Scubadoo Senior Member Joined: 5 Sep 2012 Posts: 5 Location: UK Expertise: Just starting
Posted Wed Sep 5, 2012, 3:18am Subject: New to the forum, looking for my first machine, advice needed!
Hi there,
I've been looking at the forum for a few days and thought it was time to register, say hi and ask for some advice.
A friend and I are both looking to get a machine. He's been talking to his local Barista who has recommended the Rancilio Silvia as a good home machine by a commercial manufacturer.
Would you agree that this is a good choice and would you recommend anything else at the £400 level.
Obviously I'd rather have a double boiler that could brew and steam at the same time and something where I don't need to temp surf but I believe my budget restricts.
I have about £650 in the budget and was looking at a Eureka Mignon within that.
NobbyR Senior Member Joined: 10 Jul 2011 Posts: 1,612 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 Wed Sep 5, 2012, 3:41am Subject: Re: New to the forum, looking for my first machine, advice needed!
Welcome to CoffeeGeek!
First of all, the Eureka is a very good choice for a grinder no matter what machine you'll end up with, even if you upgraded later on.
Whether or not you'll be happy with a Silvia depends on your needs though. How many cups, on average, per day, per week and per session will you be making? Are we talking mostly about espresso or primarily about cappuccinos or lattes?
You don't need a dual boiler machine to brew and steam simultaneously, a HX machine can do that as well, for example. But that will be hard to find (at least new) on your given budget. There are, however, also machines with two seperate thermoblocks that supply hot water and steam at the same time, like the QuickMill Cassiopeia, which costs around £500. So, maybe you can strech your budget a little or save some money and buy later. Don't buy cheap, because you might regret it by buying twice.
*** "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)
Scubadoo Senior Member Joined: 5 Sep 2012 Posts: 5 Location: UK Expertise: Just starting
Posted Wed Sep 5, 2012, 4:09am Subject: Re: New to the forum, looking for my first machine, advice needed!
Thanks, I hadn't seen that machine before. How does the build compare to the Silvia, is it more consistent in use?
I'm also looking at the Francino Piccino for under £500.
I imagine it would be used between 2 and 5 times a day possibly for 2 or 3 cups at a time. Espresso and milky drinks so I need something that can steam well.
NobbyR Senior Member Joined: 10 Jul 2011 Posts: 1,612 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 Wed Sep 5, 2012, 4:22am Subject: Re: New to the forum, looking for my first machine, advice needed!
Unfortunately, I can't say much about the Francino Piccino, because I don't know that machine. However, its boilers are pretty small, so don't expect too much of its steaming power.
The Cassiopeia is a solid machine with a short heat up time and low energy consumption. You can draw steam until the water tank runs dry. With the kind of consumption you described you'll probably fare better with it than with a SBDU like the Silvia. QuickMill, by the way, is renowned for building the best thermoblock machines available. Tests have shown that they have a surprising temperature stability.
A DB machine for under £500 seems intriguing though.
*** "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)
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,680 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 Wed Sep 5, 2012, 5:53am Subject: Re: New to the forum, looking for my first machine, advice needed!
In the SBDU class, Sylvia is a solid performer but by today's standers, it is over priced considering that other machines are on a par with the Sylvia and they cost less.
Where you live has a lot to do with what you might find as not all machines are available everywhere. Like Nobby said, you do not need a DB machine to pull and steam at the same time. HX machines have been around for a long time and are the back bone of commercial equipment.
HX and DB machines can both pull great shots and steam at the same time. One is not better than the other, rather they are just different and depending on your habits, one may be better suited to you and the way you like to work.
Please read or FAQ on how to buy an espresso machine. Mark spent a lot of time and energy to write it and it will answer questions you don't even know to ask at the moment.
Scubadoo Senior Member Joined: 5 Sep 2012 Posts: 5 Location: UK Expertise: Just starting
Posted Wed Sep 5, 2012, 6:14am Subject: Re: New to the forum, looking for my first machine, advice needed!
Thanks.
I've read a lot of what's in that link, especially about the semi automatic machines. All very helpful!
I can only see advantages in a dual boiler or hx model, it's just hard to judge if the few I can afford are a better option than the single-boiler Silvia.
NobbyR Senior Member Joined: 10 Jul 2011 Posts: 1,612 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 Wed Sep 5, 2012, 6:36am Subject: Re: New to the forum, looking for my first machine, advice needed!
Scubadoo Said:
... I can only see advantages in a dual boiler or hx model, it's just hard to judge if the few I can afford are a better option than the single-boiler Silvia.
NobbyR Senior Member Joined: 10 Jul 2011 Posts: 1,612 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 Wed Sep 5, 2012, 6:45am Subject: Re: New to the forum, looking for my first machine, advice needed!
That's certainly true. But sometimes you can get a refurbished machine which is as good as new, including a full warranty. Or maybe a local dealer has a machine that's been on display in his shop, so you can get it with a discount.
*** "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)
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