Re: Advice on getting a new machine
I have the EM6910 teamed with the Rocky. The Rocky is worth almost as much as the machine - buts that the way of it; if you want decent coffee you must have a decent grinder. Good summary Peter.
Cheers
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Advice on getting a new machine
Collapse
X
-
Re: Advice on getting a new machine
For around the same price as the Silvia, you may want to investigate the Sunbeam EM6910. To date, the reviews to this improved model of the EM6900 have been positive (check some of the threads on this site), and it can steam and brew simultaneously. Or for a few extra dollars, you may be better suited to a HX (heat exchange) machine, which can produce shot after shot.
Although the silvia is top of its class, it is not designed to pull as many as 12 (quality) shots in quick time. Having said that, I would seriously recommend you go and see these machines first hand and have them demonstrated for you.
Like you, I did lots of research beforehand, and finally opted for the Rancilio Silvia along with a doserless Rancilio Rocky grinder, and would recommend this combo to anyone wanting a DOMESTIC set up, with an interest in learning about the art and science of making espresso, and not just interseted in drinking coffee.
All the best.
- Flag
Leave a comment:
-
Re: Advice on getting a new machine
I wouldnt buy a silvia for that purpose. mine serves me well when I am making coffee for me and my girlfriend and occasionally when there are lots of people round but the fact that you cant steam and brew at the same time (or even immediatly after the other) means trhat making simultanious coffees takes lots of time. the sunbeam may be better for your purposes but it is relatively untested and reliablility of them wont be known untill more people have them. it sounds like for you a prosumer machine would be ideal.
- Flag
Leave a comment:
-
Re: Advice on getting a new machine
Have a look here for the stuff on doser and a few pics of the Rocky. http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1163393754
I will add some pics of my grinder a bit later.
- Flag
Leave a comment:
-
Re: Advice on getting a new machine
http://www.home-barista.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=17Originally posted by strawdog link=1167077752/15#19 date=1167354371Uh oh...what is a doser or a doserless when hes at home?
Hi strawdog, a dosered grinder means it has a chamber on the front , where the coffee grounds collect. There is a lever on the side of this chamber and one can manually eject the coffee into the portafilter basket.
A doserless grinder has a tube/chute that spits the grinds straight out into the portafilter basket.
http://www.coffeegeek.com/reviews/grinders/rockydoserless
http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1155972397
- Flag
Leave a comment:
-
Re: Advice on getting a new machine
If you are getting people to pay for coffee, then you have to serve it to them with the minimum of delay.
Get a good grinder, one with a dosing chamber and of solid construction. A Compak K3 or Mazzer Mini.
- Flag
Leave a comment:
-
Re: Advice on getting a new machine
Uh oh...what is a doser or a doserless when hes at home?
Yes am very green bean...
- Flag
Leave a comment:
-
Re: Advice on getting a new machine
Good choice of machine for domestic situations, but Ill throw a herring into this one by asking (given the new info on intended use) if you should be considering a HX machine if you need to do volume? The Silvia may well drive you nuts if you need to make 6-10 shots. Its slooooow....
Grinder wise- at least an Iberital Challenge (around $300)- but slow to adjust between espresso and plunger and also fairly noisy... then Rancilio Rocky doserless ($400+) and then perhaps, a light commercial like the Compak K3 touch ($500 but I have a demo at $450)...In the guest house situation- which is considered to be a commercial application, I suggest that you purchase the best that you can possibly afford- you might even consider a doser grinder like a K3 Elite or Mazzer mini- you need to be able to work fairly quickly.
You should be able to negotiate a package price- regardless of which way you go- with Attilio of Cosmorex, DiBartoli or with me- as you choose. Id suggest that its worth purchasing from a sponsor even if you need to spend a few dollars more than that auction site. You will get plenty of support as you learn and a supplier who truely stands behind warranty obligations should there be any issue with your gear...
Good luck!
2mcm
- Flag
Leave a comment:
-
Re: Advice on getting a new machine
Silvia: a good choice.
Which grinder?
Do you want one which will last forever but costs and weighs as much as the Silvia? Something like a Mazzer Mini. If youre only doing one cup of coffee a day the expense may not justify it.
Or Silvias partner, the Rocky.
Or the next strata down, like the Iberital.
Things to consider: stepless adjustment, which might give you total control, but in the end only confuses you.
Conical or flat burrs.
Doser or doserless.
So much to consider, eh.
good luck finding the answers.
-Robusto
- Flag
Leave a comment:
-
Re: Advice on getting a new machine
http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1163235531
That topic might help you with some ideas for grinders, strawdog. Otherwise, cruise the grinder forum for a bit more inspiration!
- Flag
Leave a comment:
-
Re: Advice on getting a new machine
Many thanks for the info....okay Ill get a Silvia! enough already!
Next question?..............Which grinder, burr, conical, hand, electric,Italian, American, help!
I make espressos, caps and lates. Own a guest house so some nights could make 6-12 espressos.
Many thanks
John
- Flag
Leave a comment:
-
Re: Advice on getting a new machine
If you decide on the silvia.....make sure you factor a quality grinder in to your budget, otherwise you will be disappointed.
- Flag
Leave a comment:
-
Re: Advice on getting a new machine
There is a second hand Gaggia for sale here http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1166063894. For a level entry machine you couldnt do much better. I am not sure if it is still available but there is also a very good grinder available too.
I love my Gaggia and, if you did buy that machine, than you could spend the money you save on a very good grinder, and there are three that you could choose from. I got a very good deal on my Gaggia MDF because it had a small scratch (I cant see it, and have difficulty finding it) on the casing. Though I hate to pay full price for anything, and have been known to barter people down.
Thankyou Mal for fixing that pic for me, I did feel guilty for posting the link.
- Flag
Leave a comment:
-
Re: Advice on getting a new machine
The fact this machine has sold so well around the world has fortunately produced a wealth of information about it on the internet. Perhaps/probably more has been written about it than any other coffee machine.Originally posted by strawdog link=1167077752/0#7 date=1167121280many thanks for the posts.
I guess in a perfect world, I would be making coffee in a Silvia (a $700 world).
There seems to be more of them on this forum than anything else. Whats up, do youn all have shares in Rancilio?!
Cheers
John
Despite its shortcomings --were talking here about a single, small, boiler, no-frills machine --at least would-be buyers have access to numerous reviews.
--Robusto
- Flag
Leave a comment:
-
Re: Advice on getting a new machine
Originally posted by strawdog link=1167077752/0#7 date=1167121280many thanks for the posts.
I guess in a perfect world, I would be making coffee in a Silvia (a $700 world).
There seems to be more of them on this forum than anything else. Whats up, do youn all have shares in Rancilio?!
Cheers
John
LOL! I guess in a way, those of us who own a Silvia do have shares in Rancilio! Except we just dont get any dividends...

I think that for the price, the Silvia is a good for those of us who care to have a machine that kind of looks the real deal and want to make great coffee, which you can do with the Silvia! Those who want to make lots of coffees at this price may well get the Sunbeam, which to me is a massed produced souless machine. The Rancilio is made by the Italians! How cool is that!? Well, pretty cool in my own estimation, along with my scooter and the Ducati, weve got a few Italian made things around us. (The truck is American however and that is another long and boring story...:P) Well, there is something to be said for Italian design, IMO...
But youre looking for price by the sounds of it, strawdog, so I should think that some of the Sunbeams or Gaggias might be something to look at. You could even go down the road of a good second hand machine, this way you can at least look for a package deal and pick up a decent grinder as well. There was a rash of Silvias and Rockys being sold here recently...oops there I go again about the Silvia! :-[ LOL!
- Flag
Leave a comment:

Leave a comment: