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  • Which Machine-very new

    Hi. I am very new to all this. I love a good coffee but know almost nothing about the making of it. I want to buy an expresso machine and am confused by all the brands. I have read the reviews and understand the Rancho seems to be the best. My friend has a Saeco majic and thinks it is great.
    I am happy to pay for the right machine but I guess I need something not to complicated.
    Any advice would be appreciated.

  • #2
    Re: Which Machine-very new

    Well, thats the big question really.
    I think my progression through equipment will be a similar story to most - ending up with what I now believe will last me for a good long time.

    Started with a Braun Espresso master - no grinder
    Got a spice grinder - manual thing
    Got fed up with manual grinding, bought a Brville burr grinder.
    Braun coffe machine dies after 2 years - Buy a Breville Bar Italia - cos it was cheap.
    Find out it was cheap for a reason. All it can handle is hot chocolate really.
    Buy a Delonghi Caffe Norma (EC410).
    Grind of coffee now not fine enough, buy a Gaggia grinder.
    This set serves me well for 2 years.
    Get a rush of blood and buy a Delonghi KG100 grinder as the Gaggia is a bit messy and has no switch to leave it turned on (thats my excuse anyway).
    This serves me well for another few months.
    Delonghi Caffee Norma starts making odd gurgling sounds when heating up and gives impression that it will die one day in the near future - decide to go nuts and get the Rancilio Silvia.
    What the hell, might as well buy the Rocky grinder at the same time.

    The upshot is, I have 2 working machines and 4 grinders of various quality.

    My recommendation - same as many others on this site - Buy quality first time around.

    As for which machine, I am biased, but I reckon the Silvia is very competent, sturdy, not too big, great steam pressure, solid portafilter and so on.

    Have a read through some stuff here and on coffeegeeks. In the end, it might come down to a personal preference on your part, but at least you will know something about the machines you are comparing.

    Good luck.

    PS. Then of course, once you have your machine, we can drag you into the wonderful world of roasting your own beans ;D

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Which Machine-very new

      My only problem with the Sylvia is the long heat up and cycle times (brew->steam->brew) but it is built very well.

      I agree with fatboy that getting the right grinder 1st is probably more important. The Nemox/Imat/Quaha Lux is the minimum (cost/appearance/noise wise - it grinds as well as a Mazzer) in my book.

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Which Machine-very new

        Thanks.
        What about the machines like the Saeco that have there own grinder and are fairly automatic?

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Which Machine-very new

          Again, I think it comes down to personal preference.
          I am happier with a separate grinder as I also grind coffee for use in a plunger at work.
          If you went to a seller of Saeco (or other models), I am sure they would be happy to demonstate it to you and let you have a drive. If you are comfortable with the semi-auto, then by all means see if you can try some out.

          By the way - what sort of coffee do you drink? Espressos, lattes, cappas?
          Im a mik person, so the shot taste has some leeway with me.

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Which Machine-very new

            I normally drink lattes.
            I am concerned about a few things with the less automated
            the heating time of the Silvia
            if my family would be able to use it ie not too complicated
            Being able to make a number of cups 4-6 without taking all day
            thanks

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Which Machine-very new

              Oh I forgot... Chris,

              If youre enthusiastic and want a good machine to start on a Gaggia Carezza is a good bargain priced starting point (think you can get them for about $250 at the moment). Ive got a Lux Grinder and this works quite well as well for about the same price. So for $500 you can be making very good coffee.

              But beware of upgradeitis (read my getting a Silvia soon). You wont stop till youve got yourself a Isomac/Mini Mazzer combo and youll b e bankrupt but happy :-/


              Warren -

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Which Machine-very new

                Originally posted by gwdcoffee link=1094167848/0#13 date=1094198110
                I suspect the real question that could be asked about the Silvia is the total cycle time when producing milk drinks. If you want the ability to serve lattes etc for more than 2 people and you are working with a 2 cup jug of milk and you want to make and serve 2 drinks at a time, riding the brew/steam/brew/steam cycle is a pain. Nothing unique to the Sivia though. If that is your requirement and you have the budget for an HX machine, that is probably what you need to be investigating.
                ......
                On the other hand, if you have a regular requirement to produce 4 or more milk coffees you should be considering a machine built for the job.  Which is a very long way of repeating what Thomas has just said in much fewer words.
                Hi Graeme,

                My comments on the Sylvia heat up from cold was based on the comments of a Sylvia owner so I took them at face value - maybe he just doesnt like cheating it up. I imagine that a Sylvia (and any other dual purpose boiler machine) can be cheated up to full temp as you describe - I actually use a couple of blank steam shots to speed things up even further to the point where my Gaggias can be up to full temp in 3minutes 30 seconds. What I have had some experience and frustration with is the long time it takes to transition from brew->steam->brew on the Sylvia. On a Gaggia, they transition time is about 30 secs brew->steam and 15 secs steam->brew so the teeny boiler does have some advantages (along with some problems).

                As for HX machines, Ive stated on CG that they are fundamentally unsuited for domestic use but currently they are the only high end solution short of the very expensive dual boiler machines - hopefully, these wont be the only path to espresso nirvana in the future (maybe near future).

                Greg

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Which Machine-very new

                  hi there. has anyone used the saeco magic machine? im considering it & the delonghi grinder. thanks.

                  sam

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Which Machine-very new (me too)


                    Hi,

                    This is my first post on this website.

                    My query is along same lines as very first post of the forum (OzyChris?). I have been offerred a ECM Giotto, 2yrs old used at home by a couple.

                    The price offerred to me is $1,500.

                    The question is, if the machine has been looked after (maintained), is the asking price reasonable?

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Which Machine-very new

                      hi there rich.
                      i do like the rancilio silvia machine, it seems like a very strong unit & is very popular but the price is prob a little steep. i was considering the saeco magic machine because it got fairly good reviews and is better priced. i guess im looking at spending $350-$400 on the machine & about $200 on a burr grinder.
                      what is your opinion or what would you recommend getting in this price range?
                      thanks.......& in the meantime im drinking tea!!!!??? help!! ;D

                      sam

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Which Machine-very new (me too)

                        Originally posted by Brian link=1094167848/15#18 date=1096435688
                        My query is along same lines as very first post of the forum (OzyChris?). I have been offerred a ECM Giotto, 2yrs old used at home by a couple.

                        The price offerred to me is $1,500.

                        The question is, if the machine has been looked after (maintained), is the asking price reasonable?
                        Seems like a bargain to me - that machine is abour $2500 new and they should last forever. You will need to run it off a timer (or leave it on 24/7) since they take about an hour to warmup properly

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Which Machine-very new

                          Originally posted by sam link=1094167848/15#20 date=1096512939
                          hi there rich.
                          i do like the rancilio silvia machine, it seems like a very strong unit & is very popular but the price is prob a little steep. i was considering the saeco magic machine because it got fairly good reviews and is better priced. i guess im looking at spending $350-$400 on the machine & about $200 on a burr grinder.
                          what is your opinion or what would you recommend getting in this price range?
                          I would say Gaggia Carezza and Lux (Nemox/Quaha or Imat) grinder in that price area. the Gaggia is a bit under and the Lux a bit over budget which equals out. This combo would kill the one you are considering in just about every way.

                          The Sylvias are great machines but the Gaggias are very close in the espresso stakes (steam power is comparitively wimpy but good enough for most home use) and warm up and cycle very fast compared to other machines.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Which Machine-very new

                            Originally posted by kaanage link=1094167848/15#22 date=1096528295
                            I would say Gaggia Carezza and Lux (Nemox/Quaha or Imat) grinder in that price area. the Gaggia is a bit under and the Lux a bit over budget which equals out. This combo would kill the one you are considering in just about every way.

                            The Sylvias are great machines but the Gaggias are very close in the espresso stakes (steam power is comparitively wimpy but good enough for most home use) and warm up and cycle very fast compared to other machines.
                            I think that about sums it up what really put me off the saeco magic was the stylishly rounded rear of the machine. Which limits its usefullness as a cup warmer. Sooner or later your laté glass is going to slide down the back and probably break. Where we have our machine set up it would hit the tiled floor and with a 2 year old running around we didnt think it safe.

                            The Silvia does have enough steam to get the milk swirling in the jug and with practice turn the milk to custard. (which is to thick but great for hot chocolates.) ;D

                            Kaanages sugestion would be a good option for your budget. At least ubtil upgrade fever strikes.

                            Cheers
                            Rich

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Which Machine-very new

                              thanks guys, i have a lot to think about now :-/
                              after continuously reading the review http://www.coffeeco.com.au/articles/july2002.html , i am more leaning toward the silvia, mostly because the brass insides will last much longer than many other machines. i dont really like the idea of saving a few bucks now then upgrading in a couple years as many of u guys seem to have done....hey the more reasons i can think of to justify the $ilvia the better
                              thanks for your suggestions.......ill keep u posted of my upgrade.

                              sam

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