Minimum left side clearance for these espresso machines?

[richardsaddiction]

I am well along the way in laying plans for a significant machine upgrade and am leaning strongly towards the entry level HX class machines. Footprint is a real constraint for us and the ideal location for a machine in my kitchen is on the left side of a counter against a flush wall. All of these machines have the steam wand on the left side unfortunately. My current one (Estro Vapore-gasp...) is light enough to pull out away from the wall when used, but I assume that this will not be the case with a larger machine.

So... What is the minimum left side clearance to be able to comfortably steam with the following machines :

Expobar Office Pulser
Quickmill Anita
Quickmill Alexia (not HX but that 9" width is very attractive)

and are there any other HX's that would work better in this configuration that I am overlooking.

Thanks for your opinions,
Richard

[wildlyesoteric]

You'll probably want it 4-5" away from the wall

[ccfore]

Richard, I have a relatively large and heavy machine in the Astra Gourmet Auto Pourover (95 pounds) and had a similar problem as this machine is quite tall and left no clearance from the upper cabinets when it came time to fill it with water. (It is set-up as a pourover right now) My solution was to purchase a product that you can cut to size that is used on the bottom of furniture or other items to keep from scratching floors or counter-tops. It is self-adhesive on one side, so I cut it to fit the bottom of all four feet on my machine. Now when I have to slide it out a little sideways to fill, it is quite easy and really takes no effort whatsoever. After filling, I slide it back into place. This might be another option if you have alittle room to pull it out, plus won't limit your choices on machines either.

[wildlyesoteric]

Richard, I have a relatively large and heavy machine in the Astra Gourmet Auto Pourover (95 pounds) and had a similar problem as this machine is quite tall and left no clearance from the upper cabinets when it came time to fill it with water. (It is set-up as a pourover right now) My solution was to purchase a product that you can cut to size that is used on the bottom of furniture or other items to keep from scratching floors or counter-tops. It is self-adhesive on one side, so I cut it to fit the bottom of all four feet on my machine. Now when I have to slide it out a little sideways to fill, it is quite easy and really takes no effort whatsoever. After filling, I slide it back into place. This might be another option if you have alittle room to pull it out, plus won't limit your choices on machines either.

Hell, you could rig up some cabinet sliders and pull it out like a drawer.. that'd be smooth.

[jesawdy]

So... What is the minimum left side clearance to be able to comfortably steam with the following machines :

Expobar Office Pulser
Quickmill Anita
Quickmill Alexia (not HX but that 9" width is very attractive)

The Anita and Alexia steam wand positions look to be about the same. You only need approximately the width of your pitcher. With a full pitcher, you'd prefer to pull the pitcher down and to the left of the drip tray, but when you are actually steaming, you can position the pitcher mostly over the drip tray and keep yourself from being crammed in your corner or whatever. Another option might be to have the machine slightly askew to afford a little more room to the front left side of the machine,