Decisions, decisions - Lelit, Rancilio, inbuilt grinder...PID....recommendations?

[cameronb]

Hi all.

I have had a very trusty EM6910 for the last 7 years with a recent group head collar repair. It has started to do the hum (wall plugged in, but machine not on) that I have seen others talk about on other threads. It is over 7 years old now and I am reluctant to spend more cash on it especially when I was looking to upgrade anyway.

My budget is around $1k and I am tossing up between the Lelit range (the Combi PL042EMI or the PL41TEMD with PID) or something like the Rancilio Silvia. I would say that I am at an intermediate level, having daily use of the EM6910 and previous barista experience. Wanting to primarily make milk based coffees - 2-4 per day.

In anyone else's experience - is the grinder built in to the machines any good or do I sacrifice that to get the PID'd version? I am currently on a EM0480 grinder and also considering a basic Lelit like the PL41LEM and buying another grinder. So if anyone has any opinions on what I should look more at, or recommendations it would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

[Dimal]

Welcome Cameron...

Lelit machines of various models all represent excellent bang-for-buck. Best bet would be to try and get into a specialist dealer's (or two or three) showroom and grab some hands on testing, while eye-balling all the various options on the different machines to see how they would fit within your existing kitchen arrangements. Several of our Site Sponsors would be in a position to demo these for you and would be well worth the trouble and time...

Mal.

[cameronb]

OK, I will check it out. I live on the Gold Coast - so if anyone knows suppliers here that they recommend, great!

[>JetBlack_Espresso]

sure can - Silipo Coffee

charlie

[Yelta]

Welcome to Coffee Snobs Cameron.

I owned a Silvia for many trouble free years, it made great coffee and must admit I was kind of sad to see it go.

Having said that, if I were in the market for a similar machine now I would be hard pressed to go past one of the Lelit offerings, they have progressed with the times whereas the Silvia, while still a good machine, seems to be stuck 15 years in the past.

[gonzo89]

In anyone else's experience - is the grinder built in to the machines any good or do I sacrifice that to get the PID'd version?

Cheers

Hi Cameron, Lelit is an incredible machine for this price range (as others have mentioned). I owned a re badge of a Lelit before I upgraded to one of the newer Lelit's a couple of years ago. Both machines basically had the same internals and were excellent. The hand me down, which was my original machine, was 10 years old and was still going strong when I sold it. The quality is still the same if not better with a few tweaks and extra features on the new Lelit's.

The PID is a great feature on a small single boiler machine, but you can live without it if it's not in your budget.

As for the inbuilt grinder, it is an excellent low end grinder. It is not average for what you are paying, and never once did I have a problem with it on both the machines I have owned. Easy to service yourself too if you are a tinkerer
It is a noisy grinder, but so is anything else you are going to get for the same amount of money spare after buying a Lelit or Silvia without a grinder.

As Yelta said, he owned a Silvia for many years, yet he agrees Lelit is keeping up to date with features and styling. All that without bumping up the price ridiculously.

Head to Silipo Coffee at Southport as Charlie recommended. Richard will give you a great hands on experience and show you all you need to know.

[cameronb]

Thanks for the welcome everyone and the recommendations.

I actually had a break this morning and ran down to see Richard at Silipo - so got to check out the Lelit there, which looks like a solid machine. I like the serviceability of the machine as well, and the fact that parts aren't going to cost me a fortune down the track.

Another question - if I go ahead with the Lelit am I going to need a new grinder as well, or will the Sunbeam be cut out for the job?

[gonzo89]

got to check out the Lelit there, which looks like a solid machine. I like the serviceability of the machine as well, and the fact that parts aren't going to cost me a fortune down the track.

Another question - if I go ahead with the Lelit am I going to need a new grinder as well

Great to hear that you got to have a play with one. Nothing like a hands on demonstration.

Yes you are right the parts for this machine are all available without having to wait forever if it comes to that in future.

Did you get a chance to play with the Lelit with the built in grinder? Unless you are going to be able to afford at minimum a Compak K3 I would highly suggest you consider the built in grinder model. As I mentioned in my previous post, it is an excellent little grinder. I would not put the Sunbeam at it's level. That is not to say that the Sunbeam won't grind fine enough. Simply a comment on the performance, longevity and results in the cup when you compare the two grinders.

[saoye]

If money is an issue keep the sunbeam grinder. It will be ok until you feel the urge for the next upgrade.

[cameronb]

OK, have decided to go for the Combi Lelit model, will pick it up tomorrow morning!

[gonzo89]

OK, have decided to go for the Combi Lelit model, will pick it up tomorrow morning!

Great choice! Hopefully hear your thoughts on your new machine setup once you have it all setup at home. Enjoy

[metho]

Good luck with the Lelit Combi. Great long lasting machines if treated well (or even an abused machine from evilbay with some extra work).