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  • Decisions decisions....

    Hi all,

    Please help!

    I am in the country so cant try out machines. I love a milky coffee but sometimes hubby enjoys a straight shot. We havent had any "good" machines to mention but have still managed to often get better tasting coffee from our machine than the usual cafe suspects!

    Options I have so far are:

    Silvia brand new - $744 (or I could try my bidding luck and get it a bit cheaper)
    Silvia with Rocky 2nd hand - $749.82
    Lucy 2nd hand - $490

    I have also just found the Jetblack machines but Im not too sure what theyre like???

    So experts I am hoping you can tell me what would be your preference in the price bracket (under $1000) and what is a good value deal.

    I cant buy in the marketplace here yet because I just rejoined after forgetting my login details from 3 yrs ago when we last looked into machines.

    I need to get a machine soon - I cant stand all this decaffienation!

    Thanks in advance
    Sarah

  • #2
    Re: Decisions decisions....

    More info...

    Can get an em6910 for around the same as the Lucy. New for around $650.

    The prices include delivery to our rural area, some places dont send to me, were in country WA.

    Also have a friends grinder, its new but I havent tried it to see how good it is as we have no machine, its a sunbeam em0480.

    Ta

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Decisions decisions....

      Hi Sarah and welcome to Coffeesnobs!

      It sounds like a Silvia or a Lelit will be up to the task of what you need. both have their quirks, and importantly, both need the user to refill the boiler after theyve steamed milk, or the element will burn out the next time you make a coffee.

      You could email all the site sponsors using the email address at the left under the list of sponsors about pricing, many are happy to ship machines out to the back of beyond.

      If you have a look in the $500 - $1500 category, youll find plenty of people have asked the same questions before and you should find the answers you seek!

      regards

      Sniff

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Decisions decisions....


        An EM6910 will also do the job, theres plenty of threads here about using them. it would also have the advantage of not having a boiler to prime (ie refill) each time, as it uses thermoblocks.

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Decisions decisions....

          I know that this may not be helpful consider your specified budget, but if you can nudge higher (~$1200) you could snag yourself a breville BES 900.

          The reason I suggest this is that:

          a. I recently bought one, and love it.
          b. Had a lend of a friends silvia for about a month and wasnt that impressed.

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Decisions decisions....

            Originally posted by 565A53535050584058350 link=1315454448/0#0 date=1315454448
            I cant buy in the marketplace here yet because I just rejoined after forgetting my login details from 3 yrs ago when we last looked into machines.
            Theres no restrictions for anyone buying items in the For Sale section. The only limitations are on selling in there.



            Java "Buy away!" phile
            Toys! I must have new toys!!!

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Decisions decisions....

              Oh ta... Im off to buy something

              I was going to post that I am after a mid range machine and realised it wouldnt let me and drew the wrong conclusion about buying!

              I know any of the mentioned machines will suffice but I guess I was wondering more about the actual value for money in terms of the machines I have seen so far, I am not sure what they are normally worth second hand, or even if $744 is a good new price. Its okay I will keep researching the prices.

              Ta

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Decisions decisions....

                Welcome back "coffeemum"..... [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

                You havent mentioned, but have you also budgeted for a decent grinder? Depending on the cost of the machine you end up purchasing, Id recommend the new Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder as a great place to start, which also happens to be stocked by several of our Site Sponsors.... 8-)

                Mal.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Decisions decisions....

                  Originally posted by 7855515D503C0 link=1315454448/7#7 date=1315489109
                  but have you also budgeted for a decent grinder?

                  Originally posted by 5F535A5A59595149513C0 link=1315454448/0#0 date=1315454448
                  Silvia with Rocky 2nd hand - $749.82
                  Lucy 2nd hand - $490
                  grinders

                  But agree on sentiment and the recommendation in this sort of machine

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Decisions decisions....

                    I also have the sunbeam grinder, its new and I havent tried it but I see some one here dont mind it??? If I got a Lucy or Silvia w/Rocky I would probably sell the sunbeam in the box!


                    I have read up on the steam debate and as I love my milk thick and velvety I am thinking I may want to lean towards the Rancilios, the recommendations seem to be that if you want steam, avoid the sunbeam...

                    Can anyone advise on the quality/quantity of steam from the Lelits?

                    I dont think hubby would be too impressed if I nudged to $1200, although he wouldnt complain once the coffee started flowing... :

                    I have also seen a lot of people loving their Gaggia classic - I can get one of those for next to nothing to get through and then save up for something EXTRA special :P

                    I am not really narrowing down my choices am I?!?!?

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Decisions decisions....

                      Goodness.

                      I just went through Jurien Bay on the way to Dongara on the Indian Ocean Road last weekend. Its a great drive.
                      Quite a number of new housing appearing there.

                      If youre sticking with the Sunbeam grinder, then you may be better off with the Lelit.

                      The Rancilio Silvia requires a grinder like the Rocky or upwards in quality to give a great cup.

                      The Breville smart grinder is better, and the Compak K3 better still.

                      The Lelit will defintely live better with the Sunbeam compared to Silvia.

                      The steam from the Lelits boiler should do the trick for up to half a litre at a time, and its good quality.

                      The Gaggia will also give great coffee, but the Lelit is better and gives you pride of ownership.

                      Hope it helps you Sarah.

                      Gary at G

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Decisions decisions....

                        Originally posted by 6661797D6B7C3737370E0 link=1315454448/4#4 date=1315456231
                        I know that this may not be helpful consider your specified budget, but if you can nudge higher (~$1200) you could snag yourself  a breville BES 900.

                        The reason I suggest this is that:

                        a. I recently bought one, and love it.
                        b. Had a lend of a friends silvia for about a month and wasnt that impressed.
                        Ah, where exactly can you get a dual boiler for $1200???

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Decisions decisions....

                          Originally posted by 77425342676474270 link=1315454448/11#11 date=1315528634
                          Ah, where exactly can you get a dual boiler for $1200???
                          I think you will have to do the hard miles Pete as plugging non sponsors is frowned upon here and the plugs do get removed. Sponsors pick up much of the tab to keep the site running and also subsidise CS freight costs.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Decisions decisions....

                            Originally posted by 4B474E4E4D4D455D45280 link=1315454448/9#9 date=1315493113
                            I have read up on the steam debate and as I love my milk thick and velvety I am thinking I may want to lean towards the Rancilios, the recommendations seem to be that if you want steam, avoid the sunbeam...

                            Depends what youre talking about. I am one who wrote in my review of the Breville BES900 that I was disappointed with steam power. Note POWER. What I do find, and wrote in the review, is that it makes amazing microfoam (very velvety, perfect) and is actually very difficult to stuff up the milk. I never ruin my milk now, whereas it was not a rare thing to ruin my milk on previous machines. And there is enough steam to do a very large jug of milk too. Its just that you cant strip paint off the countertop with the steam power, but when it comes to making good milk - you dont need to. My mums Silvia will strip paint off the countertop but I stuff up the milk regularly when I visit her and go to make a coffee - I realise this wouldnt be a problem if you use the machine regularly, but it still reinforces to me how easy it is to get a good result on the BES900.


                            Originally posted by 1A455D4B404B474E4E4D4D454946280 link=1315454448/12#12 date=1315529249
                            Pete@CS wrote Today at 10:37:
                            Ah, where exactly can you get a dual boiler for $1200???


                            I think you will have to do the hard miles Pete as plugging non sponsors is frowned upon here and the plugs do get removed. Sponsors pick up much of the tab to keep the site running and also subsidise CS freight costs.
                            When you add up the grinder, beans, cleaner and store credit I got with my package from Cuppacoffee, I might have paid $40 more than some. But for the convenience of having a very knowledgeable, helpful and friendly person a phone call away to help me with anything - Id pay $40 more anyday. Try phoning the big boys and asking the 15 year old how to improve your coffee or troubleshoot a problem you are having. Then theres the fact that the sponsors are paying for such a great site and subsidising our freight every beanbay, as mentioned above.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Decisions decisions....

                              A google search quickly turns up one for $1297 but I dont know why youd want to support big unrelated-to-coffee companies selling equipment they dont specialise in, you wont get much in after sales care for sure...

                              So how does this Breville justify its price tag over the em6910 and silvia? (ie please explain the dual boiler?)

                              Comment

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