I am thinking of picking up a Laurentis espresso machine - does anyone
have experience with these?  I'd appreciate any feedback you might
offer...
Regards,
Brett Mason
 HomeRoast
   Zassman

You might also try a post on www.coffeegeek.com in the user forums.
On 5/14/06, Brett Mason  wrote:
<Snip>

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
Limited experience with a single-group Laurentis which was made by CMA =
and essentially the same machine as the Astoria or Rio single-group. =
Excellent commercial-grade 220V machine with a 5 litre boiler, E-69(? - =
the later, electronically-controlled version of the E-61 group), Sirai =
pressurestat, Gicar-controlled auto-fill from plumbing, pivoting steam =
arm, and a hot water tap.
The only known negative is that the electronic controls on the fully =
auomatic dosage machine are now obsolete, so parts like the silly =
membrane switches may be a little difficult to find.
Do check the machine out pretty carefully - scale, debris, and typical =
neglect can be cleaned - but freeze-up damage or milk in the boiler can =
be a dreadfully expensive mess.
Cheers
Jim

Jim writes:
Do check the machine out pretty carefully - scale, debris, and typical 
neglect can be cleaned - but freeze-up damage or milk in the boiler can 
be a dreadfully expensive mess.
 =======
I used to brew vinegar in my steam toy espresso machine to clean all the 
residue and scale deposits out of it.  run it through a few times and 
the thing would be squeaky clean.  Freezing is a killer as it tends to 
burst stuff, but I bet the vinegar might clean out a milked boiler 
mess...  there are other chemicals too, but without knowing the 
composition of the pots parts, I won't recommend them at this time.
Aaron

Brett,
I've got a single group Astoria.  Mine is the 120 Volt version.  As
Jim mentioned, the CMA machines are built like a tank.  Mine had some
freeze-up damage that was a PIA to deal with (especially when
unexpected), although the fixes ended up being not to horribly
expensive.  I've been extremely happy and haven't even read reviews of
new machines (other than the new small LM) since I've had it.  I've
geeked it up a bit with a duplex gauge etc. but not because I was
dis-satisfied.
Mike (just plain)