Thread: Moving - to take or not to take...

I wouldnt take the risk...

Why not put it up for sale on CS and but a single group slayer when u get to america :D

Am too attached to sell! :o The Levetta is part of the family now!

Though if she sits in storage, what are the chances of coming home after 3 yrs to a machine that wont work so well anymore? Will a service fix this?

Slowcoffee.

As you are going for a long time (3years)
I would store the grinder only

Sell your Australian machine only to finance
A new American kit

On leaving the US sell that kit to finance a new & updated Australian machine of your choice

You dont know what shiny things will tempt you upon your return in 3 years

KK

Ohh & you are still a Coffee Snob so we still expect you to post and check in with us occasionally

You could start a special post
Postcard from XYZ City USA ;)

KK

Thanks for your thoughts KK. Yes, my attraction to shiny things is quite strong, so perhaps thats the way to go. ;)

Would you really leave the grinder behind in storage if it were you? Was hoping it might survive the journey!

Cheers,
Slowcoffee.

Well you could take it

The US does have a 240 volt system
Its wired in there laundry area not sure if its 50 or 60 htz
Some CS er will know

KK

Originally Posted by 61454C4C4F4F7561455947452A0 link=1248439644/4#4 date=1248441605

Ohh & you are still a Coffee Snob so we still expect you to post and check in with us occasionally

You could start a special post
Postcard from XYZ City USA * *;)

KK

Not too sure what to expect from US coffee - hopefully will be able to find some nice little independent cafes to get my fix from! *

Will certainly send some feedback on any coffee-related experiences over there - the good, the bad and the ugly... *Hoping the latter 2 wont come from my own machine! :-/

Slowcoffee

Id contact Chris from Talk Coffee or Attilio from CosmoreX Coffee SC.... :)

These two blokes know what theyre talking about when it comes to machinery at this level 8-)

Mal.

Thanks Mal,

I purchased my machine & grinder from Chris, so will get in touch with him for his opinion.

Cheers,
Slowcoffee.

Hi Slowcoffee,

Originally Posted by 36292A32262A23232020450 link=1248439644/0#0 date=1248439644

1.Will they travel okay (air freight)?

Yes- so long as theyre correctly packed. It will not be cheap though. Factor in at least $300AUD each way- maybe more.

2.Are they very easily damaged?

Yes- see above. In fact freight companies can write them off when packed correctly and attached to a skid with 15cm clear space around them *>:(

3.Any probs using voltage transformers with espresso machines?

Yes- your machine is designed to run on 240V. It will probably not be cheap to get a to get a suitable transformer delivering 1300W. Better to find a place with a 240V circuit installed.

4.Am I better off purchasing a machine over there (and then sell on departure)?

FWIW, thats what Id do. In fact, Id sell my Aussie gear and upgrade on return- but thats just me ::)...

Hope that helps...

Chris

I agree with the sell and re-buy option at least for the espresso machine. While it is possible to find 230-240 volts in a kitchen or laundry in the US, my bet is that the appliances would be hard-wired, not connected to a power-point.

Greg

Thanks Chris,

I really appreciate your comments/thoughts on this one! *;)

Looks like I might have some equipment to sell in another month or two. *Will be sorry to see the Levetta go! *:( *Weve been equally happy with the Mazzer and cant imagine well need anything bigger or better on our return, so may well leave this one in storage.

Cheers,
Slowcoffee.

Originally Posted by 6A5F484A7A425F404C41492D0 link=1248439644/11#11 date=1248521578

I agree with the sell and re-buy option at least for the espresso machine. While it is possible to find 230-240 volts in a kitchen or laundry in the US, my bet is that the appliances would be hard-wired, not connected to a power-point.

Greg

Cheers Greg, thanks for your info!

I also have a KitchenAid mixer that I really dont want to leave behind, so perhaps Ill take the Mazzer along too and purchase a decent transformer to cope with them. Just cant justify selling and rebuying too many toys! :-/ Will pack them both extremely well myself, to hopefully guarantee their safe transfer to new home.

Slowcoffee.

Slowcoffee,

In regards to the kitchenaid stuff, definitely sell it here and re-purchase over there. When I was in the US, my wife made my life miserable nagging me to buy a cheap kitchenaid there (shed had it on the wishlist for years) and they were very cheap there.

Her sister who lives in the US is an electrical engineer and said that even with the cheaper price in the US, the hassle wasnt worth it because of the voltage difference.

Edit:Main point being, theyre cheaper there than here. You might even be able to sell yours second hand and have some change after buying a new one there.

Hi ACog - thanks for your thoughts.

Im assuming all this stuff devalues pretty quickly, so wonder how out of pocket wed be after all the sales and repurchases (including the final one of buying it all anew back here)

Were going across for a fixed 3yr period, so a $100 transformer (despite being a bulky item to have in a kitchen), isnt too bad an option - is it???

Obviously still confused! :-/
Slowcoffee.

I ran a transformer to get 120 volts for a few of my Canadian appliances and a stereo when in New Zealand, but that was because the re-purchase was at expensive NZ prices.

Electrical motors and such are easy to store, and last well. Im not sure about other electronics and stuff like espresso machines (they mostly didnt exist when I moved from Canada to NZ!).

Do check appliance prices in the US before you decide, most are very cheap there, and Im sure they have the equivalent of Vinnies or Cash Converts if you are happy with second hand.

Greg

orphanespresso in the USA can set you up with a transformer for not much cash, and do mail orders- alternatively they have some nice 110V machines.

Originally Posted by 1F3B323231310B1F3B27393B540 link=1248439644/6#6 date=1248442873

The US does have a 240 volt system
Its wired in there laundry area not sure if its 50 or 60 htz
Some CS er will know

In the US youll find 220-240V 60Hz single phase service. This is typically only found on major appliances such as a kitchen stove, a clothes dryer, or a hot water heater. Unless you own the house legally youll have to hire an electrician to run a new 220/240V circuit and thats if the buildings owner will approve it. This will be a very expensive job! Depending on the complexities it can run you anywhere from $200 if the outlet is right next to the main panel to $1,000 or even more if its a long ways away and in a wall.

The standard outlet in the US is a 110/120V 15 amp one. 110/120V 20 amp outlets are not very common and 220/240V outlets of any amperage are virtually unheard of. A few apartment buildings (very few!) will have a 220/240V outlet for an in-wall air conditioning unit.

I would probably be looking at acquiring new/used equipment for use here in the US. Where-abouts will you be located?


Java "All wired up!" phile

Originally Posted by 786479796E657F62656A68646D6D6E6E0B0 link=1248439644/17#17 date=1248534210

orphanespresso in the USA can set you up with a transformer for not much cash, and do mail orders- alternatively they have some nice 110V machines.

Thanks for the tip *;) - will google orphanespresso and do some research on roughly how much things are likely to cost.

Slowcoffee.

Javaphile,

Thanks so much for your input! *Great to hear from someone currently living over in that part of the world.

Were off to Florida in December - really looking forward to experiencing life over there and all the amazing opportunities for travel. *Already have a list a mile long for where we want to go! :D

Ive realised from the feedback on this thread that Im best to sell my Levetta here and purchase something new/used when we get there. *Im fairly comfortable with that, though a touch sad! :(

For the rest, I need to make life as simple as possible (with all the other things to arrange, with a move o/seas), so think Ill take the Mazzer and KitchenAid, to be used with a transformer which Ill purchase on arrival. *All other small electricals (jug/toaster etc) will definitely buy when we get there.

Any tips for getting a good coffee in the States? *I hear they use something called Creamer in their milk coffees. *Is this some sort of milk substitute??? *Love to hear about any quirky things to be aware of! :o

Im very much looking forward to finding the organic/free-range/whole food/farmers market side of the US! *Have found a few good websites already. *

Thanks again Javaphile,
Slowcoffee.

Originally Posted by 6E71726A7E727B7B78781D0 link=1248439644/20#20 date=1248607780

Were off to Florida in December

Im feeling sorry for you already! ::) ;D

Originally Posted by 6E71726A7E727B7B78781D0 link=1248439644/20#20 date=1248607780

I hear they use something called Creamer in their milk coffees.

Theres cream and then theres creamer. Cream is typically half & half (half whole milk and half heavy cream) while creamer is a dry powder used as a (poor) substitute for cream.

Originally Posted by 6E71726A7E727B7B78781D0 link=1248439644/20#20 date=1248607780

Any tips for getting a good coffee in the States?

If youre not going to roast your own drop me a line and Im sure we can come to an arrangement that will keep your taste buds happy. :)


Java "Beware the hurricanes!" phile

Thanks Javaphile, thats exceptionally kind of you! *May well take you up on that one. *[smiley=dankk2.gif]

Im going to Florida with a very open mind - and hopefully will be pleasantly surprised... *It cant all be retirees, gators and hurricanes - can it??? :-/

Would be interested to hear more of how you are finding life over there (both the good + the bad). *Whereabouts are you located? *

Cheers,
Slowcoffee.
(ready to tackle swirling winds; scary, snapping creatures; and The Golden Girls - should the need arise!) * >:( ;D

Originally Posted by 415E5D45515D54545757320 link=1248439644/22#22 date=1248693898

Thanks Javaphile, thats exceptionally kind of you! *May well take you up on that one. *[smiley=dankk2.gif]

Im going to Florida with a very open mind - and hopefully will be pleasantly surprised... *It cant all be retirees, gators and hurricanes - can it??? :-/

Would be interested to hear more of how you are finding life over there (both the good + the bad). *Whereabouts are you located? *

Cheers,
Slowcoffee.
(ready to tackle swirling winds; scary, snapping creatures; and The Golden Girls - should the need arise!) * >:( ;D

Watch out for the flatlander sweep :-) and some of that Cuban coffee... The good stuff is something else.. But it has been a few years since I was there and like many things... The quality product becomes a bit scarce and or ya need a local to introduce you.