What about the new Fiorenzato Colombina?

[poison]

Heh, fess up! What's going on here? Stats, stat!!!

[another_jim]

Heh, fess up! What's going on here? Stats, stat!!!

??????

[cannonfodder]

You sniffing glue or is there a point behind this?

[poison]

No, I want info on their new $800 machine, from anyone whos got some.

[Mark08859]

No, I want info on their new $800 machine, from anyone whos got some.

Ditto. 1st Line references the Fiorenzato Colombina as their replacement for the Quickmill Eliane. Yet, there is no info posted. A google search reveals nothing. The Fiorenzato website doesn't even list this machine. Therefore, curiosity reigns.

[poison]

Yee-haw, they're (yes, THEY'RE) up ast 1st line!!!!

http://www.1st-line.com/machines/home_mod/fiorenzato/index.htm

[zak42]

I'm curious, what's the attraction of a $800 single boiler machine ?

[poison]

To me, nothing. To others, if you only brew a shot of espresso for yourself, it's perfect: E61, auto boiler-refill, etc. I was curious what Fiorenzato would put out in that range.

The Voltare (sp?) seems to be a conservatively styled Bric. Which is good: maybe they'll blow out the Brics now.

[RapidCoffee]

Any significant differences between the Volante and the older Bric? A quick glimpse at the Website shows a different shell (straight vs. fluted SS) and the addition of a brew pressure gauge, for an extra $100.

[whodat]

I'm curious, what's the attraction of a $800 single boiler machine ?

If I understand the blurb correctly, it's E-61 but not HX (similar to the old Isomac Zaffiro/Amica). This may be a drag if you do a lot of steaming (because you have to wait for the boiler to heat up further), but if all you do is pull shots there's less of an issue with needing to pull "cooling flushes"; the water in the boiler isn't superheated. The Zaffiro/Amica had the reputation of being great machines for the "espresso purist".

My question (I think this would count as taking the thread on the scenic route to its initial destination, rather than hijacking it) is, in an HX machine water for shots is coming from the reservoir ( & getting flash heated within the HX), not the boiler. In a machine like the Colombina, it would have to come from the boiler. If you are only pulling a couple of shots a day, would an HX machine be preferable to the Colombina because it's easier to change the water in the reservoir on a frequent basis than it is to drain & refill the boiler? With the Colombina or similar machines you would be getting shots made with water that might have been there for ages (I don't know how often one is supposed to drain the boiler).

[Mark08859]

Now that the Colombina is almost here, hopefully 1st Line can put it through some paces. I'd like to know how it eventually stacks up to the Isomac Hexagon. Both machines are in the same "school of thought".

I'm curious, what's the attraction of a $800 single boiler machine ?

I can only answer for me. 1. I don't do a lot of milk-based drinks. Waiting 2 minutes to make the occasional latte or a cappa is fine with me. 2. I don't wish to do the extensive temp surfing required by an HX. Just a quirk of mine. 3. The price of a dual boiler machine is more than I'm prepared to spend right now.

Since it's pretty much straight shots, a single boiler non-HX machine should serve well. Again, this is just for me. Others may sing the praises of their machines, and that is fine for them. I'm not trying to start a thread of what's better, just stating what meets my particular needs.

[Marshall]

Great concept. But, what were they thinking of when they stuck the steam knob between the wand and the brewhead? Oh, yeah. That it will never be used.

Still, I'd keep a jar of burn salve nearby.

[HB]

But, what were they thinking of when they stuck the steam knob between the wand and the brewhead?

I think the angle of the Colombina photograph makes it appear as if the knob is crowded between the steam arm and brewhead, but I think it's the same setup as the Volante. However, the Colombina's location of the water and steam toggle switches suggest you better plan on using your left hand (evidently the purpose of the black plastic E61 "mini chapeau" is to safeguard right-handed baristas who are absentminded).


Image courtesy of 1st-line equipment

[1st-line]

I think the angle of the Colombina photograph makes it appear as if the knob is crowded between the steam arm and brewhead, but I think it's the same setup as the Volante. However, the Colombina's location of the water and steam toggle switches suggest you better plan on using your left hand (evidently the purpose of the black plastic E61 "mini chapeau" is to safeguard right-handed baristas who are absentminded).

Dan,

Your inference is correct on the knob location. The push button switches are actually pretty easy to press in.

[1st-line]

Any significant differences between the Volante and the older Bric? A quick glimpse at the Website shows a different shell (straight vs. fluted SS) and the addition of a brew pressure gauge, for an extra $100.

The Faema gauges are also larger than the standard one found on the original Bricoletta.