Hi all. Thank you for such great information on these posts. The information has been invaluable to me as I make my decision on my first high end espresso machine purchase. My question is two fold. First I have read the review of the Fiorenzato Bricoletta Direct Connect Espresso Machine and am seriously considering the full automatic version. Has anyone else purchased this machine? Any insight, problems, or comments would be helpful.

Second, I have only found the machine at 1st line. They have been great in offering my advice and assistance in my decision. However their "No Return" policy on commercial machines scares me with such a large purchase ( especially being my first). Is this standard? does anyone else sell this machine with a "Return Policy"? Or does anyone know where I might be able to "put my hands on one" prior to purchase? Any comments, suggestions, or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jeff

For the Bricoletta, automatic versus semi-automatic = volumetric dosing versus you controlling the brew time/volume. Since you need to watch the extraction for blonding as it progresses, the volumetric dosing is about convenience (e.g., if you've dialed in the blend very well and are pulling multiple shots in a row, programming in flush amounts, or assuring a shot won't be lost in a moment of inattention). The other matter to consider of E61 automatic versus semi-automatics is the former has a solenoid in place of the expansion chamber. This point is made clearer comparing the similar Valentina and Levetta:


Side-by-side comparison of solenoid-type (Valentina) and E61 lever (Levetta)

In essence, the automatic E61 sacrifices the expansion chamber, the defining claim of the E61 patent of automated preinfusion. I've used both types extensively; in practice, the difference between "true" E61 preinfusion via the expansion chamber and the natural progressive preinfusion thanks to the gicleur (restrictor) valve is not a significant purchase decision criterion.

As for 1st-line's return policy: The E61 is a well-known design and the Bricoletta has a solid track record among forum participants. It's unlikely that you would be displeased with the purchase. If you're not comfortable with it based on the recommendations and reviews, then you may want to consider another E61 model sold under a more flexible return policy. There's certainly lots of models to choose from, many of them detailed in this site's reviews.

Listen to Dan, very good advice indeed, shop around and read reviews, take a long thought about your needs to wants ratio. Katy, Texas....sounds like there may not be a lot of espresso machine showrooms around....a lot like North Idaho. As a suggestion, maybe you could keep an eye out for a Coffee Fest somewhere in Texas or anywhere that is a reasonable drive of fly to attend. Most machine distributors will have machines set up for demo and admiration. One could, after all, take a trip to Italy and even see how and where the machines are made.....but even in the old days when you could go to Detroit to pick up your new 1957 Chevy, the guys in Flint did not let you bring it back for full value after a few weeks.

I would speak in defense of 1st Lines no return policy since what they send you is a new machine and what you return would be a used machine...much like a car....I don't think that many car dealers would sell you a car and then after you take a cross country trip in it take it back a full value since you decided that you did not like it after all. I think that a reasonable warranty against defects or failures of the machines within a certain period is more than an adequate and reasonable offer to the consumer. It's more of less why there are so many wedding dresses listed for sale on Craigslist.....you bought it, you got married in it, you used up a lot of the value of it, so the store won't let you return it, so you get back whatever part of it that you can and move on. Even Walmart draws a line on some returns these days.

orphanespresso wrote:Katy, Texas....sounds like there may not be a lot of espresso machine showrooms around....a lot like North Idaho. As a suggestion, maybe you could keep an eye out for a Coffee Fest somewhere in Texas....

Katy is a stone's throw from Houston and some of my coworkers commute from there. There's a place where one can see and touch a few machines called Sunbelt Imports and it's in Sugarland IIRC, but I don't think they carry any E61 machines.

And since you're so close you are also welcomed to come to my house (near 290 and 6) to see the GS3 (double boiler machine, plumbed-in) and a Pasquini Livietta (1983 Olympia-made heat exchanger)

Thanks everyone for your replies. Dan, I've read over the E61 article. Does the solenoid completely negate the claims of the E61? If so, and I'm thinking of an automatic machine, would it make more since ("cents") to purchase an automatic machine with a different brewhead?

Doug, Thanks for the analogy. I hadn't thought of it that way and makes much since from a business prospective. I was only thinking from a consumer point of view.

Jon,

I would love to take you up on your offer, and I appreciate it greatly. I'm sure it would be a great learning experience. How can I get your info to make a plan?

Thanks again everyone. Jeff

J. Andre wrote:Jon,

I would love to take you up on your offer, and I appreciate it greatly. I'm sure it would be a great learning experience. How can I get your info to make a plan?

Thanks again everyone. Jeff

Hi Jeff,
Shoot me an email at JonR10-at-yahoo.com and we will set a time to hook up. I'm running 2 nice homeroasted single-origin espresso coffees this week (a fruity Ethiopian Yirga Cheffe and a smooth Brasil), both are running very nicely.

Cheers,
Jon

J. Andre wrote:Does the solenoid completely negate the claims of the E61?

In terms of the patent, yes. In practice, no.

Again, the difference between "true" E61 preinfusion via the expansion chamber and the natural progressive preinfusion thanks to the gicleur (restrictor) valve is not a significant purchase decision criterion. If you're enamored by the convenience of the semi-automatic with volumetric dosing, get it. Otherwise, save yourself some money and get the true E61 group with a brew lever.

J. Andre wrote:Hi all. Thank you for such great information on these posts. The information has been invaluable to me as I make my decision on my first high end espresso machine purchase. My question is two fold. First I have read the review of the Fiorenzato Bricoletta Direct Connect Espresso Machine and am seriously considering the full automatic version. Has anyone else purchased this machine? Any insight, problems, or comments would be helpful.

Second, I have only found the machine at 1st line. They have been great in offering my advice and assistance in my decision. However their "No Return" policy on commercial machines scares me with such a large purchase ( especially being my first). Is this standard? does anyone else sell this machine with a "Return Policy"? Or does anyone know where I might be able to "put my hands on one" prior to purchase? Any comments, suggestions, or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jeff

Jeff,

Thanks for the post. Please understand that we have had too many instances in the past where customers purchased a commercial/semi-commercial machine, used it for an event or party, then turned around and wanted to return it. Recently, we even had coffee shop try to return their equipment after their coffee shop closed 6 months after purchase, and a security firm tried to return a two group after 20 days of use. There was nothing defective with either machine.

On home model machines, we do offer a limited 30 day return policy. It is the machine that we classify, not the intended use. The reason is that we can never determine/confirm actual use.

On commercial machines and semi-commercial espresso machines and grinders (even used in a home setting), we do have customers sign an agreement that outlines our policy. We do this right upfront and do not hide anything in the fine print. We also put specifics as to the customer's responsibility to report damages, defects, and other details, such as installation, warranty, etc. With respect to most companies in our industry, there are very few companies who takes returns on commercial equipment. There are a few more who would take returns on semi-commercial equipment. And, then there are companies in our industry who take no returns, not even home models. Then, there are companies who charge restocking fees.

In the end, we lose about 50 customers per year. Not something we like, but in the grand scheme of things, this is really not a lot when we have a strong customer base of 43k+ customers. Anyways, we do have to allow the competition have some business.

if you have any additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to email me directly to the sales address on our web site.

While I was writing the last post, a customer just emailed requesting a return on 58mm Espro tamper she purchased two years ago. The reason is that it does not fit her Silvia that she also purchased at the same time.

1st-line wrote:While I was writing the last post, a customer just emailed requesting a return on 58mm Espro tamper she purchased two years ago. The reason is that it does not fit her Silvia that she also purchased at the same time.

LOOOL.
Please tell her to post it over for sale. I might try it with one of my small basket levers, after I give it the same treatment I did to Schomer's tamper
(with help of someone with a big-big-big-green russian machine... how's't feel to have an american tamper operated on russian stuff? )



OK.
To have an Espro-clicker for a lever with a tiny basket, I must say, that would be totally funny, so I'm just joking about buying it myself. Yet I use Espro's everyday with Vivaldi. They're great tampers!