Information Overload. Please help me choose an espresso machine. - Page 3

[zin1953]

"Tink" = Tinkerbelle.

[Tink]

"Tink" = Tinkerbelle.

Yes, it is my cat's name

[CafSuperCharged]

Heidi,

I hope I did not confuse you too much with the wordplay. Later on I got aware Latin omen might be interpreted pejoratively in English, which it most likely was not amongst the old Romans.

I think I would like to limit my budget to $1300.

My second machine is a pod-only plastic thing in the 100-200 price range.
I bring it to my project desktop if facilities allow.
A short flush and there you go. My wife uses it and finds the coffee acceptable (better than the less successful shots I pull, not as good as the usually very good ones).
Personally, I have more difficulties with this device than my wife to get consistent results, with it.
But then she does lungos. Neither of us is into milk based drinks.

I'm looking at buying a macap m4 or mazzer mini grinder.

At a separate budget, I guess?

I just do not think my "needs" justify this level of machine.

You could decide you need to help your economy by having some money go back into circulation.

I like baking bread, gardening, canning and driving a manual transmission.

When about all cars in the US are automatic, I guess the other end of that shift stick is some Italian hot-rod? That your husband needed?

Longevity of equipment is important to me.

Commercial espresso machines will see a service mechanic twice a year probably. For routine checks, cleaning or adjustments. When you switch the machine off and on frequently, parts will expand/shrink each time, causing some wear, e.g. in seals between parts. In three years time, my HX machine needed one new vacuum breaker valve (a tiny rubber O-ring in it would have done, I was just not able to source a replacement O-ring rated at the temperature of the espresso machine); also, the seal between HX water inlet and steam boiler sprang a leak and the machine needed to be completely taken apart. The first repair I did myself ($10 replacement parts). The second I could have done myself, but had done by a mechanic who does commercial machines (10% of new price). Repairmen that had a look at the innards of this HX machine all remarked they were surprised to see the same parts they had on the big ones they service.
To me that maintenance and cost are very acceptable (in the past I had a Jura full automatic that had about 20% maintenance cost per year associated).

I have not ruled out pump machines, but I think unless I am really sacrificing quality I would like to keep it under $1300.

Maybe it is a good idea to read "Should I start using a lever espresso machine?" (should-i-start-using-lever-espresso-machine-t6708.html)

Regards
Peter
Netherlands
Europe