AlexEssex Senior Member Joined: 14 Jul 2012 Posts: 7 Location: Essex Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sun Jul 15, 2012, 6:01am Subject: Help with buying an espresso machine in the UK that produces good steam.
Hi All,
I am upgrading my Delonghi EC710 espresso machine soon, but I am kicking myself as I cannot make my mind up which machine to go for.
My requirements:
Must produce good espresso. Must produce constant steam (for foaming milk for mocha and hot choc). Be no more than £300-£350 Be available to buy in the UK.
I am even considering a lever arm manual machine such as the La Pavoni Europicola, this seems to be within my price range, apears to have a good flow of steam and steam wand.
My other considerations were the semi-automatic La Pavoni Paccino or Ascaso Arc (as I cannot afford the Ascaso Dream).
I want something that will compliment my Black powder coated Ascaso i2 mini.
Can anyone share any thoughts on this, thank you very much for all your help.
IMAWriter Senior Member Joined: 4 Jul 2002 Posts: 5,464 Location: Brentwood, TN Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Nothing at the moment Grinder: Vario-W,Preciso-Esatto/KyM... Vac Pot: Adcraft SS, Yama 8 cup Drip: Brazen.Chemex, Hario, Clever... Roaster: Behmor 1600, CO/UFO combo
Posted Sun Jul 15, 2012, 12:06pm Subject: Re: Help with buying an espresso machine in the UK that produces good steam.
Alex, a lever is not for everyone, and as a former owner of a La Pavoni (which I liked) the steaming is not it's greatest asset, due to the tight squeeze between the body and steam arm, and the overheating that takes place after several shots. Perhaps look for a used NS Oscar. True, it won't be a match for your grinder (which you WILL eventually upgrade!!) but IMO the Oscar iOS superior to any of the machines you mentioned, and won't need to be upgraded for quite a while, if at all.
AlexEssex Senior Member Joined: 14 Jul 2012 Posts: 7 Location: Essex Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sun Jul 15, 2012, 1:54pm Subject: Re: Help with buying an espresso machine in the UK that produces good steam.
Hi.
Thank you very much for the reply. I am grateful for your honest opinion as a previous La Pavoni user and owner.
Your recommended machine does indeed look nice, it appears to be sized similar to pro 1 group machine with a domestic look to it. The steam wand looks like one find on a commercial machine.
However, these machines are clearly marketed in the US and there does not appear to be many of the machines second hand here in the UK. Hence while considering Pavoni or Ascaso which seems to have a large presence in the UK aswell as Gaggia and Fracino.
Would they have an European market perhaps or similar brand or product?
Posted Sun Jul 15, 2012, 2:52pm Subject: Re: Help with buying an espresso machine in the UK that produces good steam.
I think you're in a bit of a gap pricewise, between the top end of the basic domestic machines, but quite a bit below any of the "prosumer" (sorry, I know it's a horrible word) machines.
There aren't that many used ones on that well known auction site either, but this might at least be worth a look. The Gaggia frothing device has apparently been replaced, plus a couple of other minor mods, and it is cheap at the BIN price.
It gets marked down on user rewiews on here for poor frothing, but perhaps replacing the panarello device might have done the trick. The seller is offering a demo and you probably aint that far away ?
ruby01 Senior Member Joined: 16 Jul 2012 Posts: 4 Location: pune Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Mon Jul 16, 2012, 3:32am Subject: Re: Help with buying an espresso machine in the UK that produces good steam.
Do U Love Espresso? It's OUR cup of tea! At The Coffee Brewers, we specialize in espresso machines and equipment for coffee bars, restaurants.
Full sized espresso machines are all plumbed, and most of them take 220 Volts. The Superautomatic espresso machines have grinders integrated into them, and can prepare a wide range of drinks automatically.
AlexEssex Senior Member Joined: 14 Jul 2012 Posts: 7 Location: Essex Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Thu Jul 19, 2012, 12:00am Subject: Re: Help with buying an espresso machine in the UK that produces good steam.
Hi All,
Sadly someone bidded on the Classic before I had a chance to even look at the posting.
I am pretty tempted to purchase the Classic and add the steam wand upgrade myself. Ebay sells the wand upgrade cheaper than happy donkey, so may go that route.
If I see the Rancilio Silvia on ebay I think I will bite their hands off too. If I can get a silvia for under £300 secondhand then I will be very happy.
So, the Rancilio first and if all fails the Gaggia second (with the upgrade).
pouxf Senior Member Joined: 10 Mar 2012 Posts: 12 Location: Minnesota Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: La Cimbali Junior Grinder: Mazzer Major
Posted Thu Aug 9, 2012, 5:23pm Subject: Re: Help with buying an espresso machine in the UK that produces good steam.
Your ID name suggests that you live within easy reach of London. Why don't you visit The Coffee Machine on Kings Road? The people there are very knowledgeable and friendly. Moreover they will let you play with all their machines and I think there are some that are in your price range.
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 