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Recommendations for a mid Range HX machine

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  • JSP22
    replied
    Thanks for you comments / advice everyone.. I ended up going with the Mara X as I am keen on a machine with a brew pressure gauge and the reviews all seemed positive on this machine.. The QM Rubino is definitely a nice machine and I would have probably gone in that direction if it had the brew pressure gauge also.

    I also upgraded my grinder to a Eureka Mignon Specialita from one of the sponsors... Good price atm.

    Leave a comment:


  • bakerman
    replied
    Me too, solid machine no regrets on the Rubino

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  • Rily
    replied
    I have a quick mill rubino and love it.

    You could also get a nicer grinder and you'd be pulling great shots of coffee in no time.

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  • Ronin
    commented on 's reply
    https://coffeesnobs.com.au/forum/mar...ar-q50-package

    Like this. I’m not trying to sell you this one though. Just an example

  • Ronin
    replied
    JSP22 The Quickmill Rubino would fit you needs mostly. Doesn’t have a Pid or brew pressure gauge but great machine and easily serviceable.

    A shot timer imo is not as important. Timers are everywhere these days. On scales, stand alone units or even on your phone. Even Bluetooth connection on some high end ones with seperate display. Pretty cool.

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  • Ronin
    commented on 's reply
    roosterben my minore 3 Pid still going strong after 12 years. Lost on off the led lights recently but doesn’t effect performance

  • sacsnob
    commented on 's reply
    Caffeinator On my VBM Junior with the Sirai pressure stat, whenever I turn on the steam knob the heating element almost kicks in instantly. I have no need for better steaming power for the 1-3 milk coffees i typically make a day, certainly not at the cost of PID.

  • roosterben
    commented on 's reply
    Expobar Minore dual boilers have a habit of killing PIDs too, at $300 for the part they are not cheap. I hadn't thought about Rocket PID positioning but that does make sense.

  • roosterben
    commented on 's reply
    Yeah my Rocket Giotto likes to pump first thing in the morning when turned on. I flick it on at night just to trigger the auto fill so it doesn't go off in the morning.

  • magnafunk
    replied
    Originally posted by JSP22
    hmmm.. that is smart. I might try that with the Musica tonight to see if it works. Sorry for the dumb question - but I always flush after the last coffee of the day and turn the machine off, so I assume it does a check on start-up for the boiler level and fills..so 2nd time it won't need to..
    I can't figure out to reply to a subcomment but yep - even without the flush - the water will contract as it cools down thereby dropping below the autofill threshold so when it turns on in the morning it needs to refill the boiler. If you turn it on later in the day when it's cold it will trigger a refill. You can then set the timer and with the boiler being full and cold it shouldn't have to refill in the morning.

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  • Caffeinator
    commented on 's reply
    Yeah, nar.

    1: A PID in a HX machine will register a change of temperature more rapidly than a conventional pressurestat. Will not make a zac of difference as such in shots, because it's a HX machine. It will however improve milk texture performance as it will trigger an element heating event more rapidly. In Rocket for example, you compare an Appartamento to a Giotto PID. The Giotto is a little better in the steam department.

    2. If it's not doing work as a shot timer as well, behind the drip tray is actually a great position for a PID in a HX because it's the coolest region of the machine and you're not going to touch it anyway. Have replaced plenty of PIDs in my time but not a single one in a Rocket where the PID is down low. In addition, pretty much all PIDs are fugly. I totally get why Rocket hides them in HX machines and has them controlled by removable interfaces in their dual boilers. It's a damn good call for minimalism and design. On the other hand, the Isomac DB pro has not one but two single channel PIDs for pure hit with the ugly stick, tie it up to back the fence goodness. It's hideous.

  • Caffeinator
    commented on 's reply
    JSP22 Casa Espresso are the importer. They should be able to point you towards a bricks and mortar operation in your state

  • JSP22
    commented on 's reply
    hmmm.. that is smart. I might try that with the Musica tonight to see if it works. Sorry for the dumb question - but I always flush after the last coffee of the day and turn the machine off, so I assume it does a check on start-up for the boiler level and fills..so 2nd time it won't need to.

  • JSP22
    commented on 's reply
    Yeah you are right there - particularly the shot timer.

    yep I know the one you are talking about.. Have been in there a couple of times.. Have had a poke around the Quickmill, BZ10, Mara X, Mitica etc.

    Of the compact HX machines - the Quickmill felt the best in terms of the weight of the controls etc to me.

    Can't find anywhere in Bris that has the Vivi on display..

  • sacsnob
    replied
    Personally I'd avoid buying HX machines with PID, esp those with PID hidden behind the drip tray. You're unlikely to see any improvement in the cup and it costs 3-4x more to replace when it breaks.

    Leave a comment:

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