Looking for a Dual Boiler Espresso Machine with a tank... - Page 2

[malachi]

Someone I know who is very experienced and well-versed in the world of home espresso...and very dialed-in...is aware of my machine search and sent me the following simple, unsolicited message today:

"If you can get the Brewtus, there really is no need to continue shopping."

Very interesting... :idea:

interesting - but not entirely true unless you are setting your max price at the price of the Brewtus.

[zin1953]

interesting - but not entirely true unless you are setting your max price at the price of the Brewtus.

Any suggestions, Chris? This side of a single-group Linea (or eventual home model)? Any that don't require being plumbed-in?

[zin1953]

Susan,

Congratulations, indeed! I wish I could get the S1, but we will need to remodel the kitchen to do so, and that's not feasible at the moment . . . and the only place where the machine would/could go now is at the wall that would be knocked out when we remodel. ($#!+) But when we eventually DO remodel, we'll have a large, empty island ourselves!

Cheers,
Jason

[malachi]

Why the requirement to not be plumbed (out of curiosity)?

I assume you've looked at the obvious ones (the S1 and the Techno). Then, of course, there are the current dream machines like the Cyncra and the GS3 and the Speedster.

[emperorma]

interesting - but not entirely true unless you are setting your max price at the price of the Brewtus.

Nope...I could probably go $2,500. But the one restriction I do have is it can't be plumbed in. He was aware of that restriction.

[zin1953]

Headed that way myself . . .

[halocoffee]

You married?

Not an option without a full kitchen remodel means "not an option without a full kitchen remodel."

Understood. However, sometimes "not an option" means that the person hasn't thought through all the possibilities. It could also mean that you thought the S1 needed a drain as well as the supply. For me, I didn't think I could have a plumbed-in machine because I was thinking plumbed = supply + drain. I've been using the S1 in the corner of my kitchen where there is some extra depth for me to hide a 1 gallon jug that the S1 draws from. So, at this point I'm not using the S1 in a plumbed in mode at all. At some point I'll try to hook it into the water supply so I can nix the jug.

As for the spouse thing, it took my wife a while to get used to a machine the size of a Silvia, then a while to get used to the Livia, and lucky for me she is used to it now so the S1 and a Mazzer Mini don't bother her. It didn't happen all at once though, let me tell you. If I would have brought home an S1 and a Mazzer as my first machine combo, she wouldn't have gone for it.

Another reason I put in my 2 cents about the S1 was that someone thought they might have to re-wire in order to be compatible with the 20 amp version of the S1. I have the 20 amp version and have just made an adaptor for it to plug into my normal 15 amp plug. I've never had a problem with it working, and I take it to dozens of houses because I have an espresso catering business (this is why I've had so many machines over the years).

The other thing about the S1 is that it has a rotary pump. For me, I got tired of listening to the different vibe-pump machines I've had. The S1 is amazingly quiet, and I appreciate it every time I press the 'brew' button.

Also, and I think I mentioned this before, the S1 has fantastic steaming power and quick recovery. I've used it to cater events with over 200 people, and it can crank out drinks for hours and hours. The boiler is big enough to deliver serious steaming power, and to regain that power very quickly. None of my smaller machines were even in the same ballpark, including the Livia. Most of the $1000 - $1500 home machines have vibe pumps and boilers of less than 2 liters. So to me, compared to what I am used to with the S1 and the Astra, those other machines are noisy and under-powered.

I'm sincerely trying to encourage all those on the fence to consider spending an extra $200 or whatever to get an S1 because then you will be able to better avoid upgrade-itis. From reading alt.coffee for years, I know that many many people with vibe machines 'lay awake nights' wondering if a rotary machine would improve their shots. I know I did. I also know that most people at our level of espresso addiction want to make latte art. The steaming power of the S1 makes this a piece of cake.

Anyway, I'm sure the brewtus is a fine machine, but at $200 more, the S1 offers two significant improvements which make it a much better buy if you can swing the space requirements.

[HB]

There's not a lot of information about this espresso machine, so rather than split the limited discussion among threads, I've merged them under Dalla Corte Mini.