zephyr1ne Senior Member Joined: 5 Jun 2010 Posts: 19 Location: UK Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Tue Nov 20, 2012, 1:01pm Subject: How to test a machine before buying.
I've looked around (maybe not hard enough) couldn't find a decent guide so I'm asking all fellow geeks. I've been put in charge of getting a new machine for our espresso bar and would like some advice on how to test the machine properly. This is my first time sorting a new machine so if I'm to spend £5k I'd like to make sure I'm doing the right tests and making the right decision. As far as my knowledge goes, one of the main things is temperature stability. So drain the boiler, run some shots through, steam a pitcher, check recovery time. Sound right? What else? I'll be going to a demo showroom to test run the Simonelli Aurelia 2 and Dalla Corta (bonus). Taking our coffee of course. Our shop does 40-45kg p/w with about 4 baristas on rotation.
I'll have 3 hour to mess around, so tell me, what would YOU do?
zephyr1ne Senior Member Joined: 5 Jun 2010 Posts: 19 Location: UK Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Tue Nov 20, 2012, 1:14pm Subject: Re: How to test a machine before buying.
We're with La Spaziale now (which are good guys to deal tbh). Options are: La Marzocco from what I hear, just moved in to the UK, but they're only based near London which is 2 hours away. The people I'm going to now are United Coffee (UKs largest coffee suppliers) and They're only an hour away, but I have a rep in the city centre (apparently) I'm not familiar the UK as I moved here from Sydney last year. But Birmingham is pretty dry. I'm doing a little more research on suppliers. This option just popped up first.
I absolutely agree. As for the LM, I would LOVE to, but I was recently speaking with James Hoffman about them and he mentioned that it takes longer for parts to come in plus there's only one distributor, which could pose a problem if a sudden disaster were to occur.
SStones Senior Member Joined: 24 Nov 2012 Posts: 209 Location: Canada Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Giga 5, ECM Giotto, Rocket... Grinder: Anfim Milano-Best Vac Pot: No :( Drip: Some $30 thing from Walmart Roaster: I buy pre-roasted.
Posted Sun Nov 25, 2012, 6:03pm Subject: Re: How to test a machine before buying.
The one with the longer warranty is the better deal. They will both be able to do what is expected of them and will perform very similarly. If neither has any faults that matter to you, then the warranty might be their most important factor.
zephyr1ne Senior Member Joined: 5 Jun 2010 Posts: 19 Location: UK Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Mon Nov 26, 2012, 11:32pm Subject: Re: How to test a machine before buying.
SStones Said:
The one with the longer warranty is the better deal. They will both be able to do what is expected of them and will perform very similarly. If neither has any faults that matter to you, then the warranty might be their most important factor.
What are some things to look for in the warranty? do different companies skimp out on on things? He's "offering" me 3 years with call-ins included. Parts replaced if faulty. boiler gets certified on installation. Anything else to look for?
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