Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Seeking advice for my first espresso machine and grinder

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • #31
    Re: Seeking advice for my first espresso machine and grinder

    Regarding the 2yr old Domus Galatea - The original version fed the excess pressure via the tray (not the tank), which made the tray fill up much quicker... This can be really annoying if youre making a number of coffees in short succession, but probably wont bother you if youre not.

    Comment


    • #32
      Re: Seeking advice for my first espresso machine and grinder

      It just caught my eye on an auction site which mean I cant test it out, looks nice and from the reviews I read it performs well. Its local so wouldnt waste money on freight and comes with a Gaggia conical grinder (any good?) and spring loaded tamper. Its on at $1300 with 21 hours to go... Mind you the wife would kill me (maybe I should test that out ).

      Comment


      • #33
        Re: Seeking advice for my first espresso machine and grinder

        Originally posted by 5E7371777A7B7F120 link=1255089893/31#31 date=1256027591
        It just caught my eye on an auction site which mean I cant test it out, looks nice and from the reviews I read it performs well.  Its local so wouldnt waste money on freight and comes with a Gaggia conical grinder (any good?) and spring loaded tamper.  Its on at $1300 with 21 hours to go...  Mind you the wife would kill me (maybe I should test that out   ).
        It may go for a bit more yet... 1000 shots ???

        Grinder looks well used ?

        Send them some hard questions as to service and how they have looked after it etc etc

        The issue is that with that Auction site and others it is your choice at time of pick up to accept / refuse. If you pick it up and do not test / confirm all is OK and as discribed... Then NO protection...

        No protecting will have ya wife off side :-)

        As another said... Some good sponsor buys at present...

        If KK is on or around he can provide lots more advice on the unit..

        Comment


        • #34
          Re: Seeking advice for my first espresso machine and grinder

          Originally posted by 725F5D5B5657533E0 link=1255089893/31#31 date=1256027591
          Gaggia conical grinder
          As far as Im aware, Gaggia dont have a conical grinder. They do or did have one called Conik, and that was flat burr. Theres a 2nd hand one going for far less on evilbay, so Id say the one youre looking at is way over-priced. Serves you right if you buy it.

          Comment


          • #35
            Re: Seeking advice for my first espresso machine and grinder

            AM, Have sent a message to the sell re service & maintenance already. I was looking for something preloved and this was just down the road. Everything else is down south and pick up only.

            Dennis, It looks like a Gaggia MDF Espresso Grinder and Doser. RRP about $200 US.

            Heavy Duty 120 Watt Motor
            Low Speed and Low Static Grinder
            34 Grind Settings
            50mm Tempered Steel Grinding Burrs
            Impact Resistant Plastic Housing
            10oz. Large Capacity Bean Hopper
            Dosing Grinder with Pull Lever Action
            Smoked Plastic Bean and
            Ground Coffee Container
            Colors: Black or White
            Weight: 10 Lbs.
            Dimensions: 11.5”H x 4.5”W x 8.5”D

            The only concern I have so far (apart from buying at an auction site, unseen and untested) is that it gets really hot to touch (According to other posts) and I have a few young kids.

            What does a second hand one normally fetch?

            Comment


            • #36
              Re: Seeking advice for my first espresso machine and grinder

              They dont get hot to touch (I have one).
              I find mine is a good little grinder for work to use with the 6910.

              However, buying from an auction site untested is the danger.

              Comment


              • #37
                Re: Seeking advice for my first espresso machine and grinder

                Sorry thundergod I was refering to the Bezzera Domus Galatea with that comment. I didnt make that too clear.

                Comment


                • #38
                  Re: Seeking advice for my first espresso machine and grinder

                  Originally posted by 7E5351575A5B5F320 link=1255089893/36#36 date=1256037183
                  Sorry thundergod I was refering to the Bezzera Domus Galatea with that comment.  I didnt make that too clear.
                  Just drape a microfibre cloth over the chrome head as I do, and you wont have a problem

                  KK

                  Comment


                  • #39
                    Re: Seeking advice for my first espresso machine and grinder

                    Depending how young the little ones are you could just warn them, worked for ours, the cloth is a great idea though, as for second hand ones, one of the sponsors would be able to give you a good idea, ya just dont see too many around s/\/hand, theyre just too puuuurty! 8-)

                    Comment


                    • #40
                      Re: Seeking advice for my first espresso machine and grinder

                      Well I need cheering up because my 4 year old has to have another operation just before Christmas. I need something shiney to look at and if it makes coffee in the morning it will make life a bit more cheery.

                      I will wait for a response to the message I sent about maintenance of the machine and might even ask for a preview.

                      Comment


                      • #41
                        Re: Seeking advice for my first espresso machine and grinder

                        Originally posted by 1D323B392E113D323D3B39313932285C0 link=1255089893/15#15 date=1255414932
                        The Lelit will see you up and running with a grinder etc and producing good coffee in no time... A EM6910 will need a Grinder.. A Silvia is good, but you will need a grinder and then a PID...
                        AM, out of curiosity, why would you say a Silvia needs a PID and why wouldnt you suggest the same for the lelit combo, as theyre almost identical machines internally.

                        Comment


                        • #42
                          Re: Seeking advice for my first espresso machine and grinder

                          Originally posted by 2D6A692A2131590 link=1255089893/40#40 date=1256084656
                          AM, out of curiosity, why would you say a Silvia needs a PID and why wouldnt you suggest the same for the lelit combo, as theyre almost identical machines internally.  
                          I was wondering that myself and Ive seen a Gaggia Classic with a PID too so I would be interested to find out the benefits for the Lelit?

                          Comment


                          • #43
                            Re: Seeking advice for my first espresso machine and grinder

                            Sadly not. Missed out just like you. The bidding went a bit crazy at the end but the Mrs put her foot down. Nice machine though! I will just have to dream a little longer.

                            Comment


                            • #44
                              Re: Seeking advice for my first espresso machine and grinder

                              I received an e-mail from a friend a few days ago about a BezDomGal on evilbay and what I thought about it, I gave them the usual warnings and said to check its use and care regime etc.
                              Received an e-mail today, they have purchased said Machine.......its on its way to WA

                              Comment


                              • #45
                                Re: Seeking advice for my first espresso machine and grinder

                                Regarding the comments about Silvia needing a PID Controller while others do not.... This is a "furfie" to be quite honest. None of the machines mentioned need a PID Controller but the addition of one does make life a little easier when using them. It takes away the chore of Temperature Surfing when youre trying to find the ideal temperature at which to pull a shot for a particular coffee varietal or blend.

                                I installed one on a Lelit style machine a number of years ago and it definitely made life a lot easier for both pulling shots and texturing milk. Basically, after the machine had finished warming up, it was possible to just walk up without any additional preparation, than to load and lock-in the Group Handle(GH), pull the shot and Bobs you uncle. If you then wanted to create some marvellous micro-foam, you could either switch the Controller over to Steam Mode or up the Setpoint to 125C or so. After a very short time, enough steam was available to really go to town texturing up to a max of 500ml of milk at a time. The PID Controller just holds the Boiler Temperature at what ever temperature you have set it at, no dead-band to worry about as with even the best of T/stats.

                                So, in a nutshell, the PID Controller works well on a Dual Purpose Single Boiler machine because the Group Head is basically part of the Boiler, usually attached to the bottom of the Boiler in some fashion which allows for a short and efficient coupling of the Boiler Temperature to the Group Head and the Brew Water itself. In essence, you create a very thermo-stable closed loop system that makes it possible to deliver Brew Water into the GH within a very narrow temperature envelope, shot after shot after shot (within the design constraints of the machine itself).

                                I loved the convenience and efficiency of my converted machine, which allowed for the added bonus of being able to dial-in the Brew Water temperature to suit any bean varietal and roast profile. Probably a coffee geek (nerd) version of heaven.... 8-)

                                With the machines as-is though, you will be able to pull some great espresso very consistently. You just need to take the time to learn the idiosyncrasies of the machine and put that to best advantage....

                                All the best,
                                Mal.

                                Comment

                                Working...
                                X