Olympia Coffex espresso machine versus Olympia Express

[johnpvbfl]

I am new to this forum and notice this category for lever espresso machines, but I was given an Olympia Coffex automatic machine about 20 years ago as a wedding gift and have rarely used it. I'm thinking of selling it but have seen a lever machine (Olympia Express) selling on eBay for over $500, and new ones (Maximatic) are imported at over $2,000!!! So I'm reconsidering the sale but wanted to know if there's a big difference in how they make espresso.

Mine looks similar to the current Maximatic except for the pressure gauge:


Any thoughts or comments from the group is greatly appreciated!

[mogogear]

I am new to this forum and notice this category for lever espresso machines, but I was given an Olympia Coffex automatic machine about 20 years ago as a wedding gift and have rarely used it. I'm thinking of selling it but have seen a lever machine (Olympia Express) selling on eBay for over $500, and new ones (Maximatic) are imported at over $2,000!!! So I'm reconsidering the sale but wanted to know if there's a big difference in how they make espresso.

Mine looks similar to the current Maximatic except for the pressure gauge:
image: http://www.home-barista.com/forums/userpix/1196_olympia_maximatic_espresso_machines_small_1.jpg

Any thoughts or comments from the group is greatly appreciated!

Howdy,
I'm sure more learned types than I will give you some links but differences you ask?:

Yours-Button activated- pump driven espresso- by a set pump speed and pressure( of course grind and tamp pressure will have effect on all these)
Cremina- arm driven by variable speed and variable pressure

Yours- a Heat exchanger machine- albeit a simple one- (Read- HX) brew water is heated by passing through a tube , through the boiler. The pump driven water makes your espresso. The boiler is for your steam ( and to heat the pumped water). Two places to fill.
Cremina- Single boiler. The hot water , underpressure in the boiler is what is used to make the espresso. One place to fill.

Yours- bigger brew group and Portafilter? You decide
Cremina- smaller?You decide

blah blah blah ....... next

[HB]

So I'm reconsidering the sale but wanted to know if there's a big difference in how they make espresso.

Short answer: The Cremina is an espresso machine that uses steam to push water from the boiler to the grouphead chamber and then you create the requisite brew pressure by pressing down on a lever to drive a piston. The Cremina's group acts as a heat sink, so it's limited to 3-4 shots before it overheats, ideal for one or two people. The Maximatic / Coffex is a heat exchanger espresso machine that flash-heats water passing through the (steam) boiler to brew temperature; it's capable of continuous use, ideal for a crowd. Its pump produces the requisite brew pressure.

Long answer: The thread How do lever machines work? has more gritty details about levers versus heat exchangers, including pictures and diagrams:


Diagram of a typical lever machine from Poccina brochure (see page 8)


Espresso Machines 202 explains how heat exchangers work

Right answer: Which is better? Depends on your use and preferred style of espresso preparation.

[peacecup]

Right answer: Which is better? Depends on your use and preferred style of espresso preparation.

Yes, and while we're on the subject:

Yesterday I left my trusty lever machine at home, in a rush after a long weekend. I brewed on my backup machine, an old Estro Vapore (the pre Starbucks Barista), an entry-level, non-HX pump machine. First time I've used it for a few months, since getting the lever machine. The results? The Estro certainly produces longer-lasting crema (note: this is using the non-pressurized PF). Although I consistantly pull 100% crema shots with the lever machine, the crema rapidly dissipates to a 5-mm layer on top of the shot, whereas the Estro crema easily lasted until the shot was just a tasty memory. Anyone had similar experiences?

PC