Upgrading from a basic home espresso machine

[DC]

Hi all,

I started drinking espresso at home last August and thanks largely to this site my shots have improved dramatically. Like many though, I didn't do enough research at the beginning and I bought a Briel Artemis espresso machine. It's a single-boiler, 15-bar pump driven machine, retails for around £100. My next mistake was chickening out of buying a good grinder and instead getting a Dualit grinder.

In the intervening time I have made some modifications - i ditched the pressurised Briel filter baskets, replacing them with Solis non-pressurised ones, hacked the grinder to make it grind finer, and have sawn off the spouts to give me a naked pf - all of which helped massively in improving my shots. I think I'm at the limits of what these machines can do (which to be fair has been surprisingly good after the mods and much practice), so where is best to go next?

Espresso has definitely become a hobby for me, it's not just a passing fad, but I am very much still in the learning phase. I drink exclusively straight shots, with the odd cappuccino for family/friends. I'm not really bothered about the machine's looks. I was considering a Gaggia Classic/MDF combo, but I don't want to make the same mistake I made in the first place and if I'd be better off spending a bit more on better machines, I'm willing to do so. Seeing in this poll that most people go from Silvia-level machines to HXs, would I be better off going straight to that level of machine, or is that significantly more expensive?

Any advice on the level of machine which is best suited, and specific examples (which can be bought in the UK) would be appreciated.

Thanks very much,
Dave

[RapidCoffee]

Espresso has definitely become a hobby for me, it's not just a passing fad, but I am very much still in the learning phase. I drink exclusively straight shots, with the odd cappuccino for family/friends. I'm not really bothered about the machine's looks. I was considering a Gaggia Classic/MDF combo, but I don't want to make the same mistake I made in the first place and if I'd be better off spending a bit more on better machines, I'm willing to do so. Seeing in this poll that most people go from Silvia-level machines to HXs, would I be better off going straight to that level of machine, or is that significantly more expensive?

Any advice on the level of machine which is best suited, and specific examples (which can be bought in the UK) would be appreciated.

Hi Dave. Within budgetary constraints, your typical espresso drink will help determine your choice of machine. If you enjoy milk-based espresso beverages (cappuccinos, lattes) I'd urge you to consider an HX or double boiler machine. If you drink straight espresso shots most of the time, a better single boiler machine (such as Silvia), with greater thermal stability and a commercial-sized portafilter, would provide an upgrade over your Briel. Even better than Silvia (but more expensive) would be a single boiler with an E61 grouphead, such as the QuickMill Alexia or Isomac Zaffiro.

I'm not familiar with UK retailers, but a few minutes on the Web should produce plenty of options. Here is one place to start.
____
John

[DC]

Hi John

Thanks for the reply.

I looked long and hard at the Zaffiro, read the reviews here and on CG but in the end, with the need for a substantial upgrade on the grinder too, it was out of my price range (getting on for £800).

I went for Silvia&Rocky (with naked pf) as there have been some very good deals on them in Europe lately, and it arrived today. Only took three or four shots to dial-in and I am really shocked at the difference compared to my old machine! It's like drinking a different drink! So much more body, richness (I tried them side-by-side) Sorry to state the obvious, but when you've only heard what good machines can do, and not actually tasted what they can do, it comes as a bit of a surprise

Thanks again for the advice,

Dave