mhborstad Senior Member Joined: 18 Feb 2012 Posts: 31 Location: Gatineau Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Wed Mar 28, 2012, 3:08pm Subject: Re: Final Decision to be made - A.S.A.P. - Please help out
You're not going to get a flat-out "this one's better" (that you should trust anyways) here, as 1) Even though everyone has correctly steered you toward commercial gear, most posters' experience is with home equipment 2) Those who have used commercial machines are unlikely to have handled more than two of your list. 3) EVERY 2-group out there will do what you need 4) the critical question is "for how long".
In absence of all other info, pick the one that you can keep running the easiest.
Otherwise pick the newest.
You have good local support for the Epoca, and it certainly does everything you need it to. Who knows what it's been through.
Nectar Senior Member Joined: 23 Mar 2012 Posts: 46 Location: Niagara Falls Expertise: Just starting
Posted Wed Mar 28, 2012, 6:01pm Subject: Re: Final Decision to be made - A.S.A.P. - Please help out
I like the Epoca. It also comes with a Rancilio grinder (which I could use for the odd decaf). It was pulled from a restaurant that shut down. Seller says its in excellent working condition and guarantees it, or else he accepts a return with a full refund on item cost & shipping from NYC. Sounds reliable.
They are all in proper working condition. All but one are Heat Exchangers. The Heat Exchsngers will all require flushing/temp regulation. So each must be regulated to their proper frequency according to what bean I choose.
mhborstad Senior Member Joined: 18 Feb 2012 Posts: 31 Location: Gatineau Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Wed Mar 28, 2012, 6:28pm Subject: Re: Final Decision to be made - A.S.A.P. - Please help out
All the temp regulation/flush/etc means with a Hx is that you count to 3 instead of 5 before pulling your shot. Easiest thing in the world to teach - you absolutely do not have to worry about tuning/regulation. The big machines will be stable - you can adjust the routine of actually pulling the shot IF you find that one way tastes better.
Any grinder that comes out of the same shop as one of these is likely to be more useful to you than the home ones you've been considering. Consider it a bonus... you can decide which one to use once they're all lined up, and put anything you don't want on kijiji... (or keep it as backup - hint).
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 Thu Mar 29, 2012, 7:29am Subject: Re: Final Decision to be made - A.S.A.P. - Please help out
Nectar Said:
Now for a simple question, which seeks simple answers. All vendors aside...What machine do you guys like the most. If you could only buy one of the ones in the list, for personal use, which one would it be?
None. A two-group machine is too big for home use, but it's essential for commercial use.
REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOU BUY . . . REGARDLESS OF WHERE YOU BUY . . . make sure you have a local service technician, one who can come into the restaurant and make service calls, who can make emergency repairs, etc., etc.
THATshould be is the most important factor in making your decision.
Nectar Senior Member Joined: 23 Mar 2012 Posts: 46 Location: Niagara Falls Expertise: Just starting
Posted Fri Mar 30, 2012, 7:17am Subject: Re: Final Decision to be made - A.S.A.P. - Please help out
JasonBrandtLewis Said:
None. A two-group machine is too big for home use, but it's essential for commercial use.
REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOU BUY . . . REGARDLESS OF WHERE YOU BUY . . . make sure you have a local service technician, one who can come into the restaurant and make service calls, who can make emergency repairs, etc., etc.
THATshould be is the most important factor in making your decision.
These are 2group machines. And its for commercisl use. Yes, we have technicians. So again, all vendors/technicians aside, which machine do you like the most?
I know, Nectar, you want us to do your work for you, but you aren't listening . . .
mhborstad Said:
You're not going to get a flat-out "this one's better" (that you should trust anyways) here, as 1) Even though everyone has correctly steered you toward commercial gear, most posters' experience is with home equipment 2) Those who have used commercial machines are unlikely to have handled more than two of your list. 3) EVERY 2-group out there will do what you need 4) the critical question is "for how long".
In absence of all other info, pick the one that you can keep running the easiest.
This topic is frequently rehashed and the same advice is given every time. If you're running a business relying on this equipment then the best machine is the one you can get the best support for (as already stated above).
Don't ask us: check with the vendors and service technicians in the area -- which one is easiest for them to maintain and repair, to get parts for, and so on and so on.
And don't forget staff training: which is going to be the easiest to use? That is crucial!
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