Yeah the decision to go with the Compak K3-Touch was entirely based around the package deal I received from Z-Cafe. It's a tremendous improvement over the rocky I'm used to. I now realize hoe much the Rocky throws the grinds to the right when dosing, also there almost seams to be like a static charge when I use the Rocky. The K3 so far is a real treat, especially with the dose timer and micro adjustments.
I have yet to become one with my Brewtus but already I'm getting much better shots than the Mini Vivaldi. I have never experienced such syrupy shots like I'm getting on this baby. The steaming is definitely the item I need to improve on the Brewtus. I've seen alot of post regarding the single hole steam tip, however my machine arrived with a two hole tip. I'm SOOO impressed with the no burn steam wand that I can't complain, I just need to learn the new machine I think. I literally have gone through 2 pounds of coffee since installing my machine yesterday!!! haha. On another note, does anyone have a manual or any instructions on the PID? I'm curious as to what additional functionality it has. Has anyone successfully increased the pressure of their steam boiler? On Jun 6, 9:22 am, mariowar <[email protected]> wrote: > BigPappa, congratuations. > > I have the Brewtus III Vibe along with the MACAP4 and I have been > smiling night and day since December. > > At that time I was between the Mini Vivaldi and this machine. > > You say that the steam power is not as great as the one that comes > from the Mini. However, don't you think it is easier to achieve > microfoam with 6 ounces of milk? > > Why didn't you get a Mini . Was it something that you wanted to > improve? > > How would you compare the shots pulled with both machines? > > On Jun 6, 4:47 am, BigPappaG <[email protected]> wrote: > > > Well today is day one of my upgrade from a 4 year old starbucks > > barista to my brand shiny new Brewtus III-R with Compak K-3 touch. At > > my office we enjoy a La Spaziale mini vivaldi S1 and I had been trying > > to attain something close at home by mod'ing my barista, haha I > > know..waste of time right? well I finally bucked up and am completely > > blown away by the Brewtus III-R. Exceeding expectations is the > > understatement of the year! > > > After a GONG show of staring at the plumbing isle of Home Depot trying > > to find the right fittings to put everything together I have finally > > arrived at a Softened, Filtered, Regulated water source. I heeded > > advice found here and all over the web by utilizing a smooth drain > > hose instead of the ribbed one supplied. A slight bend in that tiny > > drain spout lined it up with the drain pan hole. > > > A few sink bound shots to get the grinder dialed and HOT DAMN!!! it's > > now 3:19AM and here I am...wide awake and lovin' Brewtus!! The Compak > > is also a noticeable improvement over the Rancilio rocky I use at > > work. > > > I live in Canada and purchased the kit from Z-Cafe which included the > > B-III-R, K3-Touch, softener-filtration system, and a few other little > > bits and pieces. I would ABSOLUTELY recommend Z-Cafe to anyone in > > Canada looking for espresso gear and AMAZING customer service. These > > guys gave me great advice, a great deal, free FEDEX > > shipping...AWESOME!! > > > Now I must admit that the steaming ability is far less than the mini > > Vivaldi, but this was already a well documented issue regarding the > > Brewtus, and I think I read somewhere that adjustments CAN be made to > > the steam boiler pressure to give'er a little boost. I'll need to geek > > out a little more on this topic. > > > I'm definitely looking forward to a long and loving relationship with > > this machine.... > > > On Apr 29, 11:11 am, arcangel6 <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > Hi, > > > > I was wondering if owners of the Brewtus III-Rotary or III-Vibratory > > > had any comments or impressions about the machine after having used > > > it. I own a III-R and have to admit the machine really exceeded my > > > expectations. Of course a decent grinder goes a long way in making the > > > experience. I should add that the first machine I got from WLL had a > > > leak in the brew boiler; however, the stellar attention and resolution > > > I received from Todd S at WLL made the experience almost painless. > > > They promptly replaced the machine as I have mentioned in a previous > > > post. My hat is off to Todd and WLL. > > > > This was a BIG step up for me from a Gaggia Coffee Classic w/ ESE > > > Pods. It was a much smoother transition than I was expecting. My > > > thoughts in brief, this machine like many in its class is built like a > > > TANK! I have been inside the machine and found it very well > > > constructed and laid out. The insulated dual copper boilers were > > > impressive. > > > > I found the temperature control, from the electronics to the double > > > boiler configuration was exactly what I expected. Making multiple > > > shots for guests was no problem at all. Shot to shot temperature > > > consistency was wonderful. The precise temp control also made > > > 'tweaking' different blends a pleasant experience. The Brewtus III-R > > > plus the use of an Espro tamper with a bottomless portafilter and > > > triple basket helped me get past some of the initial issues that > > > someone with my lack of experience might have. > > > > It is worth noting that I resisted the idea of plumbing in a machine > > > for sooooo long but now could not imagine using it without it plumbed > > > in. I setup a commercial grade water softener system from Chris Coffee > > > since I live in an area with some of the hardest water in the USA. > > > Chris was extremely helpful as well. Yes, the filtration system > > > requires some upkeep and expenditure but not having to worry about > > > constantly refilling my system…..all I can say is ahhhh! > > > > The rotary pump is probably my favorite aspect of the machine because > > > it is so quiet. I am sure the III-V can produce equally good coffee as > > > the III-R. In fact, almost any machine can produce great coffee given > > > the right bean, grinder, grind, etc. However, the near whisper quiet > > > functioning of the rotary pump really put this machine over the top > > > for me......yes, it is love! > > > > As for drawbacks of the III-R, I would say the drip pan design could > > > be improved but I can live with it. I think better drain hose > > > positioning in my setup could help prevent the occasional overflow > > > from the plastic bowl beneath the pan but it is the best I can do > > > given the space. In addition, the ribbed plastic drain tube can harbor > > > LOTS of grinds. However, that can easily be changed. > > > > Another minor issue is a little drain port that exits the machine just > > > below the backflush port of the E61 group. When the machine arrived > > > the port was dripping water onto the top tray and missing the 'hole'. > > > It was a simple fix. I carefully bent the spout out slightly so the > > > port was now dripping into the cut out in the top tray. > > > > In retrospect, if I had to do it all over again I would definitely buy > > > this machine again. I'd love to hear from other Brewtus III owners. > > > > Regards, > > > > Joe- Hide quoted text - > > > - Show quoted text - --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Brewtus" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/brewtus?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
