At home right now I have have a zassenhaus grinder and make pourover/press pot coffee. I'll be picking up an electric grinder, most likely a Baratza Vario, soon and I'm starting the process of figuring out which machine will work best for me.

I drink mostly shots/americanos so milk steaming ability is only a bonus, not a priority and I'd rather have a hot water tap. I also don't care how long it takes to warm up (it will live on a timer). I'll take very good care of it but durability is important to me. Consistently solid shots are more important to me that occasionally brilliant ones. I don't want to have to do a lot of work to keep temps. in range. When we have parties I'd be making lots of shots not steaming lots of milk. I'd like to be able to refill the tank on the fly and ideally it would be something that could be later plumbed in but that is not essential. I've worked with Rancilio commercial lever machines and would love a home lever. The long term plan would be to move this machine to the office with me when I upgrade the home unit.

Given the above I'm thinking a Ponte Vecchio Lusso is the way to go. Is there a less expensive option that will turn out a decent shot on a consistent basis while not breaking? I'd go for the Silvia if not for the "morning after score" of 3.0 in the PVL review. If I could, I'd like to save a little here to get to the next machine sooner but, I want to end up with two machines that I'm happy with over the long hall and don't mind waiting for that.

Just out of curiosity what would be the ideal machine and espresso specific grinder if the only constraint was that they be small enough for my wife to allow them on the counter?

Thanks

Rob

Any gravity fed home lever with a separate electric kettle would suit your needs as far as I can tell.