I assume everyone must hear the same comments "Are you planning on running a cafe?".

With all the big expensive gear owned by people in this forum, is anybody willing to admit they went too far and would have been happier with their old smaller, simpler setup?

If you were do it all over, what would you settle with knowing what you know now?

I must admit that at times I look at my huge double boiler machine and giant Mazzer gumball machine and start thinking, "I only make 4 shots a day (max). What the hell was I thinking?"

Nope. No way.

I probably would do better with a machine such as the Alexia/PID, given that I make few milk drinks.

Endo wrote: "I only make 4 shots a day (max). What the hell was I thinking?"

geddouddamyhead, geddouddamyhead, gedddouddamyhead!

I do have to say that having the great huge 14 liter hot water heater on tap is a nice convenience, but I'd settle for a one-group that's allowed to run 24-7 without cryin' about it that doesn't, a. require three friends to lift, b. heat the entire kitchen (except in winter!) and, c. block access to most of a pair of kitchen cabinets.

I just swapped my Silvia setup with my Tin Man Factory setup at my GF's house. Does that count?

sweaner wrote:I probably would do better with a machine such as the Alexia/PID, given that I make few milk drinks.

Funny you should say that.

Knowing what I know now, I would stop at a Alexia/PID and a Baratza Vario combo. Small footprint. No overkill. Great taste. Half the price.

My milk drinks would slow down but heck.... the guests are happy with drip as long as it's topped with whipped cream.

Wives (it's mostly wives) provide a much-needed reality check before stupid purchases. I would bet good money that the kitchen counters of most married coffee nuts look way different from those of their single brethren.

Marshall wrote:I would bet good money that the kitchen counters of most married coffee nuts look way different from those of their single brethren.

They're cleaner, and fewer motorcycle/bicycle repair tools and empty beer bottles on them? Cookbooks instead of repair manuals and hardware catalogs?

Sucker bet Marshal, no fair! ; >


Oddly enough, though, my GF has sacrificed enough counter space to bake a cake on for my Silvia Rocky combo, (recently replaced, see above post) and has made no comment about it even though the new roommate doesn't drink coffee, and she's had to give it up in favour of tea.

Marshall wrote:I would bet good money that the kitchen counters of most married coffee nuts look way different from those of their single brethren.

My coffee stuff moved off the kitchen counter to a dedicated bar before I met my wife, and now we just keep it that way. Moving into a new house allowed me to upgrade the whole bar area (the wife was totally on board for it). But now she thinks I should trade the stainless table for a finished wood cabinet-bar with a granite top to match the rest of the kitchen (I have an amazing, awesome, fabulous wife ).

I've happily had the same machine for almost 4 years, and if I had wanted to downgrade I could have done so by now. We entertain frequently so it's nice for me to have a plumbed in HX machine, makes lovely hot chocolate for the kids too. The only move I could see for myself would be a plumbed-in single group DB machine (maybe a Synesso? or perhaps a paddle group Linea?).

Downgrade? Probably not for me.
I have a smaller HX on the shelf in the pantry for a backup. It's nice (Olympia/Pasquini Livietta) but I wouldn't trade my Wega for it. That would leave my 6-foot long espresso bar looking kinda empty.

Endo wrote:I must admit that at times I look at my huge double boiler machine and giant Mazzer gumball machine and start thinking, "I only make 4 shots a day (max). What the hell was I thinking?"

Make singles. Then you're making 8 shots a day. For making that much you certainly need fancy equipment.

I make enough milk drinks that a Silvia or the like would be extremely annoying. When I was deciding which machine to buy, it was pretty much down to either an HX like the Andreja Premium, or a Duetto/Mini Vivaldi. The difference between $1700 and $2300 isn't TOO bad -- they're both pretty damn expensive.

I am happy I went with the dual boiler Duetto. I can leave the machine on all day and make espresso whenever I want. The steam boiler heats up in less than 10 minutes if anyone wants a milk drink. Plus, I don't have to worry about temperature control, but that wasn't a huge factor when I purchased the machine.

I don't really consider the Vivaldi huge, two Majors & the S1 only take up 3.5' of counter space. If I could do it all over again the only thing I'd do differently is skip the M4/SJ progression & go directly to the dueling Majors!

Downgrade? Nope, not in the cards for me. Probably one of the FEW perks of being single is the space and time spent with my gear..Other then that there arent too many perks i can think of.

Personally Im not a bilk milk guy..And the PID'd Alexia has crossed my mind more times then I care to admit. But I entertain enough to need the steam at my disposal. But even though i do love my current setup.. Im already passed the planning/thinking stages of upgrade-itis.. Ive moved onto the saving/researching stage.

Planning on upgrading to a plumbed in single group. Considering Either a GS/3, a Linea, or even a Cyncra. In that Order. Also going to add a large conical, and keep the major. Grinder is looking like a Kony, or the M7k, again, in that order. Since selling the Anita wouldn't contribute enough to the wallet, it will likely stay on as a backup/travel machine. Id say Anita makes a nicer backup then my Classic, no?

So no, downgrad-itis isn't a worry of mine

I know a couple folks who posted here a great deal a couple years ago that have decided on one machine and grinder.
I know that, if I were married my kit would be different. I usually change between machines on a week by week basis. That, with an occasional foray into mokas and vacuum pots. In a few years when I have to down size my living circumstances due to age related problems, much of my kit will be sold off so I can have all that remains on a foot and a half of counter. I am not yet sure what machines they will be. But great pulls and great grinding will be paramount.
-Richard

No way I would downgrade. The Duetto/Mazzer mini combo is a dream in our kitchen. Of course, hubby and I share a passion for coffee, so we were more than happy to give up our counter space. We originally upgraded from a Krups to a Duetto, so going back to it would be unimaginable. Plus, having a higher end espresso machine/grinder has furthered my appreciation of quality over quantity...a homemade 2 oz doubleshot over a 20 oz latte with a foam hockey puck any day.

Don't worry, you're worth it.

No - I wouldn't downgrade. Having a few different machines, some very simple, some more complex is part of what makes it interesting for me.

No way to downgrade I am thinking of Mazzer Robur + La Marzocco GB5 two group in the future

I went a bit nuts on the grinder end of things this past winter (Robur doserless, Major doserless) and would / will back off. The Robur is going to find a new home unless I start making a couple hundred coffees a day in the near future. I'll wait a year or so to see what new developments come about and then start the search for a smaller top notch grinder, the Versalab maybe. I'm still looking to upgrade my machines over the next year or so.

Wow. Everyone seems to be moving in only one direction. Good for the economy I guess.

One thing that struck me was that with a simple machine like a $1100 Alexia/PID is you basically get the equivalent of something like the Alex Duetto II, but with reduced steam capability. The espresso taste is identical.

So basically you're paying an extra $1200 for faster milk drinks (which most people claim is only for the wife or guests). That's a LOT for a slightly faster milk bubbler.

On the grinder side, several people claim the Vario can match the taste of the higher end Mazzers, but at half the price, half the size and with cleaner delivery. So why not "downgrade" to the Vario?

So, I still don't get it. Why not downgrade? Seems the whole package would cost half the price, take half the space and deliver close to the same thing. Unless you are a Latte maniac or "die-hard" espresso hobbyist, the only other reasons I can see for people investing that much cash and counter space is for kitchen bragging rights, rich newbie misdirection, or barista wanna-be clout.

Endo wrote:...the only other reasons I can see for people investing that much cash and counter space is for kitchen bragging rights, rich newbie misdirection, or barista wanna-be clout.

Quite the trollish-type of post if you ask me.
The thread kinda started out that way, but this last effort seems designed to incite.


Since you seem so convinced, how's about you go ahead and downgrade your own equipment and then come back here after 1 full year of use and report on your overall satisfaction with the espresso making experience in your home.

You're right. Troll-speak is the only language I know Don't worry, I now have it covered in my signature disclaimer seen below.