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Espresso Machines???

base_0505base_0505
edited January 1970 in Espresso Machines
I'm wanting to know what Brand of Espresso machines are reliable & which ones do I stay clear of? As I'm wanting to buy myself one and I don't know where to start, hoping someone can point me in the right direction.
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Comments

  • LoveyLovey
    G'day Base, Can you give us a bit more info, like how much of a budget you have? Do you drink straight shots or milk drinks? Do you entertain lots of people regularly? Do you have a grinder? All the best.
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  • base_0505base_0505
    My budget is say $550, but will spend a little more if it means I have a reliable machine. I have milk drinks. I don't entertain alot, it's mainly for myself, and lastly I have a grinder...
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  • LoveyLovey
    G'day Base, for the budget you've got, there's a couple of good machines around. Some I can think of off the top of my head are a Saeco Via Venezia, Gaggia classic, Nemox Fenice or Junior. All of these should be reliable, if looked after, and give good results in the right hands. My personal preference is to stay away from 'appliance branded' machines. Sorry to bombard you with more questions, but what sort of grinder do you have? Hope this helps.
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  • askthecoffeeguyaskthecoffeeguy
    You can also check out coffeegeek.com for excellent reviews on domestic coffee machines - I personally would stay away from the domestic Saeco / Gaggia machines, and spend a bit more money on a Rocky Silvia, it's got a lot more omph, and will probably last for longer. Then I would save for a matching grinder! Or, you could shop around for a second hand semi-commercial machine. There are some bargains to be had if you know where to look! ACG
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  • adminadmin
    Hi there - have just cut-and-pasted this from my post in a similar thread asking for advice in the have your say thread. We did a review of domestic machines in our winter 2005 issue of Crema. Basically, I would look at one of the Sunbeams or the Saeco Via Venezia in the $400-$450 price bracket; would also consider the Gaggia Classic, although be aware that it has an aluminium boiler (unlike the VV). The choice of the next step up [around $650 - $750] would have to be the Rancilio Silvia or the double boiler Sunbeam, although we didn't get to test this [and it seems from other threads that some units have had steam wand problems]. After that, if you could spend the bucks, it's pretty much on to the ECM Giotto, the Unico Splendor, the Isomac (Mondiale) and the Expobars of this world. But of course, these are in the $2300-$2,600 price bracket. This is not meant to be an 'official' recommendation - different users want different things from their machine - however, it's sort of what i would go for, if i was looking for a manual domestic machine at the moment. the other thing (as ACG has alluded to) is a good grinder will make a big difference, so suggest you incorporate that into your calculations. Hope that helps. -A
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  • ReschsmoothReschsmooth
    ACG, a couple of points: 1. The Saeco VV is a pretty solid machine which shouldn't have many reliability issues. The differences between it and the Silvia are reflected in the price differential. That said, reviews suggest the Silvia is a lot less forgiving on technique than, say, the VV. Funds and patience permitting, the Silvia maybe a better option as the VV needs a couple of mods (replacement of portafilter, etc) to get the best out of it. 2. The Rocky is a grinder, not an espresso machine. Cheers P
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  • Unknown
    Hi Reschsmooth.!!!! You may be able to clear this up or me.. Excuse my ignorance.But why would they produce a machine that needs portafilter etc replaced to achieve the most out of it? How relevent is it in regards to the end result if the VV doesn't have these minor adjustments? And at what cost are we looking at to replace? Just that i'm looking at getting this machine. Thanks for any feedback....... :-/......... ;)
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  • ReschsmoothReschsmooth
    Zappa, like a lot of consumer machines, they produce a portafilter which is 'pressurised' which means that a valve in the portafilter only opens when there is enough pressure built up (others may correct me if I am wrong), thereby forcing the coffee out under a more artificial pressure producing a more artificial crema. The modification is simply buying an older style non-pressurised portafilter (about $40-50) which means the coffee is extracted under the pressure of the machine's pump - a closer match to a normal espresso machine. The pressurised portafilter was introduced by machine manufacturers to give Joe Public a 'cafe' looking espresso at home by artificially generating crema. Hope that helps. Don't let the need to get this improvement put you off getting the machine. Cheers P
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  • Unknown
    Thanks for clearing that up for me Patrick...... I didn't realise that upgrading a coffee machine would be so hard....more damn decisions than getting a new car. Hey do any come with free air... Seriously i have really walked into a mine field so to speak.. But i now have a little more understanding (hopefully). Next hurdle will be test driving it.. I gather that by making only milk based coffee the portafilter that comes with it will more than do the trick? Also the sunbeam grinder seems to be the one i'll match up with the VV Thanks Again...    ;)
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  • Unknown
    Have now purchased the saeco vv and matched it up with the sunbeam emo480 grinder. Does anybody have the same combo or can share any advice regarding what is the best(or good) grind setting with this pairing? Any help appreciated.... ;)
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