ccolton Senior Member Joined: 23 Jan 2012 Posts: 132 Location: Wilmington DE Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Bezzera BZ07 Grinder: Le 'lit PL53
Posted Tue Feb 14, 2012, 1:32pm Subject: Re: Upgrading from Silvia Rocket Giotto Prem+ vs. Breville Dual Broiler
Dear Ben,
If you read my posts, you will quickly learn that I am a newcomer to quality espresso and have relied upon the advice of this group to make decisions. Aftre purchasing both a new espresso machine and grinder (and using FRESH coffee), I am thrilled with both the advice and my purchases.
Having said that, for the most part, I cannot comment on other machines except to say that when I saw the machines in person, they were bigger than I expected. This pushed the Bezzera up on my list.
So, you asked
bseiden Said:
If Anyone has thoughts on a great machine for 1200 or less Please let me know.
This is the machine I bought: http://www.1st-line.com/machines/home_mod/bezzera/Bezzera_BZ07_semi.htm
(I bought the Le'lit PL 53 grinder that suits me well too.)
This machine gets great reviews and meets your price range. I love it - others may be better; I don't know. I do know that the price was right for me and the size fit my needs. I will also say that I like the look and actually prefer the levers to turning knobs. It's a compact machine and looks great in the house. I did not get the E61 grouphead that seems important, but the one that came with this machine seems fine to me. I have been inside the machine and it seems well made.
Initially, I threw away so many shots that I could not count them all. In retrospect, this was a function of two things: user error and bad coffee. Now, after about 3 weeks of making espresso with quality coffee, and with the constant direction of several members here, I can state unequivocally that making the decision to buy a quality machine was a good one for me. I take very little credit for the final decision - I am just happy that I have my espresso machine.
So, take a look at the Bezzera reviews and see if it works for you. I look forward to my espresso drinks (lattes) every morining.
Posted Tue Feb 14, 2012, 5:48pm Subject: Re: Upgrading from Silvia Rocket Giotto Prem+ vs. Breville Dual Broiler
Now there's a brilliant HX alternative in the Bezzera for the price. Good suggestion Chris. A little bigger than the silvia but not too much bigger so maybe that's a plus as well if benchspace is an issue. Note it is not a real E61 grouphead but I don't think you were looking specifically for an E61 anyway...so I think it's a brilliant option to the two already discussed.
I saw that but I wouldn't buy a refurb at that price since a brand new one isn't much more. Consider that you have to pay for shipping on a refurb unit which is probably at least $40 bucks and you only get a 30 day warranty. With a new one you get free shipping and 1 yr parts and 90 day labor warranty. You save less than $100 (probably closer to $80). Not worth it for a refurb in my opinion.
Posted Tue Feb 14, 2012, 6:51pm Subject: Re: Upgrading from Silvia Rocket Giotto Prem+ vs. Breville Dual Broiler
Bezzera uses a dual cartridge, thermostatically-controlled electric heater to stabilize the group temp in most of their high-end prosumer and professional machines. It's an interesting technical system.
"I've Scaced many HX/E61 machines, seeing shot variances of up to 8-10F or more. [The BDB] stays within 1F." - Mark Prince
Posted Thu Jun 21, 2012, 10:23am Subject: Re: Upgrading from Silvia Rocket Giotto Prem+ vs. Breville Dual Broiler
Not sure why everyone is getting upset with a guy excited about his new machine. You were all there at one point. I just got the BDB and it is very nice. It is my first prosumer machine, if you are willing to call it that. I was looking at the Giotto and am still wondering if I made a bad decision. I guess I was willing to take the durability risk to get cool features. Only time will tell if it holds up. By the time the BDB breaks, there will probably be a Giotto Version 5.
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