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Noobs first machine ideas

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  • Ash.m
    Guest replied
    Re: Noobs first machine ideas

    uh oh..



    Thanks for everyones help, seems my research came to no avail however when we visited a sponsor today ..

    We ended up with a VBM Domobar Jnr & a K3 push.

    Now I just need a day off and a little time to learn how to use it!

    Cheers

    Ash

    Leave a comment:


  • claraflo
    replied
    Re: Noobs first machine ideas

    If you didnt want to make coffee for friends then Id say you would be an ideal fit for the Portaspresso system, grinder + machine $900. Craftsman device, technical, very blokey and makes perfect espresso rich and strong. Pity you want to pander to the odd latte crowd who come over. I know! Just meet them out at a cafe instead.... ;D

    Leave a comment:


  • Pavoniboy
    replied
    Re: Noobs first machine ideas

    Hey Ash,

    you blew it by wifey seeing the line up of small crappy machines next to it. The idea is you get a someone to set it up next to a couple of big commercial machines and grinders and then take wifey in and say, "gee, isnt this one small and neat...we better just get this small one." Relativity works!

    Leave a comment:


  • Ash.m
    Guest replied
    Re: Noobs first machine ideas

    Was out with Wifey today and ducked into a nonsponsor quickly to have a look a the double boiler as we were going past.

    I had been doing a lot of reading on it (99% of those 42 pages..) and Im pretty set on it.

    Wifey doesnt appreciate the size of it, plus the fact that the grinder is going to take up more space "Here is one where its all built in together"

    So I guess Im now a) looking at something like a Lelit Combi, or b) looking for more compelling reasons that the separate units (and possibly the breville 900/800 combo) are a better buy along with just a little benchspace.

    Maybe I should just take her into a sponsor and let them sell it to her for me

    Ash

    Leave a comment:


  • chrislng
    replied
    Re: Noobs first machine ideas

    I second the dual boiler.

    I believe if there is a chance of guests and milk then eventually you are going to feel the stress. Coffee making should be a relaxing process and a single boiler with guests may prove a pinch.

    If its your own private treat or your guests have a like appreciation of expresso then you two thumbs up.

    As for the Oscar vs. the dual boiler.

    Well this is how I see it:

    Breville:

    Pros:

    Adjustability
    Thermostability
    Warranty

    Oscar

    Pros:
    Build quality (Copper boiler, heavy brass portafilter etc.)
    Steam power

    If you Youtube inthecup1000 you can view a video of an Oscar with a smart grinder.

    Overall between the two I believe its a matter of the users preference both will produce great results given the users input and routine e.g. I would expect the Oscar to run hotter than the DB but steam and function more robustly, alternatively the DB gives greater flexibility. Again it depends on what you think you would like doing. Personally even when I had a PID I never changed the temp once; I was more interested in maintaining a consistent temperature which is possible on both. 

    Unfortunately for you this only comes with owning a machine for a few months and understanding what is you like and dont like about the machine. So in a nutshell theyll be shortfalls in both machines and you should talk to the site sponsors and decide between which shortfalls you can live with.

    Leave a comment:


  • DavidW1960
    replied
    Re: Noobs first machine ideas

    eh... scratch that - I just checked and its been sold.

    Leave a comment:


  • DavidW1960
    replied
    Re: Noobs first machine ideas

    There is a S/H BES900 for sale on here too - or at least there was for $900 still under warranty only a few months old...

    Leave a comment:


  • Thirteen13
    replied
    Re: Noobs first machine ideas

    With $1200 you are so close to BES900 and S.Grinder, infact many people pick both up for that price. I paid a touch more for both.

    80% of my coffees are made for me only, i drink a combo of espresso and latte. Breville has nice features and doesnt take long to heat up. But these might not be relivant to you.

    You might not like the design of it or how it produces so if you have the chance you should go have a look at the machines and even better if you can find a running machine, could be a stretch, but have a read and find out what machines people are reccomending and have a look at the machine see if you like the design, after all i assume it will live in the kitchen and youll have ot look at it!

    Leave a comment:


  • David8
    replied
    Re: Noobs first machine ideas

    Originally posted by 0F3D2660234E0 link=1335880656/7#7 date=1335921536
    Thanks for all the replies.

    I know the breville would be pushing my budget, especially once i include the grinder, but in my research ive seen people talking about getting one with a smart grinder for around $1500, and if i need to spend a few $100 more to get the better result so be it.

    We dont have people around for coffee all that often, (maybe a few times a month) but if i know that a silvia might take 15-20mins to knock out 4 coffees that may change my thinking about a single boiler.

    I guess the shots are my priority, and what the machine would be used for 95+% of the time, but Id like to be able to offer something else when the need arrises. I guess my next step will be to check out some shots from the breville, and make sure im going to be able to get them up to scratch.

    I was thinking of investing some coin into a coffee course of some description anyway..

    Ash
    There are LOTS of people talking about the BDB at the moment, check out the Owners page for a bit of "light" reading (all 42 pages of it). As far as I know, its more than capable of a really good shot, paired with the skills and equipment of course, but that goes for any machine. Check out the sponsors, you may be able to find a machine+grinder+course package, and get a significant discount.

    Leave a comment:


  • Ash.m
    Guest replied
    Re: Noobs first machine ideas

    Thanks for all the replies.

    I know the breville would be pushing my budget, especially once i include the grinder, but in my research ive seen people talking about getting one with a smart grinder for around $1500, and if i need to spend a few $100 more to get the better result so be it.

    We dont have people around for coffee all that often, (maybe a few times a month) but if i know that a silvia might take 15-20mins to knock out 4 coffees that may change my thinking about a single boiler.

    I guess the shots are my priority, and what the machine would be used for 95+% of the time, but Id like to be able to offer something else when the need arrises. I guess my next step will be to check out some shots from the breville, and make sure im going to be able to get them up to scratch.

    I was thinking of investing some coin into a coffee course of some description anyway..

    Ash

    Leave a comment:


  • David8
    replied
    Re: Noobs first machine ideas

    Originally posted by 525D5E4F55593C0 link=1335880656/5#5 date=1335915166
    Stretching the memory here but I am pretty sure I have read of people picking up both the Breville BES900 and Smart Grinder as a package for $1,200.
    Really? If only I had the funds to get myself one of them.

    Leave a comment:


  • nabsie
    replied
    Re: Noobs first machine ideas

    Stretching the memory here but I am pretty sure I have read of people picking up both the Breville BES900 and Smart Grinder as a package for $1,200.

    Leave a comment:


  • David8
    replied
    Re: Noobs first machine ideas

    On the other hand, the BES900 and Oscar is above Ashs budget, and that isnt including a grinder. While a dual boiler would be nice...

    Ash, how often do you have people over for coffee?

    Edit: I see that the OP did consider the BES900. Does this mean you can stretch the budget? Up to what exactly? Remember to leave probably 3-400 for grinder and accessories.

    David

    Leave a comment:


  • Thirteen13
    replied
    Re: Noobs first machine ideas

    Im from the Breville BES900 camp and its a fab machine, im very happy with it and cant pick up any negatives on the machine. My skill is the only factor letting the coffee down.

    Have a search through the various threads on each machine and youll get a feel for peoples satisfaction in each machine. All machines seem to be quite good, some better in some areas, but you cant go wrong really in whatever you decide, esp if you take peoples advice on here.

    Leave a comment:


  • nabsie
    replied
    Re: Noobs first machine ideas

    I know you say that milk coffees arent your thing and the most you might make is 4 at once if you had people over.

    Single boiler machines like the silvia will take some time to punch out 4 coffees. Probably 15-20mins. It takes me approx 6mins to make a double shot cap on my silvia. So technically I guess I could make 2 x single shot caps in very similar time.

    The Breville Dual Boiler (900) can pull shots and steam milk at the same time so the time taen to make 4 coffees will be greatly reduced.

    If you do consider the Breville then also look at the Nuova Simonelli Oscar.

    I am researching upgrades from my silvia currently and the Breville and Oscar are on my short list.

    In terms of experience.....practice, practice, practice. It would probably be worth doing a coffee course at some stage too. But youtube is great.

    Leave a comment:

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