lot49 Senior Member Joined: 7 Dec 2007 Posts: 8 Location: US Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sun Dec 9, 2007, 8:31pm Subject: dear coffee gods: $200 grinder, $400 machine
I've been pouring through the forums, but now I'm having a hard time making that final decision. I am pretty much a beginner to making espresso, although I have pulled a fair number of shots from my office machine. The machine is going to be given as a gift (to my wife), but I probably will be doing most of the barista work (I'm the designated handler of all things coffee). We like espresso and lattes equally.
For the machine, the difficulties begin. At this point, I am strongly leaning towards the Solis sl-70 due to priorities 1, 2 and 4. I am also of course considering the range of Gaggia machines. I gather they don't steam as well as the Solis, so that is a pretty important minus. Silvia of course was considered as well, but she is too pricey and finicky for my circumstance.
My budget on the machine is a loose $400. I would go up to $500 if any of my priorities could be improved.
Are there other machines I should consider in this price range?
Note: I have seen a few of cg member Obvious' posts around when I bought my Elli and I spoke with Dave, the previous owner of the machine. It seems like it has been well cared for. I would be happy to help you along the way, as many others were happy to help me, if you indeed purchase an Elli.
Posted Sun Dec 9, 2007, 10:30pm Subject: Re: dear coffee gods: $200 grinder, $400 machine
I'd like to email you but I cannot. Better to leave it blank.
BTW Welcome to coffeegeek. Lots of decent choices but the ellimatic would seem a good one because of your desire for microfrothed steamed milk. (The solis does make it easy though as long as your needs are moderate) While buying from a member of this community should be more reliable, ellimatics do turn up on ebay as well
Regulator Johnson's office pulsar also seems like a good value. You can get a used omega thermocouple reader on ebay and just get to great espresso and thermal control mmediately!
I might put the shot quality and cute factor of one of the small trespade-based conicals especially the Ascaso I2 or a nemox lux modded to stepless up against the tranquillo, but the tranquilo is a beast!
That machine is certainly quite pleasing to the eye. I actually came across it earlier in my search, but there isn't a lot of info out there for it. There is one consumer review, which is quite positive. Also, on 1st-line the buyer feedback is positive as well. Do you have any experience with the machine, or have a better feel for its reputation? My feeling is that on looks (priority 3) it has the solis beat hands down, but on the others I don't know enough to form an opinion.
How is that grinder compared to the Cunill? Everyone seems to make clear that a good grinder is essential. I wouldn't want to take a step down in that department. The combo price is a very good price though, amazingly under budget!
Note: I have seen a few of cg member Obvious' posts around when I bought my Elli and I spoke with Dave, the previous owner of the machine. It seems like it has been well cared for. I would be happy to help you along the way, as many others were happy to help me, if you indeed purchase an Elli.
If I were buying for myself, this is probably what I would get. I'm a little hesitant though because as a gift I'm looking for a new or like-new appearance. Anything beyond minor cosmetic issues (unfortunately) won't work for me.
How is that grinder compared to the Cunill? Everyone seems to make clear that a good grinder is essential. I wouldn't want to take a step down in that department. The combo price is a very good price though, amazingly under budget!
I have not seen an MDF up close, but I've read that its adjustments are not quite as fine as those on the Tranquilo. Also, you have to live with a doser, like it or not.
I have not seen an MDF up close, but I've read that its adjustments are not quite as fine as those on the Tranquilo. Also, you have to live with a doser, like it or not.
Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit = No New Posts since last visit = Newest post
Forum Rules: No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards. No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum. No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum. Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards. Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics. Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies. Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies. Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts. Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings.
= No New Posts since last visit 