Vetrano vs. Bricoletta vs. ?? - Page 3

[mrosco]

Matt I read the same article you did and interpreted it slightly differently. At the end of the day the article compares the machine and quality of espresso to the Linea and Mistral. The espresso quality scores better than the stock linea and as well as the modified linea. The Andreja article compares the machine to others in its class, non professional. The Vetrano may or may not produce espresso of the same quality as the Bricc (we'll know soon) but it's also $150 more right now soon to be $200. Most of the cited concerns with the Bricc can be swapped out for the price difference and IMHO it's a much better looking machine (based on the few pics I've seen). I guess that's why I bought one......

[matt]

Matt I read the same article you did and interpreted it slightly differently. At the end of the day the article compares the machine and quality of espresso to the Linea and Mistral. The espresso quality scores better than the stock linea and as well as the modified linea. The Andreja article compares the machine to others in its class, non professional. The Vetrano may or may not produce espresso of the same quality as the Bricc (we'll know soon) but it's also $150 more right now soon to be $200. Most of the cited concerns with the Bricc can be swaped out for the price difference and IMHO it's a much better looking machine (based on the few pics I've seen). I guess that's why I bought one......

Actually, I agree with you. Don't get me wrong -- I'm not trying to say that both can't make amazing coffee. The Bric review makes that clear, and honestly the differences between the two machines -- as far as quality in the cup goes -- are minute compared to barista skill. I'm sure some folks are already thinking we're spending too much effort on machine details. The only reason I enumerate the differences is because, when it comes to $1200, we might as well be aware of the minutae. That's a lot of money.
As far as those minutae are concerned, I agree with you as well. I prefer the Bric's appearance, and most of the differences can be equalized for less than the $150 price difference. The only exception is the power issue, which is what started this side topic. As important as an espresso machine is, I'm not sure I can justify removing the refrigerator. Call me undedicated...

[miKe mcKoffee]

The only exception is the power issue, which is what started this side topic. As important as an espresso machine is, I'm not sure I can justify removing the refrigerator. Call me undedicated...

Fed with a power cord looking thick enough for a small arc welder, 16mm thick versus Silvia's 8mm! (UPS just delivered my Bric' today) Now to figure out my setup challenge with the Bric', not power but drain. (discussed with Chris in advance so not a surprise) Bric' comes with both drain and non-drain drip tray but no way for the over pressure hose to go in to non-drain tray without drilling a hole in front face of Bric' above tray...temporarily thinking to run a longer hose and just hang it into the sink. Now that is a stupid design flaw IMO! Suppose really need to bite the bullet and drill another (bigger) hole in the countertop for the drain.

[skyryders90]

Fed with a power cord looking thick enough for a small arc welder, 16mm thick versus Silvia's 8mm! (UPS just delivered my Bric' today) Now to figure out my setup challenge with the Bric', not power but drain. (discussed with Chris in advance so not a surprise) Bric' comes with both drain and non-drain drip tray but no way for the over pressure hose to go in to non-drain tray without drilling a hole in front face of Bric' above tray...temporarily thinking to run a longer hose and just hang it into the sink. Now that is a stupid design flaw IMO! Suppose really need to bite the bullet and drill another (bigger) hole in the countertop for the drain.

I don't think it's a design flaw - I don't the Bric was ever designed to run with a non-plumbed drip tray. My Bricc didn't come with one (also purchased from Chris). I think Chris is adding that, not the manufacturer. I run both the drain hose and the water hose through the same hole that is roughly 1" behind the machine.

[miKe mcKoffee]

I don't think it's a design flaw - I don't the Bric was ever designed to run with a non-plumbed drip tray. My Bricc didn't come with one (also purchased from Chris). I think Chris is adding that, not the manufacturer. I run both the drain hose and the water hose through the same hole that is roughly 1" behind the machine.

Doesn't look constructed "after market" in any way, just deeper with no hole in the bottom and taller grid. No matter. Too bad I didn't drill a bigger hole when I initially ran the waterline to auto-fill Miss Silvia. Wasn't thinking ahead...

On a side note, from pictures the SS corrugated wrap looked like it might be sorta flimsy, not. (And weighs 2241gr or 4lb 15.1oz ) Now back to Bric' pieces all over the kitchen (and avoiding the dirty looks Miss Silvia keeps giving me )

[malachi]

Fed with a power cord looking thick enough for a small arc welder, 16mm thick versus Silvia's 8mm! (UPS just delivered my Bric' today) Now to figure out my setup challenge with the Bric', not power but drain. (discussed with Chris in advance so not a surprise) Bric' comes with both drain and non-drain drip tray but no way for the over pressure hose to go in to non-drain tray without drilling a hole in front face of Bric' above tray...temporarily thinking to run a longer hose and just hang it into the sink. Now that is a stupid design flaw IMO! Suppose really need to bite the bullet and drill another (bigger) hole in the countertop for the drain.

Or just do what I do and run it into a 3 gallon carboy on the floor.
Or plug the drain in the tray...

For what it's worth... the one I reviewed didn't have an unplumbed drip tray either.

[mrosco]

I don't think it's a design flaw - I don't the Bric was ever designed to run with a non-plumbed drip tray. My Bricc didn't come with one (also purchased from Chris). I think Chris is adding that, not the manufacturer. I run both the drain hose and the water hose through the same hole that is roughly 1" behind the machine.

I bought the drain model from 1st-line and the drip tray empties into the overflow then the overflow has a drain on the side that's meant to be hooked up. I have plugs in both the drip tray and the overflow tray right now (until we redo the kitchen). The drip tray is small, I empty it after about 3 doubles with temp surfing and backflushing. The small overflow tray only needs to be emptied or cleaned every 3 days or so (about 12 shots a day usage). It's a pain now but I have to live with it....the wife wouldn't go for a bucket on the floor!':cry:'

[Balthazar_B]

The small overflow tray only needs to be emptied or cleaned every 3 days or so (about 12 shots a day usage). It's a pain now but I have to live with it....the wife wouldn't go for a bucket on the floor!':cry:'

Of course, you could always just feed the drain tube into the water inlet to the boiler...

[miKe mcKoffee]

Or just do what I do and run it into a 3 gallon carboy on the floor.
Or plug the drain in the tray...

For what it's worth... the one I reviewed didn't have an unplumbed drip tray either.

Carboy on the floor...such a bachelor solution, you forget I'm married and want to stay that way!

Currently all setup with little plastic catch removed, overflow tube extended running along the back of the counter hung into the sink, deeper tray with no plug.

Played around water only after initial setup. No leaks, put side cover and top back on. No flow pressure right on 9.75 bar. Boiler pressure about 1.3bar. Played a bit with surfing and Thermofilter a bit, now just letting it thoroughly warm up then off to pull some shots.

BTW, do you think Debi will notice a slightly different espresso machine on the counter No, she doesn't know yet Based on our previous twenty-five years married I'll think I'll live.

[miKe mcKoffee]

Of course, you could always just feed the drain tube into the water inlet to the boiler...

Be an interesting trick with direct plumbed rotary.

[Balthazar_B]

Be an interesting trick with direct plumbed rotary.

You'd just need a Flojet-type device with greater pressure than your plumbed-in line .

By the way, you are controlling the water pressure in your plumbed-in line, I hope...

[matt]

BTW, do you think Debi will notice a slightly different espresso machine on the counter No, she doesn't know yet Based on our previous twenty-five years married I'll think I'll live.

That's hilarious...nah, it blends right in. Luckily, you got a machine that looks just like Silvia...

[miKe mcKoffee]

By the way, you are controlling the water pressure in your plumbed-in line, I hope...

No.... When talking with Chris about the Bric' purchase I told him exactly what I had already plumbed, 1/4" copper with needle valves above and below counter. He said all I'd need is clean cut end on the line and slide right into the quick connect he'd supply.

Also I mentioned my 7grain water hardness and not having water softener, (I haven't been adjusting for Silvia and tastes great to me, just descaled her every 6 months or so as a preventative measure), and he said it's not really a problem, HX easy to descale.

After dialing in surf and go a bit via Thermofilter, just pulled a simply marvelous ristretto. Deeper darker crema than PID Silvia, and I think I'm starting to get it clarity wise! Don't know how much attributable to HX or E61 or rotary (or power of suggestion) but that may have been the best shot I've ever pulled at my house. Thermofilter says excellent intrashot BTW, didn't record actual numbers, but definitely better than boiler PID only Silvia. Be interesting to compare after further mods to Silvia.

I am not dissapointed!

(Even though a surfless dual boiler possibly still in the future, but I doubt I'll settle for any vibe model now. )