which is your favourite coffee machine?

System · July 2007

Hi there all the coffee gurus,

Just wondering...
If I open a cafe some day in the future (I would really like to!!!), which coffee machine would you recommend and which grinder and also, what is more important for a perfect cup of coffee - coffee machine or grinder?

Cheers, ow

GrindOnDemand · July 2007

Perfect cup? Still aspiring ... Machine, grinder, a grand bean, & the all important barista work together in perfect symmetry, grasshopper! They're not separable mate. Seriously though, OW, and surely others party to this forum will maybe push their own similar findings from experience. I have my personal preferences on all levels (machine, grinder, tamper, milk), but it may not suit you. Bottom line, try a few of each before you get started from some eager suppliers wanting to sell their ware. Plenty out there, and don't get tied down to any 'contractual agreement' with any. Get a feel, get some training on each, then launch when you feel you're ready (ie confident enough that a customer will come back, with an accolade & not an expletive).

sketchy · July 2007

Hi My fav machine is the La Pavoni ;D but i dream of having a Synesso

Grinders are as important as espresso machine LE

merlocookie · July 2007

Small things make all the difference between a long career as a Barista and a painful end to your dreams. The thing that makes my machine so comfortable are the ergonmic factors such as group handles that have a slight slope to them. This puts my hands in a better position and takes the pressure off my wrist. My favorite espresso machine is a WEGA and my fav grinder is a MAZZA. However there are so many that are great, you'll just have to find the one that you like best

GrindOnDemand · July 2007

The Wega is a very good machine, but I use & prefer a Nuova Simonelli Mac. Get in quick though, NS has phased them out - a bloody shame, 'cause they're one of the best on the market. I use an Anfim SuperLusso grinder - I like its consistency of grind quality, but it's also got a spring loaded telescopic tamper attached that comes in very handy when I'm very busy ... my portable hand held tamper otherwise gets in the way.

askthecoffeeguy · July 2007

Machine would have to be a La Marzocco FB80 and I pretty attached to my Compak K8 Silencio grinder - with its macrometical grind settings, and my old but faithful La Chimbali Magnum with its titanium blades which, in theory never wear nor over-heat Have to agree with the above comment though that the complete picture only comes together when all aspects are in harmony Then its a beautiful thing I've got an Azkoyen Vienna 4 group at work, which others hang shit on, but its a remarkably consistent work-horse, produces excellent crema even under extreme conditions, and the group handles are positioned nicely at a height which is comfortable to use, which is important when you're cranking them out all day Just as important is the beans that you use, however, and you relationship with your supplier! Cheers, Pat

john · July 2007

At the moment I am enjoying a BNZ Conical grinder and a Diadema Junior in the home coffee room I have set up. I am putting a 2 group Diadema and Macap M7 through their paces in our new training facilities. Will be able to give some feedback on them soon. Diadema and Macap courtesy of Fresh Coffee. John

coffeemanmarcus · August 2007

i use a Faema E91 diplomat at work which seems to do a good job but would absolutely love to use a shiny la marzocco :o I do like the look of the red azkoyen vienna though i have never used one.

askthecoffeeguy · August 2007

Just got a new Bezzera Domus Galatea for home and am looking forward to firing it up! Unfortunately I've been sick as a dog recently, and haven't been able to drink any coffee, but that hasn't stopped me from pulling a few shots at home and inhaling the aroma as a constitutional... Now THAT'S dedication for you! Pat

nzroaster · August 2007

My favorite is the ECM Michealangelo, I'm a big fan of single boiler machines, and with a 27L boiler this machine gives dual boilers a run for their money. Also just so temp stable its not funny.

GrindOnDemand · August 2007

I'm considering an ECM, amongst others, for my next venture. I've tried out the Veneziano and was impressed with the results, but haven't tried the Michelangelo. Can anyone give me an idea of quality differences between the 2 on a commercial level? nzroaster ... any experience with the Veneziano compared to the Michelangelo?

GrindOnDemand · August 2007

Pat, stop inhaling the bloody fumes & try a few correttos to get ya on the mend!

askthecoffeeguy · August 2007

Pat, stop inhaling the bloody fumes & try a few correttos to get ya on the mend!

yeah... its been over a week and I'm atill not quite right yet (some would argue that this may never change) - but at least I'm back on the juice again! Pat

nzroaster · August 2007

I'm considering an ECM, amongst others, for my next venture.

GrindOnDemand · August 2007

Thanks mate. How do the techies rate the ECMs - any servicing gripes? What about ready availability of parts if something stuffs up?

nzroaster · August 2007

I have sold many ECM machines to cafes. Only ever had 1 issue and was a 5 minute fix, the tech I contract up here doesn't mind them. Not as easy to get into as any of the CMA machines(wega, san marino, klub, etc) but nowehere near the cost of getting dual boilers running again. The thing to note, if you are going to buy a Michealangelo, you are buying a machine that will give marzoccos a run for their money. The cost is about double that of an entry level machine so expect to get quality.

GrindOnDemand · August 2007

Though I've heard many positive reports on ECMs, have just recently heard of problems with the solenoids. At app. $140 to replace, + service fee, this can get pricey if happening more than once. Not to mention downtime. Any similar experiences out there?

nzroaster · August 2007

On another down-side, the availability of ECM machines is not looking good for the next few months.

askthecoffeeguy · August 2007

I'm really digging my Bezzera Domus Galatea at the moment, I find it has excellent temperature stability, a long, slow extraction time (once you dial the grind in, which can be a bit of a process, but hey, that's all part of the learning curve), plenty off dry steam for microfoam, and an excellent transfer of heat to the top of the machine to keep my cups warm! To to it all off, the machine looks great, and would, IMHO give most other machines in the price range a run for their money in terms of both performance, and overall visual appeal! Cheers, Pat

GrindOnDemand · August 2007

ECMs unavailable until the new year I hear ... may be linked to the probs I've heard as-of-late. Pat, this Galatea you're digging currently ... is it the 1 group domestic in your kitchen, or a 2 group commercial in your caf op? Tony

askthecoffeeguy · August 2007

one group single - I've got a four group Azkoyen Vienna in my cafe! pat

nzroaster · August 2007

I am selling the Bezzera Domus too, great machine!!!

GrindOnDemand · August 2007

Has anyone out there used the Galatea 2 group for their commercial op? Looks fancy, shmancy, but at the end of the day how does it perform with high turnover, reliability etc.

askthecoffeeguy · August 2007

I haven't used the 2 group, but I can tell you that Bezzera invented the modern espresso extraction metod in 1905, and have been producing terrific machines ever since. The two semi-commercial machines that I have owned from them have both been spot on With a two group machine, though, you wouldn't want to be making more than a couple of hundred coffees in a day, otherwise a three group machine would be needed, depending upon your usage. Cheers, Pat

GrindOnDemand · August 2007

Why did you choose an Azkoyen for your cafe Pat?

nzroaster · August 2007

ECMs unavailable until the new year I hear ... may be linked to the probs I've heard as-of-late.

Not at all Tony, ECM's would have to be one of the most reliable machines around. The current lack of availability has nothing to do with the product.

GrindOnDemand · August 2007

Don't get me wrong mate, overwhelming opinion I hear is that the ECM is fantastically reliable (& I've being doing quite a bit of research lately into various machines seeing I'm upgrading). Also admittedly I've only played around a few times with an ECM (Veneziano), so have little personal insight into its abilities/foibles. Just seemed to me too much of a coincidence that I've heard 3 separate reports (unrelated) lately of solenoid probs jinxing ECMs. On an unrelated note, but still on machines, I recently ground up 200gms of Pioneer's Mocha Java (beautifully roasted must say!) to put through my sister's little home delonghi. Had to grind very fine, dosed high & tamped tight, but surprisingly extracted a nicely poured, full bodied ristretto with a decent near cm thick crema! The puck came out pretty solid too with little sludge. Did this a few times with consistently surprising results. Went into the exercise with scepticism, came out with a smile! Only concern was it took nearly 5 seconds after pressing the button to start extracting, so I thought for sure it was going to be bitter via burnt grind - but no, was OK! Not bad for a $250 machine!

max04 · August 2007

hi there for me the best coffee machine that have a good performance of working, very strong affidability during work long hours,is La NUOVA SIMONELLI the new modell 2007,specialy 2group. Or Faema, this name rapr. the history of coffee macchine.

GrindOnDemand · August 2007

Welcome to the forum Max, but what NS model exactly are you referring to? Aurelia or Agapia, both new, both available as 2 groups ...

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