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Thinking of downgrading from Profitec Pro-700 to Pro-300

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  • Thinking of downgrading from Profitec Pro-700 to Pro-300

    I'm currently thinking of downgrading from my Pro-700 to a Pro-300.

    After two years, I am coming to the realisation that it may be that the Pro-700 is too much of a machine for my needs.

    I love the consistency and stability of the Pro-700, and the simplicity and durability of the E61 group head. The fact is, however, that I make 1 or 2 cups of coffee first thing in the morning, most of the time. At the weekends (or when I work from home) I usually make 1 cup in the morning and 1 cup after lunch. Now that I have a grinder that I can single dose and adjust easily, I have also started to have a cup of decaf in the evening if i fancy one. Every time, I am heating up 3L of water for the sake of a 60ml espresso and some steamed milk. Due to the nature of the E61 group head, the warm-up time for that machine is around 45 minutes, so I almost have to plan every time I want a coffee. I know there are people who leave their machine on all day long, but this is not for me, as the machine is in the kitchen and the kitchen is small.

    So I thought of buying a La Pavoni Europicola or Professional. Great machines, but they have issues around stability. Moreover, I'd rather keep to the 58mm PF size so I can re-use most of my stuff (tampers, distributors, baskets, etc).

    Then I came across the Pro-300. An entry level dual boiler, with much small boilers than the Pro-700. For me, the main advantage is the heat up time: If what they say is true, the machine can come up to temp is less than 10 minutes. For me, that's just ideal.

    So I ask the esteemed forum members here their opinion. How does one compare to the other? How does it compare In terms of shot quality? What about steaming power? Is the downgrade worth the while in your opinion?

    Please let me know if I have gone totally insane. :-)

  • #2
    MSR, you risk being run out of the forum for being eminently sensible and practical.

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    • #3
      Is your 700 plumbed in? The 300 has a vibratory pump and can't be plumbed.
      Last edited by level3ninja; 26 June 2017, 11:55 AM. Reason: Spelling

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      • #4
        With the amount of coffees you are producing to you really need a dual boiler machine, a HX would probably serve your needs just as efficiently??

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        • #5
          Originally posted by greenman View Post
          With the amount of coffees you are producing to you really need a dual boiler machine, a HX would probably serve your needs just as efficiently??
          Greenman, if MRS keeps within the Profitec line the 500 HX is more expensive and has the E61 grouphead so likely wont solve the warmup problem. The 300 looks to have the boiler directly attached above the grouphead with all that means for warmup so may match his needs better.

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          • #6
            Is switching to espresso drinks an option? Or maybe milk drinks in the morning and shots after that.

            That way you're not reheating up the big steam boiler repeatedly.

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            • #7
              Hi all, thanks for your input.

              So, I had an HX machine before and, let's say, we didn't get on. I like the reproducibility of a dual boiler. Besides, in Southern England the water is really hard, thus my machine is fed with a bottled water which is soft (not too soft) and won't scale the boiler. Because of that, cooling flushes are a no-no for me. As you may have guessed therefore, the machine is not plumbed in and I don't really have a need or desire to do so given my usage.

              So, the main thing about heating up, as well as the boilers, is the E61 group head. To be fair as you may know already, the P-700 is up to boiler temp in less than 10 minutes. However, due to the heavy mass of the E61, it will take another 35 minutes for that to be ready. Hence one needs to plan when one wants a cup of coffee. :-) And that's the appeal of the P-300. Not only the small boiler size, thus slightly more compact than its big sister, but the fact that the ring group is mounted directly below the boiler as 338 says.

              Would be interesting to hear from anyone who had both type of machines before - or the Pro-300 - and know their opinions.

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              • #8
                My 700 heats up in 10 minutes then I run some water through the e61. That makes what I think is a good shot.
                More cheers from Oz.
                John

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by K_Bean_Coffee
                  Good point John.
                  Heat up time is rarely a deal breaker due to 2 key work-arounds.
                  #1 - use a powerpoint timer for the morning turn-on.
                  #2 - accelerate heat up times with warming flushes when you have the news for speed
                  Personally, I would never give up an E61 group for the reason of heating time.
                  Cheers, Paul
                  Thanks! Those are reassuring comments. I do use a timer for the morning, but don't like flushing too much water through as I feed the machine with bottled water.

                  However, y our point regarding the E61 is reassuring: I think sometimes it is easy to get used to something and expect everything else to be just e same. Thanks!

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                  • #10
                    You can get an hx machine tuned so you dont need cooling flushes. Most sponsor supplied australian hx machines have been this way for a few years now.
                    I have a rocket gpp coming up 10 years old that doesn't need cooling flushes.

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by trentski View Post
                      You can get an hx machine tuned so you dont need cooling flushes. Most sponsor supplied australian hx machines have been this way for a few years now.
                      I have a rocket gpp coming up 10 years old that doesn't need cooling flushes.
                      Yep! same with my 9 yo Bezzera Domus Galatea.

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                      • #12
                        I sold my last HX and bought a DB (Lelit PL60T) for the same reason (quick heatup time), Now I can make a coffee almost anytime I want without planning in advance. (as it takes only minutes to heat up). Steam wise whilst its not as powerful as machines with bigger boilers its sufficient for my needs.

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                        • #13
                          Well I'll come clean - I had a much loved VBM Domobar Super Level HX unit and a MACAP M4 grinder used for mainly milk based drinks. For various reasons I too was pulling a lot less shots and realised whilst awesome kit it was 'overkill' for my needs, so the 'For Sale' sign went up.

                          I went without for a while, went onto drip filter for my hit, but missed the romance and technique of making a latte and just recently re-entered the game but on a much smaller scale. Ive bought a Breville bes920 dual boiler and a Settle 270W grinder.
                          I struggled with the 'B' Brand (am i both a coffee and brand snob?!) but it was well reviewed and a good price for what it does (plus wifey put her foot down on budget after finding out $$ of initial setup ha ha!). As it also allows for customised water temp, pre infusion and dosage times it allows for a bit of experimentation as well. And so far I've been quite impressed at what its doing!

                          The Sette 270 is an awesome little grinder very happy there also. Actually more so than I ever was with the MACAP. WAF went up ten fold also - both units combined take up a lot less bench space!

                          In summary I think we are in the minority and somewhat of black sheep to suffer 'downgraditis' but hey consider it one of life's little detours!

                          Good luck with your downgrade decision process!

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                          • #14
                            BES920 is a good dual boiler machine, the only downside is it does not last as long, though with the recent $690 deal it'd be a non-issue. If I have not had a machine at home I'd have bought it in a heart beat.

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                            • #15
                              Have to say I would find it more than a little difficult going from a well made Italian HX machine to a Breville or Sunbeam offering, yep, have used them, not in the same ball park.

                              Heat up time is not an issue with me, being retired has quite a bit to do with that, although thinking back to my Silvia days, when I was still in the work force, 6 AM starts, out of bed, machine on, shower, shave, dress, machine ready to go.

                              Just my opinion, I'm sure others will strongly disagree.

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