The magic of lever machines: The Slim Jim Idrocompresso explained

[@ThePlayahans]

Stunning! A single group model would be my dream-machine

[@AndeyKurniawan]

its called a salvatore lever

[@rpok0124]

The spiritello is your answer

[@chasvonplatten1298]

The Nurri approaches this in a single group dual boiler leva with a pressure release similar. Get out your checkbook though.

[@dparad22]

This is the first machine I have ever seen with zero compromises. I'd even pair it with the Mahlkonig GBW grinder used here as my dream setup for a coffee shop.

[@philpryor3152]

I can confirm after several months of use as a very lucky home user, it is a joy and produces amazing and consistent results. I have a 2 group and pair each group with a different single dose grinder/burr type so I can optimise for the bean. The group temp set (it changes and stabilises so fast in the head), stability and sub 5 min warm up from eco is a game changer for me with a lever to manage light roasted and highly processed coffee effectively and get the best out of espresso. The cut off is also perfect for me as I drink ristretto so I always had to pull the shot and wait. Of course yes it is not cheap but it will outlast me!

[@FlavorTrends]

All he said, I totally agree and am positive; we have had this model for three months now; we used this model of Slim Jim three weeks ago in a four days event with two group heads, under 98C we pulled almost 900 full 1:2 ratio espresso shots, pre-set and semi-manual, every single image is set as we want for the output, all automated build is 100% reliable. I can make an endorsement with the quality build.

[@FRynja]

Yeah, love to see this Lever Idrocompresso group on a Speedster!!

[@andrewpiper2880]

Please make a single for home use..!! Nice video..wel done.

[@Rick9482]

A terrific presentation! The folks that designed all those updated features should be recognized.

[@Koempel86]

dit was voor mij liefde op het eerste gezicht ondanks mijn begin in de barista wereld. ik hou van de oldskool en dat is waarom deze machine niet uit mijn hoofd gaat als ideale machine. ouderwetse manier met moderne techniek!

[@neilanderson4686]

Hi Oli, I fitted one of the first Slim Jim idrocompressos in the UK in my customer’s kitchen on the hottest day of the year.and celebrated with the most perfect espresso I’ve ever had. I’ve always loved the Idrocompresso but this is the ultimate. Great video! Cheers Coffeerepairguy ☕️🔧👊

[@philpryor3152]

And a great job you did too, it was hot!

[@MacawAviculture]

After using a Rancilio commercial machine in my home since 2016, after a few years a variety of problems developed that required skilled repair techs that are not easy to find where I live. After getting the machine repaired it was sold to a friend and he loves it. A year ago I decided to buy a Profitec Pro 800 lever machine and it is simple, well made, and has very few electronics. After using a lever machine, I would never return to any other machine.

[@davidhunternyc1]

Kees van der Westen sits at the apex of espresso machine art. The problem is that many of us will never have one. Yes, the expense is one thing but if espresso is your passion there is a way. The problem is that many of us live in rental apartments and houses and are not allowed to plumb in espresso machines. We must use water reservoirs, which are usually made from plastic. This is why, for the home barista, the Olympia Cremina is still King. If Kees van der Westen made a single group Slim Jim Indrocompresso with an optional ceramic or borosilicate glass water reservoir, it would be a game changer for many of us. Better yet, I would love to see a lever on a Speedster. It's just 11 days before before Christmas. I've still got time to hop on the subway, go to Macy's, and see Santa.... I've been good this year.

[@philpryor3152]

Unfortunately you would need a completely different chassis to stabilise it , but this machine also has some technical changes internally to make it more temp stable that would not translate to a speedster and be difficult in a single group.

[@davidhunternyc1]

@@philpryor3152 Thank you for the clarification. The lust, however, is still there for Kees van der Westen to make a single group lever machine with a water reservoir. I'm still going to ask Santa. It doesn't hurt.

[@philpryor3152]

Totally agree, I assure you I asked a lot for the same present🙏🏻

[@davidhunternyc1]

@@philpryor3152 🎄

[@philpryor3152]

@@davidhunternyc1 fortunately I got myself a 2 Group Idrocompresso so Santa did come 😁

[@gregoryrobak456]

Any plans for a single group version of this machine? Thank you!

[@TheSaNiOnE]

Yes please answer him 😥

[@sotirioszois9598]

What an amazing lever machine you guys engineered!! Well done

[@ThulinMartin]

Imagine a speedster with this technology. Very impressive and beautiful machine.

[@catherinegalbraith6786]

Excellent short every time cool 😅

[@loriosterweil982]

I have the Cafelat Robot and paired it with the Niche Zero. It makes me happy.

[@samueldeguise3118]

Its like the ACS Nurri Leva but for commercial use. Very Nice machine !!! And good video

[@BensCoffeeRants]

You still get a little bit of a diminishing pressure with a pump machine since your coffee bed / puck degrades as the coffee is extracted, you can tell easily by observing the increase of the flow rate of coffee out (but also even easier if you have a group pressure gauge!). I think the main benefit of a lever machine is the control you have, as well as the easy pre-infusion which probably makes the most dramatic difference, especially with a nice modern light roast.

[@isnerdy]

Typically on pump machines, they will use pumps rated for anywhere from 11 to 15 bar (or sometimes even higher) and then follow that with an over pressure valve. The effect is that unless you have a machine that’s capable of profiling, the excess capacity of the pump combined with the OPV will result in more or less constant pressure at the puck, unless puck integrity completely fails and you get a massive channel. This is something that you can verify if your machine has a manometer. Flow restrictors can interfere with manometer readings, but unless you’re talking about a machine with a very high-flow pump, that’s probably not going to be an issue.

[@BensCoffeeRants]

@@isnerdy that might be the case on low end machines but my ECM Synchronika seems to be set around 10bar which can be adjusted. I see unless I grind too fine which I often do it will gradually lower to maybe 7 or 8. I usually stop my shots earlier though. I have flow control which gives some control so I don't usually let it do its own thing but I do notice it drops a bit.

[@isnerdy]

@@BensCoffeeRants The pressure at the puck doesn’t necessarily have any correlation to the pressure that the pump is capable of. That’s what the OPV valve takes care of. The pump could be pumping out 13 bar constantly, and if the OPV is set to 9 bar, any additional water over 9 bar is going either back into the reservoir, or into the drip tray, or down the drain, depending on the configuration of the machine. It’s actually not a bad thing to have a a pump with a higher pressure rating than needed - often those over-specced units last longer. But really the OPV is what determines the maximum pressure delivered to the puck, unless you’re doing pressure or flow profiling. The only reason you should ever see pressure declining on a pump machine when you’re not pulling a declining profile, is because of channeling.

[@BensCoffeeRants]

@@isnerdy I know. On my e61 machine I have a group pressure gauge it shows actual brew pressure or close to it anyway. I don't usually pay attention to the pump pressure. Also rotary pumps work a little differently and the pressure is adjusted right on the pump not with the opv.

[@isnerdy]

@@BensCoffeeRants On a rotary pump, what you're adjusting is the bypass valve - it's the same concept as adjusting the OPV on a machine with a vibratory pump, except that it's built into the pump rather than a separate part. The rotary pump runs at a constant speed and pumps a constant volume of water per second, regardless of the maximum pressure being allowed by the bypass valve. That still means that when there is less puck resistance, the flow rate through the valve to the boiler will increase automatically to maintain a specific pressure, up to the limit of any flow restrictors that may be in the water path after the pump.

[@olivero.7521]

Can you turn this into a 1-group head Maschine for home use? It fixes exactly why I don’t have a lever machine yet….

[@TheMartinChnnl]

Excellent!! But for next version I need one more feature: auto-flush (finish) shot at a certain timing or volume (weight) pre-defined for each group.

[@KeesvdWesten]

The Slim Jim Idrocompresso already has an automated flush, once you pull the small lever for a purge it stops automatically. Brew by weight is definitely something that we are looking into!

[@dmrar4292]

Will there be a Single Group Head model coming? I love this model and would be interested in a Single group. Happy New Year.

[@KeesvdWesten]

We've noted your request!

[@sebastianpiekarczyk1869]

Hallo, awesome machine ! Do you have one group machine in your offer ?

[@KeesvdWesten]

Hi Sebastian! The Speedster is our only 1 group machine, we don't offer a 1 group lever machine at the moment.

[@lkazanov]

Very nice, is it available in the USA? Probably single phase 240V? Any sanitation marks? NSF, etc?

[@커피매니아-j6q]

The piston seal and grease have always been a problem. I want to see the internal structure. Do I have to dance with the piston when replacing the seal?

[@KeesvdWesten]

Piston consists of 3 discs, which can easily be taken apart by loosening one central bolt. Replacing seals is piece of cake!

[@커피매니아-j6q]

@@KeesvdWesten oh! I get it you are a genius The odds of using this expensive machine before it dies are infinitely close to zero.

[@OKuusava]

For some, perhaps, I never had problems on seals or greasing on cma-group.

[@frex555]

Why is there no single group model for this?

[@CH-yp5by]

Wow if only they made a single lever machine for home ! Currently my grail machine in the Olympia Cremina but if there is a single version of this machine than my grail may possibly change.

[@luxemedigroup904]

do you have distributor in Australia?

[@kkvs1767]

As by many others, I would ask about your plans for a single head machine. Is the correlation between spring adjustment and pressure on the puck calculable? Does the machine have a single steam boiler for all group? (Great Machine, like all KVDW)

[@KeesvdWesten]

Hi! Lovely to read that you would be interested in a one group Idrocompresso, we have indeed noticed the requests ;) Probably, but the difficulty is the moving piston (constantly changing pressure) and back-pressure of the coffee puck. The old fashioned way to simply try and adjust seems to be the easy way! The Slim Jim Idrocompresso is a multiple boiler espresso machine, so it has one big steam boiler and a coffee boiler per group.

[@severinosimeone4074]

Still waiting for the Single lever version for home use.

[@josevaldiviavaldivia2116]

Donde consigo esa maquina

[@alexandrepakou3065]

Idrocompresso and spring lever mechanism, have you combined it in one or it's two separate mechanisms in the group head?

[@KeesvdWesten]

“Idrocompresso” is a term used on the early classic lever group machines. From the end of the forties and start of the fifties there obviously was a need to distinguish the new type of machines from the old steam-driven-extraction ones. We like to use it nowadays to recognize the magnificent rich Italian history of technical developments improving the espresso coffee. “Crema naturale” was another of these terms, as the new 9 bar extractions made possible by the strong springs created crema as we know it today. Our lever groups are direct descendants of these classic machines. We still use a large lever to pull up a piston with a strong spring on top, but tried to make life easier for the barista by eliminating the part of travel of the lever towards the barista, making spring pressure and infusion pressure adjustable, do away with the sneeze at end of extraction, make it possible to easily stop extraction at any moment and do a flush, have a shot timer and show actual pressure at the puck.

[@alexandrepakou3065]

@KeesvdWesten thanks for the answer! I guess i confused it with your idromatic mechanism, that is found on e.g. speedster. So, Slim Jim idrocompresso does not need an idromatic mechanism that measures preassure at the puck because it's spring lever, right?

[@norbertmeyer7704]

What a great espreso machine! Seems it really fixes all the prblems you could possibly have compared to a machine with a pump. But, question: Is there or will there be a single goup version?

[@KeesvdWesten]

Hi Nortbert! Thank you for your kind words. The Speedster is our only 1 group machine, unfortunately we don't offer a 1 group lever machine at the moment.

[@kevinhan721]

Does this machine come in 1 Group head for home use?

[@KeesvdWesten]

Yes, this is the Spiritello and will be officially launched in May at the WOC in Busan. Find out more here: keesvanderwesten.com/spiritello/

[@michaelwhitestone6457]

Is there a single leva home version of the Slim Jim?

[@KeesvdWesten]

Yes, next year at the WOC in Busan we will launch our brand new one group lever machine: the Spiritello: keesvanderwesten.com/spiritello/

[@knottymatt]

Hoping you guys are working on a digital profiling machine for the home, like the Decent or Sanremo You. That'd be amazing.

[@OKuusava]

-Who are these guys?

[@knottymatt]

@@OKuusava coffee machine superstars

[@BWKameradschaftUSA]

What’s pricing like ?

[@normrubio]

More than a house I'll bet

[@KeesvdWesten]

Hi Edgar! For more information about prices you can contact a local dealer ( keesvanderwesten.com/where/ ) or send us an email to [e-mail]

[@ersatemek9052]

Is there any way to visit you and have a tour? I'd love to be there, I live close by:)

[@KeesvdWesten]

You can always send us an email to [e-mail]

[@BobGP1]

Less copper and brass will drop the price. I love this piece of art would love to see a cheaper version. If i had the cash spare I would have one yesterday

[@jasongaoshang]

Take my money right now if you're making a single group model

[@back_to_the_bike8820]

How about a little lever-operated machine (like Londinium Vectis) for the home? (under 2000 euros)...

[@andreibordeianu]

No group manometer?

[@KeesvdWesten]

There is! All features are swiftly highlighted in this video of the Slim Jim Idrocompresso (00:30): kzbin.info/www/bejne/hX6claSfpN6Yia8

[@BARMSTR41]

Single group?

[@KeesvdWesten]

Definitely, the Spiritello is our single group lever machine. It will be launched at the World of Coffee in Busan 2024. keesvanderwesten.com/spiritello/

[@tburcgun]

Everything is very good, but how do we get it? It's expensive mate :)

[@KeesvdWesten]

Kees van der Westen 0 seconds ago Hi Teoman! For more information about prices and suchlike you can contact a local dealer ( keesvanderwesten.com/where/ ) or send us an email to [e-mail]

[@NANA-gy7yx]

How much is it?

[@KeesvdWesten]

For more information about prices and suchlike you can contact a local dealer ( keesvanderwesten.com/where/ ) or send us an email to [e-mail]

[@TheHabadababa]

Any specialty shops in Amsterdam using this machine? Im going next week and while I know of some fantastic roasters there I'm always disappointed with coffee shop espresso because I get better espresso at home from my la Pavoni. Levers are just better at making great espresso, sweetness body and balance just doesn't compare on even the most expensive 9bar pump machines pre infusion or not.

[@KeesvdWesten]

Thank you for your enthusiasm! There's no Slim Jim Idrocompresso in Amsterdam, of that we know of. There is one in Eindhoven though: Denf Coffee: www.denfcoffee.nl/

[@josevaldiviavaldivia2116]

Cuanto vale esa máquina está hermosa

[@PhiKK]

We have a spirit duette in our shop, come up with something to let us upgrade to something similar to this.

[@KeesvdWesten]

What about the Idro-Matic: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5CyfIWGn5uimbs

[@timo7641]

can Slim Jim Idrocompresso pull a Blooming Shot?

[@andreasr6632]

Yes but people buy the lever machines preciselly because they want to have manual control over the lever and the pressure profile of their extractions. Doesn't the locking feature negate exactly that characteristic? When the release lever is pulled the group head lever returns in its position very fast to alllow any diversification of pressure in the final stage of the extraction.

[@KeesvdWesten]

Thank you for your reply! Our lever group functions exactly like the old classic spring-driven lever groups. On the old type machines the locking of the lever (piston all the way up, water entering the brew chamber and infusing the coffee puck) is accomplished by pulling it over its central pivoting point. The piston is already at its highest position with that lever half-way. The rest of the travel of the lever is only to get it locked. We simply developed a different locking system that functions at the point where the piston already reaches its high position, eliminating the dangerous lower range of lever travel.The locking of the lever has no different effects, compared to the classic spring driven lever groups. The relief lever is only to be used when you want to stop the extraction process before the big lever hits home. For example because the coffee is blonding or anything else that seems wrong. On classic machines you can`t do much other than pull away the cup and/or start wrestling with the big lever. With a spring loaded lever group there really is not much manual control as far as extraction goes. You may push a bit against the lever or hold it to slow it down when it moves, but that will not result in consistent shots in an espresso bar. It is the declining pressure of the spring that offers the desirable profile. Of course the barista can adjust the time and pressure of the infusion, which is important. On our machines also the spring pressure can be adjusted. The infamous sneeze at end of extraction is eliminated by an automatically activated solenoid.

[@faisalgill4100]

I own a profitec pro 800 and indeed the lever breaking my jaw is a nightmare of mine

[@davidp605]

If i won the lottery there’d be signs

[@joewhittle801]

💯 Other people who win the lottery- cars and boats Me, if I won- A kitchen with coffee station and high end machinery like this beauty

[@rbohamor8525]

Its now practice

[@roberteisenbach624]

Stealing some features from ACS 🤔 but a very interesting machine.

[@KeesvdWesten]

The Slim Jim Idrocompresso was introduced on the World of Coffee fair in Amsterdam 2018, it only took a while to make it production ready. Lots of espresso machines have similar features, but the Slim Jim accomplishes these quite differently.

[@OKuusava]

@@KeesvdWesten Yes, without the acs or nurris pumps.

[@juggernaut316]

end game machine

[@dungaelrey3]

Can you gift me one for christmas, thanks.

[@Phil58Liew]

I have 2 x 2 group levers at home. A Victoria Aduino Athena in brass and a Bosco Sorento. They have identical group heads (double springs) but espresso tastes very different. Love them both and I alternate use on each day Kees always had a spot for levers, this isn't their first but is like a lever with the adjustability of a Spirit. I'd love to get my hands on one but the cost would be too prohibitive and availability.

[@bor.is.coffee]

🫶

[@shelbychurch998]

Shut up and take my money.

[@glichasasha750]

You are giving this the wrong spin. You now have mechanical paddles that offer complete pressure control across the extraction. You are way too narrow with that graph.

[@KeesvdWesten]

The graph is only shown to visually clarify the difference between pump machine versus lever machine. Don't forget the beautiful theatrical drama of the lever machine ;)

[@Sycokay]

Hm. Applying a curve to your electric pump doesn't sound hard to do. It would give more consistent results. You could even edit the curve with a smartphone...

[@user9b2]

For me , it is never good to put others down to elevate your own stuff. My mind immediately recall other machines that can do the same if not better. Focus on what yours can do and how well it does it. Let your viewer decide for themselves if they like the features. So, you received a 👎 from me and I did not bother finish watching the video.

[@KeesvdWesten]

Naturally, we only compare the Slim Jim Idrocompresso with the old lever machines, from the heydays of this system: the fifties and the sixties.

[@OKuusava]

Others? What others, name one? There was no mention on any other, there was telling of levers good and bad points, and what they had done to bypass bad points. But world is crying as you did not watch the video...