Your advice for a monastery & church - $1k machine

[Fr. John]

Hello, my first post here. I have been a member over at CG for several years but not a very active forum participant. This is part of a thread I started over there but thought, after finding this site, that I might get some additional help here.

After using my faithful SL70 for several years it has become evident that the machine is just too much work when preparing 5-10 milk drinks in a row, we have frequent guests and that many lattes in a row is a bit of a trick and a stretch on the Solis.

That said, I have a budget of no more than $1K.

I think I have it narrowed down to:

Expobar Office Lever
Quickmill Anita
Fiorenzato Bricoletta

Based on some of the advise I've received over at CF, I am leaning more towards the Bricoletta or Anita as it seems the Expobar is a bit high priced for what you get. I'm also a little biased towards the Anita because of the insulated boiler and lower electrical requirements, though these are not deal breakers.

I'd like comments or other suggestions.

Thanks for all your help!

[HB]

After using my faithful SL70 for several years it has become evident that the machine is just too much work when preparing 5-10 milk drinks in a row, we have frequent guests and that many lattes in a row is a bit of a trick and a stretch on the Solis.

The milk drinks are the killer. The Bricoletta has the highest wattage heating element and requires a 20A circuit. If you have the power available, that would be my choice for your latte-loving faithful. To be honest, a series of "super-sized" lattes will tax the capacity of any of the choices you list, but you'll still be miles ahead of your SL70.

[k7qz]

The other option might be a demo unit or one that has been returned after minimal use for whatever reason. Usually you can get a machine of this type for X-number of hundred dollars off the regular price. Thus you could potentially get a unit with more steaming oomph than the ones you have listed at a price near your kilobuck limit.

Might be worth a call to Chris at Chris Coffee to see if he has anything that might fit your requirements-

[Fr. John]

Thanks for the tips.

I think I will be calling Chris as I have dealt with him before on my Rocky grinder.

I have to admit, barring a refurb, that the Anita sounds like the best so far. I do have one major concern however after reading a thread here, that is the water capacity i.e a non-plumbed unit. I would prefer not to plumb (and can't obviously with the Anita) but I did read of at least person who said the HX takes more water and having to refill more often may be an issue. Can I expect to get 5-10 lattes without having to refill?

[Kristi]

No, that's a bit of a stretch. You could also consider a separate steam only unit. Use it to do the milk stuff and the SL70 to do the espresso side of it.

[Fr. John]

I have to admit, in all my searches I've never seen a separate steam unit, it does sound interesting. Who has them?

Nix that, I have seen them, after searching I was reminded. I don't think I could go backwards. Anyway, my biggest problem isn't steam from the Solis (it's pretty darn good) but the boiler. I have to wait sometimes 20-30 seconds between pulls, which racks up over several drinks.