Why did you buy that machine...?

Rider · May 2011

We have the usual thread of 'what machine/gear do you have', but I thought it might be interesting to find out why everyone bought a certain machine.

It may also help those in the market for a new machine if they can correlate their needs/limitations to what is posted here....

So, having suggested it, I guess I go first -

Vibiemme Domobar Super Lever Stainless...

Much research and reading (and playing) and we settled on one of these for the following reasons, I think pretty much in this order:

1. Narrow footprint. Where we have our machine height and depth are not an issue, but width certainly is. The VBM is quite a narrow machine for its size.

2. Grunt. It is overkill for home use (2 of us) but wanted something that could cover situations such as church gatherings etc. The poor Sunbeam had been called into duty for that in the past, so the Super made sense in this regard. I thought about the Junior but the size reduction (1.5l vs 2.7l) didn't justify the small price reduction. Call me Tim the Toolman... ;D

3. E61 Group. Authentic E61 group helped the decision.

4. 4l Water tank. With point 2 above, this is going to come in handy.

5. Group Handle weight. Those buggers are quite heavy compared to, say, a Minore III.

6. Got a pretty snappy deal. Enough said ;D.

So there is a result of probably a year or so's research. Hope this thread gets a kick along as I'd love to know what helped you guys make your decision.

Chris

RichardM · May 2011

I bought my Lelit PL041EM because it was, at the time, something I considered to be expensive, and this seemed to be the cheapest one that would last a long time and produce a quality shot. I'd already bought a Sunbeam EM0480 prior to getting it, so didn't need a built in grinder. In the end, despite its quirks, I'm super happy with it for the (what I now consider) low price tag. I get excellent coffee every day from it, and even my partner loves it. I bought my Mazzer Super Jolly second hand for about $650 because I consider that they will last forever anyway, and consider that to be better value than any new machine for similar money.

beanflying · May 2011

My first machine a Solis 90 - Brass boiler and good overseas rep and it was all I chose to afford at the time. With non pressurised baskets a good option to the Lelit or Silvia if they were still imported. Second one my Pavoni, tricky finicky and a challenge but had fallen under the lure of the lever after some great coffees from Elevenses ancient Boema. Made sense to me straight from steam to shot and back quick heat up and a small footprint. I still love using it for a morning cuppa for all its quirks. 3rd Micro Cimbali Lever, I wanted a spring lever and a rebuild project, aluminium boiler was caked with calcium milk and scale now making a nice coffee when I use it for a change from the Pav. 4th & 5th Z9 2 group pumped commercial machines since sold on to another local who has done the rebuild into one. Zero practicality or potential use at the time I just liked the styling and the colour. ::) 6th Z9 2 grp Lever and reason to sell the 2 above I had the making of a plan to do some take away coffees part time and NEEDED a lever to do it with style. Still a work in progress due to the machines to come. It's final plan is now set but that is for another thread. 7th The 3 grp Izzo Lever total overkill for pretty much any coffee cart but it appeared on the bay of evil and I picked it up after around 30-50kg of use brand new for a fraction of new price. It is huge impractical to move around the polished S/Steel is a risk of being scratched in transit but I love it to bits and I just don't care about the downsides. It also makes a darn good coffee. 8th A cheap crusty ex pizza shop La San Marco 1 group Pumped HX was going into my shop full time but keep reading for why this rebuild stalled out. Not sure what is happening to this one yet but the outer shell is clean and the gold logo is nice. 9th 3 grp absolute junker missing just about everything and costing me the princely sum of $52 and a few beers to get it from Melbourne to Port Fairy with a mate of mine. Brought purely for the LPG kit sitting under the boiler to be modded/tested etc and put under the 2 grp Z9 boiler for a totally off the grid option. 10th and the most recent and the reason for number 8 stalling out is the Fioranzato 1 group Lever that is only a couple of years old that is going onto the front counter currently being built over the next couple of weeks. Bit tougher to get a shot better than the Izzo but I am getting there. So thats 7 and practicality has never really being a consideration partly it is because I choose to have a new toy or that sounds like a good idea and in some cases being prepared to write off totally a second hand machine if it proves to be beyond all sensible repair or refurb. Never cared about HX machines cooling flushes were always a turn off. E61 heads who cares so long as the coffee gets treated right it just doesn't matter and I am of the opinion that there is a lot to be gained from sub 58mm PF's commercially and for home use but thats for another topic too. Realising I have a bit of a collection issue what I am getting at is never be afraid to try something a little different if you love it and have played with it before buying and are happy with the results over time then do it and be happy regardless of the $$ or the hype or the jargon.

Dry_bean. · May 2011

Bought my Bezerra Domus Galatea about 18 months ago. Did a lot of research and visited a couple of specialist retailers around Adelaide to check the machines on offer in the flesh. Without naming brands the more prominent machines on offer left me somewhat underwhelmed as far as build quality was concerned, rough edges, poor workmanship, group heads that flexed when the PF was locked in and so on. I was upgrading from a Silvia that had served me well for almost 10 years. I wanted an E61 machine with large capacity single boiler, water tank, and plenty of heating power. I mentioned to the sales guy that all of the machines on display left me pretty cold in one respect or another and he suggested I come out the back to check out a machine he thought would meet all of my requirements, of course it was the Bezzera and he was right. Frothing Ability 1L Jug with 38second recovery. Water/Steam Fully flexible stainless steam & water arms Cup Warmer Space for 8 cappuccino cups Temperature stability Dual boiler probe system provides superior safety and greater thermal stability Gauges Eye level boiler pressure gauge Boiler Refill Automatic plus safety cutout to prevent machine damage Element 1472 Watts Group Head Faema E61 Water Supply Tank 4L Tank Water Level Control In-built auto cutout Boiler 2L Boiler Construction Heavy duty brass Styling Retro Italian styling And of course on that particular day he was able to offer me the deal of the year, his great aunts birthday or similar ::) so the deal was done. Do I have any regrets? not one. Would I change anything about the machine, the vibe pump makes more noise than I think it should but I can live with it until I pull the covers off and sort things out "of course that may never happen" ;D

askthecoffeeguy · May 2011

I down graded from a Domus Galatea to a ten year old Rancilio S24 because I could use the Rancilio for catering, fund raising, and small functions, and because it has considerably more grunt than the Bezzera Loved the Bezzera but found it choked on shots if the basket was over packed - a problem that I haven't really had with the Rancilio - also you can chuck the Rancilio in the back of the car, along with a generator, and go camping with some mates, and make great coffee while you're supposedly 'roughing it' - not something I'd do with a more precious machine The Rancilio is built like a tank with build quality to match and I have no problems pulling long slow extractions without burning or blonding the coffee, and if mates come around I can make a bunch of coffees at a time I miss the aesthetics of the Bezzera, and the ability to manually pre-infuse the coffees, and one day I'd like to upgrade to a prosumer machine with similar good looks and great features, but for now I'm happy with my beast of the machine which, when combined with my home roasts, make better coffee than most cafes I'd care to mention It's also very low maintenance, I back flush after every use - and recently descaled for the first time in around 18 months, and whilst the water is now a lot sweeter than what it was, the tank was as clean as a whistle ... P

hiphipharar · May 2011

Good thread I bought a Giotto Premium Plus for the following reasons: Appearance: Not my number one choice in the looks department but certainly a nice design Sturdy build: Strong and well constructed. Reliability: The Giotto Premium Plus has an established reputation as a relaible performer; it has not disappointed Known and common design and brand: E61 group head No having to track down hard to find parts Thermostability: A commercial grade pressure stat means no need for cooling flushes Great price: This was a #1 motivator that caused me to buy on the day I inspected. Great steam wand: enough said. I've never regretted this purchase and can't see the need to upgrade it

Koffee_Kosmo · May 2011

For many years someone in the family had a take away or a cafe, usually close to home This meant that I just had to pop out and I have a coffee and to catch up with the gossip Anyhow for no apparent reason I just decided one day to get a machine for home Looked at all the usual suspects and discounted the auto & single boiler models One day I happened to be driving past Barazi and decided to call in 45 minutes later I was taking a shiny and beautifully made & finished Bezzera Galatea home It ticked all the boxes for me in terms of producing a fantastic coffee and heaps of steam power While I was there I did see other machine brands while in for service and could not get over how rough the panelling & overall finish was compared to the Galatea. Only the Gioto was equal I had this machine for 2 wonderful years but it was neighbours with 4 grinder upgrades An opportunity came to me to acquire a small commercial Bezzera BZ40 that was plumbed in Its is partnered with the last grinder a BNZ conical I still make Greek/Turkish coffee in a very old Briki and Syphon on occasions KK

Gra · May 2011

I started small with sunbeams and delonghis with delongie conical Grinder and at the time thought my coffee was ok. Then one day I cam across some coffee forums and started reading about all the things I was doing wrong that's when it all started. I picked up a EM 6910 and found strait away that the grinder had to go so along came the Em0480 that lasted for about 6 Months before Compak K3 touch took it's place at this time I had started playing around with home roasting.. What I was getting in the cup had improved 10 fold and I thought that I was satisfied but I wanted to try a boiler machine enter the VBM Domabar great unit lasted 8 months before the Isomac Tea HX lasted 10 months now I am happy to say my new Expobar Monre III really has me satisfied cant see any more upgrading for some time...I all most for got also changed the K3 for a Eureka Mondial 20Kg doser that I am very happy with great grinder that's me done for now any way.... ::) ::) Cheer Gra,,

Rider · May 2011

Thanks for all the replies guys, and thanks Hiphip for the 'good thread' boost. Would love to see this build as this is the essence of why we have what we have, and makes interesting reading. I have really enjoyed reading your reasons. Cheers Rider ps - BF, you crack me up ;D

shape_shifter · August 2011

Ok I thought I would add my why here. We finally have a machine and I don't want to hear any crap (or be pitied) about it :P We are 2 very very very tired people, he's working 60-70 hours a week and that is just what he does at work, there is more he does at home each night and weekends, and I'm lucky if I get more than 4 hours of sleep a night, I need 8 to function! I was very tired of spending 10 minutes cleaning up for each cup of coffee I wanted to make and hence I'm lucky if I even make 1 cup a day for me, no not lazy just very very tired. So it came down to it that I knew from my research that regardless of what machine you have you can still get crap and it's all about the users capabilities to produce the best they can. Also from all my research and all my looking at sooooo many machines, I think I've looked at every single one from every single price bracket and everything bar I think 2 have what I want and what I want we can't afford until I get a job, it's not fair to ask him to buy something that is my hobby regardless of how much he likes his morning coffees. We went down to HN and got almost $200 off the RRP of the EM6910 with the free grinder package. I wasn't worried about the grinder side of things but I think it will encourage my OH to make a coffee when he wants to. I have the ability to change the temps when I want and also to just set the preset for my OH to just press his button to get coffee. I know the steam isn't the best but it can't be any worse than what I get out of the old Breville steam wand so I just don't care at this stage. So probably all a little too much information in there but it answers the question of the thread

Oh and I know that there are a few of you who have had one, can you let me know what else you've used to get the most out of it, baskets etc.

Brett H · August 2011

on 1313497396:

Ok I thought I would add my why here. We finally have a machine and I don't want to hear any crap (or be pitied) about it :P We are 2 very very very tired people, he's working 60-70 hours a week and that is just what he does at work, there is more he does at home each night and weekends, and I'm lucky if I get more than 4 hours of sleep a night, I need 8 to function! I was very tired of spending 10 minutes cleaning up for each cup of coffee I wanted to make and hence I'm lucky if I even make 1 cup a day for me, no not lazy just very very tired. So it came down to it that I knew from my research that regardless of what machine you have you can still get crap and it's all about the users capabilities to produce the best they can. Also from all my research and all my looking at sooooo many machines, I think I've looked at every single one from every single price bracket and everything bar I think 2 have what I want and what I want we can't afford until I get a job, it's not fair to ask him to buy something that is my hobby regardless of how much he likes his morning coffees. We went down to HN and got almost $200 off the RRP of the EM6910 with the free grinder package. I wasn't worried about the grinder side of things but I think it will encourage my OH to make a coffee when he wants to. I have the ability to change the temps when I want and also to just set the preset for my OH to just press his button to get coffee. I know the steam isn't the best but it can't be any worse than what I get out of the old Breville steam wand so I just don't care at this stage. So probably all a little too much information in there but it answers the question of the thread Oh and I know that there are a few of you who have had one, can you let me know what else you've used to get the most out of it, baskets etc.

Bargain SS! I'm sure you've read all the horror stories and thus will understand that many of the most common are user inflicted. Therefore forewarned is forearmed meaning you won't make the same mistakes and will get good service from your machine. You should feel very pleased with yourselves because you've got something fit or purpose, fulfilling a need and at a very good price; a price, that won't have you regretting dollars spent now, later at the inevitable upgrade time! Congratulations!

SniffCoffee · August 2011

Well done SS! What a relief that you've finally got a machine that will hopefully meet your needs. Don't forget for all the disgruntled posters out there who have a 6910 and complain about it there must be hundreds if not thousands who have ones that perform without fault. Plus you will be one who cares for it impeccably. And should something go wrong out of the warranty period you have the encyclopaedia that is AM just a post away... ;D Sniff

Rider · September 2011

Bump... Ok, I started it, A. made it a sticky ( :-[ I'm so shocked) but we have since had a proliferation of new people here... It doesn't matter WHEN you bought it, but more WHY did you buy it...... C'mon guys n gals, 'fess up.... :D :D :D It makes for interesting reading for everyone, with your own non-judged slant. Easy ;D

madpierre · September 2011

Ok, firstly the why. As a confirmed muh muh muh my moccona snob whereby slumming it was drinking the 43 bean flavour I had found for a bout 12 months or so it was just leaving me somewhat flat when having my morning or afternoon coffee. I had had coffees at all the minor and major chain varieties and rarely found anything that really grabbed my attention, but they were somewhat better than what I was making at home. I had looked around the bay of evil when it came to mind and eventually grabbed a small krupps. It did work and a quick test with a can of pre ground supermarket coffee actually came out tasting quite ok (something I still reckon was nothing less than a miracle given what I now know ;D) . I had by that stage found CS and a member there came over and gave me some ideas on what I should be looking at doing. A 6 month old red (cos it was a fast one) EM6910 paired up with the 0480 grinder from the bay for $510 was the next step. I got it simply because it was there. I then found out that it didn't work - and why....the screen resembled a gingernut biscuit through not having once been cleaned. He thought he got the win... I KNOW I did :D A quick clean and we were off and running. Now that we had a machine capable of doing very nice coffee, it was all go. Home roasting got the OH hooked on GOOD coffee and the youngsters developed a taste for coffee/chai and hot chocolate respectively. This was where the limitations of the 6910 were exposed. By the time I had made a hot chocolate and a couple coffees, I was sitting down to enjoy mine and everyone else had just about finished theirs due to steam limitations. Buying new was at this stage out of the question but mid year 2010 the opportunity to grab a Bezzera Domus Galatea coupled with a Mazzer Major came by. It was an easy decision to make and one which has never been regretted. For all the usual reasons, it has been a perfect fit for the kitchen. Looks good, plays good. Two and a half years later we are happy with what is on the bench, I'm not going to worry for some time yet about whether to eventually upgrade or sit on the BDG. Well, that's the plan anyways. So there was never really any research undertaken. What was needed was always made available when the time was right.

ash · December 2011

Why did I end up with a Ponte Vecchio Lusso? Hmmmm. First up I wanted to go back to a lever machine. The Giotto is a very nice machine and I was pulling some really wonderful shots on it, but I guess the romance wasn't there for me. After having the Lusso for just short of 12 months, I guess I might get around to selling off the Giotto... Secondly I can leave it on all day and make an espresso when I want it, not 10-12 minutes after switching on the machine. Then switching it off to stop the group overheating. Then planning when I next want a coffee and switching the machine on 10-12 minutes before the appointed time. That is my biggest gripe with home lever machines. For most lever afficiando's this isn't a problem, but after having a La Pav Pro I found it to be an annoyance I didn't want to live with. Third, I'm more involved with the coffee making. Not as much as with a manual lever granted, but still involved enough for me to be happy. Although at times the manual lever machines do have their attractions, the ease of use with a spring lever is a win for me. Forth, mechanical simplicity. Boiler feeds group head with 0.9 bar pressure (at least thats the pressure at the moment), no pumps no other gizmos. The KISS principle in action. And even if the ergotronics do decide to crap out, there are a few work arounds that can be implemented to keep enjoying my coffee until a full repair can be affected. Importantly, these workarounds don't compromise safety! The sounds of beans being crushed/ground/made into tiny little granules of goodness by hand follwed by the sound of fresh espresso being extracted is a nice way to start the day. :coffee2:

MoffeeCoff · March 2012

It's really a tough job to choose the best coffee machine as per your requirements. But in my views, the internet is an excellent place to find a brand new coffee maker.

soloespresso · April 2012

My Rancilio S24 is red, which matched my grinder, so I bought it.

Paolo5 · September 2012

Around 10 years ago I bought a Delonghi (I think) semi-automatic machine. It was $99 on special from Target. I got it home, read the instructions and tried to make a cup. Disastrous results saw me box it back up and return it for a refund. I knew nothing about grind size, dosing etc....a complete newb. About 7 years ago I went to a top cafe in Queensland and tasted a divine long black. The barista there was very giving of his time and told me that I could achieve the same results as in his cafe with a $200 Breville. I bought one when I returned to NSW. Less than 2 months after that, I bought a lightly-used 2 group semi-automatic Futurmat. I had this baby for nearly 4 years and did a few modifications on it. It was a great workhorse that now resides in Dubai. 3 years ago I bought a La Marzocco Linea which has had various modifications done to it. I still have this one. Solid as a rock. Then the lure of the lever hit. Last year I bought a 1987 Cremina on Ebay. I installed a full gasket and seal upgrade (from Orphan Espresso) and replaced the 110v heater element with a proper one. Then I did the same thing all over again with another Cremina (which has found a new home). I love the Cremina so much that I bought a brand new one last September. I can make (and just did) as good a cup with the 1987 Cremina as I can with any machine, including the 2011 Cremina. Throw a Rossa with a gauge in there...and a Mypressi twist or two and that's me. In a few weeks I hope to order a Londinium 1. I thought that the Futurmat would be the cure for upgradeitis for me. I have learnt to never say never.

Jupiter212 · January 2014

Personally, there is no machine can be the best for every one, a good espresso/coffee cup is combination of right coffee beans, good roaters, good grinder, exact progress and barista experience....

C-man · February 2014

my S24 just came along at a rock bargain price, I am sure I will upgrade some day, but it does the job for now.

Rider · February 2014

on 1391159669:

Personally, there is no machine can be the best for every one, a good espresso/coffee cup is combination of right coffee beans, good roaters, good grinder, exact progress and barista experience....

Exactly. That is why - a: there are so many different machines on the market, from pod to nutjob overkill, and b: the question... We all have roasters or roasted suppliers, good grinders etc etc.... That is SO integral to a good coffee BUT, for SO many people the machine plays a part, myself included. Hence the question...... So Jupiter212, what do you have and why? Rider

Rider · February 2014

on 1391410286:

my S24 just came along at a rock bargain price, I am sure I will upgrade some day, but it does the job for now.

Craig, Given what you have undertaken with your house I think most of us are amazed that you found time and budget to get yourself an S24. Keep going on the house and when you are done, machine included, I am sure everyone would love to hear why you chose that machine. As I have said in the other thread, dude, hats off, you are doing something amazing. Loving watching the evolution. See you back here when the machine fits that awesome house you are doing. Rider

Brett H · February 2014

on 1391431500:

So Jupiter212, what do you have and why? Rider

Exactly.

C-man · February 2014

Thanks Rider, If not for the coffee station nothing would get done.

on 1391432236:

Craig, Given what you have undertaken with your house I think most of us are amazed that you found time and budget to get yourself an S24. Keep going on the house and when you are done, machine included, I am sure everyone would love to hear why you chose that machine. As I have said in the other thread, dude, hats off, you are doing something amazing. Loving watching the evolution. See you back here when the machine fits that awesome house you are doing. Rider

Rider · February 2014

on 1391503627:

Thanks Rider, If not for the coffee station nothing would get done.

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Can imagine!!

Jupiter212 · February 2014

I have Gaggia Baby Class + Ascaso grinder at home. I'm not a barista so this set is suitable for my domestic use. Ascaso is blade grinder, small, light weight and easy to use. Gaggia Baby Class have metal finish, firm structure, powerful pump so it can make good espresso.

Brett H · February 2014

on 1391679005:

I have Gaggia Baby Class + Ascaso grinder at home. I'm not a barista so this set is suitable for my domestic use. Ascaso is blade grinder, small, light weight and easy to use. Gaggia Baby Class have metal finish, firm structure, powerful pump so it can make good espresso.

Great stuff mate. I would imagine that less than 5% of our membership are Baristi but all of them can no doubt make a great coffee. Your Ascaso, is it a planar or conical? These micro-metric grinders are great and even their domestic models offer a choice of planar or conical (small form factor)!

sasha123 · February 2014

I own a La Marzocco GS/3 Espresso Machine and it costs almost $6,700.00. Where I am a big fan of coffee and you know it is pricey. Even though it's commercial features will balance it's cost.where it have Dual stainless steel boilers, powerful steaming functionality, PID temperature control, volumetric pump and variable hot water temperature regulation to name a few. So my choice will be always this machine.

Kevohere · February 2014

on 1391693276:

So my choice will be always this machine.

So, where is your "shop"?? >:( Must check if I have a tin of "Spam" in stock for lunch. :head:

Brett H · February 2014

on 1391734975:

So, where is your "shop"?? >:( Must check if I have a tin of "Spam" in stock for lunch. :head:

Tinned meat is on special at the moment. Problem is, if I bounced every member who wrote with poor syntax and grammar it'd be pretty lonely here. Also, to avoid being a hypocrite I'd have to bounce myself first. Thanks for the heads-up. You never know... May be legit ...

C-man · February 2014

on 1391693276:

I own a La Marzocco GS/3 Espresso Machine and it costs almost $6,700.00. Where I am a big fan of coffee and you know it is pricey. Even though it's commercial features will balance it's cost.where it have Dual stainless steel boilers, powerful steaming functionality, PID temperature control, volumetric pump and variable hot water temperature regulation to name a few. So my choice will be always this machine.

Sasha- that machine sounds super, could you suggest a good place to get a deal on one? thanks C-

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