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  • Which machine?

    Hi,

    I have a budget of around $1700...which espresso machines should I investigate and consider buying (for home use)?

    Cheers,
    Dave

  • #2
    Re: Which machine?

    Originally posted by Dave_D link=1207354009/0#0 date=1207354009
    Hi,

    I have a budget of around $1700...which espresso machines should I investigate and consider buying (for home use)?

    Cheers,
    Dave
    Hi Dave,

    Thats a big question

    If your budget is $1700 including a grinder, you might consider a dual purpose single boiler machine like a VBM Domobar levetta or similar. With this type of machine you pull your shot, press the steam button...................wait..................... .texture your milk and theres a milky coffee for you. If youre an espresso drinker, this machine will most likely be ample for you.

    If on the other hand milk is a priority, you are in HX machine limbo zone. The is the Simonelli Oscar, Expobar Semi Auto and not a whole heap else to choose from. Ideally, Id suggest an Expobar eb-61 lever or better- but youll need closer to $2k for one of them...

    Please feel free to give me a buzz if I can assist.

    Chris

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Which machine?

      Thanks Chris,

      I currently have a Gaggia Classic and Sunbeam 0480 grinder...for the time being I will stick with the 0480. I would like to put the money into an espresso machine and then update the grinder a bit later.

      We almost exclusively make milk drinks.

      Cheers,
      Dave

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Which machine?

        Hi Dave,

        Whilst the 0480 is probably not too bad with a Classic..... it will severely
        limit the quality from the better machines.....

        It will be usable - certainly - but you wont notice much difference in the espresso quality from the more "pointy end" machines until you upgrade.

        The quality of the grinder is FAR more important than the machine when it comes to espresso.

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Which machine?

          Thanks JavaB,

          Yes that is reasonable...I guess at this time I would like to put the available budget into the best machine I can buy for the budget that I have (read "allowed to spend" ).

          Then in the not too distant future, push my luck again!

          Cheers,
          Dave

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Which machine?

            Originally posted by Dave_D link=1207354009/0#4 date=1207358976
            Thanks JavaB,

            Yes that is reasonable...I guess at this time I would like to put the available budget into the best machine I can buy for the budget that I have (read "allowed to spend"  ).

            Then in the not too distant future, push my luck again!

            Cheers,
            Dave
            In which case Dave, I think you should short list the expobar eb-61 lever machine. It competes with the Giotto and other similar machines and you can upgrade it with cup rails and a coool touch wand from the Minore II. This makes for an awesome machine at a very good price point. One bonus is that compared to the less expensive HX machines, the eb-61 is easy to gain access to for service = lower cost of ownership when service time comes

            Its terrific value for money.

            Chris

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Which machine?

              The best machine for you will also depend on how many shots you make a day, and how many at once.
              I make about 5 maximum on weekends, and find the VBM Domobar Levetta excellent. The waiting time for steaming milk is actually less time than it takes for me to flush the group head, clean the portafilter, and get the milk from the fridge, so it is not a big deal at all.
              Greg

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Which machine?

                Thanks Greg,

                Can it steam larger amounts of milk easily...say if you were making four milk drinks at the one time?

                Cheers,
                Dave

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Which machine?

                  While waiting for Greg to answer your last question let me second Chris on the Expobar Leva.
                  I bought one from him about 18 months ago (IIRC) and he got me the cup rails as well.
                  They are great.
                  I recently got the cool touch steam wand from Di Bartoli.
                  I actually wanted it for the different tip profile and the "cool touch" feature was just a bonus to me, but it IS nice not getting burnt as often.

                  The Leva has been trouble free.
                  Ive only had to change the group seal in all this time.

                  As for steaming ability..........it wouldnt bat an eyelid at 4 drinks (if it had eyelids).

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Which machine?

                    Thanks Thundergod,

                    What size milk jug have you used with the Leva?

                    I had a good chat with Chris earlier and he explained his reasons for promoting this machine.

                    It will come down to budget with the contenders at this time being:

                    Vibiemme Domobar
                    Expobar Office (semi auto)
                    Expobar Leva

                    Cheers,
                    Dave

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Which machine?

                      Originally posted by Dave_D link=1207354009/0#9 date=1207374753
                      Thanks Thundergod,

                      What size milk jug have you used with the Leva?

                      I had a good chat with Chris earlier and he explained his reasons for promoting this machine.

                      It will come down to budget with the contenders at this time being:

                      Vibiemme Domobar
                      Expobar Office (semi auto)
                      Expobar Leva

                      Cheers,
                      Dave
                      Hi Dave,

                      600ml (or thereabouts) is the correct size jug for two cups. The Expobar machines will have no problems handling multiple 1 litre jugs. I reckon a couple back to back would be easy for the machine with an almost instant recovery.

                      As mentioned, I personally prefer the Leva as its easy to gain access to and also easy to calibrate. The extra few dollars are well worth the extra spend. Competing Italian machines would typically retail at anywhere between $2.45-$2.75k

                      Chris

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Which machine?

                        As Chris said the Expobar gives you "more bang for your buck" or is that "less bucks for your bang"?

                        I have 2 x 600ml and 2 x 300ml jugs.
                        My wife and son use lactose free milk and my daughter sister and mother prefer skim milk.
                        Everyone else doesnt mind full cream.

                        So at a gathering I use full cream for everyone that doesnt ask for one of the other options.

                        This means I need several jugs of different milk just to accommodate preferences/needs.

                        I think Ive pushed about 10 drinks out in a row. That included a couple of hot chocolates.
                        So whilst the machine can definitely handle more coffees than I can, it has also proven that it candle handle almost any steaming job you can throw at it.

                        The only thing that ever slowed it down was my wifes long blacks but Ive learned to do those last now so as not to have to wait for the boiler to top up before I can pull the next shot.
                        Long blacks and teas go to the back of the queue.

                        I spent 10 hours last year at the AromaFest making coffees on a Minore II at the DI Bartoli stand.
                        That gave me a heap of extra experience but I still cant push this beast to its limits (provided long blacks go last).

                        The only thing that slows you down is refilling the water tank but even thats 2.5 litres (usable).
                        The drip tray is about 2 litres itself and takes about 5 seconds to empty if youre in a hurry.

                        Boiler is 2 litres from memory. Steam power is awesome.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Which machine?

                          Thanks for taking the time to make a comprehensive answer Thundergod...it is very helpful.

                          In deciding to upgrade from the Gaggia Classic...it is most certainly not just the coffee quality that Im considering, but the machines ability to handle those situations where you are called on to make more drinks than for just yourself and the missus.

                          Was there much of a learning curve in adjusting to the Leva?

                          Cheers,
                          Dave

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Which machine?

                            Originally posted by Dave_D link=1207354009/0#12 date=1207380198
                            Thanks for taking the time to make a comprehensive answer Thundergod...it is very helpful.
                            No worries.
                            If youve read any of my other posts youll realise I usually am quite succinct.
                            That just goes to show how impressed I am by this machine if I rave on this much.

                            Originally posted by Dave_D link=1207354009/0#12 date=1207380198
                            In deciding to upgrade from the Gaggia Classic...it is most certainly not just the coffee quality that Im considering, but the machines ability to handle those situations where you are called on to make more drinks than for just yourself and the missus.
                            The Leva certainly meets that criterium.

                            Originally posted by Dave_D link=1207354009/0#12 date=1207380198
                            Was there much of a learning curve in adjusting to the Leva?
                            The Leva is my first ever machine.
                            My first coffee was drinkable.
                            Need I say more?

                            To be fair though to that last answer:
                            * I did a lot of research before buying including here on CS.
                            * I spoke extensively to Chris and honestly was leaning strongly towards the Silvia/Rocky combo but I had a niggling doubt and after more talking with Chris I decided (he did not upsell me) on the Expobar and the Macap M5 grinder.
                            * I had done a barista course as part of my research to understand my wants and needs.
                            * I was in the fortunate position of having the money available (and even a bit more than I spent if I had decided).
                            * That first coffee was using beans from Hazel De Los Reyes.


                            Youll get used to the ugly feet. Its a good machine.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Which machine?

                              Originally posted by Dave_D link=1207354009/0#7 date=1207365648
                              Thanks Greg,

                              Can it steam larger amounts of milk easily...say if you were making four milk drinks at the one time?

                              Cheers,
                              Dave
                              Dave,

                              I cant give you an experienced answer for this cause I havent done it yet---BUT, I can say with certainty that while playing (today) I was able to steam 750 ml of water to 65C in less than one minute.

                              As far as the cool touch is concerned I just put a short length of plastic tubing over the wand where I touch it to move it around, and havent burned my fingers since.

                              Greg

                              Comment

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