I am looking for a capable coffe maker that my wife allows in the kitchen. It must produce no grounds, noise or mess and take up zero space.

I have negotiated up from zero to the Rancilio Silvia (it replaced a de Longhi with auto frother... it had to go). But now she likes good coffee - and I am not a super taster - I like good good coffee but I am far from a "pro"sumer - more an ardent fan.

The problem is upgrade without swelling. Small foot print steam monsters seem to be thin on the ground. The only contender I have been able to identify is the Olympia Maximatic (cool techno solution in that design to my problem at least.) up to £2k budget.

What can you suggest? I am amazed at the plethora of tech detail that abounds in the membership - so I am hopeful that one or two of you will appreciate the constraints of a wife and have ways to get some wiggle room! And I don't want to change my wife...so...

Lever espresso machines are silent. Perhaps an Izzo single-group commercial lever would suit you? Or something smaller, such as a Ponte Vecchio Lusso? Not as finely made as the Olympia, but much less expensive; very easy to use.

Grinders with motors are noisy, noisier, noisiest. Cannot do much there, apart from a hand-grinder. You must get a quality grinder or it's not worth spending any money on a good machine.

My Goodness - mere minutes and already I have my web browser scouring for information on the suggestions!

Thank you for your offered information.

The noise criteria is less important than the size. And since she likes lattes - needs steam. And has to be able to make around 4 lattes in a run without falling over or running out of steam [sic]

off to research....

and thanks again!

Just found some information on the Dalla Corte Mini - pushing the limits of acceptable size - never even heard of it before - but wow! Looks beautiful!

Thanks for the tip - going to see one in the flesh. Just in case.

For the super mini - divorce is a possibility... (oh God I am a sad geek....)

4 lattes in a row without running out of steam is not going to be a problem at all in the price range you've specified.

I'm a fan of double-boiler designs too, since they offer greater ease of use as well as a wider (and user-settable) range of espresso brewing temperatures. If you like the Dalla Corte, and the size is right, go for it. But be aware, the DCs used to have (and may still have) some words etched into one of the panels, something ...errr.... tasteful, like "Good Taste, We Gots It, We Does".

timo888 wrote:But be aware, the DCs used to have (and may still have) some words etched into one of the panels, something ...errr.... tasteful, like "Good Taste, We Gots It, We Does".

They used to say "Proof of Taste." That's long gone. My year old DC Mini did not have it. Actually, I was disappointed. I was hoping it would have it.

To the OP: this forum is mostly U.S. members. You will have wider choices in the U.K. with different distributors and the benefit of 220v power. Your prices will also vary quite a bit from ours (sometimes less, sometimes more)

The Elektra Semiautomatica has a small footprint, 30 centimeters, and low weight, 11 Kg. It is tall, about 60 cm. Excellent steaming and espresso, and gorgeous. But burning hot all over, so a no-no if there's kids.

Olympia Maximatic

I'd happily go with either of the latter suggestions. Maybe what your wife thinks of the looks/heat issues will decide.

The Maximatic is sold in the UK by Reiss Gunson of Londinium Espresso (londiniumespresso.com) and he is very enthusiastic about the machines and offers great service. He may even be able to hook you a demo.

The Maximatic is very quiet for a domestic vibe pump machine.

If you go for the Elektra, get it either through Ferraris in Wales or direct from Italy through coffeeitalia.co.uk

A quiet, quick, small grinder that has been getting good write-ups is the Mahlkonig Vario in the UK (Baratza Vario in States). Your best bet for a UK purchase is Paul at coffeehit.co.uk

Cheers

Mike

Alternate reality check.

People mean different things by "small" and "quiet". For example, many people would consider the Silvia a small machine. My wife thought it was a huge eyesore on the kitchen counter, and preferred the sound of roadwork to the noise the machine's pump made.

A truly small quality grinder (with "infinite" rather than "stepped" adjustment) is made by this company

http://www.eureka.co.it/prodotti/mignon_fam.php

It has been sold here in the States by Nuova Simonelli as their MCF and MCI (doserless) models. It is only 32.4cm high. The "small" Mahlkönig Vario is slightly over 55cm high, the Baratza model is 37cm.

Marshall wrote:They used to say "Proof of Taste." That's long gone. My year old DC Mini did not have it. Actually, I was disappointed. I was hoping it would have it.

The winter of your disappointment is now glorious summer. You can print this out and tape it onto the machine.

Timo, the Baratza Vario is marketed as the Mahkonig Vario in the UK, which is where the OP is located.

See: http://www.coffeehit.co.uk/PRD_ProductD ... so-Grinder

Quickmill Alexia/PID and Baratza Vario grinder. Best bang for the buck with the smallest fooprint.

I'll take the single boiler PID stability and lower price of the Alexia over the expensive HX machine suggestions (Elektra, Olympia). Although they are beautiful machines.

You lose a bit of steaming speed, but to be honest, most home Baristas can't keep up with a HX or DB machine anyway.

If the steaming speed of a DB and small footprint is what you are looking for, then the Dalla Corte Mini is probably your best choice. But you'll pay double the price of the Alexia (for essentially quicker milk drink production).

Requested comment qualifier: I've owned a single boiler, E-61 HX and presently a DB and have tried both the Quickmill and Vario which I recommend. I have also insulted Starbucks, had my roaster catch fire and disassembled a Mazzer blindfolded. But most importantly........ I have no coffee industry affiliations.

timo888 wrote: "Good Taste, We Gots It, We Does".

Brilliant! I'm going to etch that onto the panels of my Lusso and on my front door. That is just too funny. I love it!

michaelbenis wrote:I'd happily go with either of the latter suggestions. Maybe what your wife thinks of the looks/heat issues will decide.

The Maximatic is sold in the UK by Reiss Gunson of Londinium Espresso (londiniumespresso.com) and he is very enthusiastic about the machines and offers great service. He may even be able to hook you a demo.

The Maximatic is very quiet for a domestic vibe pump machine.

If you go for the Elektra, get it either through Ferraris in Wales or direct from Italy through coffeeitalia.co.uk

A quiet, quick, small grinder that has been getting good write-ups is the Mahlkonig Vario in the UK (Baratza Vario in States). Your best bet for a UK purchase is Paul at coffeehit.co.uk

Cheers

Mike

Excellent, Michael. I made the mistake of ignortance regarding the DITTING/MAHLKONIG version of the Baratza, and got soundly (and deservedly) chastised!

timo888 wrote:Alternate reality check.

People mean different things by "small" and "quiet". For example, many people would consider the Silvia a small machine. My wife thought it was a huge eyesore on the kitchen counter, and preferred the sound of roadwork to the noise the machine's pump made.

A truly small quality grinder (with "infinite" rather than "stepped" adjustment) is made by this company

http://www.eureka.co.it/prodotti/mignon_fam.php

It has been sold here in the States by Nuova Simonelli as their MCF and MCI (doserless) models. It is only 32.4cm high. The "small" Mahlkönig Vario is slightly over 55cm high, the Baratza model is 37cm.

My "reality check' is that a neighbor has the MCF and it is a VERY messy grinder, no fun to clean and tricky to adjust. OLD technology. So is Mazzer, but that is a totally different class, albeit huge for the OP's desires.