Hi,

I am looking to buy a new Bezzera BZ07, and was wondering whether upgrading from a semi-automatic to a full auto model is worth shelling out extra $100. (I decided to skip the PID option as most folks regard it rather worthless in a HX machine.) I've never owned an espresso machine before, so I would appreciate some advice in this area.

Thank you!

For just $100, I think I would get that option. You can always run the full auto as a semi-auto, but there may be times when you want the auto function.

sweaner wrote:For just $100, I think I would get that option. You can always run the full auto as a semi-auto, but there may be times when you want the auto function.

Agreed . . .

With a semi-auto, you (the person operating the machine) starts the machine's pump forcing water through the puck by pushing a button, moving a lever, flipping a switch . . . whatever. The machine will stop only when you push the button a second time, move the lever to a different position, flip the switch back again . . . whatever.

With a full-auto, you (the person operating the machine) starts the machine's pump forcing water through the puck by pushing a button. The machine will stop either automatically, after a pre-programmed volume (programmed by you) is dispensed, or manually, by you pushing the button a second time. In other words, full-automatics can always be operated EXACTLY the same way as a semi-automatic, but you have the added flexibility of the machine stopping the shot on its own.

So, why get one over the other?

In a home environment, the only reason is one of convenience, of "back-up" if you will. This comes in handy during a busy morning, for example, when trying to do six things at once (get the kids off to school, not burning the toast, answering the phone, getting the dog to stop barking, answering a text message from the office, steaming milk, etc., etc.). Is it necessary? Absolutely not. Would I personally buy a machine that was a semi- rather than a full-auto, no -- not if a full-auto was an option.

Many people who have semi's use the manual vs. automatic transmission analogy. It doesn't work for me. The back-up analogy works better, I think, precisely because you can always stop the shot manually. Bear with me for just one moment . . .

I have an Elektra T1 with a 7-button panel. The symbols across the front correlate (left to right) to: 1) single ristretto, 2) single normale, 3) single lungo, 4) double ristretto, 5) double normale, 6) double lungo, and 7) manual on/off. However, since these are programmable by the user, I have them to be 1) short cleaning "spritz," 2) single normale, 3) moderate (4 oz.) cooling flush, 4) double ristretto, 5) double normale, 6) long (8 oz.) cooling flush, 7) manual on/off.

When I'm going to use my machine after a period of inactivity, I can push the long flush and walk away -- grind the coffee or go get the milk -- and know that it will shut off after the group has cooled enough to pull a shot ("flush and go").

When I'm pulling a straight shot, I can focus my attention solely on the shot, and while I will push the "double ristretto" button, I always stop the shot on blonding. Sometimes that means I stop it manually; most of the time, however, the shot stops automatically just as I'm about to stop it. I confess, however, that when I'm pulling a shot and steaming milk simultaneously, knowing the shot will stop automatically is a good back-up. I can focus on steaming, and I know the shot won't run on longer than it should.

Again, is it necessary? No. Is it nice to have? Well, I think so, but YMMV.

Cheers,
Jason

Thank you!

For those who are interested, cguser posted the same question on CoffeeGeek here.