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Recommend me a plastic free entry-mid level machine please

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  • Recommend me a plastic free entry-mid level machine please

    Hi all,

    I am new here (first post) so I hope I am in the right spot.

    I am looking for a entry-mid range machine that doesn't have any hot liquid touching plastic or aluminum. I would prefer not to get into any debate about that issue if possible.
    My budget is around $1000
    I was planning on getting a machine with a grinder included but it seems that is generally a bad idea from what I have read on r/espresso? I generally am looking for something that is quick and easy but I can froth milk if required as I worked in a cafe for a short time years ago. I also don't have much space so I need to be mindful of that too.

    I was looking at the Breville Bambino plus but It seems it has a thermoblock boiler and maybe even plastic in the portafilter.

    Thanks in advance.


  • #2
    Originally posted by Dano3 View Post
    that doesn't have any hot liquid touching plastic or aluminum.
    Interesting. I have a friend who has a grievance with aluminium and plastic in an espresso machine, primarily because he doesn't think they are conducive to a long trouble free life of the machine, and himself. He is much happier with bronze, brass, and copper, and hence ended up with a second hand lump of a Rancilio L6. I can't help wondering if they used lead-free brass in these older machines, but best not to mention this to him.

    Anyway, I digress. My first thought was a machine that a lot of people are familiar with - the Rancilio Silvia. They pretty much meet your criteria, with the working parts are mostly brass and copper. There is a little bit of teflon in the flexible pipe between the vibe pump and boiler, and there are a few viton gaskets sealing the major components, but otherwise they are OK. I think you are going to have a problem avoiding the flexible teflon pipes, as they are used in everything these days. I see that one of the site sponsors have the manual V6 version of the Silvia for $1089, and you can always pick up a second hand one cheaper.

    Hopefully others will chip in with other options for you.
    Last edited by Stavros; 26 July 2022, 06:47 PM.

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    • #3
      Cafelat Robot, no milk steaming though

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      • #4
        Rancilio Silvia or Lelit Anna will be pretty much your only options. You may find something from the likes of Bellezza or Ascaso, but they're not as good. Maybe an ECM Casa on sale? Everything else has plastic and/or aluminium that I can think of.

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        • #5
          What's wrong with the gaggia classic pro? It's much cheaper, you can also get a decent grinder within budget.

          Or frankly a second hand pre 2015 gaggia classic or Silvia plus good second hand grinder would probably be better.

          My gaggia classic served me well for over 10 years before I upgraded. Still nothing wrong with my classic, but wanted an upgrade. It's sitting in my cupboard as a backup. Doubt it will ever die.

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          • 338
            338 commented
            Editing a comment
            I am not sure but wouldn't the aluminium boiler of the Pro go against the main requirement of no aluminium or plastic touching hot water?

          • davidpb
            davidpb commented
            Editing a comment
            Yes 338, sorry, my bad

        • #6
          In addition to the previous suggestions, I could be wrong but I don't think the Oscar has any aluminium or plastic touching hot water. It seems to be mostly copper with maybe some brass. You could probably pick one up second hand within your budget.

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          • #7
            If you're ok with a lever machine you could look at a La Pavoni - the only thing you're concerned about the water coming in contact with would be seals, which would most likely be unavoidable in any machine. No pipes or tubes that I'm aware of, fairly simple design. Bit of learning curve but very good coffee when you get it right.

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            • #8
              Originally posted by davidpb View Post
              What's wrong with the gaggia classic pro? It's much cheaper, you can also get a decent grinder within budget. Or frankly a second hand pre 2015 gaggia classic or Silvia plus good second hand grinder would probably be better. My gaggia classic served me well for over 10 years before I upgraded. Still nothing wrong with my classic, but wanted an upgrade. It's sitting in my cupboard as a backup. Doubt it will ever die.
              Aluminium boiler.

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              • #9
                If you're in Sydney I have a Sunbeam EM6910 that's all copper pipework I'm looking to move on

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                • #10
                  Originally posted by LeroyC View Post
                  Rancilio Silvia or Lelit Anna will be pretty much your only options. You may find something from the likes of Bellezza or Ascaso, but they're not as good. Maybe an ECM Casa on sale? Everything else has plastic and/or aluminium that I can think of.
                  The lovely lady at my local Prosumer coffee store also recommended the ECM Casa. It's over my budget but might have to consider it.

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                  • #11
                    Originally posted by level3ninja View Post
                    If you're in Sydney I have a Sunbeam EM6910 that's all copper pipework I'm looking to move on
                    Thanks for the offer but the reviews don't seem too great so I will pass on the offer.

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                    • #12
                      Thanks to all that made suggestions. I will go and do some reading up on them ?

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