ryandunlap Senior Member Joined: 15 Sep 2009 Posts: 104 Location: Syracuse, NY
Posted Thu Jan 12, 2012, 10:49am Subject: Re: Is Elektra Sixties T1 an Upgrade from an Alex Duetto II?
Well, and on that, I don't really care about the commercial quality of the machine. I really only care about the resulting cappuccino. (I'm not trying to rehash HX vs. DB.)
I am simply wondering how many thousands of dollars of an increase do I need to upgrade my hardware from a $2000 machine before I notice a difference in the cup. (Assume: quality barista skills, milk, beans, grinder, etc.)
JasonBrandtLewis Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 6,100 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 Jan 12, 2012, 10:57am Subject: Re: Is Elektra Sixties T1 an Upgrade from an Alex Duetto II?
ryandunlap Said:
I am simply wondering how many thousands of dollars of an increase do I need to upgrade my hardware from a $2000 machine before I notice a difference in the cup. (Assume: quality barista skills, milk, beans, grinder, etc.)
-- Cliché No. 1: The espresso machine is just a hot water delivery device. -- Cliché No. 2: Grinder first! -- Cliché No. 3: It's up to you!
Remember, Ryan, that clichés become so primarily for one reason: they're true.
1) The machine will not help you make a better cappuccino.
2) While the Baratza Vario is an excellent grinder ("playing far above its weight," as they say), an improvement to your grinder will do better than an upgrade to your machine.
3) How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Well, it's the same thing here . . .
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,772 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 Thu Jan 12, 2012, 11:17am Subject: Re: Is Elektra Sixties T1 an Upgrade from an Alex Duetto II?
The T1 i think was aimed at the same commercial market my machine was aimed at, namely the small business that only serves espresso on the side or after dinner.
I know that was how my machine was used before I bought it.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
ryandunlap Senior Member Joined: 15 Sep 2009 Posts: 104 Location: Syracuse, NY
Posted Thu Jan 12, 2012, 11:23am Subject: Re: Is Elektra Sixties T1 an Upgrade from an Alex Duetto II?
@Jason: Thanks. I think that's the answer I always knew was true but hoping it wasn't, for have no idea how to justify to my wife a Mahlkönig K30 on our kitchen counter.
godofgwar Senior Member Joined: 26 Aug 2009 Posts: 143 Location: San Francisco Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 Grinder: Mazzer Mini Drip: Single Dripper Roaster: Hottop B
Posted Thu Jan 12, 2012, 11:38am Subject: Re: Is Elektra Sixties T1 an Upgrade from an Alex Duetto II?
Figured I'd weigh in as a new T1 owner. Just picked up an early-2000s T1 off Craigslist, and plumbed it in a couple days ago. It's a freakin' beast...in a good way! (it's also 70lbs and pretty big on the counter in our apartment) It will steam forever -- the same dry steam power as the new LM Linea 2 group we have at our office. And I honestly pulled one sink shot, then dialed in quality shots almost right away.
I'm upgrading from a 1.5 liter HX and have never owned a double boiler (though I have experience using a couple), but I could not conceive of being happier with another machine right now. The T1 is a great all-arounder in a small enough package to work in even a small home setting. And it's gorgeous, to boot.
Minor annoyances:
- the drip tray could have been a few inches deeper. During flushes and cleaning, you're going to have some splattering over the front of the machine. - It runs pretty hot after being on for a while, so you're looking at a nice cooling flush. - Takes a little longer to heat up than a smaller HX, but after a few days use, I'm finding that it's up to a steady temp within 20-30 minutes. - Requires a 20amp circut
Bahhh The swelling and bruises go away, eventually :)
You know those people that want to tell you how to raise your kids but have none of their own? That is how i feel when someone with a kitchen appliance tells me how the merits or dis-merits of my machine or how to use it.
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