Diadema junior plus vs ECM barista vs lelit mara

Koffee_Kosmo

on 1486778215:

I try not to beat the Bezzera drum too loudly KK, however can't help but respond when presented with "FAKE" information. :rofl:

Exactly right One must decipher the Shop talk from facts And just for a little something different I have used this machine for a period of time - owned by my friend in Newcastle  KK

Dry_bean.

on 1486778713:

Exactly right One must decipher the Shop talk from facts And just for a little something different I have used this machine for a period of time - owned by my friend in Newcastle  KK

Bit of a teaser there KK! more info on the machine please as well as thought on operation and coffee produced.

Koffee_Kosmo

on 1486779316:

Bit of a teaser there KK! more info on the machine please as well as thought on operation and coffee produced.

That is an Elektra Semi Automatica It's general operation is dainty in nature as I have large hands Steam is suited to 400/450 ml jugs The basket is a ridged LM and is sensitive to correct dose level When fresh coffee is used it makes a great coffee KK

askthecoffeeguy

I loved my Donus Galatea and I still think that the extraction on that machine was hands down one of the best and most consistent coffees Ive ever tried At the end of the day I opted to trade I for a single group semi commercial machine not because of any perceived fault in the Bwzzera but because I was looking for something fiit to purpose to use in commercial catering situations which I still do a lot of (I'm fact I start my own stall at Eumundi Markets this coming Wednesday and every Wednesday thereafter for those who may be in the 'hood) But I still look fondly upon the Domus and reminisce about that wonderful lever action ! P

Koffee_Kosmo

Same with me Pat I loved my Bezzera Galatea as well / still wish I had it Side graded to a commercial BZ40 Then fell in love with the Strega - Haven't looked or craved at another machine since KK

Dry_bean.

on 1486780642:

Same with me Pat I loved my Bezzera Galatea as well / still wish I had it Side graded to a commercial BZ40 Then fell in love with the Strega - Haven't looked or craved at another machine since KK

I've yet to read a negative report about the machine, other from those with a vested interest.

askthecoffeeguy

same my rancilio epoca is a beast - but makes great coffee i snapped the plastic sides and front panel off the machine and replaced them with custom stainless and I have a five hole synesso steam tip on the steam wand that gives me greater controlled pressure on demand than many 3 group machines that ive worked with! p

West Village

Thanks again guys for all the incredible input and opinions of current and past owners of the said machines mentioned in the thread. Real world experience beats a sales pitch everyday of the week for me and it helps to balance out opinions I'm hearin from everywhere at the moment (daunting but loving it!!) I've decided that my final showdown will include a few of the Bezzeras ( magica, Galatea and Strega!) as well as the ECM tecknika profi Iv A question on ongoing maintenance if I may, are E61's easier ( for lack of a better term) and cheaper to maintain than a Strega? In particular id like to understand the electric heating element used in the Strega's group head ( apologies if I have confused terminology) . The e61's appeal to me from the standpoint of KISS theory and so from a maintence perspective the odd group seal here and there plus a pump after a decade or so are the only problems one might come across assuming we remove the anomalies. My question is this. Would the Strega require a more ardent and costlier repair/maintenance schedule over the say 20 year lifecycle of an average machine because you would need to factor in a group head heating element failure at some point as opposites to the e61's not requiring this? I'm factoring in that a pump will need to be replaced at least once in both the Strega and the e61's across 15-20 years. Will all parts still be available in 20 years for repairs? Reason is because I plan on living in a fairly remote area for work shortly and so I need an incredibly robust selection with minimal repair or failure points to avoid what I would assume are going to be costly repairs given the remote location and courier costs etc needed to fix an out of schedule issue should I need to send one in for repairs. I would like to complete as many of the simple maintence issues myself whilst wanting to minimise as many of the larger failure points in machines as possible I.e electronics such as PIDs being one of those factors. Of course no one can make guarantees and it depends on the muppet like myself using the machine to ensure the majority or repair issues aren't needed more frequently.

West Village

Out of curiosity does anyone have any pics on the internals of any of the Bezzera machines? I've managed to take a squid at the EVM's and am impressed but found it hard to find any good pics online of the internals for the Bezzeras .

Koffee_Kosmo

To the service maintenance question An E61 lever machine is a great design Its group head is heated by the boiler temperature by a various methods However it will require a chemical back-flush periodically ( about every 1kg of beans for home use )  because the extracted coffee fluid runs through various apertures. Regular back-flush will keep your machine purring along For our pallet it should be setup with a lower OPV setting A cylinder lever machine does not require a back-flush but will require a quick removal of the filter screen for a quick wipe Cylinder lever machines come in a few variations In the case of the Strega the cylinder head is heated by 2 electric heater elements instead of the boiler This system comes from commercial applications so its robust It also has its hot water for brewing supplied via a heat exchange unit inside the boiler and is fresh from the tank every time the machine is used Same HX system as used in an E61 machine, other lever machines use water directly supplied by from the boiler KK

Koffee_Kosmo

Internet photos of Bezzera https://www.ecosia.org/images?q=bezzera+images+of+internals&ref=waterfox Internals of Strega https://www.ecosia.org/images?q=bezzera+strega+images+of+internals KK

West Village

Thanks KK

K_Bean_Coffee

Hi guys, I can see I have rocked the boat a little.  I don't like to go negative and yes, I'm well aware it leaves me open to attack as a "negative guy/business."  However, I stand by every word. I was amazed by this thread and how quickly is changed from Diadema, ECM and Lelit to Bezzera, Bezzera and Bezzera. Please note that I don't stick Diadema either, but I have nothing bad to say about that brand.  I just had a bad experience with Bezzera.  ...and yes, I'm aware Bezzera are a sponsor but no, that doesn't mean I have to pretend to like the machines. There's no fake with me. No hidden agenda. I'm here, right out in the open with a transparent agenda.  You can read my home page if you want to know what that is: www.kbean.com.au Also, notice the negativity thrown at the Mara in this thread.  That's negative and I don't see that being criticised. Bring back a little balance to the force. Cheers, Paul

K_Bean_Coffee

I'm here to be a first class sponsor and to support the community.  I love K Bean.  It's my passion more than it is a business.  You can read about my service from customers via 60 GOOGLE reviews - every single one of them is 5.0/5.0 stars

askthecoffeeguy

I think its healthy to have a robust debate and people are entitled to state their preferences - its good to flesh out ideas certainly before parting with a wad of the hard earned!

K_Bean_Coffee

I'm also offering free training to every forum member.  ...so there you go, I'm not a big negative grump www.kbean.com.au/training

K_Bean_Coffee

on 1486794030:

I think its healthy to have a robust debate and people are entitled to state their preferences - its good to flesh out ideas certainly before parting with a wad of the hard earned!

Thank you.  I agree.  More brands, more voices and healthy debate will be great for this forum and community.  Heathy, constructive debate is the key. I'm looking forward to seeing this forum take off !

Koffee_Kosmo

You are assuming and inferred in a roundabout way on 2 occasions that I have a fake or hidden agenda Let me state that I have no association with Bezzera Australia In the past they distributed the KKTO roaster kits and that was all I paid retail price for my machines, just like everyone else I have owned 3 Bezzera machines without any issue and as an owner I'm just expressing my ownership observations Now if my machines broke down every other day It would be my duty to mention it but they haven't Have I cut myself on sharp panel edges - no I haven't Have I entertained other coffee aficionados "yes I have" and the comments are I wish I could extract a coffee like that Let me state again I have no association with Bezzera Don't imply that I do I went through this crap on another forum and I won't allow this to raise its head again KK

K_Bean_Coffee

KK, I have a lot of respect for your work and have no intention of bringing drama to the forum.  Absolutely no personal offence intended. 

askthecoffeeguy

Forget coffee I think it's beer o'clock I'm putting down some of this heated discussion to unseasonal weather and heat rash

askthecoffeeguy

(Just kidding I neither know nor do I care to know if anyone has a heat rash but I will say that it's bloody hot weather and bloody hot weather can also lead to hot heads and frayed tempers !)

Dry_bean.

on 1486788465:

I've decided that my final showdown will include a few of the Bezzeras ( magica, Galatea and Strega!) as well as the ECM tecknika profi Iv Reason is because I plan on living in a fairly remote area for work shortly and so I need an incredibly robust selection with minimal repair or failure points to avoid what I would assume are going to be costly repairs given the remote location and courier costs etc needed to fix an out of schedule issue should I need to send one in for repairs. I would like to complete as many of the simple maintence issues myself whilst wanting to minimise as many of the larger failure points in machines as possible I.e electronics such as PIDs being one of those factors. Of course no one can make guarantees and it depends on the muppet like myself using the machine to ensure the majority or repair issues aren't needed more frequently.

The Magica and Galatea are the same machine in different cases, both very good machines, both easy to maintain, the Mitica Top is also well worth a look at. As a matter of interest, what's the water quality like in area your planning to move to? if you have any doubts about it a decent filter should be on your shopping list. Will PM you with a little more detail. No! I don't have any pecuniary or personal interest in Bezzera, other than being a very satisfied user.

Koffee_Kosmo

I am going to make an exceptional coffee now and chat to the wife And I wont be using a machine Yes I am using a Briki or Ibric No machine no worries I can make great coffee no matter what the situation KK

K_Bean_Coffee

on 1486796648:

No! I don't have any pecuniary or personal interest in Bezzera, other than being a very satisfied user.

Very cool Dry Bean.  There are many happy Bezzera users - I have no doubt about that I really hope that the drama can finish off now and all get back to a happy place.

K_Bean_Coffee

on 1486796803:

I am going to make an exceptional coffee now and chat to the wife And I wont be using a machine Yes I am using a Briki or Ibric No machine no worries I can make great coffee no matter what the situation KK

Enjoy KK.  And please accept sincere apologies for any offence felt.  I absolutely take your word for it that you are just a happy Bezzera user.  ...and yes, If you love that band, then having me voice my anti-love was bound to cause drama. Happy to chat any time.  I would love to be coffee mates !! Cheers, Paul 0416528339

Dry_bean.

on 1486796974:

Very cool Dry Bean.  There are many happy Bezzera users - I have no doubt about that I really hope that the drama can finish off now and all get back to a happy place.

Thanks Paul, happy is good. :thumb:

askthecoffeeguy

Good on you boys for kissing and making up - I for one will be  foregoing espresso based coffee until further notice - it's just too damned hot up here in sunny QLD to be thinking about a milk based product (ok now you've got me thinking about espresso over ice topped with thrice filtered rain water) as I shall only be consuming hand roasted and hand ground filter coffee preferably over ice until otherwise advised ...

K_Bean_Coffee

on 1486800679:

- I for one will be  foregoing espresso based coffee until further notice - it's just too damned hot up here in sunny QLD

....seems like you really need a cold brewer Cheers - Paul

Dry_bean.

on 1486802036:

....seems like you really need a cold brewer Cheers - Paul

Cold beer would be closer to the mark.

askthecoffeeguy

on 1486802036:

....seems like you really need a cold brewer Cheers - Paul

I actually have three x 3lt and 1 x 500ml cold brew towers set up in my laundry but with a bit of coaxing I can and often do manage to pull 10lts at a time which up until recently was all accounted for by a Melbourne based distribution network!