Upgrading from starbucks barista

[kat3]

Hi I have had a starbucks barista for about 5 years. I make a couple of americanos and usually at least one latte a day. I have a starbucks grinder and a Rossi rr45 commercial with a doser and tamper which does not fit this machine. What would be a good upgrade machine? I am thinking the Isomac Venus or the Alexia. Would these work with the commercial grinder? I am not a super handy person and the HX machines sound like they need alot of hands on.
thanks Kathy

[erics]

Random thoughts:

The two machines you mention have about a $200 price differential and each have some good features. I make only cappys with Silvia and I have grown accustomed to the 1 minute wait between pulling a shot and steaming and I would think you have also and that's good because the same wait will apply with either of your two selections.

Lately I have also toyed with the idea of upgrading from Silvia - there's a whole bunch of new machines on the market and some are very appealing. If I had one more person in my family who drank espresso, there would be no hesitation on an upgrade.

Of your two selections, my vote would go to Alexia but I see no reason why the Rossi grinder would not be a good fit for any machine.

And, of course, you can always give the Anita a look and go through the true fun of learning a hx machine (and delete that one minute wait in the process).

Eric S.

[jesawdy]

Kathy-

This recent thread might be a good read for you, Best machine under $1000... Super-Auto or Semi-Auto??. Marshall (Oenophile) settled on the Venus and is just getting started with it.

The Alexia looks like a nice machine, I'm not sure that anyone other than jchamb, has checked in at HB after purchasing one, see here.

This thread may also prove interesting, Worth PID'ing the Quickmill Alexia? was "Big Upgrade time". Craig (CyclingCraig), recently decided to go the HX route with an Anita.

You should already be set with the grinder that you have, so at least you have that covered.

[kat3]

Thank you both Eric and Jeff. It is good to know the grinder will work with a better machine. I did think about the Anita but am concerned these machines need more skill and willingness to play with temps then I have. I will keep reading if I decide on the Anita or a HX I will have to save some more. I am used to waiting in between steaming and espresso. The grinder I have the Rossi rr45 has a spot for a portafilter and it has a tamper. The starbucks pressurized does not fit. Do the portafilters from the Venus, Alexia, and Anita fit? I actually stick a measuring cup underneath to catch the grind now. It would be nice to grind directly into the portafilter.
thanks Kathy

[CyclingCraig]

Hey Kat3

I am the one that started the thread about PID'ing the Anita/Alexia mentioned above.

I had the $ Barista as well, and this is my first REAL machine. I ended up with the Anita (HX) and LOVE it. Here is a thread when I unpacked it

It is a big difference going from the Barista to a High end machine like what you are considering. As far as going "HX" I am so happy I did. It is GREAT just opening the steam valve RIGHT after pulling my espresso for my milk drinks. Also the Quality of the steam this machine produces is sooooo much better than the Barista, so steaming your milk is wayyy nicer.

As far as quality of espresso, this machine took a little while to get the hang of, but the quality of the liquid gold that it can produce is AMAZING in comparison to what you are working with right now.

Running the cooling flush and getting the hang of it is not that big a deal, and don't let that worry you, just read this "Loving HX" and watch the video on the "dancing water". Once the Water Dance stops, I count to 8, then Dose, Distribute, Tamp and pull.

Good luck and just ask if you have any questions.
-Craig

[jesawdy]

The grinder I have the Rossi rr45 has a spot for a portafilter and it has a tamper. The starbucks pressurized does not fit. Do the portafilters from the Venus, Alexia, and Anita fit? I actually stick a measuring cup underneath to catch the grind now. It would be nice to grind directly into the portafilter.

All the machines in question have a commercial-duty portafilter with 58mm baskets, so they will certainly fit in the forks of your Rossi. Most folks here use a hand held tamper to tamp their coffee in the portafilter, and not the tamper on the grinder. You will want to consider the purchase of a quality tamper when you decide on your new machine. See the HB Tamper Roadshow for some ideas.

You might continue to grind into a separate container (if you wish) and use the popular WDT to ensure a nice distribution of the coffee.

[heyduke]

If I was you I would go with the Anita. They are not as hard to learn to use as many people make them out to use. I have one and once I learned to get the grind and tamp right(about 1 week) I have had no trouble. It makes great latte's or any espresso type drink. The water dance is very easy to understand. Just watch and listen to the water coming our of your portafilter wait until the water quits boiling ..count to 5 or 6 and your ready.Very easy. Use fresh coffee..make a even tamp...get the grind right.

[kat3]

If I went with the Anita could I steam and pull shots at the same time? I will have to save a bit longer to get this one. Also whatever I get will not be plumbed in is the Anita easy to refill? Thanks for all the advice. One more question do the HX machines need more repair? I am in the Chicago area and I have internet searched no one seems to sell or fix these machines around here.
thanks Kathy

[annp]

If I went with the Anita could I steam and pull shots at the same time? I will have to save a bit longer to get this one. Also whatever I get will not be plumbed in is the Anita easy to refill? Thanks for all the advice. One more question do the HX machines need more repair? I am in the Chicago area and I have internet searched no one seems to sell or fix these machines around here.
thanks Kathy

I made the same upgrade path that you are considering. I had my Saeco (this is even before Starbucks branded it) for 10 years - and it made one trip from Atlanta to Seattle and back somewhere in there to Home Espresso repair for new seals.

Yes, you can steam and pull shots at the same time. Its a wonderful thing!

Yup, Anita has a water tank (reservoir) so you won't have to plumb in - and you'll empty the drip tray about the same way you do now.

Because Anita tucks neatly under my kitchen cabinet, I have white furniture sliders over her rubber feet so I can spin her easily around to refill the tank, or remove it for cleaning.

I won't say Anita needs more repair than my Saeco did, but I do more maintenance. I do a water backflush a couple of times a week and then a detergent flush once a month. Its not too hard. I also replace the seal in the group and the shower screen once every 6 months. And honestly, the shower screen doesnt really need it - I just figured since I have it out I might as well put another one in.

I also had to not be afraid to "get under the hood." I adjusted the brew pressure the first day I had Anita (I have one of the first ones shipped, so I have no idea if you even need to go there nowadays) and there were instructions, with pictures on Chris coffee site - plus Dan, who runs this site gave me really good information.

I'll be honest - I've had to replace my pressurestat and the magnetic float the sits in the tank. The pressurestat required tools and plumbers tape and a call to tech support at Chris Coffee. The float was pretty self explanatory.

So I won't say "oh yeah, you'll never have a problem," because people do. But I will say that compared to other things I've read about various HX machines, Anita is pretty trouble free for it's price class. And the coffee - compared to what I got from my old Saeco, is much better. Yes, you will spend more time learning. But once you do, you will be really pleased.

Ann

[heyduke]

My Anita sets under my kitchen cabinets also. To solve the problem of filling up the water tank I bought a long funnel from the WalMart auto section. It is suppose to be used for changing oil but works great for this also. This way I don't have to move it. If you buy the Anita I think you will learn to love it. Chris Coffee has a great reputation.

[jesawdy]

I will have to save a bit longer to get this one.

Not to push you, but most of the equipment sponsors here at HB often have returned machines (from their 30-day buyer's remorse return policy). A quick call to them might save you a good chunk of change.

Also, if you are concerned about getting things "under the hood" just right before you buy a machine like an Anita, have a conversation with the vendor beforehand. You can get the machine on their tech's bench, tweaked and/or upgraded before it is even sent to you.