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  • #16
    Re: new machine

    Kat

    I have had a LeLit combi for almost a year and am very happy with it. I only put into the grinder the amount of beans needed for immediate use. The inbuilt grinder grinds OK and leaves no residue. The coffee shot produced is great, but like all machines, the operator dictates the final results. Steaming milk is excellent, producing great microfoam. The machine looks good, is clean to operate, easy to clean and takes up minimal bench space. On the occasions that we have had visitors the LeLit has performed OK for a single boiler machine.

    I would recommend the LeLit if you are not making a lot of coffees at the same time and your budget is limited.

    Cheers

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    • #17
      Re: new machine

      Hey Kat,

      I second SunnyCoasters comments. The LeLits a good value for money machine. Conical grinder does a good job, good basics with the brass single boiler (similar to Silvia). Good looking stainless steel unit and convenient all in one footprint. Its not a "Pointy End" machine (in price or build quality) but Ive been very happy with it at its price.

      Just get nice, fresh beans , learn the ropes (by hanging around here on Coffee Snobs and practice) and get a good tamper. The plastic one on the machine (as on most machines) is too small and near useless. You will need to get a 57mm hand held one. (Also a milk jug or 2, knock box, backflush detergent and descaler, rubber back flush disc, maybe a milk thermometer, shot glass, tamp map, timer, scales, heat gun, breadmaker,... hang on Greg, one thing at a time.)

      Research as much as you can on this and other sites, and enjoy the ride. Let us know how you go.

      Comment


      • #18
        Re: new machine

        Thanks everyone, youve all been fantastic, nice to hear what everyone thinks. At this stage Im leaning heavily towards the Lelit Combi. Then I want to learn about how to roast beans in a popcorn maker!!!
        Kat
        PS Funny you should mention the bread machine. Its my birthday this week, thats why Im looking into this as it began with me wanting a grinder - hubby thought hed like me to have a bread machine!!!! Problem is, having started researching stuff on this site due to a problem earlier with my Krups, Im getting more and more interested in making coffee and beginning from scratch which is why I began looking at grinders. I think this site is a bit addictive, maybe its the coffee!

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        • #19
          Re: new machine

          The Lelit sounds like a good machine, but it depends how often you are likely to be making coffees for 4 or more people.

          I have a Saeco Via Venezia, & it is a real chore making coffees for this many people, it is just too time consuming. It is nice making coffees for guests, and the feedback makes you feel pretty good, but it becomes pretty tiresome taking so long on a single boiler machine.

          If you can afford one, Id think very seriously about avoiding the upgrade path & going straight to a HX type machine. This type of machine enabless you to steam immediately without a wait, & would enable you to churn out a number of coffees in a much shorter space of time.

          This is why a Nuova Simonelli Oscar is currently appealling to me, still relatively affordable compared to some of the other HX type machines, but supposed to be the goods under the bonnet.


          Good luck with your choices............cheers............Sean

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          • #20
            Re: new machine

            Yes Scooter you are very right about the upgrade path
            I remember my first post was about a Silvia and any mods
            The answers I received made me then consider a VBM leveta (better machine at the same cost as a PID Silvia)
            I ended up getting a Bezzera Galatea for the reasons you stated above we make lots of coffees at one sitting so it made sense to get a HX machine and have not regretted my purchase
            KK

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            • #21
              Re: new machine

              hey kat
              me again - ppl have said that the lelit combi is a great machine - and it is- for the price.
              but for entertaining, its really going to be a long chore.
              if you have 1500-3000 then i would seriously consider heat exchanger machines to make life a lot easier and paired with a nice grinder youll never look back.

              Comment


              • #22
                Re: new machine

                Agreed.

                It is good for the money....but...you have more money.

                If you have a budget of $3000 you can do better than the Lelit.

                Comment


                • #23
                  Re: new machine

                  Okay, okay, I know Im fussy and Im finding this all rather hard, but.... I have just looked at the Jura that KoffeeKosmo suggested, it DOES have a grinder, any other opinions on this one? I have to make a decision in the next few days. I HAVE to have one with a grinder with it.
                  Kat

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                  • #24
                    Re: new machine

                    Yeah, I gotta concur with TG. IF I had $3000 to spend on coffee making gear (big if) Id forget about the combi idea. Id get a good quality grinder as first priority, after trying some out (eg. Mazzer, Macap, Compak) - say, about $700. Then try out as many HX machines as I could (eg Giotto, VBM, Bezzera, Diadema, etc) and try and get one for about $2200 (stock-take time at present - deals can be made, especially if youre getting a package!). And with the extra $100 get a Pullman tamper.

                    Anyway, thats what Id do. Whatever you do but, Kat, make sure you use good, FRESH beans and learn as much about how to use your gear properly as you can, so you get the most out of your investment and the most enjoyment from it.

                    Greg

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                    • #25
                      Re: new machine

                      Sorry Kat, you jumped in there with that Jura idea while I was typing my last post.

                      Juras are superautomatic machines which basically do everything for you. Not very popular around these parts as they generally (from my limited experience and what others have said) make mediocre coffee and require lots of maintenance over a relatively limited lifespan.

                      Nevertheless, Juras are said to have the best reputation in this class and you should be able to find one in your budget.

                      If you go this road, my previous last paragraph still applies.

                      Greg

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                      • #26
                        Re: new machine

                        Actually, I just read all the info. on it and Im not impressed, it looks tooooo automatic, doesnt look like you actually make the coffee or need any skill, looks like it just does it all itself, not really what Im interested in. Im interested in making coffee, the real way, and want to learn how to roast, how to grind and all the rest. Thinking again Im wondering if I should talk hubby into letting me just get a grinder which is what I wanted in the first place and just get that bit right before going for a better machine. Its just that its another thing in the kitchen and he likes a clean clear bench with nothing on it.

                        Comment


                        • #27
                          Re: new machine

                          Kat
                          Just an idea for the benchtop
                          Have a sliding base made, to slide into a cupboard,
                          The equipment sits on this to allow access and storage

                          That will satisfy the hubby and you get the best equipment you can afford

                          If you want to show off the machine you could leave the cupboard doors open or have them made in glass

                          KK

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                          • #28
                            Re: new machine

                            Kat,

                            Many CS members would die if they had access to the budget you have!

                            You can afford really top shelf machines which will make you great espresso given a little effort on your part. The only problem you have to overcome is having them in one box..... Would you build an oven into a fridge? No because they have separate and clear functions.... which dont really "get on together"..... even though they are both used to prepare food.

                            Great coffee machines dont have grinders built in.... neither do great grinders come installed in coffee machines.... they end up being two separate units - in close proximity to each other.....

                            Maybe something like KK suggested above is worth a thought...... after all Ill bet hubby doesnt store his lawnmower in the boot of the car (together with his golf clubs maybe ;D ;D)!

                            Comment


                            • #29
                              Re: new machine

                              Originally posted by JavaB link=1214279862/20#27 date=1214485149
                              Kat,

                              Many CS members would die if they had access to the budget you have!

                              You can afford really top shelf machines which will make you great espresso given a little effort on your part. The only problem you have to overcome is having them in one box..... Would you build an oven into a fridge? No because they have separate and clear functions.... which dont really "get on together"..... even though they are both used to prepare food.

                              Great coffee machines dont have grinders built in.... neither do great grinders come installed in coffee machines.... they end up being two separate units - in close proximity to each other.....

                              Maybe something like KK suggested above is worth a thought...... after all Ill bet hubby doesnt store his lawnmower in the boot of the car (together with his golf clubs maybe ;D ;D)!
                              Like all of the others, I would aslo recommend that you do it properly if you want great coffee and purchase a separate machine and a good (maybe small) grinder? This should hopefully keep SO happy. Please feel most welcome to call if youd like to discuss some pros and cons and get some more information.

                              regards

                              Chris

                              Comment


                              • #30
                                Re: new machine

                                Kat, Im a brand new snob and a total newbie to home espresso. I too am going through the motions of buying a home espresso setup with the same budget as you. I know your pain.

                                The advice being given with regard to "you should reconsider the combo idea" is worth listening too. Im certainly no expert but I have had the opportunity to see and taste the difference between these combo machines, autos and the like and frankly I just wouldnt even consider spending upto $3K on any of them. The difference in quality of beverage produced when compared to a good grinder matched with a good HX machine is chalk and cheese.

                                Perhaps approach hubby with this scenario: All experience and knowledge suggests that the grind is critical to good espresso. What do we do if our machine does a decent job but we discover its the damn inbuilt grinder that is letting us down? Worse, your research is showing that the combos involve certain compromises - but for the same money you can buy a no compromise machine and pair it with a no compromise grinder.

                                Or theres always the "just put your foot down because your the wife" option. As a husband I can testify that that approach has an irritatingly high success rate! ;D

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