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 Mon May 7, 2012, 7:13am Subject: Re: Need Help Finding First (Last) Serious Semi Auto Espresso Machine
(Danger! Danger! Warning, Will Robinson -- Thread Drift Approaching!)
Chris,
I have the previous incarnation of the Elektra T1, as you can see from the photo above.
mine has a 7-button panel, versus a 5-button panel on the new one;
mine is actually a touch-pad, rather than "real" push buttons;
mine has a pressurestat, the new version does not;
mine doesn't have a "night programming" mode, while the new version does.
The rest of the specifications and features appear, at a glance, to be the same. I bought mine before the last round of price hikes and paid $3,129. The price for the new version is $2,995, or a savings of $134.00.
Posted Tue May 8, 2012, 12:14pm Subject: Re: Need Help Finding First (Last) Serious Semi Auto Espresso Machine
Hey all:
I hate (not really) to muck things up a bit... but just for fun take a look Here.
Well......... I just couldn't resist! I'm having so much fun with the Strega, and now that I found Panther Coffee in my own back yard... It's the best time I've ever had in this game!
PamelaF Senior Member Joined: 1 May 2012 Posts: 8 Location: Jupiter, FL Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto II Grinder: Mahlkonig K30 Vario
Posted Wed May 9, 2012, 1:10pm Subject: Re: Need Help Finding First (Last) Serious Semi Auto Espresso Machine
Deep breath.
Thanks everyone for the great equipment suggestions! I've preliminarily narrowed my machine choices (I think) to the Duetto II, the VB "DD", and the Rocket DB if it becomes available this month.
Here is a list of some of the attributes/differences I could glean of/between the IAD2 v VBDD (thanks Randy for your great web info):
IAD2: PID for group and steam boilers Double wall insulation of exterior Steam boiler is insulated (brew boiler is not) Larger brew boiler (.8L) No burn steam wand Option of 15 or 20 amps (both boilers heat simultaneously @ 20 amps; either/or @15 amps, but should not be noticeable in home environment)
VBDD: Designed to run on not more than 15 amps. Proprietary power regulation automatically controls percentage of power between boilers for energy conservation PID for brew boiler only Horizontal Steam boiler. Pre-heating exchanger pipe sits at the bottom and feeds brew boiler. Temperature of steam boiler regulated by pressure stat. Insulation of both steam and brew boilers
As far as grinders go, Jason, you are 100% correct that there are many machine/grinder options. The Elektra is a bit much for me. I'm loving the Mahlkonig K30 Vario as well as the Baratza Vario-W. OK, and in theory, I am intrigued by the Bezzera Strega. Great burrs analogy - I think I'll be happiest with flat.
Posted Wed May 9, 2012, 2:37pm Subject: Re: Need Help Finding First (Last) Serious Semi Auto Espresso Machine
In the range of machine and grinder you are thinking you will blow away what you get with Nespresso no problem. I think you are hitting the range where experience and barista technique is going to the be largest variable. All of the machines in the range you are looking are designed to last a decade(s). Rocket DB is currently vaporware as it isn't in the wild that much for people to know about reliability.
An advantage of the D II is the option to pour over or plumb in - I'm not sure about the timer options for each. Those two issues: plump in and timer are game changers for me in terms of convenience.
IMHO the Vario gets most home users 80-90% of the way there to really good expresso. The titans will get you up in to the amazing espresso range that my palate probably can't get to IF you have the skills to make it happen. The titans are really designed for heavy use which is why there are tricks to get it to work in a single dosing environment like the home - really depends on how you are going to use it.
If it's looks you are going for the strega is very interesting and unique. If I were starting over or if a couple of grand were burning a hole in my pocket it would be near the top for me.
Here is another way to go - get a cheap HX or single boiler (?used silvia) and a Vario - make sure that home espresso is in your lifestyle (maybe already is with nespresso in some way) and learn ALOT about the barista side of the equation. Then sell the machine for an upgrade once you decide what you value/want. I learned a ton about the process of making espresso with my Silvia/rocky, what I valued, what I didn't need - was able to recoup 75% of the cost by selling and then made the jump up to what I decided I really needed/wanted in a machine.
Posted Wed May 9, 2012, 5:43pm Subject: Re: Need Help Finding First (Last) Serious Semi Auto Espresso Machine
Just to confuse you further.
There is the Breville dual boiler.
Which meets all your requirements except the plumbable. The best pour over in the world and tons of feature like built-in clock to turn on and off and shot timer. Plus all stainless construction, PID on the group and the boiler and on and on. Look at Mark's preview where he compares it to a GS3. Right at the top on the reviews page.
Just saying, great machine. And a lower price than you have been considering.
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 Wed May 9, 2012, 8:35pm Subject: Re: Need Help Finding First (Last) Serious Semi Auto Espresso Machine
Obviously, I can't speak to the Rocket. Between the Izzo Alex Duetto II and the Vibiemme "DD," it's probably six of one, half-a-dozen of the other. I'd probably go for the Izzo . . . that said, bear in mind that I've had great customer service from BOTH Chris' Coffee and 1st-Line -- so I don't think you'd go wrong with either vendor. Don't hesitate to call either vendor and ask them questions!
/ / / / / /
As far as the Breville DB is concerned, many people have purchased this new-to-the-market machine and are quite happy with it. On the other hand, historically speaking, Breville has been a brand to avoid, known for unreliable products and bad customer service; it was a machine to avoid!. Now -- to be fair -- it certainly appears that, to date, the BDB has changed that. As I said, many people who've purchased this machine do like it. For me, personally, I am still in the let's-wait-and-see camp, as it hasn't been out long enough to have any sort of a track record yet. It looks promising, but "only time will tell" (as they say). Another thing: the BDB is not in the same class as the other machines you're looking at. The Izzo Alex Duetto II, the Vibiemme "DD," and the Rocket DB -- and the Quick Mill DB, for that matter -- are all firmly, solidly in the Prosumer (or even "small commercial") camp, whereas the BDB is definitely in the consumer camp.
Posted Thu May 10, 2012, 5:38pm Subject: Re: Need Help Finding First (Last) Serious Semi Auto Espresso Machine
the Izzo Alex duettoII "My Way" is the winner! Just kidding, I'm biased, though I don't have one complaint about mine, which has had daily use for the last 17 months.
And as far as quick warm-up, I rarely leave mine on, unless I know I'm pulling again within the next hour. It takes ten minutes at most to heat up the boilers to full temperature, then just a quick flush to get the group up to temp, and away you go.
As far as grinders go, your smart in knowing not to skimp. I believe doserless is the only way to go. The K10 is a great choice, the best quality, my only concern is the amount of residual grind? Though again I have no complaints with my Compak k3 touch, I'm saving for a Compak k10 one day!
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