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  • Boema?

    Hi guys,

    My attention was drawn to a Boema machine recently. Ive never really liked them, but admittedly have never known them by anything more than a name. Perhaps the name doesnt sound as impressive as Marzocco or Rancilio, or perhaps cos it sounds like Faema, the styling of which Im not a fan of. The lack of representation on Coffeeparts was a concern too.

    Fact-devoid preconceptions aside, I was pleasantly surprised at their website and the amount of information it offered, and that it seems to be an Australian company (?). Loads of spare parts apparently available and even electrical diagrams! The whole operation had a small artisan feel rather than a mass-produced big company feel, which has a strong appeal to me.

    What are your experiences with these machines? Are they well made and well supported with readily available parts? Common faults? Anything else I should know???

    Thanks!
    Greg

  • #2
    Re: Boema?


    Australian company (?). Loads of spare parts apparently available and even electrical diagrams!
    You answered your own question Greg. The reason our good friends at CoffeeParts dont sell bits for then is that the bits are already local.


    Yes, they are well built, ugly, "un-cool" and they make coffee (and I hear can do a mean cockroach nest if you live north of here) and produce steam at the same time as you are pulling shots.

    I like the idea of a semi-auto over a volumetric or similar.
    Less electronics = less expense = better learning.

    Ther only parts I have ever used were seals and a new shower screen (just consumables really).

    I like mine.

    http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1108007340


    http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1118752222

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    • #3
      Re: Boema?

      Greg,

      I "checked" one out some time ago...... only visually.

      I agree with Andy... They are VERY well built and solid. Very close to (or even equals) the engineering standard of La Cimbali.

      Whilst they dont have a lot of bling, I dont think they are ugly - just functional looking.... they look like they are made to work hard and last rather than be flashy and impress with something only "skin deep".

      Id be very happy to own one.

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      • #4
        Re: Boema?

        Originally posted by JavaB link=1167910833/0#2 date=1167956096
        They are VERY well built and solid. Very close to (or even equals) the engineering standard of La Cimbali.
        I was going to suggest.... Like a Bezzera

        Mal.

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        • #5
          Re: Boema?

          Wow Mal- they actually share parts (some) with Bezzera. A friend who is a roaster in Blue Mountains- Ian Vigers- uses them and Ive borrowed a little non volumetric bain marie filled one group (mouthfull) for a function. it is a great little unit and very similar to use to my very basic Bezzera- totally agricultural.
          Brett

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          • #6
            Re: Boema?

            I have been offline a lot since christmas or would have got back to you earlier on this one Greg.

            Re your questions: What are your experiences with these machines? Are they well made and well supported with readily available parts? Common faults? Anything else I should know???

            a) Modern examples are very good workhorses, older examples are not;
            b) Very well supported with fast efficient service by Bo-Ema themselves (while some importers of so called "big" name Italian brands make you wait 2 weeks with half a dozen follow up phone calls for spare parts, you ring Bo_Ema today and your parts arrive tomorrow morning...cop that, importers of so called "big" name Italian brands!).
            c) There are 2 weak points to watch out for:
            i)  steam valves;
            ii) group seals (also called under cup washers.

            Anything else you should know.....yes:

            If you find one to buy please dont fall into the same ol same ol  trap of buying cheap or old...bo-emas that are old or cheap or have not been treated well by their former owners do not age well (in any case older models were not well made and were renowned coffee burners, so keep well away). However, a late model Boema that has been treated well is quite a good machine, will respond well to tender loving care, and will brew well.

            While there might be some situations in commercial use where you might not, for whatever reason, specify one of these, in domestic use which is what most people in this site would be investigating, a Bo-Ema might even be a better choice for the purpose than certain overrated big name brands.  Horses for courses!

            Regardz,
            FC.
            Former reseller of Bo-Ema, and still a service agent for them.

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