$3000 budget, espresso machine and grinder
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- Posts: 2
- Joined: 10 years ago
I've been lurking here for awhile and have enjoyed the information provided here immensely. I've been using a silvia with pid and a rocky grinder for the last 3 years and would like to upgrade. I was down in Vancouver for a week a while ago and made several visits to Prado. Their baristas pulled some amazing shots of bright, sweet, syrupy espresso that made me realize I'm not getting what I want from my home setup consistently enough.
I drink straight shots mostly with the odd americano. The only time I steam milk is for friends which isn't often.
I like lighter roast blends like epic espresso from 49th parallel and I am considering home roasting in the future.
I like to leave the machine on, ready to go. I work for the railway and get called at all hours of the day and night to go to work and coffee before a shift is an absolute must.
Size is not an issue, I plan on doing a remodel of my kitchen in the future so a machine that could be plumbed in would be nice but it is not a deal breaker.
I have a budget of around $3000 to spend. This would be mail ordered of course and I will happily support a vendor from the site.
I'm not afraid to try a lever machine and they intrigue me. I like the tactile nature of them. [/list]
Machines I've looked at:
- Bezzera Strega
- Ponte Vecchio Lusso - although shipping seems to be an issue.
- ECM Technika IV - I don't know that a HX machine is totally necessary for my needs.
Grinders:
- Fiorenzato Doge
Any advise is greatly appreciated, cheers!
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I drink straight shots mostly with the odd americano. The only time I steam milk is for friends which isn't often.
I like lighter roast blends like epic espresso from 49th parallel and I am considering home roasting in the future.
I like to leave the machine on, ready to go. I work for the railway and get called at all hours of the day and night to go to work and coffee before a shift is an absolute must.
Size is not an issue, I plan on doing a remodel of my kitchen in the future so a machine that could be plumbed in would be nice but it is not a deal breaker.
I have a budget of around $3000 to spend. This would be mail ordered of course and I will happily support a vendor from the site.
I'm not afraid to try a lever machine and they intrigue me. I like the tactile nature of them. [/list]
Machines I've looked at:
- Bezzera Strega
- Ponte Vecchio Lusso - although shipping seems to be an issue.
- ECM Technika IV - I don't know that a HX machine is totally necessary for my needs.
Grinders:
- Fiorenzato Doge
Any advise is greatly appreciated, cheers!
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- spressomon
- Posts: 1901
- Joined: 12 years ago
Here's another that asked a similar question recently with the same budget amount: Newbie setup espresso machine & grinder, budget around $3000
FWIW: A year ago I was in the same shopping dilemma, as you, for a new espresso machine. After quite a bit of consternation I ended up with a Londinium LI. Zero regrets. I already had the Pharos grinder...but the two added together, depending on final destination and currency exchange, equal ~ $3k.
FWIW2: Hand grinding, for me at least, with the Pharos has been a non-issue. If you don't mind hand turning for your grind the Pharos offers unparalleled in-the-cup value.
After having spent almost as much on electrical fixes with my prior machine as I did to purchase it...I truly appreciate the lever's relative simplicity. And easily pulled top-notch espresso doesn't hurt either
FWIW: A year ago I was in the same shopping dilemma, as you, for a new espresso machine. After quite a bit of consternation I ended up with a Londinium LI. Zero regrets. I already had the Pharos grinder...but the two added together, depending on final destination and currency exchange, equal ~ $3k.
FWIW2: Hand grinding, for me at least, with the Pharos has been a non-issue. If you don't mind hand turning for your grind the Pharos offers unparalleled in-the-cup value.
After having spent almost as much on electrical fixes with my prior machine as I did to purchase it...I truly appreciate the lever's relative simplicity. And easily pulled top-notch espresso doesn't hurt either
No Espresso = Depresso
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- Posts: 2
- Joined: 10 years ago
I did read that thread and the grinder advice is what brought me to the Doge. Hand grinders are interesting though, I'll look into them some more.
The Londinium looks nice, I'll do some more research on it.
The machines recommended seemed to be geared towards making milk based drinks and I think a double boiler or HX machine would be unnecessary in my case unless someone can tell me why it would be beneficial in my case.
The Londinium looks nice, I'll do some more research on it.
The machines recommended seemed to be geared towards making milk based drinks and I think a double boiler or HX machine would be unnecessary in my case unless someone can tell me why it would be beneficial in my case.
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- Posts: 1302
- Joined: 12 years ago
many people like an HX because a skilled operator can accurately dial in temperatures for multiple coffees by varying their flushes. If you dont often change your coffee, you may find flushing to be a hassle.
LMWDP #366
- roastaroma
- Posts: 175
- Joined: 16 years ago
Ciao Norwesterly,
I can only comment on the PV Lusso, having been an owner for 3 years. Given your budget and ability to handle a larger macchina, you might find the Strega more satisfying, if only because of its commercial shot volume. The Lusso's a fine beast except that for a proper doppio, you'd need to master the 2-pull shot. That could be a bother.
I can only comment on the PV Lusso, having been an owner for 3 years. Given your budget and ability to handle a larger macchina, you might find the Strega more satisfying, if only because of its commercial shot volume. The Lusso's a fine beast except that for a proper doppio, you'd need to master the 2-pull shot. That could be a bother.
"Non è la macchina, è la mano."
LMWDP #223
LMWDP #223
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- Posts: 291
- Joined: 11 years ago
To be clear, the Strega is a HX machine also.
The Londinium alone blows out your entire budget.
Bang for the buck, the Strega and Doge are a tough combination to beat.
The Londinium alone blows out your entire budget.
Bang for the buck, the Strega and Doge are a tough combination to beat.
- Compass Coffee
- Posts: 2844
- Joined: 19 years ago
Since you only steam milk for occasional friends a dual boiler that you can leave the steam boiler off may or may not be something to consider. I steam at home only once or twice a week but that's still likely more than you will. That said I like the Quick Mill Vetrano 2B for ease of shot temperature control and leave it on 24/7 - steam boiler off. Good sized tank or plumb-able. If/when you want to steam flip the switch and up to pressure ready to steam under 5 minutes.
Mike McGinness
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- Posts: 350
- Joined: 11 years ago
I love my setup (no bias j/k):
Izzo Duetto + Compak k10 pro-barista + filters plumbed in
As others have said you can turn the steam off and run her round the clock plumbed in for low cost.
I am absolutely in love! The chrome looks great and both machines are so reliable and consistent!
Izzo Duetto + Compak k10 pro-barista + filters plumbed in
As others have said you can turn the steam off and run her round the clock plumbed in for low cost.
I am absolutely in love! The chrome looks great and both machines are so reliable and consistent!
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- Posts: 16
- Joined: 10 years ago
My suggestion would be a HX machine like the Quickmill Andreja that can be plumbed in and a Mahlkonig K30 grinder.
You'll probably get both within your budget and your shots will be delicious.
Cooling flushes aren't a big learning curve IMO.
I have a Mahlkonig k30-es I picked up for a good price and I recently purchased a Quickmill Anita and I'm delighted with it.
*I just saw what you wrote about a hx machine benefit to you. I struggled with that when I was choosing a machine as I'm mostly a espresso drinker. I'm glad I have the option of milk now for quests and playing with. Generally if you're upgrading from a single boiler dual use machine a hx or db is the way to go but if you are quite sure you'd be 90% of the time drinking espresso mayne have a look at the Zaffiro, I nearly went this way. Mark from coffeegeek.com wrote an excellent review on it. I nearly got it based solely on the review
https://www.coffeegeek.com/proreviews/d ... maczaffiro
If you went this route you could definitely get a grinder like a mahlkonig k30 or compak k10
You'll probably get both within your budget and your shots will be delicious.
Cooling flushes aren't a big learning curve IMO.
I have a Mahlkonig k30-es I picked up for a good price and I recently purchased a Quickmill Anita and I'm delighted with it.
*I just saw what you wrote about a hx machine benefit to you. I struggled with that when I was choosing a machine as I'm mostly a espresso drinker. I'm glad I have the option of milk now for quests and playing with. Generally if you're upgrading from a single boiler dual use machine a hx or db is the way to go but if you are quite sure you'd be 90% of the time drinking espresso mayne have a look at the Zaffiro, I nearly went this way. Mark from coffeegeek.com wrote an excellent review on it. I nearly got it based solely on the review
https://www.coffeegeek.com/proreviews/d ... maczaffiro
If you went this route you could definitely get a grinder like a mahlkonig k30 or compak k10