First off:

I have read hundreds of comments concerning espresso machines and they have been quite informative. So thank you. Truly there is a wealth of info (often written with personal charm) on these message boards.

However, I am overloaded with info. My mind is going blank.

Here is what I'm looking at:

1. My wife is stressing me over my espresso machine research, so I want to get one as soon as possible and be done with the matter.


I am an espresso machine newbie, but love good coffee. I want to get a good machine, with a good grinder.

-I drink mostly Americanos with the occasional espresso thrown in.
-My wife drinks mostly cappuccinos.
-We are not concerned about time (how long it takes to heat up, etc...)
-We are not concerned with throwing dinner parties
-We move fairly frequently for work (weight consideration, but not too important)
-Aesthetics are very important.
- We may do back to back on occasion, but often share the same drink.

At first I was set on a Francis Francis x1, then was considering the Rancilio, then I saw the Alexia, then finally the Rocket series.

I've read dozens of posts concerning the SB, HX, and DB. I've read about PID's, temperature surfing, and myriad other germane topics. But there is one question that has not been sufficiently explored (to the best of my knowledge). ::::How much difference does this all make?

For example, my friend who is sommolier's notices the most distinct nuances in wine. To her, a $90 bottle often has enough of these nuances to distinguish it from a comparable $25 bottle. Personally, I cannot often notice the difference. So how much difference will a good machine make? Will a rocket produce a much better espresso/cappuccino than a francis francis x1, or a rancilio, or an alexia? Or will it be an ever so slight nuance like my friend at wine tastings?

I love the look of the Alexia and all of the Rockets. Is there a significant difference between the two (i've read the specs from all of you guys, thanks). I'm asking only qualitatively: i'm asking for your very subjective, personal experiences.

I appreciate all of you who can chime in. Don't worry about specs: i've read your very helpful comments already. I'm only asking, based upon what I need it for, which machine is the best and how much difference there is in noticeable quality (i prefer richer espressos).

Thanks.

Akiva

So what would be the difference quality wise between a any one of the rockets, the quickmills, or something like a francis francis x1?

We (my wife and I, like the learning curve. I've messed up so many espressos in my time that I would be surprised if I pulled 2 decent consecutive shots).

-a

oh, also, i have been considering the QM Vetrano.

So far, my choices are between:

1. Francis Francis x1

2. R.S. V3

3. QM Alexia

4. QM Vetrano

5. Rocket Cellini

IMHO, above the line, you will have more difficulty pulling consistently good shots, but you can pull good shots with a good grinder. Below the line, it's not a matter of shot consistency, but what features you want/like/need.

1. Francis Francis x1
2. R.S. V3
------------------------------
3. QM Alexia - pour over, vibratory, SBDU, opt PID - smaller, easier to move, great espresso, harder to make milk drinks
4. QM Vetrano - plumbed rotary - quiet, harder to move, easier to pull back to back shots/milk drinks
5. Rocket Cellini - evoluzione model - plumb/pour over,rotary, more movable, easier to pull back to back shots/milk drinks.

And of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Edit: for durability, all but the Francis.

Thanks, J:

When you write that the Alexia is harder to make milk drinks, how much difference are we talking about (after a few months of practice) in comparison to the QM V and the Rocket C or G?

Are we talking about a bit of microfoam, texture, taste?
-a

oh, my wife thinks that the Pasquini Livietta T2 is the best bet. While I am loathe to throw it into the equation (if for nothing more than it's hideous exterior), let's give this a try:


1. Francis Francis x1

2. R.S. V3

3. QM Alexia

4. QM Vetrano

5. Rocket Cellini

6. Pasquini Livietta T2

Thanks so much for your time. Any info will be strongly considered while making our final decision.

Cheers,

Akiva

The Alexia is a single boiler dual use (SDBU). The same boiler is used to either brew coffee (<100°C) or to make steam (>120°C). You cannot brew and froth at the same time on a SDBU (your number 1,2,3), unlike heat exchangers (HX, your number 4,5 and 6 if I'm not mistaken) and dual boilers (DB). Time is required to heat the boiler to get steam or to let it cool down to brew temp.

Alexia is single boiler. You have to wait to heat / cool to switch modes

Since you move frequently, plumb in might not be a good idea.

A small, easy to use machine is the Vibiemme Jr Double Boiler.

cafeIKE wrote:A small, easy to use machine is the Vibiemme Jr Double Boiler.

+1