High Quality Single Boiler Machine Only for Espresso

#1: Post by **msulzer** » February 13th, 2014, 1:03 pm

My experience with single boiler machines is that they are a compromise between two disparate functions, and are mostly designed with too little thermal mass in the head, and too small a boiler without good regulation. The single boiler heat transfer machines are wonderful to think about, but that technique is still a compromise. Is there a machine with a high thermal mass head, a large well regulated boiler, and no frills and compromises, that is, no frothy milk capability?

#2: Post by **another_jim** » February 13th, 2014, 1:06 pm

La Marzocco Espresso-only Shot Brewer

#3: Post by HB » February 13th, 2014, 1:35 pm

The Quickmill Alexia with optional PID and The Arrarex Caravel also come to mind.

February 13th, 2014, 2:05 pm

Or if you are handy, you could just build your own, like this guy did:

Anyone seen this diy espresso machine [video]

#5: Post by **blueface** » February 13th, 2014, 7:42 pm

How about soon to launch ECM Classika II with PID E61 Grouphead...

February 14th, 2014, 8:59 am

Thanks for all the responses! The LM is a bit large and expensive. If it were the only thing out there I might find a way, or build my own. I have thought about that, but my projects tend to me more electronic than mechanical, and I really do not have the time now. The Classika II is very beautiful, but with the less expensive Alexia available, that is what I am thinking about most.

#7: Post by **Carneiro** » February 14th, 2014, 9:40 am

There is the Bezzera Unica, already with PID, and the Bezzera BZ09 (not in the US...) for a different kind of group (as Jim say, it should be similar to Elektra Semiauto shots, and I can tell they are great).

#8: Post by **Mark08859** » February 14th, 2014, 12:08 pm

HB wrote:The Quickmill Alexia with optional PID and The Arrarex Caravel also come to mind.

+1 on the Alexia.

#9: Post by **aerojrp** » February 14th, 2014, 12:19 pm

HB wrote:The Quickmill Alexia with optional PID and The Arrarex Caravel also come to mind.

+2 on the Alexia. With PID it's Awesome!

Jim

#10: Post by **WSH** » February 14th, 2014, 12:41 pm

"There is the Bezzera Unica, already with PID, .........."

I decided to go with the Unica when shopping for the same thing. Less expensive than the Alexia, and I thought the Bezzera line has great fit and finish. The Alexia's boiler is larger though, .75 L to the Unica's .5 L
The Unica also comes from the factory with a Lever on/off steam control, that I find quicker and easier to use than the standard twist on/off valve.