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 Thu Mar 15, 2012, 6:04am Subject: Re: Upgrade from a silvia?
To make a comment on your comment, the quality of the espresso IS important even in milk drinks, you WILL taste the difference!
There are people here with thermoblock steaming machines and they like them a lot. I have not found a thermoblock that works for me. That is a personal observation, that applies to me only. I can not say that they are a bad choice, just for me they are not on any of my lists.
I do advise you to move to a HX machine, preferably a used one if you can find one in good shape that has been well taken care of, this will give you more machine for the money but be aware that like anything used, there may be issues that you did not see when buying the item or things may happen that are perfectly normal (such as needing to replace the group head gasket) and as you are buying without a safety net so to speak of a new machine, these are things for you to fix on your own.
If you have the space, a used commercial grinder such as the MDX or SJ will do a fine job for you and in the large picture of espresso are quite reasonable in price and represent a large value to dollar spent though you might still have a hard time getting your head to wrap around the idea that $500 is a reasonable number for a grinder LOL!
Plumb in machines can be used in places that do not have water or drain connections, you simply need to use a water bottle and pump for supply and a bottle for drain. My system is pretty much like this. While I am plumbed in for supply, I need to drain into a 4 gal bottle. A teaspoon of bleach in the bottle keeps things from growing in there and I can get 3 to 4 weeks between draining the bottle. Just something to think about if you run across that killer deal but it is a plumb in.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
tegee Senior Member Joined: 29 Feb 2012 Posts: 47 Location: New England Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Brewtus IV-R Grinder: Baratza Vario
Posted Sun Mar 18, 2012, 9:43am Subject: Re: Upgrade from a silvia?
calblacksmith Said:
To make a comment on your comment, the quality of the espresso IS important even in milk drinks, you WILL taste the difference!
There are people here with thermoblock steaming machines and they like them a lot. I have not found a thermoblock that works for me. That is a personal observation, that applies to me only. I can not say that they are a bad choice, just for me they are not on any of my lists.
I do advise you to move to a HX machine, preferably a used one if you can find one in good shape that has been well taken care of, this will give you more machine for the money but be aware that like anything used, there may be issues that you did not see when buying the item or things may happen that are perfectly normal (such as needing to replace the group head gasket) and as you are buying without a safety net so to speak of a new machine, these are things for you to fix on your own.
If you have the space, a used commercial grinder such as the MDX or SJ will do a fine job for you and in the large picture of espresso are quite reasonable in price and represent a large value to dollar spent though you might still have a hard time getting your head to wrap around the idea that $500 is a reasonable number for a grinder LOL!
Plumb in machines can be used in places that do not have water or drain connections, you simply need to use a water bottle and pump for supply and a bottle for drain. My system is pretty much like this. While I am plumbed in for supply, I need to drain into a 4 gal bottle. A teaspoon of bleach in the bottle keeps things from growing in there and I can get 3 to 4 weeks between draining the bottle. Just something to think about if you run across that killer deal but it is a plumb in.
Without hijacking this tread too much.....can you recommend a short list of HX machines that I may be able to find used on CL, etc. I currently have a Gaggia Classic and growing tired of how I have to time everything so perfectly to get a good shot from a SBDU machine. I would very much like to begin looking for a very nice and somewhat affordable used HX machine, but do not know what brand to narrow my selection to?
sn_85 Senior Member Joined: 1 Dec 2011 Posts: 131 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Quick Mill Andreja Premium Grinder: Baratza Vario
Posted Sun Mar 18, 2012, 11:26am Subject: Re: Upgrade from a silvia?
tegee Said:
Without hijacking this tread too much.....can you recommend a short list of HX machines that I may be able to find used on CL, etc. I currently have a Gaggia Classic and growing tired of how I have to time everything so perfectly to get a good shot from a SBDU machine. I would very much like to begin looking for a very nice and somewhat affordable used HX machine, but do not know what brand to narrow my selection to?
Names that get tossed around here often are: Nuova Simonelli Oscar Bezzera BZ07 Rocket Giotto, Cellini, or Evoluzione (Old name is ECM, but new is Rocket) Quick Mill Anita or Andreja
tegee Senior Member Joined: 29 Feb 2012 Posts: 47 Location: New England Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Brewtus IV-R Grinder: Baratza Vario
Posted Sun Mar 18, 2012, 6:32pm Subject: Re: Upgrade from a silvia?
diggi Said:
Names that get tossed around here often are: Nuova Simonelli Oscar Bezzera BZ07 Rocket Giotto, Cellini, or Evoluzione (Old name is ECM, but new is Rocket) Quick Mill Anita or Andreja
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