Originally posted by coffeedrinker link=1120798525/15#27 date=1121250861
Another quality machine you might like to consider which is in the same price bracket as the Gaggia Classic, is the Mokita Super Inox, info here... http://tinyurl.com/e3hvr or here... http://tinyurl.com/ap72g . It has an all brass Boiler/Group/PortaFilter system and the boiler is the twin of the Silvias. The only real differences between the two are:
1. The Silvias internal high-pressure pipework is all copper tubing where-as the Mokitas is a mixture of brass and Teflon.
2. The Silvia has a proper chassis upon which all the hardware and panel-work is attached; the Mokita uses a unitary structure where the panel-work supports all the hardware.
3. The Silvias Group and PortaFilter are constructed to Commercial Machines specifications which is standardised with the use of 58mm PF Baskets; the Mokita Group and PortaFilter are of lighter construction and physically smaller than the Silvia and uses a proprietary 57mm PF and Baskets. For example, the Silvias PortaFilter weighs in at about 640 grams, where-as the Mokitas weighs roughly 460 grams.
As Alan Frew points out in his comparison between the two here... http://tinyurl.com/8gemw , the Silvia appears to be designed down from a Fully Commercial machine, while a Mokita appears to be designed up from a high-end Domestic machine. Thats about it in a nutshell.
I went for the Mokita because it is about $250.00 cheaper than the Silvia and I just couldnt afford the extra money at the time. Im really happy with the Mokita though, it produces coffee that is within a percent or two of the Silvia and is otherwise a very well constructed machine.
Even Alan Frew cant tell the difference between coffee milk drinks made from either machine but reports that espressos are slightly sweeter and fuller in body with the Silvia. So, I guess if most of your coffee consumption is espressos, then the Silvia is the way to go but if Lattes are more your thing, then get the Mokita and put the money saved towards a top quality grinder such as a Rocky or a Mazzer Mini for example.
Hope that helps ;D. All the best,
Mal.



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