ongoing and steady program of improvement to many of the niggles early adopters had expressed. The 'new' steam wand sounds very nice, I spose you've got that steaming milk nicely, eh? Then there's comments about various fit and finish improvements, drip trays, weld splatter, panel fit and finish, etc, etc. Timber handles.... All good stuff, IMO. The biggest news of all is the Londinium II which is the two group version of the machine- with a couple being installed in a cafe chain in the USA. And a Dual Fuel version. No surprise there, given that Fracino is the manufacturer and we've already seen our mate @rad putting one of these in his Kombi- coffee- wagon. Maybe we could get big 'g' to sponsor one... But I spose, it ain't no Izzo.....

galumay · December 2013

on 1386137091:

Maybe we could get big 'g' to sponsor one... But I spose, it ain't no Izzo.....

nice try!

Lacehim · December 2013

on 1386122377:

You will never go back after owning a big spring lever

Some of us do

Lacehim · December 2013

on 1386134101:

Is there any signs of issues with the Thermosyphon loop stalling or inconsistency between shots as reported on Home Barista?

Home barista is full of people that analyse the data to the nth degree. There is a PV lusso thread on HB about changing the seals on the group which went way off topic with engineers posting with graphs when all someone was trying to do was show a few other users how they did theirs. I would just ignore them personally and go about your business. In the end it's about the coffee in the cup, and the journey. Not about the numbers! If your worried about the thermosyphon stalling, just pull a flush after a shot.

Kelsey · December 2013

on 1386134101:

Wow.... That's terrific!! Nice work mate! Even better that you got a discount!!! What are the build quality differences between these newer versions and the older ones? Is there any signs of issues with the Thermosyphon loop stalling or inconsistency between shots as reported on Home Barista? That's an extraordinary delivery time. What hoops did you need to jump through for customs? Enjoy mate! :thumb:

The original version had a different frame and the panels were screwed on - fairly standard for domestic machines. There was an interim frame design that was sent out to four customers during a time when there was a big backlog and a lot of pressure to get machines out the door. That one *could* flex a little, but you had to really try to make it happen - it generally wouldn't under normal use. The new one has these double-layered panels with massive pop-on-pop-off bolts that mean that you can take off every panel except the front one with nothing more than a bread knife. And the frame is never going to flex. The TS stall issue was a pretty crazy thing, with dozens of people bending over backwards to find a solution. It turned out to be pretty simple. Without getting into the physics of the group, this will happen on any machine with this group in TS configuration, but it's usually prevented by something most people do naturally: a quick rinse of the PF under the group after the shot. I'm not massively inclined to go sticking probes all over it, but I may at some point just to get a sense of what my routine should be. As to customs: DHL gave me a number to call and the total of GST and customs fees due. Didn't even need to talk to a human, just put the waybill number into the keypad and my credit card details and it was done and cleared within an hour. Zero hassle.

on 1386137091:

I didn't go back too far, but far enough to pick up the ongoing and steady program of improvement to many of the niggles early adopters had expressed. The 'new' steam wand sounds very nice, I spose you've got that steaming milk nicely, eh? Then there's comments about various fit and finish improvements, drip trays, weld splatter, panel fit and finish, etc, etc. Timber handles.... All good stuff, IMO. The biggest news of all is the Londinium II which is the two group version of the machine- with a couple being installed in a cafe chain in the USA. And a Dual Fuel version.

Yeah, you know it's funny, I've read the blog daily for a long time. So when we switched over to my design it was massively weird to suddenly be reading that blog in the framework that I'd been working on for so long. But you're right - lots of nice incremental improvements, many of them available to early adopters. You really can't fault the current fit and finish. It's a thing of beauty, even the drip tray looks the goods. And yes - the steam power is enormous and the four-hole tip is a delight to use, although I'm still coming to grips with it. The two-group does look sensational.

on 1386139561:

Home barista is full of people that analyse the data to the nth degree. There is a PV lusso thread on HB about changing the seals on the group which went way off topic with engineers posting with graphs when all someone was trying to do was show a few other users how they did theirs. I would just ignore them personally and go about your business. In the end it's about the coffee in the cup, and the journey. Not about the numbers! If your worried about the thermosyphon stalling, just pull a flush after a shot.

:thumb: ::Edited to clarify a couple of points::

ash · December 2013

Well as one of the earlier adopters of the L-1 I'm still immensely satisfied with it. And for the price I paid and what I got, I'm VERY satisfied. Especially when you compare the retail now, compared to the retail when I bought it. Was it perfect out of the box? Not quite, there was a little ding in the drip tray, and I had an issue with an overfilled boiler (which hasn't come back

) Have there been improvements made to the machine I bought? Bound to have been, Reiss has been listening to those who have purchased the machine and suggested improvements. However, the only big change that would have an effect on me is the change in the steam wand (SWMBO likes her lattes :pan). The pop off panels and wenge handles look fantastic, but I'm still attached to my slightly 'industrial' look for the moment 8). I was almost tempted to get a set of the wenge handles, but loose change for those is a bit tight at the moment, so maybe derrilex will get a call for some custom jobbies in the future! The other change which Reiss has done to split the packaging over two boxes is good. This will eliminate the drip tray damage for sure! Hopefully both components arrive together for everyone. The whole 'thermosyphon stalling' issue has not occured with my machine, although I did put in a restrictor to slow the flow of hot water around the group up here (Townsville). I'm in two minds over that, but will give it a chance to prove itself this rainy season.

Kelsey · December 2013

Good point Ash - at today's exchange rate there's about $900 difference in machine cost, by the time you take into account gst that's probably $1000 saving for early adopters, who have functionally the same machine. I wouldn't have been disappointed with that.

Kelsey · December 2013

Quick note, adjusted my pstat today to compensate for the ambient temp here in QLD. Super easy procedure - pop off the top panel and the pstat box is right there. Pop off the lid with your fingers, grab a big flat-bladed screwdriver and adjust. Clockwise for higher, anti-clockwise for lower. Four turns equates to about a bar. Turned it down to just under 1.1 and popped the lid and panel back on. 'Twas late in the day, so didn't try it out on the new setting. Will find out tomorrow.

Kelsey · December 2013

Worked well, shots are great, steam power is slightly down, but that probably makes it a bit more manageable. Had a Dutch guy over today who is extremely particular about his coffee ("The Dutch brought coffee to the western world, Italians have no idea what they're doing", etc, etc). He generally doesn't drink coffee in other people's homes as it's regularly revolting. Of course, he saw the lever and changed his mind. After drinking a cup he's now thinking about getting the plumbed in model. :D

Lacehim · December 2013

Wow, went to visit Kesley today and had a few coffees out of his L1. The lever is much easier to pull than the achilles. Build quality looks better from the outside. Steam taps/HW seem easy to use, and the HW is much more controllable. Kelsey nailed the pour and only with a coffee a few days old! Love it. Now if only santa could bring me one! Please santa, please! I've been a good boy! Stable treat was the coffee we had (fresh but nothing else in Kelseys cupboard) and we got some nice flavours when paired with the Breville. This grinder surprises me every day! The only thing I will say is being so damn tall I would have it up higher. Kitchen bench height is too low! Get it up to 1100mm and it will be much easier to use!

Handles were lovely, nice feel and nice shape.

QM0996 · January 2014

on 1386322043:

Worked well, shots are great, steam power is slightly down, but that probably makes it a bit more manageable. Had a Dutch guy over today who is extremely particular about his coffee ("The Dutch brought coffee to the western world, Italians have no idea what they're doing", etc, etc). He generally doesn't drink coffee in other people's homes as it's regularly revolting. Of course, he saw the lever and changed his mind. After drinking a cup he's now thinking about getting the plumbed in model. :D

Well I can only hope that you did not use the beans you ground for me :pan Must say I like the look on the bench for the Home Vs the Quick Mill 0996. Love the hot water spout and the levers etc. Must say that KK's and yours both have a lighter pull than the QM0996 Mind you the L1 and the QM0996 have silly drip trays; if not plumbed in... A 3 way shoot out is needed at some stage... And as the QM0996 is the largest and heaviest, you guys will have to come here. Mind you, I think they all have some significant pros and cons and it comes back to personal likes and dislikes and the functionality requires / space and who is using. I would say that the cup from any is great... But what suites one, may not suit another. NOTE: Only true lever owners will be allowed on site :rofl:

Lacehim · January 2014

What about ex lever owners? :pan :stir

Brett H · January 2014

And toy levers such as Pavonii??

Ol Grumpy · January 2014

What about little levers you wind around and around??? : huh

QM0996 · January 2014

So I am to assume that there could be some level of interest... We need to chat and get something sorted and fix a date... I should also do some more work on the two group and get it operational as well, but work area is crowded and way to hot at the moment... Should have in a public place and do a FB party.... Must let the police know first... Must check the local park out and see if power might be available... And or some builder type person with a quite genny could pop along :-)

Kelsey · March 2014

Yep, I'd be interested!

sctsprin · March 2014

Me too

QM0996 · March 2014

Once the HotTop owner gets over the shock of having a working systems; he will be back and available in about 4 to 5 weeks. So if some one wants to start a poll or kick off with possible dates; feel free.

Koffee_Kosmo · March 2014

The Strega is easy to move if care is taken - so should travel OK

Brett H · March 2014

The Pavoni has had a cord replaced and a complete seal kit rebuild thanks to Mark and Coffeeparts and is raring and ready to go.

Brett H · March 2014

It's a lever :P

C-man · March 2014

I'd like to see this happen, where whoud this be? Lets see, I got a Presso that's a lever I could help out with grinder duties and bring the HG one

sctsprin · March 2014

Yeah my l1 is plumbed but i could bring my hg1 and a rossa air if i have it by then

QM0996 · March 2014

on 1394091779:

Yeah my l1 is plumbed but i could bring my hg1 and a rossa air if i have it by then

Look, bring the L1 and you can take back the QM0996 for a week or two :thumb:

sctsprin · March 2014

we'll see, kelsey has a newer L1 anyway

Kelsey · March 2014

Somebody should sure bring an HG-1 - I'm really keen to see it in action.

sctsprin · March 2014

and an ek43 :P

Kelsey · March 2014

Now the EK43 I see in action a few times a week at Lamkin Lane. I really need to sort out a time to take the L1 into Lamkin for us to have a play.

sctsprin · March 2014

now that i'd like to see, and taste

Kelsey · March 2014

If I ever get to organise it, I'll let you know!

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