Cafophile Senior Member Joined: 3 Jul 2009 Posts: 3 Location: San Diego, CA Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Fri Jul 3, 2009, 7:55am Subject: HELP!!! In desperate need of machine advice!!!
OK, I've been using my FrancisFrancis X5 for the last 2 years with a pretty good deal of success for the last two years. I have gone from a total beginner to someone who can consistently pull a halfway decent shot and steam milk. I even got something once that loosely resembled latte art (but I'm pretty sure that was a total mistake...). Well, after two years of dependable service, my X5 rapidly declined, and this morning died. I think a thermostat went out a while back and burned up the machine. Anyway, with the economy the way it is, I need to find a replacement that will provide good espresso and steamed milk and that doesn't cost a lot. My X5 was purchased from the Illy at home program, but all of their current offerings are pod only (unless I go for the pasquini livietta for $$). I am considering the saeco via venezia (not thrilled about the pressurized portafilter), other that that I need some recomendations.
Posted Fri Jul 3, 2009, 8:53am Subject: Re: HELP!!! In desperate need of machine advice!!!
Have you read "How to Buy an Espresso Machine" ? It will help you narrow down your choices. The first two most important questions: What is your budget and what types/quanity of drinks do you want to prepare (espresso only, mix of espress/cappuccinos/other)?
Cafophile Senior Member Joined: 3 Jul 2009 Posts: 3 Location: San Diego, CA Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Fri Jul 3, 2009, 9:54am Subject: Re: HELP!!! In desperate need of machine advice!!!
I make 2 at a time usually, lattes cappuccinos...3 to 4 times per day...I also pull just plain shots...I have a capresso adjustable burr grinder that works great...As far as budget goes, it needs to be as little as I can get away with, at least as good as my X5, if I can...or close....I read all the info on this site before I bought the X5 so I know a lot about the types of machines...looking for some advice based on actual experience with different machines....
Zin1953 Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 1,689 Location: Berkeley, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 - La Valentina -... Grinder: Mahlkönig K30 Vario -... Vac Pot: no, Press Pot Drip: Chemex Roaster: No, no, not another...
Posted Fri Jul 3, 2009, 2:54pm Subject: Re: HELP!!! In desperate need of machine advice!!!
Cafophile Said:
I make 2 at a time usually, lattes cappuccinos...3 to 4 times per day...I also pull just plain shots...I have a capresso adjustable burr grinder that works great...
Hmmmm, most people here would say that a Capresso grinderdoes not "work great for espresso.
Cafophile Said:
As far as budget goes, it needs to be as little as I can get away with, at least as good as my X5, if I can...or close....I read all the info on this site before I bought the X5 so I know a lot about the types of machines...looking for some advice based on actual experience with different machines....
Well, the X5 is available at $649 -- and comes with a basket for pods, ad one for ground coffee. Why not simply buy another one?
It's always easy, Dan, to spend someone else's money, but for the price of an X5, I would buy a new Le'Lit PL041 for $299, and spend the remaining $350 on a used Mazzer Super Jolly. If you can't find one, can you pony up another $80, and get a new Baratza Vario for $429?
Cafophile Senior Member Joined: 3 Jul 2009 Posts: 3 Location: San Diego, CA Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Fri Jul 3, 2009, 3:34pm Subject: Re: HELP!!! In desperate need of machine advice!!!
I got the x5 through the illy at home program, so I only paid 150.00 for it. If it was an option, I would think about doing that again, but they are only offering the pod only machines in the lower price points. I'm looking for the least expensive dependable machine with a brass grouphead and portafilter. with the amount of shots I pull on a monthly basis the pods are just too expensive.
Zin1953 Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 1,689 Location: Berkeley, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 - La Valentina -... Grinder: Mahlkönig K30 Vario -... Vac Pot: no, Press Pot Drip: Chemex Roaster: No, no, not another...
Posted Fri Jul 3, 2009, 3:49pm Subject: Re: HELP!!! In desperate need of machine advice!!!
So let's be realistic. You mention an X5, which retails for $649, but for which you only paid $150 because you joined an Illy program. You mention a Pasquini Livetta, which retails for $1,075.
Can we be concrete, Dan? How much can you afford to spend? I am not saying that you have to spend thousands, nor am I trying to get you to spend more than you are comfortable with. But if $650 is too much money for a machine + grinder, then what CAN you afford?
Another_M_Prince Senior Member Joined: 23 Jun 2009 Posts: 23 Location: Oregon, USA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Krups steam, Novo 3000
Posted Fri Jul 3, 2009, 4:42pm Subject: Re: HELP!!! In desperate need of machine advice!!!
Well, it sounds to me that upgraditis has not taken the fore as your main goal; if that's the case then it doesn't matter how many of us would thumb our noses at your current grinder. For some, including me, it's hard to imagine being in the market for a new machine without wanting to go one better--including me! :-D However, if you're satisfied, or even just want to get just a little better without going to the next "level", power to you. I've been doing research for something in the 400 dollar range, and came to the realization that my current grinder--a Breville that is pretty much on par with yours--was my weak point. If you want to get a different grinder, I can share what my finalists were. If you want to stick with it, a PPF is not necessarily a BAD thing, and it doesn't mean that you won't get good shots. From what I understand, it just guarantees that you will have a layer of brown foam on top of your shot, some of which may or may not be real crema.
If you really don't want "fake" crema, I would say take a look at some of the machines that have a PPF that can be swapped out for a normal one. Examples are the Aroma, Via Veneto, Gran Crema, Via Venezia and SB Barista, all made by Saeco, and the Dream, Arc, Basic, Elipse, and Uno Special Edition models made by Ascaso. Gaggia has some options as well, but generally at a higher price.
Inevitably, a used Gaggia Classic, Baby, et al. will be suggested, and are good choices--with the condition given that your beans and grind are up to snuff.
If you were happy with what you were able to get from the X5 with your current grinder, you won't need to spend more than $150--check Cragslist in your area, chances are if it's used you can go and try it out and learn the tricks from the previous owner.
Alternately, go for a relatively inexpensive hand grinder (I've seen Japanese-made ceramic-burr grinders for under $100 on eBay, who knows though) as many others have, to get a level of grind to match a better or equal machine. Plenty of threads for all these options here, just do some topic searches.
First step is to identify what you want regarding the quality of your coffee, and deciding what you are willing to do or spend to get it. Then it becomes a simple matter of comparison and shopping.
MarshallF Senior Member Joined: 1 Jun 2003 Posts: 611 Location: Los Angeles Expertise: Professional
Espresso: La Marzocco GS/3 Paddle Grinder: Cimbali Max Hybrid Vac Pot: Hario Nouveau, Bodum ESantos Drip: Bodum French Presses, Chemex Roaster: None
Posted Fri Jul 3, 2009, 5:13pm Subject: Re: HELP!!! In desperate need of machine advice!!!
Star baristas like Heather Perry and Kyle Glanville speak very highly of the Capresso and have enough confidence in it to take it on demos for prospective customers. If money is tight and you are sure you need to replace your espresso machine, I would keep the Capresso.
Posted Fri Jul 3, 2009, 6:15pm Subject: Re: HELP!!! In desperate need of machine advice!!!
MarshallF Said:
Star baristas like Heather Perry and Kyle Glanville speak very highly of the Capresso and have enough confidence in it to take it on demos for prospective customers. If money is tight and you are sure you need to replace your espresso machine, I would keep the Capresso.
To go one step further.. there is a video somewhere in the HB forums of Heather using the Capresso with her GS/3. I was pretty surprised to say the least, but its at least capable.
If you dont mind used.. I would suggest ebay and CL.. Try to find a Gaggia.. Something like the Older Coffee or Espresso models, a baby or a classic should do u nicely. Ill vouch for the classic.. its a nice machine and im am VERY proud it is my backup machine.
...Follow Your Bliss... ....And grind finer, tamp lighter....
In the last 6 years of selling Mazzers, we have only experienced one defective grinder.-Jim Piccinich 1st-line Equipment, a Home-Barista Forum Post
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