I am ready to purchase one of these two machines but can't make up my mind which one.

I make almost exclusively milk/soy based drinks but want begin to try espresso also .
The semi auto machines are not in stock so only the full auto ones are available and unfortunately there is a big difference in price between the 2 fully auto machines.

One concern is the steam wand . It seems more restrictive in the BZ02 , and I am wondering whether is long enough for 16 oz frothing pitcher . My feeling is that the fully articulated BZ07 steam arm is easier to position for milk steaming. Can owners of BZ02 please give me some inputs ?

Is the electrically heated grouphead of the BZ07 better than the welded to boiler grouphead of the BZ02 ?

Please help. Thanks

The machines are virtually identical in taste, and the wand on the 02 will work fine on any normal sized jug.

The 07 is prettier and more compact, the 02 is roomier inside, therefore easier to maintain.

The models I tested had different fothing tips. The tip on the 02 was a very slow frothing single or two hole "amateur" tip, whereas the one on the 07 was a commercial 4 hole tip that ran beautifully. I do not know which of these was stock, or how to make sure you get the one you want. Give your vendor a call on this when you buy.

I definitely need to check this out. I read that the 4 hole tip is really hard to use because it steams so fast. Is there a special method when using 4 hole commercial steaming tips ? Maybe I should start off by plugging 2 of the 4 holes with toothpicks as recommended by some . However this does not seem very hygienic to me if the tooth picks were left there for weeks on end.

You can use toothpicks if you want, but personally, I'd call the vendor before buying, as I mentioned above, and discuss the tip options.

I own a BZ07 and the factory tip is a commercial 4 hole, fast, but not uncontrollable....a 12oz pitcher with 6 oz of milk is perfect. Anymore milk than that depletes the steam noticeably but rebound is quick. If you have experience steaming you should be able to handle it.

I will definitely check tip options when I buy either of the machines.

I usually use 12 oz pitcher and steam 6 to 8 oz Soy so the steaming power should be more than enough but might be too fast for the usual method of producing microfoam . Looks like everything will have to be accomplished simultaneously but how?