Espresso Drinker - No milk or sugar required.

[Magic_Matt]

Espresso Drinker - No milk or sugar required.

I'm sure the knowledgeable sponsors will chip in on the warranty question - but my take as a punter would be that machines in the class you're looking at are certainly built to last (and if cared for will last for decades) - but any manufacturing issues will typically manifest well inside a year. A longer warranty would likely create confusion when standard preventative maintenance costs aren't covered (e.g. routine servicing costs and consumable parts like seals), and any serious issues outside a year are likely to be caused by misuse or lack of maintenance.

Of course, if there is a issue outside the year, you're covered by your statutory rights under the Australian Consumer Laws; all the more reason to buy from a reputable retailer [emoji41]

The appliance machines eg sunbeam may have longer warranties - but ime that's a tactic to overcome the perception that they're less solid. And again ime those warranties aren't worth much, and the machines are unlikely to outlive them by very long.

[tdunster]

If something as narrow as the Zaffiro is too big then I think you are in trouble... and you can certainly ignore my previous post about commercial sized grinders!

Get yourself a Behmor Brazen for $249 delivered and drink long blacks instead... we use one every day at home and at work.


(PS: and now we are back on the sub $500 thread... although slightly off topic with brewed instead of espresso)
(PPS: I distribute the Brazen... just in case it wasn't obvious!)

Cheers. If I drink long blacks all day I'll need one of those climbing walls installed - so I'm going to rearrange some shelving in the Kitchen so I can fit an E61 based machine.
I notice that the machines often only have one year warranty ? Does than apply to domestic use ? Because I was under the impression these machines were built to last a long time. A one year warranty sort of signals to me that the manufacturers don't actually believe the products will last.
I've worked in the repair industry for two of the popular domestic brands and even though they are certainly not built to last - they still carry 2 year warranties. Unfortunately, it's difficult to distinguish between the coffee they produce and dishwater.

[Magic_Matt]

Maybe one of the little unsprung levas would suit if the OP really wants espresso... otherwise manual methods sound like the go!

[Andy]

What would be the smallest E61 based machine ? As my Kitchen Bench Real Estate is a little limited.

The Isomac Zaffiro at 230x410x410 mm and 19kg is probably going to be too big.

If something as narrow as the Zaffiro is too big then I think you are in trouble... and you can certainly ignore my previous post about commercial sized grinders!

Get yourself a Behmor Brazen for $249 delivered and drink long blacks instead... we use one every day at home and at work.


(PS: and now we are back on the sub $500 thread... although slightly off topic with brewed instead of espresso)
(PPS: I distribute the Brazen... just in case it wasn't obvious!)

[2muchcoffeeman]

VBM Piccolo is 23cm w x 52cm d x 34cm h

To the best of my knowledge, the depth of the Piccolo is 42cm and a variety of websites confirm that.

It may be that you have sourced a website which has incorrectly provided the depth of the Domobar Super.

[tdunster]

The depth of the unit is the issue for me more so than than height or width.

Lelit Mara is 22cm w x 40cm d x 36 h and 18kg - it's a little smaller but probably more machine and dollars than I'd like to spend as a rookie.

VBM Piccolo is 23cm w x 52cm d x 34cm h - The Depth of this is bigger than both the Lelit Mara and the Isomac Zaffiro.

Hence, I need to either man up and spend 3k or more, or look at something smaller and lower down the pecking order.

But after reading up about e61 based machines they appear to be what I need - and I assume a lot more forgiving than say a Gaggia, Silvia or Lelit PL41 [Which though would fit better with the bench and the wallet].

[2muchcoffeeman]

The VBM Domobar Piccolo and its peers fit the OP's brief of espresso only (i.e. Single boiler and possibly e-61 given budget) .

The VBM in particular is the same width and also not quite as tall. It's also about $700 less. I'd guess the others would be broadly similar in size.

Unless the OP has changed his mind a HX machine is not required.

[thebookfreak58]

Or a PID'd Gaggia? If all you want is espresso. Not the best build quality in the world but parts a plenty.

[tdunster]

What would be the smallest E61 based machine ? As my Kitchen Bench Real Estate is a little limited.

The Isomac Zaffiro at 230x410x410 mm and 19kg is probably going to be too big.

[Dimal]

Hey! I'm not *that* old! [emoji29]

Unfortunately, I'm old enough to remember where that old joke originated...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEM7I5VSVjY

Mal.

[artman]

My Alex Duetto II uses steam for pre heat if brew water but you can tweak PID settings to compensate if you predominantly run steam off. Not really an issue regardless.

Single boiler with PID like lelit or silvia can make yummy brews and steaming still very doable for small volumes.

Best to go somewhere to see them in the metal and have a play.

Cheers

[Magic_Matt]

Hey!
I resemble that remark...

Mal.

Hey! I'm not *that* old! [emoji29]

[Magic_Matt]

We also need to be mindful that the OP gave us a brief of espresso only and circa $500- so all the multi boiler discussion is most likely completely irrelevant and off topic.

I agree that a good preloved e-61 single boiler fits the brief perfectly- as Andy suggested way back in #4.

I'm looking, but I can't find reference to a $500 budget in the OP's posts? [emoji848]

I don't have a budget. I'd like to spend $1000 or so but it's not an issue to spend $3000 either. Want something new as well so I can have the security of a warranty just in case I need to exercise my rights under the ACL Consumer guarantee.

[Magic_Matt]

Oops - missed the budget! My bad, think I started that derailment.

[2muchcoffeeman]

We also need to be mindful that the OP gave us a brief of espresso only and circa $500- so all the multi boiler discussion is most likely completely irrelevant and off topic.

I agree that a good preloved e-61 single boiler fits the brief perfectly- as Andy suggested way back in #4.