ok Senior Member Joined: 31 May 2012 Posts: 2 Location: Work Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Thu May 31, 2012, 2:21am Subject: ECM Casa IV
Hi everyone,
I've been meaning to upgrade my Delonghi (yeah, I know..) machine for a while now. My first plan was to buy the well-reviewed, overly-discussed Rancilio combination - Silvia and Rocky.
However, when I called my local retailer he tried to convince my that there was a far better (if slightly more expensive) option - the ECM Casa IV. Being open to new ideas, I thought I'd do a bit of research. But here's the catch - hardly any reviews or info online! It's really anonymous compared to rock-star Silvia..
I figured it would be best to turn to the experts - any comments on this machine?
As far as my requirements go - approx. two cups of coffee a day, reasonable technical skills but don't want to have to work too hard for my coffee.
NobbyR Senior Member Joined: 10 Jul 2011 Posts: 1,661 Location: Germany Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Poccino Opus One, Ariete Grinder: Eureka Mignon Istantaneo,... Vac Pot: N/A Drip: Melitta Linea Unica de Luxe Roaster: N/A
Posted Thu May 31, 2012, 5:42am Subject: Re: ECM Casa IV
Welcome to CoffeeGeek!
Well, the Casa IV is German "Wertarbeit", and it's about the heaviest SBDU I know, really solid. The Silvia lacks any real innovation as of lately. But it's still a good machine.
*** "This drink of the Satan is so delicious that it would be a shame to leave it to the infidels." (Pope Clement VIII on coffee)
We drink espressos and lattes, two cups a day tops on weekdays. During weekends it can go up to 5-6 cups at the same time, when we have guests.
It's kind of hard for me to specify a budget, as the coffee machines here (in Israel) cost more than they do elsewhere. The offers I've received for both the Silvia and the Casa IV are fine, as far as budget goes.
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,772 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Tue Jun 5, 2012, 7:56am Subject: Re: ECM Casa IV
With 5 to 6 drinks at a setting, you firmly are in need of a machine that can pull shots and steam at the same time. Sylvia can not do this and you would very quickly be looking to upgrade out of a Sylvia or Casa IV if you bought one.
Most often, your needs fall into the world of Heat Exchanger (HX) machines. These are in a whole different class of machine than a SBDU (Single Boiler, Dual Use) machine such as the Sylvia or Casa IV.
Included in the step up to HX machines gives you bigger boilers, better temp stability, the ability to steam and pull shots at the same time and the ability to pull shots one after another without stopping. These machines have better quality parts and are in the semi commercial to commercial level.
Used, you may find an Oscar at a fair price ($500 to $650 U.S.) , in the U.S. these are NEW at about $1K and HX machines can go up, way up from there. You will need a good grinder to go with it.
NobbyR Senior Member Joined: 10 Jul 2011 Posts: 1,661 Location: Germany Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Poccino Opus One, Ariete Grinder: Eureka Mignon Istantaneo,... Vac Pot: N/A Drip: Melitta Linea Unica de Luxe Roaster: N/A
Posted Thu Jun 14, 2012, 2:43am Subject: Re: ECM Casa IV
calblacksmith Said:
With 5 to 6 drinks at a setting, you firmly are in need of a machine that can pull shots and steam at the same time. Sylvia can not do this and you would very quickly be looking to upgrade out of a Sylvia or Casa IV if you bought one ...
That's right. As an alternative to an entry level HX machine like the Nuova Simonelli Oscar, you might take a look at the QuickMill Silvano which has thermoblock enhanced steaming and a second pump in order to allow simultaneous brewing and frothing milk. However, I don't know if that machine is available in Israel.
If you gave us a hint what your maximum budget is, including the grinder, we could give better advise what to look for.
*** "This drink of the Satan is so delicious that it would be a shame to leave it to the infidels." (Pope Clement VIII on coffee)
Juanca Senior Member Joined: 15 Oct 2012 Posts: 1 Location: finland Expertise: Professional
Posted Mon Oct 15, 2012, 1:58pm Subject: Re: ECM Casa IV
We did some performance test of ECM Casa some months ago and we used Rancilio Silvia as a reference point. The results can be found at Click Here (www.cafetoria.fi)
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