Help for a newbie BES 870 vs 920
Good choice. I'd say they're both good machines for starters, but in some respects they can't be compared. The 920 has some commercial features that the 870 doesn't have. A 58mm portafilter and a proper dual boiler rather than a thermoblock are two things that should keep you happy with the 920 for years. Programmability and other intelligent features are an added bonus. The 870 would've seen you wanting an upgrade before long I reckon.
Just be aware that the longer you can give the machine to warm up the better (within reason). I have a Gaggia Classic at the moment and it is supposedly at temp after less than 5min. I know from experience that if I pull a shot at this stage its average. After 5-10min I flush some water through the group to help warm it up, then allow another 10min for temps to stabilize a bit. If I'm in a hurry a 15min warm up is ok and the minimum I'll allow. With the Gaggia it improves beyond that, but gets complicated with flushes and boiler refills etc. All of which is ok if I have time and its worth it, but 15min is a happy minimum. So while I don't know the specifics of the BES920 I'd apply the same principle, and use the timer to achieve this if necessary. Does it actively heat the group? Being the 'intelligent' machine it is I'd say it does. If not a flush after 5-10min can't hurt either. Hope its all going well.
Good choice. I'd say they're both good machines for starters, but in some respects they can't be compared. The 920 has some commercial features that the 870 doesn't have. A 58mm portafilter and a proper dual boiler rather than a thermoblock are two things that should keep you happy with the 920 for years. Programmability and other intelligent features are an added bonus. The 870 would've seen you wanting an upgrade before long I reckon.
Just be aware that the longer you can give the machine to warm up the better (within reason). I have a Gaggia Classic at the moment and it is supposedly at temp after less than 5min. I know from experience that if I pull a shot at this stage its average. After 5-10min I flush some water through the group to help warm it up, then allow another 10min for temps to stabilize a bit. If I'm in a hurry a 15min warm up is ok and the minimum I'll allow. With the Gaggia it improves beyond that, but gets complicated with flushes and boiler refills etc. All of which is ok if I have time and its worth it, but 15min is a happy minimum. So while I don't know the specifics of the BES920 I'd apply the same principle, and use the timer to achieve this if necessary. Does it actively heat the group? Being the 'intelligent' machine it is I'd say it does. If not a flush after 5-10min can't hurt either. Hope its all going well.


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