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  • lucinda
    replied
    Re: Another newbie needs help.

    For $900 you can get a Gaggia Classic and an Iberital challenge or Gaggia MDF grinder. Both grinders are very good.


    Do not underestimate the Gaggia Classic and MDF set up. I have one and get very good coffee from it.

    Please do not let people talk you into spending more money than you can afford, or make you feel bad because you have opted for the basic set up. There is not a thing wrong with the Classic, it will take you a little while to get accustomed to it, however you will find that when you do get upgraditis, a sylvia or anything < $1600 will be more of a sideways step from the classic.

    I have been doing a lot of research as have others and really have found that my next machine will most likely be a Bezzera or something like that.

    Leave a comment:


  • JavaB
    replied
    Re: Another newbie needs help.

    Originally posted by mrnaive link=1177662677/0#14 date=1177692280
    Opps.... I just saw a Lelit Combi PL042 on the web,
    Brass boiler, 57mm portafilter with a built-in Lux burr grinder.. definitely the bargain of the bunch!

    Any comment for that???
    Another dilema....
    Well that is basically the same as a Quaha Combo - and a few other brands as well.

    I personally do not like combos.....

    Coffee beans like a dry, COOL, dark environment for maximum life. Inside a combi the grinder gets quite hot.... the burrs are warmed and so are any beans which are in the hopper. Some people like Thundergod and I only place enough beans in the hopper to grind straight away - but based on a recent discussion - most members store beans in the hopper - so in a combi they will go off a lot faster than in a separate grinder.

    The Lux grinder isnt as good as a Rocky and IMHO isnt as good as a Iberital either.

    If the grinder or coffee machine breaks - both have to go off to be fixed..... and if one breaks beyond repair..... you will have a hard job selling only half of a combi....

    When you get "upgradeitis"... and most here do... you have to upgrade both grinder and coffee machine - if you buy separate units you may choose to upgrade just one. And you will find combi units wont hold their value as well as a Sivia does for example - so your upgrade cost will be a lot higher.

    But they do make good coffee.....

    Leave a comment:


  • Thundergod
    replied
    Re: Another newbie needs help.

    Those of us with doser grinders only grind enough beans for what we need each time.

    For example I like double shots, so I grind just enough to fill my double basket.
    When the basket is full, the doser is empty.

    Leave a comment:


  • mrnaive
    replied
    Re: Another newbie needs help.

    Opps.... I just saw a Lelit Combi PL042 on the web,

    Heres the detail:
    220/240v @ 50Hz
    1200 Watt Copper Element
    300ml Brass Boiler
    3-Way Solenoid Valve
    Pump Pressure 12 -15 bar
    Water Tank Capacity 3.0 l
    Dimensions 340 x 310 x 260 mm
    Weight 10.0 kg
    Body 100% polished Stainless Steel
    Brass boiler, 57mm portafilter with a built-in Lux burr grinder.. definitely the bargain of the bunch!

    Any comment for that???
    Another dilema....

    Leave a comment:


  • mrnaive
    replied
    Re: Another newbie needs help.

    Right, decision has been made....
    For another hundred dollars, I think Ill get Rocky and join the million users....
    Just because its flat burr and more friendly to adjust...
    (i use moka pot and french press too...especially when climbing outdoor! Coffees all around!)

    The only question is doser/doserless???
    It seems to be fun to have a doser though... but the coffee that retained....how to do with them?
    Just toss it away?

    I heard people said the doserless one generate static charges, which makes the coffee stick to the chute....
    Would that be a propblem?

    Leave a comment:


  • JavaB
    replied
    Re: Another newbie needs help.

    Rocky is a good grinder with very small steps. Easy to switch from plunger to espresso grind.

    The Iberital Challenge is a capable (espresso only) grinder and that sells for around $300....

    It is stepless, so you can get very fine adjustment of the grind as the beans age - but if you want to go from plunger coffee to espresso it takes about 15 turns of the adjustment knob.

    It is the cheapest quality espresso grinder (not in the same league as the Mazzer or the Macap of course)..... many members use it and are very happy with the results...

    But again, always get the best grinder you can afford.

    Leave a comment:


  • mrnaive
    replied
    Re: Another newbie needs help.

    wow, your new grinder is pretty...

    em, ok... for $400, Mazzer and Macap wouldnt be possible (although i would love to),
    it seems what I can get......... again is Rocky? (its like a world of rockies....)

    Really, is there other good choice within $500???

    Leave a comment:


  • JavaB
    replied
    Re: Another newbie needs help.

    Originally posted by Wushoes link=1177662677/0#9 date=1177689343

    and Cimbali was gratis....
    You.... you..... lucky B.......

    mrnaive

    It might be worth your while checking the "for sale" section of this board. There are often quality "pre loved" items for sale. That way you can still get some quality units from a trusted seller and save some dollars as well.

    Leave a comment:


  • Wushoes
    replied
    Re: Another newbie needs help.

    Originally posted by JavaB link=1177662677/0#8 date=1177689112
    Wushoes,

    You bought both these items (the La Cimbali Cadet and Miss Silvia) second hand from private sellers?

    I also bought my La Cimbali Jnr from a private seller - a cafe here in Perth - and I could view the item before bidding......

    I think there is less risk with second hand items as long as the seller seems genuine and the item is a quality one..... but of course no warranty or support.
    Yup...Silvia from CS forum and Cimbali was gratis.... Both have now found new homes to CS members. A very good point JavaB. Buy pre-loved machines...from this forum theres less of chance youd pick up a lemon. If you can inspect...even better. When I got my machine from a CS member in Sydney, I just put faith in him that the machine was is good working order. Told my little cousin in Sydney who was purchasing on my behalf to just visually inspect the machine...then pack it and send it to Melbourne.

    Leave a comment:


  • JavaB
    replied
    Re: Another newbie needs help.

    Originally posted by Wushoes link=1177662677/0#7 date=1177688668
    Yep...I have. But I knew once I had done all my reasearch I needed an awesome grinder and a decent machine. I found myself an awesome grinder in the form of a La Cimbali Cadet (commercial grinder) and a Rancilio Silvia....saved I did and it was worth every penny. Im a university student too and Im currently on my 2nd totally different set up.
    Wushoes,

    You bought both these items (the La Cimbali Cadet and Miss Silvia) second hand from private sellers?

    I also bought my La Cimbali Jnr from a private seller - a cafe here in Perth - and I could view the item before bidding......

    I think there is less risk with second hand items as long as the seller seems genuine and the item is a quality one..... but of course no warranty or support.

    Leave a comment:


  • Wushoes
    replied
    Re: Another newbie needs help.

    Yep...I have. But I knew once I had done all my reasearch I needed an awesome grinder and a decent machine. I found myself an awesome grinder in the form of a La Cimbali Cadet (commercial grinder) and a Rancilio Silvia....saved I did and it was worth every penny. Im a university student too and Im currently on my 2nd totally different set up.

    Heres a photo of my very first set up a year ago. Picked up the Silvia for $500 from Sydney. My cousin then shipped it to Melbourne for me.


    Heres a photo of my current set up.


    And the good ol French Press.


    My suggestion to you is, get an awesome grinder first. Mazzer, Macap...something with stepless adjustment....commercial build quality. And use the French Press while you save up for the Silvia. $400 for an awesome grinder..$500 for a used Silvia is about average...still within you $900 price range.

    Leave a comment:


  • mrnaive
    replied
    Re: Another newbie needs help.

    Thanks JavaB, you replied real fast... much appreciated.
    Ok, then Ill stay away from the "evilbay"... and try to find something in store...
    Very hard decision to make.... May be all of the "coffeesnobs" have been through this many times....

    Leave a comment:


  • JavaB
    replied
    Re: Another newbie needs help.

    Originally posted by mrnaive link=1177662677/0#4 date=1177684415

    ---JavaB,
    Im pretty new to the world of coffee machine....
    Can I ask if the ebay sell the brand new machine for a cheaper price with warrenty,
    is it still ok to buy?
    It seems to be reluctant to do, but in a tiny budget, I just got so frustrated....

    Thanks again!
    mrnaive

    Personally I wouldnt - why? Have you ever bought items overseas with an "international warranty", brought it back to Australia, it fails so you try to claim against the warranty only to be told its not valid in Australia? This is not uncommon.

    So how good is the warranty from these sellers - well you find out when you claim.... And if something goes wrong will you be able to go back to the seller? Nope!!

    Many people have bought electrical items from discount stores (and Im talking the Internet based ones - not the large retail stores) at what appears to be a really good price.... and found the item to be faulty..... and had one hell of a fight to get a refund or exchange.... they dont want to know - and many of these use Evilbay to sell their items.

    A lot of the value in the price paid for a coffee machine is support.... that helping hand when something goes wrong (and it does from time to time). If you buy from a large retail organisation they generally cant help but the manufacturer might provide a high level of customer support ( e.g. Sunbeam).... If you buy from a small Internet based dealer, the dealer cant / wont help and I doubt the manufacturer will either..... so the bargain is no longer a bargain.....

    Buy from a specialist dealer (like the site sponsors).... and you will get a machine which is tested and adjusted prior to sale, supported with advice if and when needed.... and a dealer who will still be around in years to come.... sure the price wont be such a bargain.... but the goods will be 100% genuine, in top condition and you get support.

    Yes, you can save a few dollars buying on Evilbay ---- and you might even be lucky.... it is really your choice if you wish to gamble just to save a few dollars (and the more you save, the bigger the risk....)

    I wouldnt do it - but I dont expect to win a lottery when I buy a ticket either.

    Leave a comment:


  • mrnaive
    replied
    Re: Another newbie needs help.

    Thanks for the opinions

    It seems like people quite ok with Iberital (Can I call it a decent grinder???). But will it last long?
    I mean, do you have to grab a better one in a short time as your skills grow?
    Or may be I should leave it later and save more money for a better one, such as rocky?
    But does it make a big difference?

    ---JavaB,
    Im pretty new to the world of coffee machine....
    Can I ask if the ebay sell the brand new machine for a cheaper price with warrenty,
    is it still ok to buy?
    It seems to be reluctant to do, but in a tiny budget, I just got so frustrated....

    Thanks again!

    Leave a comment:


  • wingnut
    replied
    Re: Another newbie needs help.

    Hi Mrnaive

    Have a look at this thread - the same question was asked by a newcomer a few days ago.

    http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1177391347/11#11

    I am very happy with my Iberital and they are around the $300 mark (or less if you are lucky).

    Hope this helps

    cheers

    jeff (Wingnut)

    Leave a comment:

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