Latte on Gaggia Factory lever espresso machine

A quick video of how I make lattes on my Gaggia Factory espresso machine (almost identical to La Pavoni levers).

Equipment used:
Gaggia Factory
Iberital MC2 grinder
Alchemy Elixir espresso blend (2 days post roast)
Motta 500ml pitcher
Custom made single hole steam tip
Bodum Pavina glass

Please excuse the fairly lame latte art!

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Coffee
• Espresso
• latte
• cappuccino
• flat
• white
• gaggia
• factory
• la
• pavoni
• lever
• europiccola
• milk
• steaming
• frothing
• olympia
• cremina
• art

[dcharvella]

Just a follow-up: What size is your PF? I have a La Pavoni Milenium, and the PF is 51mm. I've been having a lot of success lately grinding a little coarser with about 15-16g depending on the bean. I do a light nutation w/a convex tamper, followed by a relatively firm tamp. Then, actively pre-infuse with about three short strokes, followed by one continuous pull. I've only had my lever for a couple of months now, so I guess I'm still in that "experimental" stage.

Thanks for your input!

[freakeystyley34]

@dcharvella Mine is 51mm too (inside the basket). The only issue I found with higher doses is that it cuts down the shot volume, although that can be increased by doing a few 'fellini' strokes. Do you find when doing the fellini strokes that it pulls some coffee through the shower screen then needs cleaning a lot more frequently? By doing a long preinfuse, one stroke with no fellini I find the shower screen stays pretty clean.

[freakeystyley34]

@dcharvella @dcharvella

(continued from other reply) I use about 13g with a fine grind and a fairly light tamp (10-15lbs?) then attach the portafilter. I lift the lever very slowly then hold it at the top for a 10 second preinfusion and then pull down in one stroke.

My most recent video from that technique and was really nice!

[dcharvella]

@freakeystyley34 Thanks! I did view your other two "takes" ... nice looking shots!! BTW ... don't you hate when the whole machine moves like that. I love my Pavoni, but like your Factory it's light up front, and has a tendency to move if I'm not paying attention ... small price to pay though.

[freakeystyley34]

@dcharvella It doesn't happen that often but when it does move it's a bit of a pain! I've heard that taking some of that anti slip mat for rugs and cutting it to the size of the base can help with this.

[dcharvella]

Nice! I couldn't tell for sure, but it looked like you did a few "fellini" pulls before your final pull, yes?

[freakeystyley34]

@dcharvella

I used to do 4 or 5 small pulls until I felt the pressure build up in the grouphead, as it meant that you get a larger shot volume. I wouldn't call it a fellini as such, as I believe that's one half pull then a full pull rather than several small ones then a full one.

I don't do this any more, as I get the feeling that it makes a bit of a mess in the grouphead, I used to be constantly brushing the grouphead gasket etc.

My technique now is to use less coffee - 13g ish and one pull.

[freakeystyley34]

@davidtaylor26 Thanks!

[davidtaylor26]

solid set up!