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  • #16
    No one has mentioned that one of the biggest differences between an e61 and other group heads is simply the amount of material used. My understanding is that most other semi commercial group heads use less brass and are lighter. This generally means they heat up faster, but the e61 has the potential for better thermal stability once at optimal temp. Is this right? Can someone more learned confirm this?

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    • #17
      Originally posted by K_Bean_Coffee
      I'd probably "sink" that one Paul....
      Very uneven extraction.

      Mal.

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      • #18
        Pulling your leg mate...
        That's what the emoticons are meant to imply...

        Mal.

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        • #19
          No doubt BZ10 can make great coffee, however personally I'd stretch my budget a little more to get the Magica or Domobar. Having the heating element in the brew head means 1 more thing needs to be replaced in a few years time.

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          • #20
            My ears were burning.

            I'm in the market for an upgrade from my little Gaggia Baby Dose and am after a machine with a little footprint around the 2K mark. The little BZ10 was never on the radar until a few weeks ago. Luckily Paul was not too far away from me and figured i'd drop in for a demo and a chat.

            The machine is a peach, perfect for what i'd need. Considering my household is a 2-3 coffee a day machine (more over the weekends) - this is perfect for us.

            * The heat up time is less than an e61 -> perfect for my morning cup/ pre work
            * I quite like the styling
            * I like the levers.
            * Out of the cup, the coffee was great.
            * Lots of steam power out of the little rig.
            * Good size for my coffee bench (although i've been told i need to make some shelving for our pour-over equipment and other coffee paraphernalia before buying anything)

            Doing a bit more research - it looks like the bezzera head has another heating element in the head to speed it up and keep the head stable. (i can't remember where that was where i heard it - I'm sure it was a video - maybe Whole Latte Love)

            And the shot was nice and gloopy - ballsy and punchy flavour with Paul's freshly roasted beans.

            Considering i was looking at a Giotto back in the day when i started my upgraditis fever, i think i've save the pennies for a better grinder (and even some of Leon's wooden embellishments). I was also looking at some nice 2nd machines, but i
            figured i'd splurge a bit. I'm just waiting for a few things for fall into my favour before I harass Paul again with an order =)


            The above is based on a 30 minute experience with the machine (and tons of google browsing - and translating from German)

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            • #21
              I might have to rethink my eventual upgrade after reading this thread. Was thinking I might have to look at a Giotto Rocket as my next machine, but the BZ10 seems to tick a lot of boxes. I guess I'd probably have to look at upgrading my Rocky to something more worthy. Need to start saving

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              • #22
                bit of a drive from Adelaide

                We are a bit of a backwater as far as coffee hardware shops go. I can only think of one place that has anything but Brevbeam appliances.

                Would be great to do a hands on

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                • #23
                  Originally posted by K_Bean_Coffee
                  Anyone who drives more than 500 kms to visit my showroom on Saturday gets a free gift
                  Petrol Voucher?

                  Mal.

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                  • #24
                    Originally posted by K_Bean_Coffee
                    Anyone who drives more than 500 kms to visit my showroom on Saturday gets a free gift
                    Does 100 kms on a motorcycle in the rain earn a gift as well?

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                    • #25
                      Originally posted by K_Bean_Coffee
                      Anyone who drives more than 500 kms to visit my showroom on Saturday gets a free gift
                      I'll happily drive over for a BZ10... :-)

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                      • #26
                        Would conveyance via a Boeing 737 adorned with a red roo count? It would be >500 km's, of course. Umpire/judge, adjudication please. I'm a cheap tart so 250 grams of something interesting would be make me happy.

                        Scott

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                        • #27
                          Originally posted by K_Bean_Coffee
                          For that I would throw you a bag on Yemen Bani Ismail !!!
                          I've never had the Bani Ismail. Are they little beans like, say, the Matari? I've read that they are sensational. I might just have to have a sneaky trip to Melbourne for the weekend.

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                          • #28
                            I drove about 550km today to look at a 2nd hand coffee machine. They are quite thin on the ground here in NZ. Unfortunately it had some issues inside so I can home empty handed. Still I'm glad I spent $100 and a day to avoid a $1200+ mistake.

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                            • #29
                              [QUOTE=******_Coffee;584364]Hi WaKkO,

                              In the past the Expobar Leva was my recommendation at the near $2k mark. Now it's the BZ10.

                              Why the change?
                              Build quality of the BZ10 is far superior....



                              Hi - until now I've really only been an amateur in the coffee stakes - had a Gaggia classic for about 7 years (did my own repairs to keep it going - was still going when I gave it away) and then bought a Breville Dual Boiler two and a half years ago.
                              The Breville DB is now about to go in the bin - as it's apparently not worth repairing after less than 2,000 shots.

                              I would like to upgrade my skills, and for obvious reasons I am now very keen on durability - would like to buy something which could be still going in 8 years time.

                              I had a look at the Expobar Office and the BZ10. I was leaning towards the BZ10, and your comments above about build quality confirm that in my mind.

                              I haven't seen one, but the Isomac Tea was something that came up in my research. I was wondering if you had a view of this in terms of durability. Is it regarded as comparable with the Bezzera ?
                              I was originally thinking of an E61, but after thinking a bit more about it, BZ10 heated group would be fine for us.

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                              • #30
                                Hi Paul

                                Thanks for the response.

                                If you weren't recommending, but perhaps giving a little advice on HX machines where the buyer's No 1 criteria is durability (looks don't count), are there any pointers you would give ?
                                The only other important factor for us is that 90% of our coffees are with milk.

                                An HX reasonably not too far from the $2k mark is what I was thinking of.
                                I live in Melbourne btw, so can drop in for a visit.

                                Mike

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