Small Batch LTD Edition La Marzocco Espresso Tampers
http://www.espressoparts.com/30COMP_LM
Small Batch La Marzocco Tamp Handles, originally uploaded by Espressoparts.
http://www.espressoparts.com/30EP5_LM
La Marzocco Espresso Tampers – LTD Edition EP5 – Small Batch, originally uploaded by Espressoparts.
Our custom made La Marzocco Espresso Tampers come with a polished 58mm convex Espresso Parts tamper piston and blingy hi-polished brass bezel. The handles are engraved with our ever popular gun grip inset with the LM Lion and engraved on top is the La Marzocco diamond logo. These tampers, the Compressore version shown here, is available in 3 different wood variety options. These are limited edition as the title suggests so order fast.
F-Line La Marzocco Build
We posted a few more pictures of F-Line’s La Marzocco espresso machine build.
We got something new in to restore!
It isn’t exactly new but if it was would it need restoring? Follow the image link to see the guys unwrapping our latest La Marzocco acquisition.
We also advocate a pro-active fixed cost maintenance schedule, as opposed to a re-active emergency increased cost maintenance schedule.
EP took a survey that asked a simple question to address the topic at hand.
Do you change your group gasket and portafilter basket at the same time? How Often?
The numbers that came in, were a little concerning. To help drive home the importance of maintenance schedules, the results are shared below:
Let’s start with taste: Build up of coffee oils around the gasket can adversely affect your espresso’s flavor.Preventive maintenance: Over time your gaskets can become “baked” in place making them difficult to replace at best.Changing the gasket, screen, and basket together: Over time the mating surface and bottom of the portafilter basket will inevitably wear. By the time symptoms like leaking portafilters become noticeable you have may have a bigger problem on your hands. Basket replacement suddenly becomes critical and expedited shipping charges may have to be paid to get the new portafilter baskets quickly. Your new $7-12 portafilter basket just cost you $40 or so. Don’t let it happen to you.
We have Basic Espresso Machine Group Maintenance tutorial and a host of others in our Espresso/Coffee Tutorial section.
Below you’ll find group gaskets, portafilter baskets, group screens, and even some kits that contain all you need to perform your next group maintenance.
Espresso Machine Cleaning Products – View Full List
 EP_CLEANKIT_DELUXE
Price: $57.69
Sale: $49.95 |
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$9.18
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Price: $14.99
Sale: $10.50 |
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$7.76
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$8.98
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Price: $24.17
Sale: $16.50 |
Espresso Machine Group Rebuild Kits – View Full List
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$20.57
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$17.41
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$14.27
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As of the last 2 weeks or so you may or may not have noticed that we have added just about anything Hario V60 related you could ever want or need in the Espresso Parts’ Artisan Coffee Brewers section. Hario V60 Coffee Drippers in Glass, Ceramic, and Plastic. We have both Hario Filter 100 packs in both Natural and White. And if you are going to brew properly you gotta have the Hario Buono V60 Kettle. If you find yourself on the go constantly you might also be interested in the Hario Skerton Ceramic Coffee Mill or the Hario Slim Ceramic Coffee Mill.
Enjoy and brew responsibly…
Kees van der Westen
As part of our trip to Holland we set up a day of visits to two locations that were “must see” destinations. So off we went to the Amsterdam Central station, and onward to Eindhoven, where we were to met our friend Kees. Fortunately when we arrived Kees was on the platform waiting for us. When we walked down to his car, we all piled into an awesome 1962 Cadillac! I love this guy, and his style.
Sometimes hard work pays off. Success, is something that I think we all strive for, and at the same time that success can be the thing that keeps us from doing what we do best. I was reminded of that on a recent vist to see the workshop and espresso machines of Kees van der Westen. 20 years ago Kees, started design studies of espresso machines. Noting that they were basically boxes, Kess set of to create a look and style that is very distinctive, and recognizable. Many of his first machines were one off designs, that were commissioned pieces. Kent Bakke of La Marzocco USA, has a few machines in his collection, that Kees built, and they are very unique.
Eventually, the relationship with La Marzocco and Kent, turned into an opportunity to build the Mistral machine based on La Marzocco internals. This of course lead to the production La Marzocco Mistral as we know it today.
During this time Kees had developed a machine called the Speedster, and it was also based on La Marzocco parts. It utilized the GS series paddle group, and looks like it’s going 250 mph. Also being produced is the Mirage, which I always thought was just another E61 brew group machine. I was amazed as Kees went on to explain that he has the group built to his specifications, and while it looks like an E61, thats where the comparison ends. A brilliant bit of engineering keep the thermosyphon moving which of course provides better temperature stability. The Mirage was a surprise, as it is far more advanced that I had assumed, but I guess I should have expected it as well.
The workshop itself is fantastic, with areas set up for each assembly function. Super organized and again, really an inspiration. The rest of our visit with Kees was a delight and we really can’t say thanks enough for the hospitality.
Next Stop….. Den Haag
La Marzocco in London
Traveling abroad is always fun, but when you get to see all of your coffee friends in one place it is always that much better. This past week we attended the Caffe Culture event and World Barista Competition in London England. One of the features of the Caffe Culture show was the London Debut of the La Marzocco Strada Espresso Machine. This new machine is the result of many years of research and the hard work of many people at La Marzocco, so it was especially nice to be on hand to witness Kent Bakke’ presentation of the Strada. We at Espressoparts are super proud of La Marzocco, and the people involved there. Here are a few photos that highlight the booth, The Strada, and Kent’s presentation.
The Bramah Coffee Museum – London England
So, have you ever wanted to go some place, and then when you finally get a chance it was way different than you thought it would be?
Think Chevy Chase and Wally World.
Well this was the case, when we went to the The Bramah Museum of Coffee and Tea. We had spent the afternoon at the Tate Modern Art Museum, and wanted to end the day at the coffee museum. So we busted out the map and between the four of us, we managed to point ourselves the direction of the museum. The instructions were:
London Bridge, on the Jubilee Line and Northern Line, only three minutes away.
Important:
From the platform level take the escalator marked ‘Borough High Street’ which leads into Southwark Street. Walk past the Southwark Tavern pub, the Hop Exchange under the bridge and we are on the right.
So, we walked past the Southwark Tavern, the Hop exchange, under the bridge and kept looking right. We walked past 38 Southwark, and then 42 Southwark, and there right in the middle was 40 Sothwark, and a really cool Hardware store.
Thinking this might be some sort of Harry Potterish type porthole, I entered and asked where the Museum was.
Me: Can you tell me where the Coffee Museum is?
Harware Guy: Prolly in boxes mate, the place closed three years ago, seems the old fellow past on.
Seriously, so there you have it. What would have been a cool story on the museum has been reduced to a story about how we never found it, because it is closed. The website is still up ansd nobody seems willing to take it down. So, just as an FYI don’t go looking for the The Bramah Coffee Museum cause it is closed.
Off to London for the WBC
Well, this year we are off to London for the World Barista Championship ( WBC ). Looking forward to an awesome visit to London, where we hope to visit the sites of London as well as Coffee Bars. The WBC event is part of the larger event Caffe Culture . This event is much like the SCAA event that was just held in Anaheim California.
Traveling on this trip is the Z Family, as Sean Z has just graduated from High School, and Sara was able to get a few weeks off from her Barista shifts at The Red E Cafe in Portland Oregon. It will be great to have the family together for this trip, as Sean starts college in the Fall, and Sara is on her own new Journey.
I will update the blog with news and information about the London Coffee Scene as well as information pertaining to Caffe Culture and the WBC. I would recommend that while I will be in attendance, the best source of info on the WBC should be found at the WBC Website, where live video should be available.
Espressoparts is proud to be a sponsor of the WBC Brew Bar and competitor T shirts. We look forward to seeing all of our coffee friends over the next few weeks!
Hiroshi’s Streamer Coffee Company
Check out their Flickr here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/streamercoffee/
Streamer Coffee Company website is here: http://www.streamercoffee.com/
