La Marzocco Linea or a Faema E92

by **renier** on Tue Sep 14, 2010 6:55 am

Hi Guys

I need a bit of advice. I want to replace our Brasilia machine in our shop and I am in two minds as to what machine we should get. We have a small shop but it does get busy on Saturdays and on lunch times. On Saturdays we are 2 Baristas but for the rest of the time only one. Our current machine is a 2 group and I have always felt it's ok.

Here is the two machines that I am looking at:

I can get a secondhand refurbished La Marzocco Linea 3 group from the local La Marzocco supplier for about $5460(USD). It comes with a 1 year guarantee. I love these machines but I am a bit worried about maintenance on a refurbished machine.

My next option is a new 2 group Faema E92 it is the one with the auto steam for about the same price as the Linea 3 group. My problem is that I have no experience with this machine. I know that it has a heat exchanger with an adjustable thermal balancing system.

I have heard that the big difference between these machines is that the La marzocco has a straighter extraction profile due to its double boiler that gives a very constant extraction temperature.
I have seen the results of the Faema's auto steam and I have to say I was quite amazed.

Any thoughts will be appreciated

Renier

by **BeastinBarista** on Tue Sep 14, 2010 9:55 am

I'd say go for the Faema. I have worked on a 3 group Linea in a commercial setting and it was OK, just not my style of machine. Don't read into the hype of dual boiler machines being better than HX machines. Either type are capable of excellent extractions and there are a few HX machines that are easily on par with the best dual boiler machines on a commercial level.

Will also say don't be thrown off by gadgets like the Auto Steam. My Aurelia has the Smart Wand and it works great for what it was designed to do, but it comes nowhere close to proper technique on a manual wand. However, it is nice to have when heating cider, etc. up in a quick rush.

Even though this is a great forum with lots of technical info floating around I highly recommend you visit www.baristaexchange.com as there are lots of commercial baristas, roasters, etc. there that have done their fair share of work on commercial equipment and may have actually used the machine (Faema) in question.

by **gscace** on Wed Sep 15, 2010 9:48 am

Don't forget about service. An independent coffee shop here is learning the hard way about this, having bought a cheap machine with no support. Last Saturday, the boiler heating element failed and now the shop is without a machine (still), and bleeding out money. If the Marzocco service is good in your area, I'd go with the 'zocco for sure. If Faema service is good, you might consider them, but my personal preference is the former.

-Greg

renier wrote:Hi Guys

I need a bit of advice. I want to replace our Brasilia machine in our shop and I am in two minds as to what machine we should get. We have a small shop but it does get busy on Saturdays and on lunch times. On Saturdays we are 2 Baristas but for the rest of the time only one. Our current machine is a 2 group and I have always felt it's ok.

Here is the two machines that I am looking at:

I can get a secondhand refurbished La Marzocco Linea 3 group from the local La Marzocco supplier for about $54600(USD). It comes with a 1 year guarantee. I love these machines but I am a bit worried about maintenance on a refurbished machine.

My next option is a new 2 group Faema E92 it is the one with the auto steam for about the same price as the Linea 3 group. My problem is that I have no experience with this machine. I know that it has a heat exchanger with an adjustable thermal balancing system.
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I have heard that the big difference between these machines is that the La marzocco has a straighter extraction profile due to its double boiler that gives a very constant extraction temperature.
I have seen the results of the Faema's auto steam and I have to say I was quite amazed.

Any thoughts will be appreciated

Renier

by **renier** on Thu Sep 16, 2010 2:28 am

Thanks guys

Billard, I will also load my post on www.baristaexchange.com. What is your opinion on the Aurelia?

Greg, I agree service is just as important as the machine I will look into this as well.

Cheers
Renier


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