Time to move on... to something new!

Lacehim · May 2012

I've got itchy feet and feel it's time to move on from my lovely lusso for various reason. Any suggestions? Money is a bit tight with adding $14K of solar to the house, with the lusso sold, I would say maybe 2k max. Otherwise the wife (bread winner) will be on my case.

I like quiet (read I love levers), fairly small, easy to maintain, and makes a damn good cup. Tank or plumb is ok. Does need steam & HW though.

Any suggestions folk? I was nearly tempted by the Grimac La Uno on ebay for $800, it's just down the road from me but I know nothing about them or how old it is.

I will be keeping my lovely Vario.

beanflying · May 2012

How are you off for bench space? Rotary pumped single group commercials will all go for well under $2k secondhand. Not all are that huge either

Look for one with a 3l boiler rather than a 5l to keep the size down. It is either that or trawl the bay of evil and maybe get lucky in the next year? My one group was 18 months in the waiting and I had the $ sitting there at the time. Happy dreaming/browsing/buying

Kelsey · June 2012

Maybe a project? There's a two-group La Cimbali lever in need of some love in Melbourne on eBay.

beanflying · June 2012

on 1338503445:

Maybe a project? There's a two-group La Cimbali lever in need of some love in Melbourne on eBay.

I reckon he would actually come in under budget so as it will 'save' you money I think you should :thumb: :rofl:

UNM · June 2012

that cimbali looks very like one sold not long ago as having been in storage for years.

Koffee_Kosmo · June 2012

Not sure what to advise because if you get a fixer upper, it's not hard to blow ones budget due to unforeseen items If you are thinking of a used machine it would be preferable to get a near new machine KK

Brett H · June 2012

Lacheim, if you haven't played with a Strega you probably need to. I'm suffering a serious case of what ifs... They are a bit over ya price but you probably need to know. Remember, this could potentially be your last upgrade for 10.... months :rofl:

Lacehim · June 2012

A fixer upper just won't work at the moment due to lack of time/space, and to be honest a 2 group is just too big because i'm the only one that drinks coffee in our house. The Strega is on my list, but has a pump which just puts me off. I might have to get a demo sometime, but getting to Brisbane is pretty hard these days.

Kelsey · June 2012

I'll let you know when I'm heading up to pick up Betsy. If you don't mind a few non-coffee related diversions you're welcome to join me.

derrilex · June 2012

Ahhh, you know you're gunna get a sweet strega brew at Chris's Kelsey. Lacehim wont be able to help himself :rofl:

Kelsey · June 2012

I've found that even relatively poorly prepared shots work out pretty well on the Strega. I was impressed with the results I've gotten out of it the few times I played with it.

beanflying · June 2012

on 1338535284:

The Strega is on my list, but has a pump which just puts me off. I might have to get a demo sometime, but getting to Brisbane is pretty hard these days.

Depumping it and plumbing it in is fairly simple if the non pump variety still isn't available locally. Pressure reducing valve, 240V solenoid in place of pump job fairly much done.

Lacehim · June 2012

Ok. Not a lever but quiet maybe. There's a Bezzera BZ35e down the road from me on eBay. Any thoughts about this machine? Can it be run off a tank until I can plumb it in? He got it listed at $950, he's had it 3 years, services 12 months ago, and running ok. From what I've got off google these are a rotary pump. Not sure what amps they pull though.

beanflying · June 2012

Rotary pumps with a check valve at the tank will be happy pulling from an under bench tank if needed. Just need to prime them in the first instance so the pump doesn't run dry. ??? Being a single group it will be under 10A and if it has 3 legs on the element then AM or a similar electrical type could drop one out for you (really doesn't save money) .

UNM · June 2012

on 1339290758:

Being a single group it will be under 10A and if it has 3 legs on the element then AM or a similar electrical type could drop one out for you (really doesn't save money) .

Main saving on lower current draw is in rewiring costs for the bigger beasties - installing 15 or 20amp circuits can get expensive. Running costs are MARGINALLY lower on de-rated elements as the heating time is longer, which changes the duty cycle a bit. Very little in it though.

Lacehim · June 2012

So is the bz35e any good? It looks like KKs bz40 is design so is this 35e an older model? Any idea when they where made? Anything I should look out for if I go take a looky.

Koffee_Kosmo · June 2012

on 1339324322:

So is the bz35e any good? It looks like KKs bz40 is design so is this 35e an older model? Any idea when they where made? Anything I should look out for if I go take a looky.

It's a good machine and a similar spec to the BZ40 Just has a smaller boiler, one element, and a single gauge The rest is the same KK

Kelsey · June 2012

on 1339397748:

Further more, when it comes to a gathering and 6 or so coffee's needed ASAP. Then the Cremina and I can not cope.

Please explain... I'm finding that we're starting to have a bit of a social life, so the 'multiple coffees' thing is starting to be important to me too. Was very glad of the BZ99 this weekend just gone.

Lacehim · June 2012

I have no social life! :rofl: Maybe I should go back to nescafe?

Koffee_Kosmo · June 2012

One of the reasons I got the Strega is that it performers like a prosumer machine and has that lever goodness

Lwowiak · June 2012

Hi Lacehim, I know you have a hankering for a lever, so I have some product news for you: http://londiniumespresso.com/blogs/londinium-espresso-blog/6097466-whos-for-a-londinium-lever-espresso-machine Something smaller than a Bosco or Strega, but larger than a Cremina. As they ship all over the world, you can buy direct from them. Sounds interesting, and hope they will have more news soon. cheers.

Kelsey · June 2012

Oh now that does sound interesting. In fact, it sounds to me like AM will be in trouble with the wife again.

Lacehim · June 2012

on 1339459205:

Something smaller than a Bosco or Strega, but larger than a Cremina. As they ship all over the world, you can buy direct from them. Sounds interesting, and hope they will have more news soon.

Ohhhhh, nice one Lwowiak. How's your Bosco going? You got it set up yet? 2850W Element! ??? ??? ??? All sounds good but when? I want it now. :laugh:

beanflying · June 2012

Goody another Lever, plans for world re-domination are on track then :stir 2850W boiler if it is only a 5L boiler is crazy recovery power. My 3 grp/20L boiler at 3000W copes with 4-500 cups in 6 or 7 hours ::) Should mention my Fioranzato is 2800W rated too but I have pulled a leg off the element back to 1800W

Lwowiak · June 2012

Hi Lacehim, The Bosco is all set up. I am in testing and learning phase. Recovering from flu, so taste buds are wonky. Early impressions are that it produces a very smooth brew. Need more roasted coffee, especially espresso blends with lots of flavour and body.

Lacehim · June 2012

I couldn't help myself and contacted Londinium Espresso for more details regarding their lever! Boiler 2.3L, supply from a tank, so no more boiler filling or plumbing in, full commercial group

and they have even thought about an antivac (I hope your listening Ponte Vecchio!). Londinium Espresso are only handing out the specification, it is being designed (i.e. the engineering calculations, etc) and built by a long established engineering firm in England. All sounding good so far. My only concern is powering this beasty. In the UK a typical powerpoint is 13A, here its 10A, will this machine run on 10A with a 2850W element? The bigger element is being used to make it temperature stable, steam like a bugger, and heat up quickly. It all sounds good, and here's the best part. They are targeting their price at 1500GBP

and that incl 20% VAT. They hope to have a prototype soon, and comestics ironed out and in production by Aug. Fingers crossed for a nice shiney English lever on my bench before Christmas. Please Santa!!!!

derrilex · June 2012

"and built by a long established engineering firm in England. All sounding good so far." Are you old enough to remember their cars :rofl: :rofl:. Sorry, couldn't resist >:D

UNM · June 2012

on 1339503277:

"and built by a long established engineering firm in England. All sounding good so far." Are you old enough to remember their cars :rofl: :rofl:. Sorry, couldn't resist >:D

yep. Morgan, lotus, TVR, Jensen, Rolls Royce to name a few. some of the old British engineering was pretty good. bear in mind this will be in direct competition with the Italian machines... edit: I am curious about the 13 amp thing. what is standard power rating in other 240 volt countries? Europe seems to be 16 amp, so should be ok., but elsewhere?? it seems overpowered for such a small boiler. overshoot could be a potential issue.

derrilex · June 2012

on 1339541984:

yep. Morgan, lotus, TVR, Jensen, Rolls Royce to name a few. some of the old British engineering was pretty good. bear in mind this will be in direct competition with the Italian machines... edit: I am curious about the 13 amp thing. what is standard power rating in other 240 volt countries? Europe seems to be 16 amp, so should be ok., but elsewhere?? it seems overpowered for such a small boiler. overshoot could be a potential issue.

All renowned for highly unreliable at best. :-* The italians were just as bad if not worse. Good steel in the British stuff though.

Lacehim · June 2012

on 1339541984:

I am curious about the 13 amp thing. what is standard power rating in other 240 volt countries? Europe seems to be 16 amp, so should be ok., but elsewhere?? it seems overpowered for such a small boiler. overshoot could be a potential issue.

That was my main issue too UNM. My lusso is a 3 litre boiler with a 1000w element, and I never drops steam pressure, even if I leave the tap fully open, it never drops below 0.9 bar. It's certainly a very interesting machine, and I can't wait to see how it turns out. Might even be an excuse for a holiday to fly over there just to see one in the flesh and have a go.

It's a bit like the BDB scenario in that they haven't built the machine yet or tested it fully so it's all speculation at the moment. At least they are talking to potential customers and giving them the specs, unlike Breville. I like the price, I don't have an issue with the built by england bit, I was born there! Italian Cars & Motorbikes weren't exactly know for their built quality either, and we all drool over their coffee machines! :laugh: It seems that they are moving pretty fast on this, so fingers crossed we will get some further news soon.

beanflying · June 2012

Overshoot on a commercial lever group is far less likely than with an E61 type group. Simple thermal mass of the groups at 9kg'ish stops that. Like PID'ing the more recent Izzo over the P/Stat in mine it really makes little difference to stability. 1800W in 5L for home or even 40-50 an hour is heaps too. Like the rest I do hope it is a little better than there recent or even distant car manufacturing history :laugh:

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