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  • Domestic machine, mainly for milk based drinks

    Hey,

    Have been doing heaps of lurking, reading, researching and decided it is time to join up and ask!

    What machine is best suited to the following situation:
    - 95% of the time for milk based drinks eg. Caps/lattes
    - Usually for only 2-3 cups a day
    - Sometimes want to be able to make more (entertaining)
    - I want to make it a bit of a hobby 


    Currently I am comparing the Rancillio Silvia with the Isomac Zaffiro. I hope to gain other peoples ideas on what would suite my needs best, and at the best value.   

  • #2
    Re: Domestic machine, mainly for milk based drinks

    While you are in this bracket check out the NS Oscar!  Its a fully fledged HX machine for only$1300 odd dollars. 

    Now the less stupidly irresposible answer: Best bet is find a show room near you and have a play.  Youll need a good grinder as well so ask them about that also.  Dont buy based on "these guys reckon this one is great... even though I myself have never seen it...;" or worse yet, "Ive got this one and it makes the best coffee ever!" Go and visit a site sponsor near you and get firstvhand advice from a professional whose vested interest in what you buy extends long after the purchase date (because theyll end up selling you the best beans youve ever tasted... repeatedly).  Good luck!

    Originally posted by 202B2B2A2F2D2128282B2B4E0 link=1304251773/0#0 date=1304251773
    Hey,

    Have been doing heaps of lurking, reading, researching and decided it is time to join up and ask!

    What machine is best suited to the following situation:
    - 95% of the time for milk based drinks eg. Caps/lattes
    - Usually for only 2-3 cups a day
    - Sometimes want to be able to make more (entertaining)
    - I want to make it a bit of a hobby 


    Currently I am comparing the Rancillio Silvia with the Isomac Zaffiro. I hope to gain other peoples ideas on what would suite my needs best, and at the best value.   

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Domestic machine, mainly for milk based drinks

      You may want to wait for the new Breville. See this very long thread for further details:
      http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1301294820

      Its going to be in your price range and out-feature anything else in this vicinity.

      The Silvia will suit all but one of your needs...entertaining. Unfortunately any small boiler/dual purpose machine like the Silvia is limited in this capacity. The Zaffiro will be better because it has a larger boiler but still somewhat limited. HX or double boiler machines have a huge advantage in this area. The price difference from the Zaffiro to a HX like the Diadema Junior Plus is not huge and you step up to a different class of machine.

      Completely agree with Brett and get out there to a sponsor or two.

      I have a Oscar and its certainly worth considering as the cheapest HX machine on the market. I guess it depends on how important to you it is to have lots of shiny stainless steel in your kitchen.


      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Domestic machine, mainly for milk based drinks

        Originally posted by 7A6A7D6C6C2A2B28202F2B180 link=1304251773/1#1 date=1304253531
        Youll need a good grinder as well
        A good grinder is critical! Without it no matter how good a brewer you have youll still get cr@p coffee! Budget for as good a grinder as you can afford.


        Java "Gotta have a good grinder!" phile
        Toys! I must have new toys!!!

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Domestic machine, mainly for milk based drinks

          Is a Rocky Doser a good grinder?

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Domestic machine, mainly for milk based drinks

            Originally posted by 575C5C5D585A565F5F5C5C390 link=1304251773/4#4 date=1304316713
            Is a Rocky Doser a good grinder?
            Yes! Its more than adequate!

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Domestic machine, mainly for milk based drinks

              Im afraid you havent really been specific enough - what is your budget? what are you using now? what do you expect from your new machine?

              As mentioned, you will definitely need a grinder if you want good coffee.

              Silvia is not great for making milk based drinks as you will have to wait for the boiler to come up to temp for steaming milk, then make sure the boiler is refilled again. Id estimate itd take you at least 15 mins to make 6 milk drinks...

              Again, more information is needed or we wont be able to advise properly - after all the Giotto is a great machine for around $3k, the Silvia is good at around $800 - its a case of fit for purpose.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Domestic machine, mainly for milk based drinks

                Now I am looking at the Isomac Tea / Rancillio Sylvia - is the extra money worth it? Will the Isomac Tea (with proper care etc) last longer? Will the Isomac Tea be less temperamental?
                - I would be looking at a Rancillio Rocky doser to pair it with
                Cheers

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Domestic machine, mainly for milk based drinks

                  Alan Frew has a guide on his site to produce 6 excellent white coffees in 6 minutes!  I used to use it with Silvia and it worked give or take 30 seconds. I have a Rocky paired with my HX for decaff and other single origins. It works well just as it did with Silvia! Silvia was 10 when I upgraded and she sold or 2/3 of her new price.  8-) Go and visit Barazi and have a play.  Only you can know whats best or you!

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Domestic machine, mainly for milk based drinks

                    Originally posted by 75657263632524272F2024170 link=1304251773/8#8 date=1304425215
                    Alan grew
                    Erm...I think you meant Frew
                    Originally posted by 75657263632524272F2024170 link=1304251773/8#8 date=1304425215
                    Silvia was 10 when I upgraded Yand she sold or 2/3 of her new price.
                    Yes- RRP is ~$940 and $600 was a fair used price.

                    These days, Silvias are being dumped at more like $700 so I guess we are possibly looking at more like $450-500 for a pre-loved one  :-/

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Domestic machine, mainly for milk based drinks

                      They should be around $700 with the Australian dollar where it is in comparison to prices in the US.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Domestic machine, mainly for milk based drinks

                        I disagree,

                        The US has different economies of scale, different import taxes, different freight charges and a different machine. Italian machines are purchased in Euro, not USD.

                        Its about the same as suggesting an M3 should be $70k because that is what they cost in the US....but then weve done this before and there is no need to reinvent the wheel

                        Perhaps a mod could move this to the mid-range forum now you have broadly specified a budget. :-?

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Domestic machine, mainly for milk based drinks

                          I dont necessarily have a budget, I am just looking for a good quality, good value for money machine that will last and fit my needs. I just want to be able to make 2-3 cups a day (almost always milk based), and be able to use it for entertaining now and then. So HX is starting to look like an option, but is the price difference worth it for entertaining sometimes? Or is a HX machine going to be better value in the long term? (eg. Last longer, better build, never "grow out" of the machine, less chance of mechanical fault etc.)

                          Basically I dont want to waste money - can someone "sell" HX to me?  :P

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Domestic machine, mainly for milk based drinks

                            Based on your "occasional" entertaining, and the majority of the times you only need 2 or 3 cups per day, a Silvia or similar will do an excellent job, she can make great espresso and produce exceptional microfoam relatively easily, and will last as long as anything else with reasonable care.
                            The catch will be how many are you likely to be catering for when you entertain? And whether you have to make all the drinks at same time or can stagger the drinks.
                            If it is only 4-6 drinks at a time, then a decent single boiler machine like Silvia, will do the job, if however when you are entertaining it will be 8+ drinks then a HX machine might be better, (but for it to last as long or longer, it needs to be similar build quality).

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Domestic machine, mainly for milk based drinks

                              Needacoffee - you sound like me last month.

                              I ended up choosing a HX machine because I wanted to be able to make two lattes / capuccinos quickly a couple of times a day. I know most single boilers will reheat fairly quickly but I wanted an "easier" option being a novice.

                              If you are in a major city then it would be wonderfully beneficial to go and play with some machines to see what suits you. Unfortunately I couldnt get to Sydney so had to rely on watching lots if internet reviews on youtube as well as great feedback from CS forumers which was invaluable.

                              Good luck with your decision making.

                              Comment

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