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. :-)
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. :-)


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