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To Lever or Not to Lever, that is the question.

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  • To Lever or Not to Lever, that is the question.

    My original Breville DB (and my first step into espresso machines) went to the Coffee gods on the weekend and that has put me into a mixture of panic and excitement over what I should do next.
    Im panicing because I dont have a coffee machine at home and excited because Ive got an excuse to go shopping for a new one.

    While the BDB has served me faithfully and a new one would give me 3-4yrs of stability, I cant help myself in wondering if I should now vecture out again of my comfort zone.

    Im looking at a lever machine, due to its style, simplicity, engineering and the adventure of added control over my coffee. Im only a 1-2 cup a day & usually small extra shot FW is my go, but starting to get a taste for black even though I probably dont even know if Ive had a good shot before.

    Im looking at around $1500-$2000 maybe a little more if the cost to life ratio is better and also looking for an easy machine to service, descale, keep clean etc. The descaling of the BDB brought me undone.

    I guess apart from recommendations, Im also wondering if Im mad and the alure of the looks over the production of coffee is going to bring me undone.

    Im in Brisbane in case that makes a difference and open to any and all suggestions.

    Thanks


  • #2
    I have a BDB and Flair 58(obviously no milk steaming) and find it's a great combo but pending reviews and first deliveries I would be definitely tempted by an Odyssey Argos if you are happy with something more temporary to tide you over. The advice with the BDB is to where possible use sufficiently filtered soft water so descaling can be avoided entirely. You can also look into the slayer mod for the BDB if you decide to go back in that direction as it is still unbeatable at its price point.
    ​​

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by Blues1143 View Post
      I have a BDB and Flair 58(obviously no milk steaming) and find it's a great combo but pending reviews and first deliveries I would be definitely tempted by an Odyssey Argos if you are happy with something more temporary to tide you over. The advice with the BDB is to where possible use sufficiently filtered soft water so descaling can be avoided entirely. You can also look into the slayer mod for the BDB if you decide to go back in that direction as it is still unbeatable at its price point.
      ​​
      Yeah, its a shame my timing is out for the Odyssey Argos. They look very interesting.

      Brisbane is hard water, but I really cant complain about the life I got out of the BDB. It must have been around 7yrs.

      Comment


      • #4
        Proper (the right) Filtration not only benefits the machine (obv) long term But serves you with noticeably better espresso.
        Particularly straight espresso / blacks are easily noticed ....if your gong in that direction.

        GL with your new choice / upgrade

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by EspressoAdventurer View Post
          Proper (the right) Filtration not only benefits the machine (obv) long term But serves you with noticeably better espresso.
          Particularly straight espresso / blacks are easily noticed ....if your gong in that direction.

          GL with your new choice / upgrade
          I do use filter my water and maybe thats why I got a good life out of the old girl. Thanks

          Comment


          • #6
            Meinoz agree with Blues1143 I would be recommending a Flair 58 unless site sponsor Casa Espresso has other recommendations in your price range. They have a relatively temperature stable group head and that's important so you avoid a lot of faffing around. Site sponsors CoffeeParts and AlternativeBrewing and maybe others stock the Flair 58.

            They are a simple lever to get started on and exceptional bang for bucks, plus there is a ready second hand market if you decide they are not for you. you really have to pay a heckmof a lot more to get a temperature stable lever, other than the 58.

            Comment


            • #7
              In the upgrade equation don't forget the grinder.


              Java "Poor grinder means poor coffee" phile
              Toys! I must have new toys!!!

              Comment


              • tompoland
                tompoland commented
                Editing a comment
                ooh yes, good point. missed that, so true!

                What is your grinder Meinoz ?

              • Meinoz
                Meinoz commented
                Editing a comment
                Currently the breville that came as a set with the DB.

                I know, add a grinder. Lol

                Ps, now I’m looking at the R24, that’s blown my budget.

            • #8
              The grinder is super important. You will never get the potential out of any espresso machine without a capable grinder. I suspect that for the money, these days, there may be more feature rich options than the R24. This thread may be worth a read https://coffeesnobs.com.au/forum/equ...vesuvius-lever

              But whatever you get, upgrade your grinder too.

              Comment


              • #9
                Follow up question. For a lever machine, what price point grinder should I be looking at?

                To keep in mind; Im not the guy who takes covers off my speakers because I can hear the quality difference, I take them off for the look. Who am I kidding, they stay on because my wife wants them on.
                I just want to enjoy my coffee without it taking over my life and a good looking machine helps for those times Im not drinking coffee. ?

                Comment


                • tompoland
                  tompoland commented
                  Editing a comment
                  Because I am too lazy to read everything above, remind me please what style of roast and coffee do you and the missus like? E.g. medium or dark roast, straight espresso or milk based?

                • Meinoz
                  Meinoz commented
                  Editing a comment
                  Dark and usually milk based.

                • tompoland
                  tompoland commented
                  Editing a comment
                  Dark + Milk = Niche Zero for the grinder. There is nothing that comes close at the same price point. And because the GBP is tanking, they get cheaper almost every week! In fact, if you wait until Christmas and they've had another 11 Prime Ministers they should be around ten bucks!

              • #10
                If you just want to play around with a lever, a Cafelat Robot might also be worth a look at, particularly if you are doing straight espresso with medium or dark roasts.

                Comment


                • #11
                  Update:

                  Im definately heading down the Lever track.

                  The Flair isnt for me because of all the accessories I'll need and I really want to keep it clean.
                  I dont want to be messing around with wet cloths to regulate temp, so thats a couple more out.
                  Id like something that is spring level, steamer, temp controlled and looks pretty.

                  At the moment Im looking at the pro 800 (yes, I blew the budget)

                  and then a grinder to go with (prob a niche)

                  So the Pro 800 is approx $5000, is there another cheaper considering I make 1-2 cups a day, quicker to heat (not really an issue) and has a water tank (dont want to plumb)

                  I read so much that im starting to mix up models and features in my head.

                  and yes, this probably should be moved now to the $3000 + category

                  Comment


                  • JohnA
                    JohnA commented
                    Editing a comment
                    if you are already blowing the budget, look at the nurri L type leva

                  • Meinoz
                    Meinoz commented
                    Editing a comment
                    Yes I actually did see that one & then stepped back from the edge.

                    Theres "Honey, Ive blown the budget"
                    and then theres ........ divorce

                  • Caffeinator
                    Caffeinator commented
                    Editing a comment
                    Your $5k budget would easily deliver you a gorgeous Izzo Alex Leva. Have a chat with site sponsor Antony @casaespresso about how good and how well-built they are.

                • #12
                  I would also consider the Bezzera Strega or Alex Leva - https://coffeesnobs.com.au/forum/equ...izzo-alex-leva

                  Plumbing can always be done by flojet

                  Comment


                  • amberale
                    amberale commented
                    Editing a comment
                    If you are going to go Izzo then why not go all out and go Valexia.
                    In my opinion prettier ans all SS.

                • #13
                  To Lever. No justifiable reason to omit such a purchase.

                  Comment


                  • WhatEverBeansNecessary
                    WhatEverBeansNecessary commented
                    Editing a comment
                    I am with Bosco (although we are biased). Always lever whenever possible.

                • #14
                  Originally posted by Bosco_Lever View Post
                  To Lever. No justifiable reason to omit such a purchase.
                  Yep,pretty much settled on the 800. Just working out grinder

                  NZ
                  Ceado E5P
                  Profitec T64
                  Eureka SD

                  Comment


                  • #15
                    Theres a Strega on facebook market place for $1900. if i didnt already have a la pavoni and lambro id be all over that! its just down the road from me too. happy to check it out for you if thats a machine youre interested in.

                    Comment


                    • amberale
                      amberale commented
                      Editing a comment
                      That is a ripper and a bargain all in one.
                      I do wish people wouldn't wear flesh coloured clothing when photographing shiny reflective objects though.

                    • Meinoz
                      Meinoz commented
                      Editing a comment
                      That is a bargain but items purchased on Saturday.

                      Ended up going Pro 800 V2 & Niche

                      So it wasnt too far over budget. lol

                      Thanks anyway.

                    • tompoland
                      tompoland commented
                      Editing a comment
                      Think you'll be very happy with that pairing.
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