Knowledge Base
Alan’s accumulation of wisdom
Plunger (French Press) Brewing
There’s a very good reason that plunger brewing has stood the test of time as a fantastic way to make yourself coffee at home. You can find plungers in most big box stores for less than you’d pay for a 6-pack of beer…
Rancilio Silvia (Pre-2006) Repair
An in-depth guide (with photos!) to servicing & repairing a Rancilio Silvia domestic espresso machine
Repair & Clean a Combi Machine
This is both a "how-to" and a "why you should" article. The "why you should" is easy: it took a trained technician an hour (at $120.00 per hour) simply to clean up the group and showerscreen!
Lelit Boiler Replacement Guide
A photo guide to replacing the boiler element in the Lelit PL series Espresso Machines.