New machine suggestions please

derrilex

Hi all. Well as a long time suffer..err I mean user of a 6910, I am finally absolutley sick to death of the bloody thing. I was just in the process of making a brew and the steam side starting playing up for the 100 th time. I'll admit it, I lost it. :tearhair: I turned the steam off, put the jug down and punched the thing right in the face. Felt great but my hand is a bit sore now. It has served me very well though and should have died a year ago. It has made 50 - 60 milk based coffees for the last 2.5 years so I guess I cant complain. Thats about $ 25 000 worth of coffe at a retail level. I had my eye on a BZ99s on fleabay not long ago but I missed it. My requirements are

1. tough as old boots
2. simple to service and work on
3. not a toy
4. not a BDB - not proven yet and still a appliance in my eyes so far. I want street cred.
5. must steam like a mother
6. good parts and service back up.
7. $ 2500.00 budget for machine and grinder

I'm still leaning towards a new BZ99 as Ive been told they are just under the 2 k mark. Any other suggestions from the good people out there. Oh, AM, you are most welcome to take the 6910 when the time comes. Please give it a thrashing for me or strip it parts like it deserves.

Cheers, Alex.

Lacehim

where are you derrilex? Avoid ebay if you don't like suprises or you like to rebuild em. ;D

derrilex

I'm in Brisbane and only 10 mins away from Barazi at coopers plains. I just tried to call them but no joy. I do see that they have a 5 year old BZ02 for $ 1250. ??

Brett_H

I have the feeling Chris is still in Italy but if you call Monday no doubt someone will answer your call. I am the proud owner of a BFC/Diadema but love the Bezzeras also. You may need to stretch your budget to access the top end like Gea or Domus. I'm sure Merlos would come in close to your budget with a Giotto so they'd be worth a visit also. Avoid the La Cuarda at Merlos I'm reliably informed (i won't say any more about that because I've never owned one).

Koffee_Kosmo

derrilex wrote:

I'm in Brisbane and only 10 mins away from Barazi at coopers plains. I just tried to call them but no joy. I do see that they have a 5 year old BZ02 for $ 1250. ??

Barazi do not open Saturday unless its by arrangement BZ99 is just under 2K new I prefer the BZ35 on your requirements Or a used BZ40 They do have a few pre loved machines traded in on new models Chris is due back from Italy on Monday 7th. Nov KK

derrilex

Cool, thanks everyone. Some research to do - powered by short blacks.

beanflying

If Greg Pullman still has it the Minore 3 is an excellent buy. I will vouch for how he looks after his gear will be just as described.

soloespresso

Bean Flying wrote:

If Greg Pullman still has it the Minore 3 is an excellent buy. I will vouch for how he looks after his gear will be just as described.

2nd, or 3rd it... a double boiler for close to rrp of the bdb... tasty.

Lacehim

Or, time for something different? A Ponte Vecchio Lusso. electrically it's as simple as. no backflushing, no noise. forget worrying about an OPV, it doesn't have one or a pump! Simple to service and work on! Ok the building quality isn't perfect, but Aussie support is good with Sorrentina Coffee and it works, steams great, it's made in Italy, not china. $1500 delivered. So that leaves ya $1000 for a grinder. 🙂

derrilex

Mmm, not at the moment. I'm keen on good coffee but I think a lever, for me, is one of those things one has as a second or third machine to fool around on on a rainy day.

askthecoffeeguy

I used to own a BZ99 and I can vouch for it being a very solid and reliable machine capable of producing great coffee with plenty of steam power I also owned a Domus Galatea and whilst I loved the machine I couldn't throw it in the trailer with the generator and take it camping - and whilst I particularly loved the manual preinfusion - I did find the machine a bit sensitive to tamp and grind I also do a bit of catering occasionally which I why I settled upon a Rancillio S27 commercial single boiler machine from the bay of evil - its ugly as sin but built like a truck and I've knocked out 200 coffees in a day with it (but boy oh boy I felt it afterwards - its harder than working!) And yep I'll be taking the Rancilio and the generator with me when I go camping with family and mates over new years ! And for the record I'm a big fan of Bezzera coffee machines - the build quality speaks for itself and there's a broad enough range to suit every palate and possible usage IMHO! Cheers, Pat

derrilex

The expobar is a beautiful thing but a new BZ99s is still very much in the running. I will have to go and view one first hand I think. Choosing a suitable grinder for either machine will be the hardest task I think. I dont know my grinders too well at all and it seems the list is endless, the prices are high and everyone has the favorite. Difficult decisions ahead.

WotB

Do you absolutely need a new machine? Would a well looked after second hand one suffice?

Brett_H

derrilex wrote:

The expobar is a beautiful thing but a new BZ99s is still very much in the running. I will have to go and view one first hand I think. Choosing a suitable grinder for either machine will be the hardest task I think. I dont know my grinders too well at all and it seems the list is endless, the prices are high and everyone has the favorite. Difficult decisions ahead.

The K3 push is worth a look but just beware, the one I saw had a lot of play in the collar so it's still Mr Rocky as a likely replacement for Mr Lux at school. I had considered the Smart because it's cheap but I need something more robust because it is not just me that uses it.

Brett_H

WotB wrote:

Do you absolutely need a new machine? Would a well looked after second hand one suffice?

If you are like me and are comforted by a returns policy then Baratzi second hand machines are great value. If you are happy grabbing a box-o-bits off eBay and self-servicing then I'm jealous and take my hat off to you. The Pullman Expobar would be my first option in a similar position.

Brett_H

Anger Management wrote:

GRINDERS: I have a few that might do... A BZ02 or an Rossi RR45 or even a NS MDXA But for home use the Eureka or the Vario are small and doserless and what I would suggest. I would go the Rocky over a K3 for many reasons.... Both do the job, but still the Rocky :-) Then again it's your choice... As to machine, the Minore III is up there in functionality and looks and is not out of place in the kitchen as neither an appliance or extreme SS bling AM

Isn't it funny how we all tend to agree once commercial affiliations are placed to the background. I agree 100% AM! The Eureka Mignon I played with was solid, pretty/blingy yet under understated enough to not overwhelm the machine/kitchen. I've not been lucky enough to play with the for any length of time but google consistently sings it's praises a testifies to it's longevity. They look pretty cool and robust so would be worth a play.

Lacehim

derrilex wrote:

Mmm, not at the moment. I'm keen on good coffee but I think a lever, for me, is one of those things one has as a second or third machine to fool around on on a rainy day.

I use mine every day. Easy to use, temp stable and you can leave it on all day. I've made about 8 milk based drinks In a row for a party. It was fantastic. 2 group also. Steams great! It's certainly not a toy! 🙂

derrilex

Lacehim wrote:

I use mine every day. Easy to use, temp stable and you can leave it on all day. I've made about 8 milk based drinks In a row for a party. It was fantastic. 2 group also. Steams great! It's certainly not a toy! 🙂

Sorry if I gave the impression that it was a toy - not at all, just not for me. 😉 I see the rocky for sale from jet black for under 5 hunge, which is about all thats in the grinder budget so unless there is something better for the dollars it looks like it will get the nod. Better side of Brisbane ? who are you trying to kid AM 😃 We all know the inner west is where its at ;D Appreciate the play date offer too but work is mental at the moment and its a lonnnnnggggggg way away. Then again, I'm the boss so you never know. Ive touched base with Greg re the minore and will have made a decision by tomorrow night. It would blend in with the stainless kitchen like , well, part of the furniture. Isnt a BZ02 a espresso machine not a grinder ? What sort of $$ are the vario and eureka ?

derrilex

$ 650 and $ 700 respectively. A little too much unfortunatley

derrilex

Finger fault - love 15. 😃 Yes indeed, getting the procurement department on side is quite a challenge sometimes.