Tink wrote:I spoke to Chris Coffee today and asked about the Oscar and the Alex..........
They felt the Oscar has many positives but it can vapor lock and should not be put on a timer. Also they felt that the lack of dials make trouble shooting harder.

Here is where I posted a photo and parts description to adding a vacuum breaker, cost $17, anyone that
is handy at plumbing fittings and can bend a copper tube can install one. Problem solved and works great.

putting-nuova-simonelli-oscar-on-timer-and-loud-pop-noise-at-turn-on-t6271.html#p75701

Heidi, I was exactly in the same upgrade path as you are, I had a krups unit at home the last 10 years (I had rebuilt 3 times) I had run a 2 group Astoria at a cafe we ran 1 year, so I had some experience (definitely NOT a pro!) and I knew I wanted a machine that was commercial quality and a machine that would allow me to steam milk immediately (not having to switch a button and wait for a minute or two). Some feel the Oscar is ugly (certainly pictures don't do it justice), so do others feel a Synesso Cyncra or a Versalab is too! (To those people I say "Its about the coffee,stupid!") Anyway, just my 2 cents worth...I am definitely pleased with my Oscar. Regards,

Pat

CafSuperCharged wrote:.......Caeffe, in here, where you write "you can put it on a timer but you'll still have to release false pressure to get the machine up to proper pressure" the "false pressure" tells me there is vapor lock.
Regards
Peter
Netherlands
Europe

Peter - I stand corrected then if this is 'vapor lock'. I learn more everyday here.....
Though, I was thinking more along the lines where the machine fails to pump water due to 'vapor lock' - which is a much more serious drawback/symptom than just having to open the steam wand. I guess there is more than one type of 'vapor lock'.

danetrainer does post a good fix for this if one is brave to do so....
I myself have done pressure tubes at work so would consider myself brave. Unfortunately bravery doesn't count for getting off my tush to do it as I find using the timer suffices for my time and effort.

caeffe wrote:I guess there is more than one type of 'vapor lock'.

True. I overlooked the possibility of running a vapor lock in the tube to(wards) the pump.
My Andreja has this microswitch that responds to a magnet in a float in the water tank.
Others have a spring under the water tank that is weight adjusted to a minimal amount of water in the tank.
So as to prevent this and protect the pump from running dry and getting damaged.
This risk may not be very big when a barista is working on the machine to brew an espresso, however when absent and the machine decides the boiler needs to be topped up, the pump will run until infinity, it overheats and cuts off, or breaks down (whatever comes first).
And then think of all possible scenarios with plumbed in machines...

caeffe wrote:danetrainer does post a good fix for this if one is brave to do so....

Having done (DIY) some plumber's type of work on gas, water and central heating in the house, I would consider myself brave enough to make that modification as well. No big deal. However it would void the guarantee.
Now in my country, a vendor's guarantee is actually a single-sided limitation of a legal obligation.
So, the guarantee on my washing machine might be one or two years, but if a vital component breaks down some time after that period, I could still claim I was sold a product that did not meet general consumer expectations and the vendor should have it repaired for free or at a very low cost. With brands taking themselves very very seriously, I would not even have to ask.
Now imagine I have modified the machine and the pump fails ..., or the boiler water level brain box ..., or the Sirai pressurestat ..., or ...
Now the vendor has an excuse to not apply guarantee or show leniency.

So even if you can make the modification and the parts involved are under $15, you must wonder if you want this.
Of course, after you bought a second hand machine through e-bay - different story.

Regards
Peter
Netherlands
Europe

Peter,

Good point. I wouldn't want to void my warranty. I am wanting to purchase a machine that I will not need to make any modifications to.

I would like a machine that could be on a timer or heat up quickly. I do not want to leave the machine on 24/7.

I'm not in a big rush to make a purchase. I not sure if this is good or bad....I have more time to research and I have more time to be indecisive

Tink wrote:I am wanting to purchase a machine that I will not need to make any modifications to.

Good for you, Heidi, however with your webname Tink? I always believed the old Romans: nomen omen (est).

Tink wrote:I would like a machine that could be on a timer or heat up quickly.

Mind you, "heat up quickly" is a function of boiler(s) volume and Watts of heating element power.
Large boiler - longer heating period. But then, it is just a matter of having the timer go "on" a bit earlier.
Large boiler to some may also mean more steam and more temperature stability, however when a large boiler is on a pressurestat, I would expect more overshoot than in a smaller boiler - but I could be totally wrong here.

Tink wrote:I'm not in a big rush to make a purchase. I not sure if this is good or bad....I have more time to research and I have more time to be indecisive

Question to you - having started the thread with a longlist - is if you want to change your list after all this interesting debate?
A few other active threads might help you as well. Someone else started a question "what would you do?", or "what would be your second machine?". You'll find some interesting pondering there.
Just by sharing your indecisiveness, the process might speed up.

Regards
Peter
Netherlands
Europe

CafSuperCharged wrote:Good for you, Heidi, however with your webname Tink? I always believed the old Romans: nomen omen (est).

Ok, sorry to be so dense but I don't get it.

I think I would like to limit my budget to $1300. It is difficult to limit yourself when your husband, who does not drink coffee, says "buy what ever you like". He has no problem with me spending >$2000 on an espresso machine. I just do not think my "needs" justify this level of machine. Milk can cover lots of sins.

I have been looking into the lever machines. I tend to like to do things the "old way". I like baking bread, gardening, canning and driving a manual transmission. Longevity of equipment is important to me. I have been looking at the La Pavoni, Ponte Vecchio Lusso, and Export and the Elektra Micro Casa a Leva. I do have one spot in my kitchen, although not ideal, that the Elektra will fit. Since the Ponte Vecchio has a spring will it fit under my cabinets? I have 17" clearance and I am worried that the lever will not fit.

I have not ruled out pump machines, but I think unless I am really sacrificing quality I would like to keep it under $1300.

HB wrote:I assume he's thinking "Tink" ~ tinker.

That was the only thing I came up with.

On the Lusso, could I pull it out a little when I use it and slide it back when not in use? Does the lever need to rest in the full up position?