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La Marzocco versus Elektra espresso machine - 2 group

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  • La Marzocco versus Elektra espresso machine - 2 group

    Hi everyone,

    I am looking for your opinion on a commercial espresso machine.

    Currently I am looking at the La Marzocco and Elektra lines.

    In your opinion, which company is the best one to go with?

    I am going to be opening a coffee bar at a Farmers Market (serving pour over’s, french press, Chemex, espresso, lattes, cappuccinos ect).

    Which machine pulls the best shot and produces the best steam?

    I would appreciate your honest opinion!

    Thanks,

  • #2
    Re: La Marzocco versus Elektra espresso machine - 2 group

    Hello coffee and welcome,

    I suspect that few here would recommend the Elektra over the LM. Make sure you have great grinders and coffee to team it up with.

    I wonder what the uptake will be on manual methods at a market?  :-? I think you will find that its mainly milky coffee at the espresso mahcine.

    Good luck

    Chris

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    • #3
      Re: La Marzocco versus Elektra espresso machine - 2 group

      La Marzocco - just because the nicer coffee shops in Sydney use these machines.

      But even then, there are a lot of La Marzocco machines. Did you have any in mind?

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      • #4
        Re: La Marzocco versus Elektra espresso machine - 2 group


        But even then, there are a lot of La Marzocco machines. Did you have any in mind? [/QUOTE]

        The La Marzocco model is was looking at is the - Linea 2 Group Semiautomatic

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        • #5
          Re: La Marzocco versus Elektra espresso machine - 2 group

          Originally posted by 376870666D666A6363606068646B050 link=1329422196/1#1 date=1329424734
          I wonder what the uptake will be on manual methods at a market? I think you will find that its mainly milky coffee at the espresso mahcine.
          The farmer markets in my area tend to serve highend espressos, lattes and cappuccinos...So yes, there are a lot of mik based drinks, but a lot of single shots are bing served as well.

          Thanks

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          • #6
            Re: La Marzocco versus Elektra espresso machine - 2 group

            And no other brand machine besides an LM can produce a "high end" espresso? Well I guess the nails are in the coffins and all other manufacturers may as well just lay off their staff and close the doors because Mr LM is a cumin..... : :

            Dear coffee1, please contact equipment vendors in or closest to your area and find out what machines they handle. You need local back up and service and you are not going to get that by mail ordering something that someone in an internet site in another country said was a high end machine, especially if it ends up being the only one in your area with no local support.

            If you become a good barista, there are  probably any number of machines that will do an excellent job for you in a reliable fashion.

            You and your staff are in charge of the coffee, not the machine. You can make coffee well on just about anything, just as you can make it very badly on anything including very expensive machines. The expertise is entirely in your hands.

            Your list of two is very restrictive and there is no doubt it places you in a high cost bracket. 

            I can if you wish put you in contact with someone a lot closer to your area than I am, that sells excellent espresso machines. I have no idea if they have an agent near you but that will be up to them / you to sort out.

            If you want that information, just do me a PM through the system. Up to you.

            Oh and by the way, re"...In your opinion, which company is the best one to go with?...."

            My Answer: the one that sells you a great coffee machine and gives you the best after sales service. This I believe is not just area dependent, but dependent on the equipment agent in that area and not the manufacturer of the brand.


            Hope that helps.

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            • #7
              Re: La Marzocco versus Elektra espresso machine - 2 group

              This really isnt the best forum to ask about comercial machines. Most posters here are Home enthusiasts.

              I have worked on many many machines from basic machines to machines with all the modern bells and whistles. Provided a good quality coffee was used deliciousness was able to be achieved (and of course the machine was properly cleaned before/during/after each shift).

              Do I enjoy using High end equipment at work - yes. Does it make my job more efficient/consistent - most probably. Would I suggest a start up business lay down $8000-$11000 on a espresso machine - Heck No.

              Just because the big boys all use certain equipment doesnt mean it is the best choice for you.

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              • #8
                Re: La Marzocco versus Elektra espresso machine - 2 group

                Another possible factor is that, for a given amount of groups, a dual boiler such as a La Marzocco will have substantially higher power requirements.

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                • #9
                  Re: La Marzocco versus Elektra espresso machine - 2 group

                  Hi Jason,

                  I really appreciate your comments!

                  The farmers market I am selling my roasted beans at has full water and electrical supply. The coffee bar would be permanent and there would not be a need to move equipment each week. I would have access to a small commercial kitchen that would be part of my shop, to clean my french presses and other items.

                  Pour overs/french presses would be the first items on my list to serve my coffee...I am not a big fan of airpots and feel that you loose the quality and subtle taste of the coffee. With that being said, there is a huge market for espressos and lattes in our area, so I do not want to miss the opportunity of offering this service.

                  If I was going to use french presses, I would use a double wall 8 cup or a 3 cup single wall for individual servings...The client could either buy a cup for 1 or cup for 2 (using the 3 cup and 8 cup fp).

                  Both the Elektra and LM have great service departments, so that would not be an issue...I guess it comes down to quality and price...At this point the Elektra is about 3000.00$ cheaper...

                  Do you have experience with these two espresso machines?

                  I will have more questions, but thought this might be good to start with.

                  Thanks,

                  Drew

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                  • #10
                    Re: La Marzocco versus Elektra espresso machine - 2 group

                    If there are other brands in your area that also have great service backup ie are well supported, I would look to them for my first espresso machine rather than only at the two mentioned.

                    That way there is no reason why you shouldnt be able to secure an excellent and reliable piece of equipment at the right price.  Of course, buy new with guarantee and service backup.

                    If you pay say 50% more for a brand that positions itself "up there, is it 50% easier or "more satisfying" to use than a "regular" machine, and does it actually deliver a noticeably better espresso than a regular machine per se? Can you even check that without running a laboratory comparison test, and if it were possible, do you think your clients capable of discerning that and would it only be attributable to the machine?  What is it that your clients may want from your coffee station when they hand over the coin?

                    In the end a commercial espresso machine is nothing more than a means to an end just like a vehicle is to a taxi driver. It helps you to make your clients happy when you deliver a well made coffee to them. After that, its nothing more than smoke and mirrors, and anyones perception of image and internet generated and fueled "cred" and brand iconism. There are only 2 constraints. Yes it should be a good name brand to start with or atleast one that is known to be a good coffee machine.....and it must be reliable in service.

                    There are enough of them in the "mid range" price bracket, without going to either extreme of very expensive, OR cheap, and after that it is what you do with your coffee machine that counts.

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                    • #11
                      Re: La Marzocco versus Elektra espresso machine - 2 group

                      Originally posted by 132730263D0A163A33333030550 link=1329422196/9#9 date=1329516619
                      There are only 2 constraints. Yes it should be a good name brand to start with or atleast one that is known to be a good coffee machine.....and it must be reliable in service.
                      You have made two good points..Both machines have very good service...I amjust am having a difficult time trying to weed the chaff from the wheat on this one...

                      Any other brands you think would be worth my while researching???

                      Thanks

                      Drew

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: La Marzocco versus Elektra espresso machine - 2 group

                        Just spent considerable time composing another dittie, only to have the CS server do some black magic on it and make it disappear...

                        Gotta do some other stuff now back later.

                        I am going to visit next time I am in canada

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: La Marzocco versus Elektra espresso machine - 2 group

                          While I love this forum, there are also a couple of nice coffee fora that run out of Canada that might have more local advice for you.

                          Greg

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