La Spaziale Mini Vivaldi II / Baratza Vario ~ UPDATE

After three and a half years of owning this machine and pulling 100s of shots, I still really like it and would highly recommend it.
Shout out to Baratza - I love the Vario. Without a doubt, Baratza has the best customer service I've ever experienced. They have a wide variety of grinders that will serve all of your coffee grinding needs. After all, a grinder may be the most important piece of equipment in making outstanding espresso just like a poor grinder will leave you wanting... Baratza will help you make outstanding espresso.
group head temp: 96.5 C
milk temp: 135 F (in MHO, the "sweet spot" for steamed milk is between 135-145 F. You may disagree - that's your prerogative).
videographer: Princess Stinky Head (Anna Janz)
LINKS:
BARATZA:
www.baratza.com
LA SPAZIALE:
www.laspaziale....

[@tman9700]

hope you decide to put out more videos on your machine. you thoughts and techniques on dosing,tamping and different drink making in general. your video and others on this machine made it my next purchase.

[@tman9700]

Thanks. I stated with Breville infuser. to see if this is something i wanted to get into. had it for a year learned the basics and love it. problem is no matter how good you get you never get a decent shot from a machine in its price range. Your machine and technique look awesome. I'm looking at the 20 amp plumbed in model. only wish it had the steaming lever like yours instead of the turn knob. again thank you.

[@Pinxism]

Hi! I am also using La Spaziale S1 Mini Vivaldi. What is the maximum dose for the double shot basket? Can i put 18g in it? I've already tried but the shower screen and the bolt are already touching/indenting the puck, It's kinda deep. Thank you.

[@lauriebrown468]

Thanks for the video and tips. I bought one of these and can't wait till it gets here. It looks like you tamped 2x. Do you recommend that or is it your peculiar way?

[@AndyPanda9]

96c to 97c seems awfully high to me - do you know what (if) you have your offset set to? Typically these deliver about 3-4 degrees C cooler than what the indicator is set to - so there is an offset that is usually set to +3 so you get the actual temp you set to. If your offset is not set then that would explain why you leave your temp set to 97c (you'd really be getting about 93-94c if your offset isn't set).

[@Andrew197919]

Hi do you still have the machine?

[@tman9700]

I'm thinking about getting this machine. Did you have the preinfusion kit added to yours. Thanks

[@stevejanz6853]

Hey T MAN - I don't have the pre-infusion kit installed... from reading some reviews, not sure it's a huge benefit. If you do buy this machine, you won't be disappointed.

[@krystleroy3068]

I’ve been saving up for a espresso machine and I really like this one I want one plumbed in and I wanna know what is the difference from this one and e61 witch one is better I love the look of this one but just wanted to know ?

[@asselinpower]

Great video, does it have a water filtration system ?

[@AlimminMuhammad]

Considering this espresso machine. I currently have the Baratza Virtuoso, did you manage to use this to grind espresso? How did it turn out?

[@stevejanz7828]

You won't be disappointed Alimmin... I did own th Virtuoso and found that the espresso grind was fair but not great. You can pull shots with it for sure, but you might want to think about upgrading down the road (the Vario is a better machine for sure).

[@emailmontana]

Can I switch off the steam/warm water boiler on the Mini Vivaldi to only use the group? I only drink espresso

[@platonicdreamer]

exactly, i always get like mesmerized when everybody discuss the steam thing...like wow. anyhow, i think 0,45 for brew boiler is too little. another thing that doesn't make sense to me. like they put 2.5l for steam boiler, and just 0,45....it should have been vice versa in my opinion

[@EdBaumann]

I realize this is an old video but I just came across it. This is a great machine as I have one myself. But I see several issues with your espresso. First, the shot was way under extracted. Way way too fast. Gotta tighten those grinds finer (although I have no idea how you are measuring your dose...you didn't weigh it). Second, you should really settle those grounds a little before you tamp. Just a couple of taps on the counter would suffice. Third, your tamp was so crooked. There's no way to get an even extraction when you're tamping at an angle like that. If you used a bottomless portafilter you would see the results of execution like that. It wouldn't be pretty. But as for the 15 or 20 amp issue, I don't find it to be a problem. Unless you are pulling rapid fire shots and steaming milk for some time, you should be fine to pull and steam at the same time as long as you gave it a chance to warm up. I sometimes pull and steam simultaneously and sometimes I steam right after the shot. But neither boiler has to wait ever.

[@Smellslikegelfling]

If you notice, the tamp is very uneven as well.

[@MikeServis]

I've had my eye on the Spaziale mini for a while now. I've never played with one personally, but from my research they are said to be a steamon demon. I timed you and it was almost 30 seconds to steam your milk. That's not too impressive. I've got a 20amp house - would that make a difference? I'd like to steam 12 oz of milk in 10 seconds. I also like the new Mini's with the wood sides - those look really classy in your kitchen. Another question I have concerns the mini's 53mm portafilter instead of the standard 58mm. In the video it looks like the portafilter is a litter deeper than a standard 58mm. Is that how they get the same amount of coffee? They come with a nake portafilter too - do you ever use that, or are they just a pain? My old Gaggia only has one boiler - I'm looking to speed things up. Thanks Mike

[@stevejanz7828]

Hi Mike - thanks for your comments. I would imagine that 20 amp service would help with quicker steaming just simply because there wouldn't ever be any stall time in the boiler heating back up to temp once it starts to drop. The steam tip may have something to do with it to, so playing with different tips could help speed things up. Getting quality micro-foam is a constant challenge and I've found that this set up gets me good results with great foam almost every time. Yup, I agree - the wooden side panels are beautiful. The 53mm portafilter is deeper - I still put around 17-19 grams of ground beans in the filter. I do have a naked portafilter too and i do use it on occasion. Maybe I'll post another video with the naked portafilter.. All the best in your research.

[@MikeServis]

I saw your latte art - that was perfect micro foam. Three years of practice and looking good. Thanks for the quick reply.

[@pulpmysteryfan]

I have an E61 machine, and it's annoying to service at home. It seems like some valve fails once or twice a year. How has maintenance been on your machine? I'm hoping a dual boiler machine may be mechanically simpler, and therefore, lower maintenance.

[@stevejanz7828]

Very little maintenance... I used bottled water, clean the machine regularly and I've only changed the pump (preventative measures only). Other than that, nothing has been done - excellent machine!

[@ifox4394]

@@stevejanz7828 have you any trouble with water tank? Many people have written about problems with it ,not sturdy connection with pump. I'm considering about buying this one machine or Vivaldi II (not mini). Just not certain if i could connect Vivaldi II to external water tank... (sorry for my english)

[@stevejanz7828]

@@ifox4394 - I've had no issues with the water tank... I have replaced the o-rings a few times and make sure to wet the o-rings after filling the water tank and placing it back into the machine - great connection and always primes immediately (I did notice that if I didn't wet the o-rings before placing it into the machine, the connection could be inconsistent). The Vivaldi II has to be hooked up to an external water source unlike the Mini Vivaldi II, like mine, which has the water tank built in. Hope this helps - your English is just fine :)

[@ifox4394]

@@stevejanz7828 Thanks)

[@carouselsweets3121]

how do you make the espresso come out creamy looking? I also have this machine but my shots don't look as good as yours.

[@Eatmykitty69]

I’m afraid of this too...I’m looking to buy this model or the profitec700. Do you have a good grinder? I think that is the key to a creamy shot.

[@SuperGajol]

@@Eatmykitty69 The real key is some good and really fresh roasted coffe. as the beans get older, they release the Co2 which have been created due to roasting. it is this Co2 that helps to provide beautiful crema. I believe you use storebought coffe beans which has lost all the Co2. you can create really nice espresso on cheap espresso machines kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKasgJ-pmamaldE whatch this video as proof :)

[@peterpan69]

100s of shots is like 199 shots. 199 / (365 x 3.5) = 0.156 shot per day. Why this expensive machine if you only use this machine once or twice every 10 days?