I learned how to make espresso on a Gimme
La Marzocco Linea. Unlike any other espresso machine I've used before or since, it had a custom temperature regulator, designed and built by
Tomas Reyer and
Andy Schecter. The device is called a PID ("Proportional, Integral, Derivative") controller. It's basically a thermostat -- albeit, a thermostat with advanced fuzzy
logic and a Back to the Future display panel. And it works! I still
have vivid memories of the bittersweet chocolate shots it pulled.
If you're wishing you could have a PID of your own, good news:
Make Magazine just posted a bunch of advanced coffee tutorials, including one on
how to install a PID in your espresso machine.
The pdf is free and available for download at their site. For extra points, you can also follow their instructions to build a hydraulic
tamper or your very own coffee roaster (hint: it involves plenty of
propane). Anybody out there have a bandsaw I can borrow?
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