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Upgraditis .............down to the final few

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  • kwantfm
    replied
    Time to get a roaster!

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  • double_shot
    replied
    Hi there,

    Many months in now with the new machine / grinder combo and I could not be happier with either of them. The grinder is very easy to use and the electronic doser is very consistent.

    The coffee machine produces exceptionally good coffee and is easy to use. Milk took me a bit of getting used to as it had a bit more grunt than i'd experienced for a while but I have it sorted now. I love the silence of the rotary pump, the steam levers work well, and it looks a treat sparkling and shining on my bench.

    Re the question about SWMBO, I shared your post when I asked what I should say, she said "it's like me asking you if my bum looks big in this dress"! Truth be known, she loves the coffee I make but for herself, she misses the peace of mind that she got from just pushing the dose button on the volumetric Breville Dual Boiler. It is a barrier stopping her using it but she is working past that and I reckon she'll be at ease with it in another 6 months or so.

    Despite her slow adoption of the machine, I couldn't speak highly enough of the machine and would recommend it to anyone that is considering it. Same for the grinder.

    Cheers

    DS

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  • Avex
    replied
    Originally posted by Talk_Coffee View Post
    FWIW, I wouldn't worry about using a HX machine at all. We have come a long way in Australia in the last 5 years with temperature management. Sadly, I read and receive misinformation every day- cooling flushes and the like. This is not relevant on well configured machines which you will walk up to, rinse and simply use.
    you'll have to pardon my ignorance here, but are you saying cooling flushes are a myth and will not affect the quality of pulling a shot on a hx? And what entails a 'well configured' machine? proper pstat configuration? I'm curious because this whole rectifying the grouphead temp for a consistent brew business is rather unnerving for the uninitiated…

    thanks.

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  • JoeB
    replied
    Fantastic choice on the ECM. Not that I'm biased or anything

    It should give you years of good service if well looked after.

    Don't forget to post pics of your setup for us

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  • parkesa
    replied
    Update?

    Originally posted by double_shot View Post
    Done!! Finally got a chance to go in and play with these machines and after much deliberation went home with a brand new ECM Technika with rotary pump. Loved the look of the unit and was particularly partial to the steam levers. Got a good price too hence the rotary. Has matched up well with the MACAP and have already cranked out some great coffee. Now I have plenty to work on such as the various dose / grind combinations to find the sweet spot, and harnessing a step up in steam power.

    Thanks to all who helped me home in on the grinder and machine.

    Cheers

    DS
    How is SWMBO going with the Technika? I'm in very similar position to yours (with an almost identical shortlist). Current setup is a Lelit Combi with PID, but the CEO just can't be bothered. I'm wondering whether the volumetric Electronika would be likely to change behaviour.

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  • Yelta
    replied
    Originally posted by double_shot View Post
    Done!! Finally got a chance to go in and play with these machines and after much deliberation went home with a brand new ECM Technika with rotary pump. Loved the look of the unit and was particularly partial to the steam levers. Got a good price too hence the rotary. Has matched up well with the MACAP and have already cranked out some great coffee. Now I have plenty to work on such as the various dose / grind combinations to find the sweet spot, and harnessing a step up in steam power.

    Thanks to all who helped me home in on the grinder and machine.

    Cheers

    DS
    Congratulations DS, beautiful looking machine with a good reputation, I suspect you will be very happy together.

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  • double_shot
    replied
    Done!! Finally got a chance to go in and play with these machines and after much deliberation went home with a brand new ECM Technika with rotary pump. Loved the look of the unit and was particularly partial to the steam levers. Got a good price too hence the rotary. Has matched up well with the MACAP and have already cranked out some great coffee. Now I have plenty to work on such as the various dose / grind combinations to find the sweet spot, and harnessing a step up in steam power.

    Thanks to all who helped me home in on the grinder and machine.

    Cheers

    DS
    Last edited by double_shot; 3 March 2013, 09:18 PM. Reason: Typo

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  • chokkidog
    replied
    You must be champing at the bit DS!!
    It'll make it that much sweeter when it happens tho'!!
    Congrats on the grinder.........great choice.

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  • double_shot
    replied
    I don't spend a lot of time in Sydney but was working there on Friday so planned to finish early and visit a sponsor to make the choice from the short list. As it turns out, got held up at work and arrived at 4:55 and really had no time to do anything other than eyeball the machines. So no purchase yet.

    It's not all bad though. I was pretty clear on my choice of grinder so picked up a brand new Macap M4D so I think at least I am part way there! Found it straight forward to dial in. Great new addition

    DS

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  • Mono
    replied
    Originally posted by Yelta View Post
    G'Day DS, from one who's been in a similar position.
    Bought a Bezzera Galatea and went through the process of teaching SWMBO how to operate it, no great drama, it's an easy machine to use.
    About a fortnight later she came home from a shopping expedition with a container of instant, when I asked the question she told me she couldn't be bothered with all of the stuffing around and the brand of instant she had chosen was almost as good as that produced by the Bezzera, she hasn't used the machine since.
    However she still enjoys a nightly cappuccino (made by me) and claims it beats anything produced by most cafe's hands down.
    Yep, sounds like female logic at work :-) :-)...........

    Steve

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  • Yelta
    replied
    Originally posted by double_shot View Post
    Hi all and thanks again to those that have taken the time to post. It's been tremendously helpful. Before I head in for the hands on review of the machines, there's one more variable I'd like to explore with this community. During the most recent home board meeting, the financial controller (and the CEO if I'm truly honest) has said that is ok to spend a few hundred more on a volumetric machine. Not sure if this is good or bad.

    Her rationale is that she doesn't want to be watching shots - just push the button. There's real value in that for her. My thoughts are that if I have everything set up right and ensure her workflow is consistent, most times the coffee will be great. Whilst I can't say I'm fully on board, I wanted to explore this further.

    My question is whether there's a fundamental difference in the way the E61 functions if its operated electronically or mechanically via the lever and will that have an effect on the quality of the extraction. To be specific if it helps, the machine in mind is the ecm elektronika.

    Cheers

    DS
    G'Day DS, from one who's been in a similar position.
    Bought a Bezzera Galatea and went through the process of teaching SWMBO how to operate it, no great drama, it's an easy machine to use.
    About a fortnight later she came home from a shopping expedition with a container of instant, when I asked the question she told me she couldn't be bothered with all of the stuffing around and the brand of instant she had chosen was almost as good as that produced by the Bezzera, she hasn't used the machine since.
    However she still enjoys a nightly cappuccino (made by me) and claims it beats anything produced by most cafe's hands down.

    Leave a comment:


  • double_shot
    replied
    Hi Chokkidog et al,

    thanks again. It sounds like I have nothing to worry about with the machines on the list, it just comes down to the one that I like the most. I am hoping to get into one of our sponsors tomorrow afternoon and have a good look at these machines. I have all sorts of thoughts and points of view but once I get see the actual machines, I hope that one just stands out for me. Pretty sure that the grinder will be the Macap M4D

    Cheers

    Peter

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  • chokkidog
    replied
    Hi DS,

    There is nothing wrong with volumetric machines, it's more a style of operation choice.
    My neighbours have a volumetric single group, in a word; boring.
    The machine, with it's touch pad also has a very different look but the coffee is fine, very fine, after all, it's my roast!;-)
    Still, it's about the grind, dose and tamp and will always be that way. A volumetric will have no bearing on the quality
    of the coffee from incorrect technique, you'll just get 30mls of it, every time.

    There are ways around your wife's concerns.
    1. A shot timer.
    2. A shot timer, coupled with a latte glass such as a Libbey Duratuff Endeavour 207 ml (7 oz no. 15709)
    http://coffeesnobs.com.au/general-co...tml#post490632 see post no. 112
    You'll see that it has a moulding around the lower part of the glass. It's right at 30mls!
    3. After a while, you both will come to recognise what is a good pour just from seeing how it emerges from the p/f.
    Some will be better than others but....... hey! When you're in the groove things will go pretty well. You'll still sink some shots
    but once again you'll still sink shots (say that 10x really fast :-o) from a volumetric.
    4. Are things that busy that 25 secs is too long for a Zen coffee moment? :-) I'll ask but it's not for me to answer............

    Hopefully, some one else with a better answer will post but that's my take on it, for home.
    My opinion only, a choice like this is too personal for anyone else to answer.

    cheers.
    Last edited by chokkidog; 6 February 2013, 10:15 PM.

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  • jeremydta
    replied
    Hi Double Shot - sorry to hijack your thread, but I'm in the same boat as you. From speaking/reading around the ECM has some advantages over the Rocket (the other main one I was looking at). Levers for steam (though this is a preference I imagine). Pressure gauge dials easier to see at the top of the machine (vs the Rocket, at the bottom), and a bigger drip tray(I think) than the Rocket. Only advantage (non-whats-in -the cup-wise) is that the Rocket has nicer hips. I'm curious to see how you go, I'm leaning to the ECM atm. I imagine a volumetric will be less reliable than a straight lever (more electronics), but I can see the advantage you speak of

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  • double_shot
    replied
    Originally posted by brendogs View Post
    Also a little bit curious as to why the Domobar isn't on your list? It's a great looking machine has all the capabilities of the machines you have mentioned and is very highly regarded around here. Thoughts?
    Hey brendogs, thanks for your post. It was provocative. In answer to your question re the Domobar, I haven't seen one in the flesh but the images I have seen just don't do it for me. As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Cheers

    DS

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