I was on the fence for so long I have a chain link pattern on my butt.
Finally had the cash for the Andreja Premium I've been lusting over for a year. But then, after revisiting all the forum posts and reviews I started getting cold feet. Should I get a DB system? I was back and forth reading articles, some people trashing HX systems and other people saying they're no problem and very easy to work with.

Understand, I'm coming from using a LP Europiccola. The shots are OK, but the really good ones (for me) are more about luck. I want more consistency, and less guesswork. With the LP I have a short window to work with before it overheats, and well, I have to go to work and stuff.

So I start looking at the DB's and then I start thinking about how part of the learning and guesswork is fun. I don't want it to be too easy. It's one of the reasons I got the lever in the first place.

Anyway, I ended up with a compromise, and got an Andreja PID'd from dave @ hitechespresso. I can't wait to get her! There's so much great information here. I believe it really helped me make the best decision.

So, for all you seasoned HX pros out there I have a question:
What is the most important thing you know now, that you wish you had known at the beginning of your HX adventure?

Well, hopefully the answer isn't: "I wish I'd bought a double boiler machine."

Having very limited experience prior to purchase, the one thing I wished I had known beforehand now was just how much the flushing technique was an altogether different method of temperature management.

That said, my HX requires substantial cooling flushes (6 oz. start, 2-3 oz. in between) when compared to some others. I feel a twinge of guilt every time I flush so much water. The flipside is that I got my machine at what I consider to be a very good price, it has commonly available and inexpensive replacement parts, and it produces great results.

The only conceivable upgrade for me was to a lever, and I made that jump recently. For now, Silvia is retired to my basement workbench after having been completely emptied, and my HX and lever share countertop space while I continue to learn more about the lever and do more comparisons.

-s.

hudsterboy wrote:What is the most important thing you know now, that you wish you had known at the beginning of your HX adventure?

"Why did I keep my Gaggia for 25+ years?"

Seriously, I have three HX machines -- a 1989 Olympia Caffarex semi-automatic, an Ala di Vittoria La Valentina auto, and an Elektra "Sixties" T1 auto -- and I have ZERO desire to go the DB route, and have been extremely pleased with the shots I pull . . . The Elektra in particular is a joy to use every day.

Cheers,
Jason

NickA wrote:Well, hopefully the answer isn't: "I wish I'd bought a double boiler machine."

Especially when Dave had a PID'd Domobar for $100 less.
I think I just had my heart set on the Andreja.

zin1953 wrote:Seriously, I have three HX machines -- a 1989 Olympia Caffarex semi-automatic, an Ala di Vittoria La Valentina auto, and an Elektra "Sixties" T1 auto

Not to thread-jack, but I'd be really curious to hear your thoughts on how these three are alike or different with respect to taste, ergonomics, and general usage.

-s.

That I need a good grinder!

And no, the old grinder will not be OK for a while!

NickA wrote:Well, hopefully the answer isn't: "I wish I'd bought a double boiler machine."

Swing wrote:Well, hopefully the answer isn't: "I wish I'd bought a couple of Creminas..

We each have our own path.

I bought a a 1983 Cremina - sent it to Orphan to be rebuilt. While it was being rebuilt, I bought a Vivaldi S1, V2.

Used the Vivaldi a whole lot at first, the Cremina very little. Kept reading on the Cremina, varying my technique - getting to where I get more and more out of the Cremina.

Then I saw a 2005 Cremina for sale and jumped on it.

Now, I've noticed that I am using a Cremina far more than I use the Vivaldi - so I'm thinking of selling the Vivaldi.

Probably will when I finish taking care of some details on the 2005 Cremina.

I'm really glad I tried the S1, V2. It's a really nice machine - but the Cremina fits my niche better. But, I didn't know until I tried.

It's a journey, not a destination.

We all have different needs, styles, tastes, etc. No one answer here fits everyone.

A plumbed in machine is very nice, but a drain to a catch bucket can overflow if you do not keep an eye on it. I have several machine, some plumbed some not. Each has its place but in the house, having a plumbed in rotary machine is soooo nice. No more filling tanks, Just have to remember to occasional dump the drain bucket. Almost forgot, quit worrying. A year from now you will not even remember the price, just how much you like your espresso.