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Which Machine & grinder $600-$1200

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  • Which Machine & grinder $600-$1200

    Hi,

    What would be the recommendation for an espresso machine & grinder priced between (approx) $600-$1,200.  Low volume use (5 or 6 coffees/day), but capable of producing 2 coffees at a time (or in quick succession), practical positioning of steam spout for milk frothing/hot chocolate and hot water for tea.  

    I’ve seen excellent reports on the Rancilio Silvia & La Pavoni manual machines but the convenience of the Nemox Dell Opera or LaPavoni Domus Bar all in one look type machines appealing in order to minimise clutter, space & potential mess.  Reliability and servicability in Sydney is essential.  What is the current thought?  

  • #2
    Re: Which Machine & grinder $600-$1200

    Well,

    I hate to be boring, but for that money I would go for the Silvia/Rocky combination, and you should have a bit left over for a decent tamper and some nice cups...

    Cheers...

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Which Machine & grinder $600-$1200

      Thanks. You prefer that to Rancilio Miss Lucy because of the separate components?

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Which Machine & grinder $600-$1200

        The Silvia is fine for two drinks, as long as youre happy to build each drink off a single shot. Otherwise, expect to have to wait a while for any machine in this price range, except for the sunbeam.

        IMHO, the Mazzer grinders are well and truly worth the money over the rocky. A friend who picked up a super jolly to match his gaggia commented that by switching grinders, all of a sudden his pours became syrupy.

        Just my $0.02; hope its of some help,

        Luca

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Which Machine & grinder $600-$1200

          Originally posted by luca link=1149745669/0#3 date=1149757758
          The Silvia is fine for two drinks, as long as youre happy to build each drink off a single shot.  Otherwise, expect to have to wait a while for any machine in this price range, except for the sunbeam.

          IMHO, the Mazzer grinders are well and truly worth the money over the rocky.  A friend who picked up a super jolly to match his gaggia commented that by switching grinders, all of a sudden his pours became syrupy.

          Just my $0.02; hope its of some help,

          Luca
          FYI all- Mazzer mini now out of stock in Australia....If youre looking for one and you see it in a shop, GRAB IT! There will be no further stock until mid-august

          Chris

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Which Machine & grinder $600-$1200

            Thank you. Thats also what Ive found out as well as and not being very suitable for hot water due to the small boiler. Also Inability to easily see water levels which might go unchecked in my office. Ill pay a bit more if I need to, but Ild like to keep it under $1500.

            Has anyone got experience with the Nuova Simonelle Oscar? It cant do hot water, but apparently can churn out the coffees & steam quickly due to 2l boiler.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Which Machine & grinder $600-$1200

              I have an Oscar. While Im very happy with the machine, Im not looking forward to the day I need some after sales service. After reading many of the posts here if I had my time over Id definitely be purchasing a more widely available/purchased machine from one of the site sponsors for peace of mind.

              I have no experience of them, but from my reading of it the Expobar machines seem to be the best value Hx machines for money around that are available from sponsors.

              If you can bring your budget to Hx, Id recommend it. I took Oscar into the office the other day for worlds biggest morning tea - worked the machine solid till all the punters were happy. No worries. It was actually Rocky slowing me down.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Which Machine & grinder $600-$1200

                hmm ... Ive never used my mazz mini in that kind of situation ... would it overheat, with all the stopping and starting?

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Which Machine & grinder $600-$1200

                  .. not the mazz.  

                  As I understand it, the espresso machines that have the element inside a small boiler and where water tank level is not easily visible or users dont monitor the water levels such is often the situation in an office environment and the machine steams/boils empty.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Which Machine & grinder $600-$1200

                    Jeff:

                    The boiler running dry is not an issue with most prosumer hx or boiler machines. They have low level water switches.

                    Machines like the Silvia can run dry though.

                    The Mazzer is a lovely quality machine but I prefer a doserless Rocky.

                    The ideal grinder for me would:

                    be built nice and compact like the Rocky

                    be doserless

                    have a graduated dial to set the grind

                    the build quality of the Mazzer

                    be the price of a Rocky!

                    Grant

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Which Machine & grinder $600-$1200

                      Originally posted by wattgn link=1149745669/0#9 date=1149769810
                      The ideal grinder for me would:

                      be built nice and compact like the Rocky

                      be doserless

                      have a graduated dial to set the grind

                      the build quality of the Mazzer

                      be the price of a Rocky!

                      Grant
                      We should start a thread with everyones ideal machine/setup It would be interesting to see which aspects people like in different machines.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Which Machine & grinder $600-$1200

                        Originally posted by liquid gold link=1149745669/0#10 date=1149770805

                        We should start a thread with everyones ideal machine/setup It would be interesting to see which aspects people like in different machines.
                        If you tried doing a search, you never know what might pop up, seeing as theres 22 pages of this kind of talk!

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Which Machine & grinder $600-$1200

                          Guys please, too much confusion for the price bracket.

                          For that kind of money, the la Pavoni Domus Bar is an excellent machine.

                          In the absence of silvias in past months weve sold quite a few.

                          Yes it has brass boiler.
                          Yes it has a solid brass / chrome plated group handle.
                          Yes the filters hold commercial size dose of grinds;
                          Yes it has a GROUP SOLENOID for quick release of group handle when making multiple coffees;
                          Yes it is the same very good quality conical burr grinder & motor assembly used in all the usual $279.00 to $399.00 grinders;
                          Yes the grinder adjustment is stepless / continuous.
                          Yes it has a "backpressure" gauge that is quite helpful for beginners

                          and Yes, it makes good coffee.

                          And yes, we have them on special at the moment,

                          Yes, stainless steel body OR
                          Matt black body.

                          Regardz,
                          FC.

                          PS beware, this is more expensive than the nemox machine and while they look "the same" because they are housed in the same external body, they are not the same internally or in the way they perform.

                          The Domus Bar is worth the extra money.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Which Machine & grinder $600-$1200

                            You wouldnt recently have been employed by Optus, would you FC? :

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Which Machine & grinder $600-$1200

                              Originally posted by Fresh_Coffee link=1149745669/0#12 date=1149812539
                              Guys please, too much confusion for the price bracket.

                              For that kind of money, the la Pavoni Domus Bar is an excellent machine.

                              In the absence of silvias in past months weve sold quite a few.

                              Yes it has brass boiler.
                              Yes it has a solid brass / chrome plated group handle.
                              [snip]
                              And yes, we have them on special at the moment,
                              [snip]
                              The Domus Bar is worth the extra money.
                              Well for someone complaining of others promoting confusion, you have made me more confused... simply because you mention lots of great features, a mysterious price bracket, an item on special... but NO PRICE.

                              Please tell us what the special price is!

                              Comment

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