Bit of a different take on a the 'which machine should I buy' question, that I see is ubiquitous on the forums.
My problem is a bit different... the choice of machine depends on the space I have, and it's depth that's limited, not width.
See photo dropbox link


The machine needs to go in that niche, next to the grinder.
The available space is 450w x 330d x 530h
The creates a problem. Unless I'm happy with a Gaggia Classic or Rancillio Silvia (I don't think I am), or I'm happy to spend $6k on Olympia Cremina (I'm not), then I don't have too many options left.
What would you put in this space?
I like good coffee, and have always bought the best beans I can find, and grind fresh. But I've stuck mostly with stovetop brewing for 20 years, and occasionally pour over, when I want something fruity. Always been satisfied with that, now I've got a young family, and we're home more often, and hosting friends more often, sometimes up to 10 people at weekend family dinners. So I want something that can keep up with all that. I like a decent cap from time to time, and with a young kid, my partner now sometimes drinks espresso (she's a tea drinker). So whatever I buy needs to be pretty flexible.
So far I've considered:
I feel like I'm not really going to be happy with any of those options in the long term. Seems like the sensible thing to do would be to pony up a few more clams, and get something with an e61 group or similar.
Main contenders seem to be:
I've spent less time looking at these, and obviously a significant jump in price and quality.
Now, none of these will fit entirely in the appliance niche. These seem to be the most compact of this style of machine. I guess the main question is, will it look like dogs balls with the drip tray and handles poking out up to 10cm onto the stone bench area?
I think... maybe. Maybe not. After all, it's tucked away in the corner, and it's not exactly usable space back there anyway.
So what would you do?
My problem is a bit different... the choice of machine depends on the space I have, and it's depth that's limited, not width.
See photo dropbox link


The machine needs to go in that niche, next to the grinder.
The available space is 450w x 330d x 530h
The creates a problem. Unless I'm happy with a Gaggia Classic or Rancillio Silvia (I don't think I am), or I'm happy to spend $6k on Olympia Cremina (I'm not), then I don't have too many options left.
What would you put in this space?
I like good coffee, and have always bought the best beans I can find, and grind fresh. But I've stuck mostly with stovetop brewing for 20 years, and occasionally pour over, when I want something fruity. Always been satisfied with that, now I've got a young family, and we're home more often, and hosting friends more often, sometimes up to 10 people at weekend family dinners. So I want something that can keep up with all that. I like a decent cap from time to time, and with a young kid, my partner now sometimes drinks espresso (she's a tea drinker). So whatever I buy needs to be pretty flexible.
So far I've considered:
- Rancilio Silvia - it's a romantic idea, and I'm not afraid of learning to temperature surf and tinker, but seems overpriced for what it is, and it wont handle hosting.
- Lelit Victoria - seems better, with more control, auto refill etc, looks good, relatively affordable, but not convinced about build quality or
- Quick Mill Silvano - questionable serviceability. Uses heat bank for steam, which has pros and cons. Bit ugly.
- serviceability.
- Breville BES920 - decent value and well liked, but it's basically disposable in <5 years, which doesn't really sit well with me. It's got that junky plastic look, and it's also about 5cm too deep to fit neatly on the shelf. BES840 fits... but it's a single boiler, so probably not up to the task.
I feel like I'm not really going to be happy with any of those options in the long term. Seems like the sensible thing to do would be to pony up a few more clams, and get something with an e61 group or similar.
Main contenders seem to be:
- Rocket Appartamento or Giotto/Mozzafiato
- Bezerra BZ10 ($1800 at the moment. Seems a steal)
- Expobar Minore 4
I've spent less time looking at these, and obviously a significant jump in price and quality.
Now, none of these will fit entirely in the appliance niche. These seem to be the most compact of this style of machine. I guess the main question is, will it look like dogs balls with the drip tray and handles poking out up to 10cm onto the stone bench area?
I think... maybe. Maybe not. After all, it's tucked away in the corner, and it's not exactly usable space back there anyway.
So what would you do?




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