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Advice on first kit

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  • Milkshake
    replied
    Ha ha nope I’m still spinning my wheels, I think I’ve gone and over analysed it all, but at the moment I’m moving towards spending the extra money on a quality Italian machine.......

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  • Orbost
    replied
    So Milkshake, any decision made? Did you get the Breville, and how are you finding it?

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  • Milkshake
    replied
    Originally posted by level3ninja View Post
    I think the biggest thing you have to decide is if you're willing to upgrade in a couple of years after learning how to make coffee, how you like to make coffee, and what features you do/don't like on a machine;
    or if you want to avoid upgrading in 1-5 years and risk guessing answers to the questions above now before you know the answers and then change equipment again anyway in a few years if you guessed the answers incorrectly.

    My advice is to do what I do when I buy tools that aren't for work; by the basic one first then if and whern it breaks or can't do what you want you'll be better placed to make an informed decision on a more expensive one.
    I have been going through this exact dilemma, do I stump up the cash now and get something “good* now or get something cheaper and upgrade later! Your advice is exactly what I needed to hear. I need to know what I want before I start looking at the more advanced equipment and the only way that’s going to come is through experience. I think I’m going to go down the Breville dynamic duo path. It’s 1200 bucks and has all I need to get started, I’ll get my head around that and look if I want step up to the better equipment once I’ve some experience to base my choices on,
    I think the Breville has far and away the best bang for my buck to start out with!

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  • level3ninja
    replied
    I think the biggest thing you have to decide is if you're willing to upgrade in a couple of years after learning how to make coffee, how you like to make coffee, and what features you do/don't like on a machine;
    or if you want to avoid upgrading in 1-5 years and risk guessing answers to the questions above now before you know the answers and then change equipment again anyway in a few years if you guessed the answers incorrectly.

    My advice is to do what I do when I buy tools that aren't for work; by the basic one first then if and when it breaks or can't do what you want you'll be better placed to make an informed decision on a more expensive one.

    Leave a comment:


  • Orbost
    replied
    I started off with a Gaggia Classic nearly 10 years ago, and just upgraded to a Rocket. I didn't find the Gaggia a problem for a starting point. You will soon work out your way of pulling the shot and steaming milk, and once you have that in your head, it is dead easy to make coffee after coffee after coffee. For a first timer, I would recommend you start with something simple. Worry about OPVs and other mods down the road.

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  • Planeodds
    replied
    Hey guys, thanks for the input. Reading further into entry-level singler boiler units like the Silvia and Gaggia Classic, I've decided they're a bit too manual for a novice. I want to avoid having to do things like temp surfing and manually priming/refilling the boiler.
    With this in mind, I think I may save a bit more and either get a more user-friendly single boiler unit with an inbuilt PID and OPV (Lelit PL41TEMD), or spend a bit more again for an entry-level HX (Nuova Simonelli Oscar II) and add an OPV. Any more thoughts?

    EDIT With regards to a grinder, I may drop it down to a Mazzer Mini E (not sure on Mod A vs B yet).

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  • TampIt
    replied
    Originally posted by Planeodds View Post
    Thanks for the links level3ninja however I forgot to mention I live in Perth
    G'day Planeodds

    I will have a spare "round button" 6910 as soon as my Decent DE1 arrives (due circa end of October). Both my 6910s are in (very) good condition. PM me if interested. I will also be delighted to get rid of my 4 year old SB7000 (quieter than the 6910 but not as good in the cup or to froth milk) when my new build is finished. I probably should complete the cull and move my 2 group La Pavoni and Bo-ema RR45 on and just keep one of my 6910s as a spare.

    FYI I had a Silvia for 9 years - good reliable machine (as long as you do not run it out of water - immediate boiler destruction - the cause of most Miss S demises), however it will not pull a shot and steam milk at the same time. If that is important for you, you will need to increase your budget substantially.


    TampIt

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  • brianleon
    replied
    My first machine was a silvia and a rocky grinder, that was over 10 years ago. l still use the rocky grinder and gave the silvia away as after 10 years it owed me nothing and needed some work . Your mission should you chose to accept it, is buy brand new and take excellent care of it, in 2 years the money you saved today wont even be remembered. Buy new mate its all shiny and new that way.
    cheers.

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  • Planeodds
    replied
    Thanks for the links level3ninja however I forgot to mention I live in Perth

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  • spin_addict
    replied
    So I started with a Silvia v3 and a rocky grinder. Within weeks I changed to a super jolly. I removed the hopper from the SJ immediately and loved it. It didn’t look too big against the Silvia.

    After a few months of owning the Silvia I started on the path of modifying it. First I fitted pressure gauges and then PID and the list went on. Overall is was a brilliant combination and one I cant imagine you will regret if you choose this hardware.

    Stef.

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  • level3ninja
    replied
    Another option for a machine is an older Sunbeam EM6910 (with the round red dot drip tray full indicator rather than the line shape) if you can find one in good condition. What part of the country are you in?

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  • level3ninja
    replied
    Another option with PID, bit more expensive for a V5
    https://coffeesnobs.com.au/coffee-ha...-adelaide.html

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  • level3ninja
    replied
    This would be good. A PID on a Silvia is a huge advantage.
    https://coffeesnobs.com.au/coffee-ha...ia-v3-pid.html

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  • Planeodds
    replied
    Originally posted by level3ninja View Post
    Hi Planeodds, welcome.
    What sort of coffees do you normally drink? How often?
    Is your budget $1k total?
    Where abouts are you located?

    Every machine and grinder have their own pros and cons, and people who like them or not.
    Hey pal, I drink a long macchiato or two daily. My budget is around $1000 (willing to stretch it up to $14-1500 if need be).

    Originally posted by level3ninja View Post
    Jet Black call them pre-loved or reconditioned - see here
    https://www.jetblackespresso.com.au/...y=lowest_price
    Thankyou

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  • level3ninja
    replied
    Jet Black call them pre-loved or reconditioned - see here
    https://www.jetblackespresso.com.au/...y=lowest_price

    Leave a comment:

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