I’m using naked portafilter with Gemilai CRM 3605. U can’t lock it to 90 degree straight but still work. I got it for rm 100 and use IMS basket.




This post has been edited by pierreye: May 22 2020, 08:01 PM

i have a nuova simonelli bottomless PF for sales. wood handle, rm 120 inclusive of postage..

bought extra, will get the item next week or early june.

Regarding warm water thru Ulka pump, I check the spec it’s rated 35 degree Celsius 2 mins on/1 mins off. But I run warm water around 50 degrees thru it daily. If it can last for 2 years, than it’s more than good enough. Replacement is cheap and easy.

This post has been edited by pierreye: May 22 2020, 08:10 PM

Have read a PDF file some once-upon-a-time ago.. forgotten when.. vaguely recall exactly but the rating is not high.. if pumps fail frequently, perhaps is this reason? ... 25C?

Max RM1K?... In M'sia, unless a used machine(doubtful of such pricing), it's preferably that you forgo trying to get one.. just not worth the spending and getting a sub-par machine..

Even if you go the import route, it's going to be more than your max budget for espresso machine alone(not adding a grinder yet)..

How do I know it's a steam machine?
Notice the small build doesn't come with a water receptacle/container? That's your 1st hint...
2nd hint, notice the big black knob on the top of the unit? That knob, once open(unscrew) is where you pour a small amount of water into the unit..

Saw a CEME vibe pump that is rated for 120C.. it's used in professional equipments(medical) and also some commercial espresso machines. Just have not seen a high temp ratings on an ULKA vibe pump.. yet

This post has been edited by Tikietic: May 22 2020, 08:39 PM

Curious here.. what is the weight of your nice looking naked portafilter?
RM100 is really a good price..
My replacement of a similar portafilter cost about RM300.. sans shipping

actually if the 156 is upgraded and similar to the 155...is a sbdu pump machine

the top is the steam knob

Got few models. Gemilai 3605 use EP5 rated @ 35 degrees Celsius.

This post has been edited by pierreye: May 22 2020, 08:53 PM

This the one. I remember can get cheaper from other seller. I just weighted around 411g.



This post has been edited by pierreye: May 22 2020, 08:45 PM

Top is steam knob?... U sure bo?
Where do you pour water in then? There is a side knob also.. that's the steam activation knob.. eh, Pierreye mentioned a 35C rated ULKA.. I supposed +40C is already on the high side.. 25C, 35C... This is not even hot bath level right?

That's a decent weight portafilter there.. a full dual spout filter should go half kilo easily?

How about the original portafilter that comes with the machine? How much does it weight?

Original portafilter pretty light around 212g. Plastic handle and the metal oxidized easily.

I think the rating means it can operate 2 mins ON/1 mins OFF @ 35 C. So if u run your pump at 40 sec maybe can run at higher temp. Anyway, doesn’t mean the pump will die immediately if run at higher temp. I do see it does have a thermal diode at the pump that suppose to shutdown the pump if overheat.

This post has been edited by pierreye: May 22 2020, 09:45 PM

On second thought.. coffee is also a sort of a journey, the process of discovering and learning can be very valuable.. for RM1K, here are examples you may want to consider:

Gemilai.. since a few forumers here use this brand.
This model is cheaper than the 3605..


Electric burr grinder.. a good pair to the Gemilai as it's not too sensitive for fine grinding.




Total price is below RM1K.
Good add-ons to consider.. a milk pitcher and a thermometer(bare minimum)



Caveat: I don't own, sell or use any of the above-mentioned equipments. Shopee is just my casual reference here, feel free to source elsewhere.

This post has been edited by Tikietic: May 22 2020, 10:36 PM

if it follows ec155...definitely the top is steam knob...the steam valve connects directly to the boiler on top to save cost...lol

there is no side knob...front knob is power/brew/steam...

the water reservoir is inside-left of the machine if i remember correctly...the pump is at the right...there is a flap on top you open to fill up...

as for the ulka pump temperature spec...it's quite low and it is what it is... but realistically imho you won't find any material of construction that will fail at 40C, imagine shipping thousands on these in the shipping container sitting in the hot sun for weeks...it would have deteriorated before reaching customers

the only reason i can think of on why they spec it so low is possibly to prevent vapor flashing during the suction cycle...these pumps are not just for espresso machines...they are use in many other things...also these vibe pumps are positive displacement type that can take a negative suction pressure and too "hot" a liquid will cause it to flash, gets air-locked and fail to pump...so the temperature rating must be in relation to other specifications and limits...if it has a positive suction pressure, it can definitely take hotter fluids...

anyways too lazy to work the maths, and we have pierreye doing real life testing, and i'll see how hot my water gets tomorrow...

dwRK sunami
First of all, it was my oversight to assumed the taobao pic was a steam-powered machine, on revisit, it was a delonghi.. my apologies for the unwarranted assumption.. no wonder dwRK kept pointing out 155 and 156..

Steam powered machine:



Now.. the "knob" thingy is very obvious right?.. the delonghi is not a steam-powered machine.

no worries mate...

this ec155 is very popular in the U.S...a lot of people buy and then abandon...once in a while can get around $20-30 used...lol

my quick temp test...started at 28.8C cold...after 1hr+ about 33C...just before 2hr about 36C+...I didn't have the machine on after the 1st hr...just switching it on for 15 mins around 1.5hr mark... had to abandon test because needed to go out but it's obvious already exceed pump spec

I'm quite sure it will easily get beyond 40C if I just left it on for few hrs...

just thinking out loud...for ymeng and I...we probably need to put ice in our tank maybe will help with temperature stability... lol

bro...thanks for the valuable advise!
ok..i will take a note on that...
i saw some comment on gemilai...at taobao it come with a set with grinder around 800..
of cos exclude shipping...
in doubt whether should i get it for myself...
im just an amateur for coffee...lol

wow...
thanks bro..i will look into this...
pls ignore my previous comment..i jst saw your latest comment...
you are my sifu!!