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Aldi Lumina Signature- $179

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  • #16
    Re: Aldi Lumina Signature- $179

    Just brought a Aldi Lumina Signiture ($179) It as my first machine. I have been following the forum for a while and with coffee loving friends coming to stay with us, decided to lash out and buy one. As this is my first machine I really cant compare it to any other but I must say, we are very happy with it. My friend has had four machines and currently has a Gaggia ($650) and knows a bit about coffee. He is very impressed with the machine. Its quick to start up, easy to use, and makes a great coffee. The machine seems well made and I like the light and display. Really enjoying the art of making the coffee and of foaming the milk. We buy our beans and grind it at a local store that has a good range of fresh beans. For a beginners machine, we are extremely happy with it. Big question is how long it will last but everything is fine so far. Comparing it to similar priced machines in stores, I think the Lumina has heaps more features. Worth a look if your in the market for a cheapy.

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    • #17
      Re: Aldi Lumina Signature- $179

      Originally posted by 11393A31395E0 link=1230621062/15#15 date=1252113914
      Big question is how long it will last
      Do let us know.

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      • #18
        Re: Aldi Lumina Signature- $179

        WOW it really seems this machine might kick back to the ole storey of you get what you pay for, will be interesting to see if it holds to the test of time, well for 179 bucks if it lasts 2 years your still in front in my eyes

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        • #19
          Re: Aldi Lumina Signature- $179

          My wife works at a bakery and has done some coffee making courses. She makes over 60 cups + a day. We are making 4 to 6 cups a day with the Signature and the coffee is still great. Did the first de-scaling of the machine today. Quiet a solidly built unit. Still buying pre-ground coffee which seems fine at the moment but Im sure fresh ground would be better. Its a shame more experienced snobs havent tried the machine as I have no other machine to refer to, but we just love it.

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          • #20
            Re: Aldi Lumina Signature- $179

            Originally posted by 112D302B212037222A21450 link=1230621062/16#16 date=1252132966
            Do let us know.
            Hi there,

            In my case, under 2 months. I bought this machine on Aug 20. I used it almost everyday for 1 (sometimes 2) coffees. This morning, I turned it on, it made a funny sound, then started spilling water from somewhere at the top of the steam wand. I think something might be cracked inside, as it continued spilling after being unplugged from the wall.

            So, after 50 or so cups of coffee, its dead. Ill be taking it back to Aldi, and looking at something that is expected to last longer. :-/

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            • #21
              Re: Aldi Lumina Signature- $179

              Originally posted by 1A32313A32550 link=1230621062/18#18 date=1254460336
              .  Its a shame more experienced snobs havent tried the machine as I have no other machine to refer to, but we just love it.
              Im definitely not a snob - actually just starting at the whole coffee bit, but as I mentioned above my Lumina is dead after less than two months. The upside is that I got a straight refund, no questions asked, from Aldi, and picked up an EM6910 + free EM480 for a great price. (I now have 2 EM480 grinders, but thats another story).

              Going back to the Lumina, a few things that may help you get the best out of your machine (while still working):

              1. The chrome steam wand you see is actually a tube that screws at the top over the real steam wand, which is much narrower. I recommend unscrewing the tube and cleaning it and the real pipe underneath as often as you clean the machine - its amazing the staff that gets collected there.
              2. The filter basked is not actually a basket, but a grill. If you unscrew it, you will see that the basket is made of plastic. Inside the alloy group handle, you have an entire plastic assembly, from the black plastic edge that you see inside the "basket" to the two plastic tips that function as spouts. The underside of the group handle has a black plastic cover which can be removed to reveal the screw that keeps the entire plastic assembly together. I took that apart and got rid of the small metalic ball that created pressure to be able to clean the assembly on the inside (and get a pseudo-unpressurised filter).

              If you have any questions, feel free to ask. For the time being, Im off to unpack my new EM6910.

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              • #22
                Re: Aldi Lumina Signature- $179

                ok, you can tell I dont post much when I dont know how to quote ppl properly in them boxes highlighted, but anyway:

                "We buy our beans and grind it at a local store that has a good range of fresh beans." - Do this experiment: make a coffee the day you bring the ground beans back from the shops. Make another one the next day, and the day after. Notice how the flavour very quickly fades away. Imagine using the coffee the moment theyre ground. Lesson: as Fresh_Coffee said, get a grinder - you wont regret it

                Scenario - I started with a $300 krups (6 years ago now?) and thought I made excellent coffee too - for about 2 years - until a fellow snob pulled me a shot from his Silvia + Mazzer (what have you done to me, dailybean?), which set me on a long term $3K journey. Now to be fair, I have not come across this Aldi machine but heres another experiment: visit one of the site sponsors, have a taste of their coffee, and then go home and have one of yours. Warning: might cost you $3K in the end :P

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                • #23
                  Re: Aldi Lumina Signature- $179

                  actually, you can tell I dont post much when to the left it says: "Posts: 40". or 41 now.

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                  • #24
                    Re: Aldi Lumina Signature- $179

                    Well acyually 42 now :P:P

                    Well it might seem that Aldi again has a machine that should be used as a boat anchor, acutally you might lose your boat if you try that.

                    I think it we might need to reiterate, spend every cent you have on a grinder and drink plunger coffee until you can afford an espresso machine that at least will last 3 months

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                    • #25
                      Re: Aldi Lumina Signature- $179

                      I think youre right, an espresso machine that will both last and produce good quality espresso is going to cost some money. In some cases, jumping in and spending $500-800 on a quality machine is not easy.

                      However, after having the Lumina for the brief period of its lifespan, I was able to appreciate the difference between a $179 Lumina and a $500 EM6910, and that difference its more than worth the money. (Although two months ago I wouldnt have thought of spending this amount on a coffee machine).


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                      • #26
                        Re: Aldi Lumina Signature- $179

                        Originally posted by 3D2838252B2E222F2B2E4A0 link=1230621062/23#23 date=1255131801
                        I think it we might need to reiterate, spend every cent you have on a grinder and drink plunger coffee until you can afford an espresso machine that at least will last 3 months
                        I support the importance of a good grinder, and of having a reliable machine. Money is not always the answer to good coffee however.

                        I have been able to make good coffee (OK--at least much, much better than instant or the local take-away Barn) with a whirly grinder ($20) and a non-pump water pressure espresso machine ($50).

                        We had no other options at work and this at least enabled me to drink acceptable lattés.

                        Greg

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                        • #27
                          Re: Aldi Lumina Signature- $179

                          Originally posted by 3C333E23225B0 link=1230621062/19#19 date=1255042497
                          Originally posted by 112D302B212037222A21450 link=1230621062/16#16 date=1252132966
                          Do let us know.
                          Hi there,

                          In my case, under 2 months. I bought this machine on Aug 20. I used it almost everyday for 1 (sometimes 2) coffees. This morning, I turned it on, it made a funny sound, then started spilling water from somewhere at the top of the steam wand. I think something might be cracked inside, as it continued spilling after being unplugged from the wall.

                          So, after 50 or so cups of coffee, its dead. Ill be taking it back to Aldi, and looking at something that is expected to last longer. :-/
                          Mine died on the weekend, had a hernea and dropped water on the bench sometime after being heated and before making it to the steam nozzle or the coffee outlet.

                          It was a fun little machine while it lasted, RIP Aldi Lumina Signature

                          4/12/08 - 10/10/09

                          Wish me luck with a refund. Taking it in today with a reciept.

                          Comment


                          • #28
                            Re: Aldi Lumina Signature- $179

                            Originally posted by 554A4C4D4A535D41380 link=1230621062/26#26 date=1255298262

                            Wish me luck with a refund.  Taking it in today with a reciept.
                            Good luck MrTurkey - let us know how you go. If you can take advantage of the current promotion from Sunbeam (free EM480 burr grinder with EM6910), go for it. You should be able to get both for around $600 in shops.

                            Comment


                            • #29
                              Re: Aldi Lumina Signature- $179

                              Originally posted by 6F606D7071080 link=1230621062/27#27 date=1255382605
                              Originally posted by 554A4C4D4A535D41380 link=1230621062/26#26 date=1255298262

                              Wish me luck with a refund.  Taking it in today with a reciept.
                              Good luck MrTurkey - let us know how you go. If you can take advantage of the current promotion from Sunbeam (free EM480 burr grinder with EM6910), go for it. You should be able to get both for around $600 in shops.
                              Refund successful, yay

                              Got to find another super budget machine now as I cant stretch much over the refund amount right now. How is the EM3600? $149 at BigW at moment....

                              Comment


                              • #30
                                Re: Aldi Lumina Signature- $179

                                Originally posted by 38272120273E302C550 link=1230621062/28#28 date=1255399905
                                Originally posted by 6F606D7071080 link=1230621062/27#27 date=1255382605
                                Originally posted by 554A4C4D4A535D41380 link=1230621062/26#26 date=1255298262

                                Wish me luck with a refund.  Taking it in today with a reciept.
                                Good luck MrTurkey - let us know how you go. If you can take advantage of the current promotion from Sunbeam (free EM480 burr grinder with EM6910), go for it. You should be able to get both for around $600 in shops.
                                Refund successful, yay

                                Got to find another super budget machine now as I cant stretch much over the refund amount right now.  How is the EM3600?  $149 at BigW at moment....
                                Have had two EM3600 and with some minor / yet cheep mods they are a great little machine. For one or two coffees at a time... The steam / Water switch is good as it helps you to think about your method and if you forget to do a cooling flush it aint so bad..

                                KG100 is a suitable BASE grinder for this unit... Try to use a Krups or other suitable single floor basket..

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