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Lelit Mara vs Profitec 500 vs secondhand commercial

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  • Lelit Mara vs Profitec 500 vs secondhand commercial

    Hi All. I have a house renovation coming up which will give me a good excuse to upgrade my machine, and potentially plumb it in. I'm currently running a Lelit pl41ted and Compak K8. I make 3-6 milk coffees a day and the odd ristretto.

    So my objectives are
    1. Better and more consistent shots.
    2. Reliable and serviceable. Ie 99% reliability between regular servicing in Sydney.
    3. Better froth.
    4. Bling.
    5. <$5000
    6. Cater to the odd large party.

    The Lelit Mara seems to get rave reviews as does the Profitec, but I wonder if I'm spending the big bucks on the kitchen anyway why not spend a bit more and get something more unusual and get a secondhand 1-3 group commercial machine.

    So my questions are:
    1. Am I kidding myself, most lower level commercial machines won't produce a better shot than the Mara and Profitec.
    2. What are the better commercial machines to be had second hand for <$5000. I've seen Wega Concept, Rocket Linea Professionale, NS Appia II, Orchestrale Etnica, Sanmarino, Rancilio, Expobar etc etc that fit the budget but I know stuff all about these machines.

  • #2
    Paul makes space by consuming any headwear in the kitchen vicinity

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    • #3
      A high end prosumer machine is a much better buy than a low end commercial. Like Paul said the 15 amp is a pain and heat up for the huge boilers is just wasteful and expensive.

      5k gets you a real nice prosumer machine

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      • #4
        Londinium l1 for sale in the forum at the moment.

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        • #5
          +1 for the Profitec, but you will need to go up to the 700 if you want to plumb it in.
          Good luck with your purchase

          Mal

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          • #6
            Thankyou for the replies. I will have to drop in on Jetblack or keep my eyes on the marketplace.

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            • #7
              Originally posted by K_Bean_Coffee
              Good thinking. Reading only gets you so far. Experiencing the gear first hand is the final step.
              Best of luck mate.
              Cheers, Paul
              I'd argue to say that experiencing the gear first hand is the second step. Buying it should be the final step

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              • #8
                Originally posted by K_Bean_Coffee
                Hi there.

                I really wouldn't get a used commercial machine for home.
                My experiences with a used Brasilia portofino 2 group have been diametrically opposed to your friends. Paid VERY little for it (on CS) too.

                Originally posted by K_Bean_Coffee
                A friend of mine had a 2 group. He had to install a 15amp power point and he had a 6L boiler to heat up for a 30ml brew.
                The cost and energy use for heating even a large brew boiler is negligible. Compare to say unnecessary driving. 15 amp plugs are normally very inexpensive. Mine was <200$.

                Originally posted by K_Bean_Coffee
                The machine didn't even have an E61 group.
                Most worthwhile commercial machines
                A) have line pressure infusion (a delay circuit is trivial to add for those without) and
                B) are more temp stable* than E61s.

                *Naturally obviously better control (PID and DB vs HX) helps here.

                Originally posted by K_Bean_Coffee
                He "downgraded" to a prosumer Dual Boiler machine and never looked back.
                As I mentioned my experience with most prosumer machines both in shops and still owning a BZ99 has been the opposite. Better (more balance and sweetness) and more consistent in the cup, steaming isn't close. Can do large parties (1kg + of coffee (i.e 50-100 shots) no sweat which I wouldn't want to try that on most prosumer machines. I service all my own machines and have had no problems.

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by Plestor View Post
                  My experiences with a used Brasilia portofino 2 group have been diametrically opposed to your friends. Paid VERY little for it (on CS) too.


                  The cost and energy use for heating even a large brew boiler is negligible. Compare to say unnecessary driving. 15 amp plugs are normally very inexpensive. Mine was <200$.


                  Most worthwhile commercial machines
                  A) have line pressure infusion (a delay circuit is trivial to add for those without) and
                  B) are more temp stable* than E61s.

                  *Naturally obviously better control (PID and DB vs HX) helps here.


                  As I mentioned my experience with most prosumer machines both in shops and still owning a BZ99 has been the opposite. Better (more balance and sweetness) and more consistent in the cup, steaming isn't close. Can do large parties (1kg + of coffee (i.e 50-100 shots) no sweat which I wouldn't want to try that on most prosumer machines. I service all my own machines and have had no problems.
                  I'm with you here Plestor,

                  The biggest deterrent for people getting a commercial machine for home is the size and that it needs to be plumbed in. The power consumption difference from that and a top end domestic is minimal.

                  As for not having an E61 group head... La Marzocco don't have E61, nor Nuova Simonelli. nor Rancillio etc.. they all have their own proprietary group heads with various pre infusion methods.

                  Ill hazard a guess they know what they are doing

                  Cheers

                  Antony
                  Casa Espresso - Home
                  Last edited by Casa Espresso; 26 April 2017, 01:28 PM.

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                  • #10
                    Whilst most prosumer machines use e61 groups, It is not necesarily suited to everyone. I have owned one before and really not a fan of it due to its long (> 30 minutes) heat up time. I find machines which use saturated groups where the brew head is surrounded by the brew boiler water makes more sense to me.

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                    • #11
                      Laundries and/or flojets are a godsend for renters. Drilling and plumbings isnt that hard for owners.
                      In the OPs case even if he doesnt get a plumbed / 15 amp machine* id still get the outlets and plumbing ready...
                      I personally find the convience of a plumbed machine pretty much a no brainer. I would not buy a machine that couldn't be plumbed.

                      *1 grp hydra mvps are 20A so id probably go 20A to be safe.

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