That's not a DB. It has one boiler and a thermoblock for the steam. It has 2 pumps, hence the "duo" in the name. It looks like they include standard steam tips so you don't have to use the froth-aider gizmo, which is a plus. I think I've read that that grinder is similar to the pl53. Sure looks similar. Also- I don't think you'll get the same results using the same grind setting for the standard and decaf beans. The texture is going to be a bit different. But I don't have experience myself. I think the only time I've had a decaf espresso in my life was when I was playing with the Illy pods that came free with my machine.
justpete Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2011 Posts: 34 Location: Toronto Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Mon Feb 28, 2011, 3:15pm Subject: Re: Help me buy a decent espresso machine, please!
rotwang Said:
That's not a DB. It has one boiler and a thermoblock for the steam. It has 2 pumps, hence the "duo" in the name. It looks like they include standard steam tips so you don't have to use the froth-aider gizmo, which is a plus. I think I've read that that grinder is similar to the pl53. Sure looks similar. Also- I don't think you'll get the same results using the same grind setting for the standard and decaf beans. The texture is going to be a bit different. But I don't have experience myself. I think the only time I've had a decaf espresso in my life was when I was playing with the Illy pods that came free with my machine.
I guess I'll have to find out. I used to think it odd when people ordered decaf espresso's - seemed counter-intuitive. Then I learned that people can love the taste of espresso/lattes/cappucino etc but have an intolerance for caffeine.
One thing I've learned after being on the internet for so long - if you ignore the trolls, they'll go away.
Having the PID on the Lelit would be very nice if the extra 200 isn't too much of a stretch. In other words, leave money for a grinder. You'd be better off with a Lelit without PID and a good grinder than with the PID model and no grinder. It's good that the Acaso comes with a grinder, but that's getting into serious money. Also, that's a US site and I doubt the shipping will be free to Canada. If it were me spending $900 plus shipping, I'd save for a while longer and get something like a Bezzera BZ-series, which seem to be easy enough to find from Canadian dealers.
justpete Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2011 Posts: 34 Location: Toronto Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Mon Feb 28, 2011, 5:38pm Subject: Re: Help me buy a decent espresso machine, please!
rotwang Said:
Having the PID on the Lelit would be very nice if the extra 200 isn't too much of a stretch. In other words, leave money for a grinder. You'd be better off with a Lelit without PID and a good grinder than with the PID model and no grinder. It's good that the Acaso comes with a grinder, but that's getting into serious money. Also, that's a US site and I doubt the shipping will be free to Canada. If it were me spending $900 plus shipping, I'd save for a while longer and get something like a Bezzera BZ-series, which seem to be easy enough to find from Canadian dealers.
By the time I get the Lelit w/ the Pid and a grinder, I'm at $900 anyway, right? I've managed to get the same deal that I would from the US site in Canada... it's not really a matter of saving the money, it's more a matter of *spending* the money. Once I get to the Bezzera, I'm spending $1500+ (tax, grinder, shipping, etc.) for something I use twice a week (if that), as opposed to $1000... I'm not that serious about Espresso, so I'm having trouble making the jump from $1000 to $1500.. ya know? Hard to explain, I think.
One thing I've learned after being on the internet for so long - if you ignore the trolls, they'll go away.
Posted Mon Feb 28, 2011, 6:15pm Subject: Re: Help me buy a decent espresso machine, please!
justpete Said:
By the time I get the Lelit w/ the Pid and a grinder, I'm at $900 anyway, right? I've managed to get the same deal that I would from the US site in Canada... it's not really a matter of saving the money, it's more a matter of *spending* the money. Once I get to the Bezzera, I'm spending $1500+ (tax, grinder, shipping, etc.)
Nah...BZ99 = $1,150 2 Porlex hand grinders= $150, total $1,300. Anyway, of the other choices around $900, I'd go with the PID Lelit + PL53 grinder based on a little better reputation and the fact that you'll save a bit with the free tamper, frothing pitcher and whatnot (I guess you'll have the pitcher already though..). It might be worth calling idrinkcoffee to see if they'll knock a few dollars off the pl53 like they do the pl43.
justpete Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2011 Posts: 34 Location: Toronto Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Mon Feb 28, 2011, 6:34pm Subject: Re: Help me buy a decent espresso machine, please!
rotwang Said:
Nah...BZ99 = $1,150 2 Porlex hand grinders= $150, total $1,300. Anyway, of the other choices around $900, I'd go with the PID Lelit + PL53 grinder based on a little better reputation and the fact that you'll save a bit with the free tamper, frothing pitcher and whatnot (I guess you'll have the pitcher already though..). It might be worth calling idrinkcoffee to see if they'll knock a few dollars off the pl53 like they do the pl43.
The only thing is that the other one is a Duo, where the Lelit is just a single - so I'd have to wait between making each espresso. I guess there's really no solution except for spending more money or just dealing with the cool down/warmup times. I'd get the free Tamper with the Duo too.
One thing I've learned after being on the internet for so long - if you ignore the trolls, they'll go away.
espressobecky Senior Member Joined: 12 Nov 2002 Posts: 671 Location: Northern BC Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto II Grinder: Mazzer Major, Baratza... Vac Pot: Hario TCA-3 Drip: French Press Roaster: Behmor 1600
Posted Mon Feb 28, 2011, 6:47pm Subject: Re: Help me buy a decent espresso machine, please!
Just to give you a head's up... if you contact some of the Canadian vendors, they may have a refurbished model or demo model for a significant discount. I just picked up a DB machine that was a demo at CaffeTech at 40% off. But that goes for grinders as well. Baratza has a refurbished section right on their website. Something to check out before you go buying something new.
justpete Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2011 Posts: 34 Location: Toronto Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Mon Feb 28, 2011, 7:37pm Subject: Re: Help me buy a decent espresso machine, please!
espressobecky Said:
Just to give you a head's up... if you contact some of the Canadian vendors, they may have a refurbished model or demo model for a significant discount. I just picked up a DB machine that was a demo at CaffeTech at 40% off. But that goes for grinders as well. Baratza has a refurbished section right on their website. Something to check out before you go buying something new.
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