Another thread from a first time espresso machine buyer...
I've been wanting to get a half-decent espresso machine for a while but never wanted to settle for a cheap Brevelle etc. (especially after trying a few at friends places). I've always appreciated the art of a good coffee and want to learn what it takes to knock out a well balanced shot myself. Up until now I've been living with a Sunbeam EM0480 grinder and french press (and unsuccessful attempts at using a stove-top peculator), but it doesn't satisfy my daily cravings for a long macchiato. From my reading around here and the Home-Barista site, I understand the Sunbeam is barely adequate for espresso and will likely need replacing, however I'll live with it for the time being. I've suffered a bit of scope creep while researching different options for a new or 2nd hand machine so I'm writing up this thread for some advice to bring me back down to ground.
Proposed usage of the espresso machine is about 2x coffees each day (more on weekends) - 1x macchiato, 1x cappuccino/mocha, with additional milk used for a couple of babyccinos. We rarely entertain so I was originally thinking a single boiler would be sufficient, however an entry level volumetric heat-exchanger machine would be easier for my wife to use. Overall I would like a machine that is somewhat forgiving of poor technique, such that I won't be too frustrated while learning what it takes to extract a consistently decent shot and hopefully my wife will actually use it.
Current Shortlist with pros/cons:
new Lelit PL41TEMD (or Rancillo Silva with PID)
~ $800
+ under budget, allows for quicker grinder upgrade
+ new warranty, local JetBlack agent for servicing and initial home barista training
- small boiler suggests lots of refilling and time between brew & steam
? PID control means no cooling flushes or tempsurfing, easy to use for my wife?
2nd hand 2009 Diadema Perfetta (CS Market Square)
~ $850
+ under budget, allows for quicker grinder upgrade
- no warranty, but better quality machine should last a while
+ E61 group head and 750ml boiler should have enough thermal mass for temp stability and consistent shots
+ E61 group head is apparently more forgiving of bad technique
? larger boiler and thermal mass suggest long heat-up / cool down time between brew and steam
? no PID control, but higher tier machine should have a decent thermostat
new Nuova Simonelli Oscar
~ $1250
- over budget
+ new warranty, local JetBlack agent for servicing and initial home barista training
+ HX machine allows for simultaneous brew & steam
? HX machine requires cooling flushes and tempsurfing, more difficult for my wife to use
2nd hand Bezzera BZ02 / BZ07 volumetric
~ $1000 / $1300
- on/over budget (no room for a new grinder)
- no warranty but machines may be refurbed
+ HX machine allows for simultaneous brew & steam
+ volumetric is user friendly for my wife
? Bezzera group head is apparently almost as good as E61 but a little less forgiving
? do the higher end Bezzera HX machines require cooling flushes
At the moment I am leaning towards the 2nd hand Diadema Perfetta, hopefully I can check it out in the flesh over the weekend. On the other hand a HX machine would be handy, but I'm not sure it's worth the extra $$ for the limited times we will actually need to brew/steam back to back.
Any critique or advice is much appreciated.
I've been wanting to get a half-decent espresso machine for a while but never wanted to settle for a cheap Brevelle etc. (especially after trying a few at friends places). I've always appreciated the art of a good coffee and want to learn what it takes to knock out a well balanced shot myself. Up until now I've been living with a Sunbeam EM0480 grinder and french press (and unsuccessful attempts at using a stove-top peculator), but it doesn't satisfy my daily cravings for a long macchiato. From my reading around here and the Home-Barista site, I understand the Sunbeam is barely adequate for espresso and will likely need replacing, however I'll live with it for the time being. I've suffered a bit of scope creep while researching different options for a new or 2nd hand machine so I'm writing up this thread for some advice to bring me back down to ground.
Proposed usage of the espresso machine is about 2x coffees each day (more on weekends) - 1x macchiato, 1x cappuccino/mocha, with additional milk used for a couple of babyccinos. We rarely entertain so I was originally thinking a single boiler would be sufficient, however an entry level volumetric heat-exchanger machine would be easier for my wife to use. Overall I would like a machine that is somewhat forgiving of poor technique, such that I won't be too frustrated while learning what it takes to extract a consistently decent shot and hopefully my wife will actually use it.
Current Shortlist with pros/cons:
new Lelit PL41TEMD (or Rancillo Silva with PID)
~ $800
+ under budget, allows for quicker grinder upgrade
+ new warranty, local JetBlack agent for servicing and initial home barista training
- small boiler suggests lots of refilling and time between brew & steam
? PID control means no cooling flushes or tempsurfing, easy to use for my wife?
2nd hand 2009 Diadema Perfetta (CS Market Square)
~ $850
+ under budget, allows for quicker grinder upgrade
- no warranty, but better quality machine should last a while
+ E61 group head and 750ml boiler should have enough thermal mass for temp stability and consistent shots
+ E61 group head is apparently more forgiving of bad technique
? larger boiler and thermal mass suggest long heat-up / cool down time between brew and steam
? no PID control, but higher tier machine should have a decent thermostat
new Nuova Simonelli Oscar
~ $1250
- over budget
+ new warranty, local JetBlack agent for servicing and initial home barista training
+ HX machine allows for simultaneous brew & steam
? HX machine requires cooling flushes and tempsurfing, more difficult for my wife to use
2nd hand Bezzera BZ02 / BZ07 volumetric
~ $1000 / $1300
- on/over budget (no room for a new grinder)
- no warranty but machines may be refurbed
+ HX machine allows for simultaneous brew & steam
+ volumetric is user friendly for my wife
? Bezzera group head is apparently almost as good as E61 but a little less forgiving
? do the higher end Bezzera HX machines require cooling flushes
At the moment I am leaning towards the 2nd hand Diadema Perfetta, hopefully I can check it out in the flesh over the weekend. On the other hand a HX machine would be handy, but I'm not sure it's worth the extra $$ for the limited times we will actually need to brew/steam back to back.
Any critique or advice is much appreciated.

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