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  • Upgrading and need advice machine + grinder or combo

    Hi everyone,
    I've been reading through various threads on this site and others but, I'm still unsure which route to go.
    I'm upgrading from a basic Breville Mini and cheap sunbeam grinder and want to avoid department store brands.

    Bench space isn't too much of an issue but, obviously, any space saved is always a bonus and I do like the idea of an all in one unit. I thought I had made my mind up on the Lelit Anita PL42TEMD as it won't break the bank, has a PID and from what I can tell, a reasonable quality grinder all in one. But, then as you do, the more I looked, the more tempted I am to stretch the budget and the Lelit Kate caught my eye with extra features and a 58mm portafilter instead of the 57 on the Anita. Now I'm thinking, if I'm going to spend $1999 on the Kate am I better off getting the Victoria and a separate grinder however, that would mean I either have to spend even more to get a decent grinder or be left with only $300 for a grinder which doesn't leave me any great options for grinder quality as I want brand new equipment, not second hand.

    I'd really appreciate any productive advice or alternative options. At present, there's only myself and my daughter who doesn't drink coffee yet but, I do make her hot chocolates. Basically I normally make myself a morning and arvo coffee and the occasional extra one or two for guests. I'm aware that any of the above options would be a significant improvement to what I currently have and I'm looking for the long term investment rather than upgrading again. I mostly drink latte but, don't think I could justify the extra it would cost to get a double boiler machine as from what I can tell, they start at over 2k and I'd still need a grinder which would really be blowing my budget way out and most likely an unnecessary blow out.

    Thanks everyone who contributes.

  • #2
    The general advice, budget and space, allowing is to opt for a separate grinder and espresso machine. You will gain more from upgrading the grinder in the future than the espresso machine.

    I wouldn't discount secondhand entirely. Equipment on this site is generally well looked after by enthusiasts who have gone down the rabbit hole and are upgrading to the next best thing.

    If the budget allows a HX machine will allow you to steam milk and pull a shot at the same time. As for a grinder, you could even get away with a hand grinder in the short term for the small number of coffees you are making.

    Why not consider this from one of the site sponsors

    https://www.jetblackespresso.com.au/...a-pl62s-105653

    and check out Dave Corbey on youtube pulling a shot using a hand grinder

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6YfSBRMo7I

    Comment


    • #3
      Cheers Sam. I did look at that one but, it says they no longer stock them.

      Comment


      • #4
        The grinder is at least as important as the machine. If you're not going to upgrade it in the near future, there isn't a huge point in spending $2k on a machine if you're only going to spend $300 on a grinder (unless the grinder is second hand).

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by level3ninja View Post
          The grinder is at least as important as the machine. If you're not going to upgrade it in the near future, there isn't a huge point in spending $2k on a machine if you're only going to spend $300 on a grinder (unless the grinder is second hand).
          That's what I'm saying but, I'm not spending 2k on the machine, I only want to spend 2k all up with grinder and machine which is why I was considering the kate. If I went with the Victoria I'd only have $300 left. I was originally only going to spend around $1200 but then realised my choices were really limited to the Gaggia or similar which I've decided in not keen on.

          I'm also aware that, reading around can be a trap in itself because there's many people who are happy to spend thousands on appliances just to one up each other or have the latest and greatest when it really isn't necessary. I know in other hobbies I have, it's easy to get swept up in constantly wanting the next best thing when it really isn't necessary.

          I guess because I'm spending 2k, I want the best I can get for that range without getting sucked into constantly increasing my budget. Haha. We all know, the more we look and research, the more we think "it's only another $200 more" and before we know it, we've gone from 2k to $3500 and then Later thinking, hmm, that 2k combination would have been sufficient. Haha. I'm trying to use self control. ?

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by level3ninja View Post
            The grinder is at least as important as the machine. If you're not going to upgrade it in the near future, there isn't a huge point in spending $2k on a machine if you're only going to spend $300 on a grinder (unless the grinder is second hand).
            I guess I more so meant not upgrading the coffee machine but, in saying that, I don't really want to buy a grinder twice. My grinder at the moment is a $99 sunbeam em0440 which barely grinds fine enough. Reading around though, I could probably shim it and get a finer grind and use that in the meantime until I find a reasonable grinder.

            Comment


            • #7
              $2k is a difficult budget for both machine and grinder. Both $1.5k and $2.5k would be easier.

              Comment


              • #8
                This combination from one of the site sponsors comes within your budget ...

                https://dipacci.com.au/collections/c...e-barista-pack

                I can't speak for the Oscar II but other CS members may be able to comment.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by sam678 View Post
                  This combination from one of the site sponsors comes within your budget ...

                  https://dipacci.com.au/collections/c...e-barista-pack

                  I can't speak for the Oscar II but other CS members may be able to comment.
                  Good friend has the previous model Oscar paired with a Breville SG, he’s not a real CS but enjoys good coffee (only person besides myself whom I roast for) it gets the occasional back flush and he says he descales it but can’t confirm that. I replaced the group head gasket 12 months ago as it kept unwinding the GH mid shot but other than that nada, nil issues…….been rock solid for 5 or 6 years,……maybe longer? I do know his machine doesn’t have a vacuum breaker(I believe that is the term) so without a mod cannot be used with a timer…….. also has no hot water wand.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by level3ninja View Post
                    $2k is a difficult budget for both machine and grinder. Both $1.5k and $2.5k would be easier.
                    I'm happy to spend $1500 if it's going to be alright. What would you suggest?

                    I did a little work on my grinder and found some stainless washers thin enough in the shed to shim it too the point where I just touch on the very last 3 notches which leaves me right up the course end of the machines adjustments that gives me a good range now.

                    Now that I've got my grinder going finer, I could spend the money on the machine only now and upgrade the grinder another day.

                    Comment


                    • level3ninja
                      level3ninja commented
                      Editing a comment
                      Get a Rancilio Silvia with a PID kit added. Grinder Compak K3 or Macap M2.

                    • MrRustic
                      MrRustic commented
                      Editing a comment
                      End up buying the Macap m2m to go with the Lelit MaraX. Happy with my choice even though my budget got blown out the building. ? Now just working on getting my grind settings dialed in.

                  • #11
                    Originally posted by Mono View Post

                    Good friend has the previous model Oscar paired with a Breville SG, he’s not a real CS but enjoys good coffee (only person besides myself whom I roast for) it gets the occasional back flush and he says he descales it but can’t confirm that. I replaced the group head gasket 12 months ago as it kept unwinding the GH mid shot but other than that nada, nil issues…….been rock solid for 5 or 6 years,……maybe longer? I do know his machine doesn’t have a vacuum breaker(I believe that is the term) so without a mod cannot be used with a timer…….. also has no hot water wand.
                    I saw those but, to me, they're an ugly machine. Haha. Obviously we ask have varying visual tastes.

                    Comment


                    • Mono
                      Mono commented
                      Editing a comment
                      Agree 100% on that, lots of plastic…..now the new ones I don’t actually mind. No hot water wand would be a dealbreaker for me….. GL with your search

                  • #12
                    What's the lelit MaraX like?

                    Comment


                    • emslibbles
                      emslibbles commented
                      Editing a comment
                      They get a pretty good wrap! But, I’ve never used one… I do really hope someone replies with a positive story though because based off my desktop research i convinced a friend to buy one today! ??

                  • #13
                    Is there much difference in cleaning/maintaining something like the Lelit MaraX with e61 compared to say a Rancilio or Lelit Victoria etc? I'm aware of the periodic lubricating of the e61 lever components but, other than that, is the maintenance pretty much the same or more labour intensive? Cheers.

                    Comment


                    • #14
                      Largely the same amount of work. Rancilio Silvias have a boiler that comes apart in two pieces and has an O ring to seal the two halves. This needs changing every few years and requires pulling half the machine apart. Other than that and E61 specific things it's largely group head baskets and descaling if required by the water you put in the machine. Different machines will take different amounts of work to descale.

                      All machines require regular cleaning as part of usage, that's different to maintenance.

                      Comment


                      • level3ninja
                        level3ninja commented
                        Editing a comment
                        *Group head gaskets

                    • #15
                      Thank you everyone for your input. I decided to completely blow my budget and I've just purchased the Lelit MaraX and will be picking it up this afternoon. I'll likely blow the budget even more by purchasing a new grinder in store as they said they'll be able to work out a good deal in store when I pick up the new machine. Haha. I knew this would happen!

                      Comment


                      • Mono
                        Mono commented
                        Editing a comment
                        Good to see that you have accepted the inevitable ??

                      • MrRustic
                        MrRustic commented
                        Editing a comment
                        Somewhere deep inside I knew this would be the outcome. ? When staff at the shop also have the machine at home, that usually means it's a good machine or they get them for free. ??

                      • MrRustic
                        MrRustic commented
                        Editing a comment
                        It was also the last one in stock. I would have been waiting awhile if I dawdled because the next lot are on back order and we all know how slow international shipping is due to covid at the moment.
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