Jjprestidge Senior Member Joined: 9 Oct 2012 Posts: 9 Location: Bath UK Expertise: Just starting
Posted Tue Oct 9, 2012, 11:58am Subject: Looking to buy our first commercial machine - advice needed
I'm looking for a two group commercial machine for a small coffeeshop venture (an old chestnut, I know, but hear me out!)
As we will be sitting towards the quality end of the spectrum, I really want something with good thermal stabillity and the ability easily to change temperature to suit the espresso. The problem is that I don't have the capital to be able to splash out on an LM with PID, at least not initially.
I have been looking at the triple boiler Expobar G10, which seems to have most of the features we want, but is within budget. I've heard a few good things about this machine, but it's not that well known generally.
Can anyone give me any advice on this. I already have some decent Mazzer grinders, so that side of things us sorted.
JasonBrandtLewis Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 6,098 Location: Berkeley, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 - La Valentina -... Grinder: Mahlkönig K30 Vario -... Vac Pot: Yama 5-cup Drip: CCD, Chemex Roaster: No, no, not another...
Posted Tue Oct 9, 2012, 3:15pm Subject: Re: Looking to buy our first commercial machine - advice needed
Here in the States, many people have a) truly loved their Expobar Brewtus models of double-boiler prosumer espresso machines; and b) reported problems with Expobar's "lesser" HX models for home use.
I have never seen a multi-group Expobar machine being used in a café here in the US, nor -- for that matter -- can I recall seeing one in Spain. They may have been there -- Expobar is Spanish, after all -- it's just that I didn't notice them. Saw a lot of Cimbalis, though.
JasonBrandtLewis Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 6,098 Location: Berkeley, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 - La Valentina -... Grinder: Mahlkönig K30 Vario -... Vac Pot: Yama 5-cup Drip: CCD, Chemex Roaster: No, no, not another...
Posted Wed Oct 10, 2012, 8:09am Subject: Re: Looking to buy our first commercial machine - advice needed
Poor build quality . . . that's been my personal experience, and others have reported similar experiences. The Brewtus line, OTOH, is a different story, apparently.
Ha. Although I agree.....kees vanderwesten machines are the cadillac of espresso machines. Think speedster, but on large scale. Big leap from expobar. And $$ to boot.
Candy Senior Member Joined: 12 Oct 2012 Posts: 6 Location: MIchigan Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Fri Oct 12, 2012, 8:37am Subject: Needed help to buy a espresso, coffee maker combo!
Dear all,
I am brand new to the site and could not figure out how to post a new topic....this is the only place I am able to post something, please pardon me if I am off topic here.
I have no expertise in finding a good machine, I started reading all kinds of reviews. At the beginning I like Krups but there are plenty of bad reviews for a
KRUPS XP604050 Automatic Pump Espresso Machine with Thermoblock system and Coffee Maker Combination, Die Cast
that I am originally interested in....I am desparate as my husband's birthday is coming closer (he would have been the person I ask for advice as he is a coffee lover but I would be giving it away if I ask him!)
I am looking to spend about $350-$450 coffee maker & espresso maker combo metallic look as my fridge is stainless steel
Really trying to look for something that last (if I am paying $350-$450) and if things should happen, it is not impossible to obtain replacement parts, good warranty and customer services.
If you have any advice to offer or if you have good experience with certain machines...anything...any advice is much much appreciated!!
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,635 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 Fri Oct 12, 2012, 9:18am Subject: Re: Looking to buy our first commercial machine - advice needed
Candy the new topic button is on the upper right corner of the thread text box. at the top of the page I am on my cell phone so I am not as through as I normally am. Please read the how to buy an. Espresso machine FAQ under the main heading of. Guides and how to.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
JasonBrandtLewis Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 6,098 Location: Berkeley, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 - La Valentina -... Grinder: Mahlkönig K30 Vario -... Vac Pot: Yama 5-cup Drip: CCD, Chemex Roaster: No, no, not another...
Posted Fri Oct 12, 2012, 9:27am Subject: Re: Needed help to buy a espresso, coffee maker combo!
Welcome, Candy, to CoffeeGeek.
The problem you're going to have is that combination machines -- those that claim to produce both espresso and coffee -- generally do neither task very well. The parts are poorly made and inferior to the parts found in separate machines. The grinder in particular is an especially weak link in the chain.
Now, that said, no one is suggesting you need to spend $1,000 -- a number commonly bandied about here. But you might want to consider separate machines. For example, something like this Bonavita Coffee Maker, and maybe a Gaggia Evolution.
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