There's a Sama Club Lever Espresso Machine, single group, on Ebay right now. Orphan Espresso has a video on one so it sounds like it's very similar to a Lusso. Don't know if anyone with deep pockets here or elsewhere is bidding on it, but please let me have it!

BTW, the last two days I've pulled a few awesome shots with my Presso. I've been doing a bit more pre-infusion with it so am starting get away from under-extraction.

What about the Pompei by Izzo, or isn't that the sort of lever you want?
http://www.chriscoffee.com/products/hom...sso/pompei

caffeinatedjen wrote:What about the Pompei by Izzo, or isn't that the sort of lever you want?
http://www.chriscoffee.com/products/hom...sso/pompei

I don't think it's a good fit for his use given the single group/twenty person party. For the $$ he could get a refurbed Cremina from OE and a two-group PV from 1st-Line, which would suit his needs on both the low volume daily use and the twenty person party plus give him the flexibility of different shots from a manual lever versus a spring lever.

Just my $.02

uscfroadie wrote:I don't think it's a good fit for his use given the single group/twenty person party. For the $$ he could get a refurbed Cremina from OE and a two-group PV from 1st-Line, which would suit his needs on both the low volume daily use and the twenty person party plus give him the flexibility of different shots from a manual lever versus a spring lever.

Just my $.02

Merle,

This is an interesting question that I've thought about but I have refrained from posting. If the Pompei is like my Lambro, I can grind a shot, preinfuse, release the lever, steam milk, and empty and clean the portafilter in just about 1 minute flat. Now, with a helper to keep the milk pitchers refreshed and to build the drinks, I'm sure this would be very easy.

I'm just not certain how much a Cremina and a 2 group PV would help seeing as how the barista needs to tend to the Cremina full-time during the extraction.

The thing I keep coming back to is that a commercial spring lever is foolproof for anyone with a little experience. Fresh coffee and you're good to go.

Outspoken, but often misspoken,

Jack

the_trystero wrote:There's a Sama Club Lever Espresso Machine, single group, on Ebay right now. Orphan Espresso has a video on one so it sounds like it's very similar to a Lusso. Don't know if anyone with deep pockets here or elsewhere is bidding on it, but please let me have it!

BTW, the last two days I've pulled a few awesome shots with my Presso. I've been doing a bit more pre-infusion with it so am starting get away from under-extraction.

Ok, so the SAMA Club went for a grand on EBay and I wasn't going to go higher than $750 for it. So I am now really really really close to picking up a two group Lusso from 1st-Line. I would love a Cremina or a Pompei but they're just not in my budget right now.

The only thing is I did read through most of the lever smackdown, I like 1.75 - 2 oz normales, so I am a little concerned with two pulls.

But before I pull the trigger on buying one, are there any more current options, under $2000, preferrably two group, with a boiler as big as the Lusso? What I'll probably do is order a new Lusso soon, and then keep an eye out for an older one group lever machine like that SAMA Club.

The Bezzera lever is just barely under $2,000 - the Strega,if it gets to the US, will probably be more.

Oh, that looks awesome. Is anyone selling them in the US yet? I see that 1st-Line will be testing for awhile.