portable machines, gas?
trying to put an espresso machine on a canal boat (long boat thing in uk) never used anything but LM for years. how stable is the temp with gas machines? any other way of heating boiler. will be off grid so electricity not poss
any suggestions on which machine i have no clue
any suggestions on which machine i have no clue
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Larry Bourgeois on
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There are a good number of 1 group professional grade espresso machines that will run on 110 volt 15-20 amp power. A nice quiet generator like a Honda 2000 can power those machines with a small grinder like a Mazzer Mini. We use those setups in catering situations, always off the grid. There are very limited number of gas machines available and they often need to be supplemented with electrical power for high volume requirements.
The Nouvo Simonelli Apia 1 group works very well, and they are releasing a 2 group version next month that also will run on 110/20 amp circuit. This machine is reliable, good value, and has a variety of steaming wand options if that is important to you.
Another great machine value for performance and style is the Elektra Sixties 1Group, it has great performance and reliability and also works on 110/20 amp power. This is my favorite one group machine in any price range. It is the classic E61 semi-automatic group, amazing steam and stable espresso...
The Cimbali Jr is a very strong performer and great small commercial machine, the Pasquini Livia is also a nice compact unit with a great matching grinder and base... etc.
Of course the new Marzocco GS/3 sets a standard in the 1 Group 110/15-20 amp power range. If you got $7500 to throw at this problem,consider that.
There are also a variety of semi-professional use models in the $1000-1500 range that would work well for semi-commercial volume... that would be too big a question to open up, but the coffeegeek sites and 1stline and Chris Coffee rage competitive battles for best machines in these price ranges. I have probably owned and tested 40+ of the machines in this range so I won't begin to comment.
I can speak for these machines because I use them in daily operations and they have been the highest rated by all the serious espresso geeks out there.
Of course the Marzocco GS/3 is also available soon and it would fill your LM need well, just set you back $7500.
Larry Bourgeois, the Espresso Guild
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Permalink Reply by Phil Proteau on
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Astoria makes commercial gas machines. For use off the grid, you would need to get it with both gas heat and lever operated group. The solenoid valves that make regular groups function are also powered by electricity.
As far as temperature stability, you have to learn to manage the temperature by flushing super heated water from the heat exchange prior to pulling the shot. The amount of flushing needed is affected by how long it has been since the last shot was made. You have to learn how to identify the super heated water and the signs that it has passed. This gives you a bench mark for 100 degrees. Then you have to use your taste buds to determine how long to flush before inserting the portafilter at the correct temperature, 93-94 degrees.
You can produce great coffee with this system once you get the hang of it. It really take a higher skill level to manage this, but you can take it anywhere.
Astoria makes pretty reliable work horse machines that are easy to service. But you still have to the grinding issue. Use of a generator probably is the only way to go for that. If the generator is dedicated to the grinder you could avoid using a mini and go for a commercial grinder.
PS, I am not a sales person for Astoria or any other maker. I have used them as well as a number of other brands and I am just drawing from my experience.
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Permalink Reply by Matt Milletto on
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I was also going to bring up the grinder issue. Especially on the water that grind is going to need to be ground to order and easily changed.
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Permalink Reply by gwilym on
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ta fellas
Mazzer jolly grinder should draw 350w which will be ok for the battery bank to cope with
temperature surfing - so much to learn
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Permalink Reply by Dale Harris on
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Once you start wih a lever you never want to use a semi-automatic m/c again!!!
Whilst flushing groups I find that you can hear/feel the point where the temp reaches an acceptable level after just a short time playing with the m/c
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Hi dale
must admit i did enjoy using the machine in your picture at olympia.
cheers for being very hospitable and letting me play around behind your counter
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Permalink Reply by Jenni on
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are you going to gallavant along the thames giving away coffee?
can i attach a dinghy??!
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a friend is going to sell coffee off their boat in Islington. hopefully i will be inspired to gallavant
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Permalink Reply by Alyssa on
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Hey there! We put a La San Marco 1-group machine on a US Navy submarine and they're happily caffeinated beneath the ocean waters probably as I write. With a machine that's made to be run on a gas set up, the temp stability shouldn't be compromised. I'm excited to see more espresso machines going out to sea! Cheers!
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Permalink Reply by Brian Davey on
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If you can get 110v you can do this no sweat. As for no power...the only thing I've ever come up with is a Lever Astoria with a connection to pressurized soda tanks for water supply. This would give you a limited supply of water to the machine until your pressure ran out. This would just put water to the machine and you would have to control the fill valve manually to limit water in the boiler. That would solve your machine issue. The grinders are another story but as mentioned prior do not require as much power and could be run off batteries if need. For that matter you could have this above mentioned machine head on only gas versus the gas/110v heating element combo and drop the amps down to around 4. Good luck.
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