OK, I guess Im convinced that I dont need a stainless boiler. Thanks for those articles they helped a lot!

Think the Le'lit PL041TQE with built in PID is pretty much the best bang for my buck at that price point for a non-lever machine that heats up quick and can pull multiple shots in a row without overheating too bad?

OK, I can up my budget a little bit.

I want a machine that heats up quickly, can pull multiple shots in relatively quick succession, and isn't too picky (produces consistently great espresso even with minor barista mistakes). The girlfriend likes milk based drinks and I like my espresso straight for the most part but enjoy the occasional cappa, so there will be some of each being made at most sittings. I want it to have a relatively small footprint for my limited counter space. I definitely want a PID for convenience/consistency's sake. My current top options for close to the same price are:

1) Upgrade the grinder to the Baratza Vario and pick up the new Le'lit PL041TQE with PID (I have heard it heats up super fast and is great bang for the buck)

or

2) Keep my current Ascaso grinder and get a machine like the Quickmill Alexia with PID, or maybe a Bezzera BZ07 pDE with PID


For option 2, I am open to other machines as well in that price range or lower (no higher) but am not really sure of what else in this price range will suit me. Any help would be VERY appreciated.

And now for the one who didn't quite understand, and is equally skittish about aluminum boilers (please): With the HX, does the water in the tube not come into direct contact with the water in the HX tank? If not, what material is the tube made of?