chris201 Senior Member Joined: 15 Jun 2012 Posts: 5 Location: Czech Republic Expertise: Just starting
Posted Fri Jun 15, 2012, 6:37am Subject: Bezzera Galatea Domus
Hi All,
I need an advise, I am Danish but living in the Czech Republic. It is impossible to find semiautomatic espresso machines in and around Prague. I am close to buying a Bezzera Galatea Domus with a rotary pump and a Vario grinder, but,,, I have to buy the machine in either Germany or Italy as they are not sold here, total buying price is 1.800,-EUR for both machines and i will get the VAT back so a total price of 1.400,-EUR. I am all new to the world of espresso making and I am a little worried about servicing the machine (I am not very handy when it comes to repairing). Going to Italy or Germany for service is not my favorite free time occupation.
I am in love with the design of the Bezzera so please do not talk me into buying another machine unless that I am in over my head with maintenance/servicing or if there are negative issues regarding the Bezzera.
The daily intake of espresso and latte is 6 to 8 shots for the family.
The only local vendor is telling me to buy one of his small Breville/Saeco machines priced at 300,EUR, which I will never buy, or be in for troubles having a machine with no service available, I am confused but in love with the Bezzera, sorry, and with my wife :-)
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,657 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 Fri Jun 15, 2012, 9:04am Subject: Re: Bezzera Galatea Domus
Hi and welcome
The Bezzera is a MUCH MUCH better machine than the small ones you mentioned. All machines need some service which consists of keeping it clean and changing the rubber gasket in the brew group (where you put the coffee porta filter) This is a very easy thing to do.
Cleaning the machine, aside from the outside, is back flushing the brew system. This is like making coffee but uses a different insert in the porta filter. You put a little cleaner in the blank basket and do the same process as making coffee, then you rinse the system by doing the same thing without the cleaner a few times. also VERY easy to do.
The boiler may need to be cleaned out from minerals on a semi yearly or yearly basis, you add a solution into the boiler, let it work for a while then flush the boiler until you have all the solution out. This process is a little harder than the ones above but again, it is normal maintance and is not really hard, it just takes a while to do.
The Bezzera should be a well made machine and there are no problems that I know about that seem to be with that machine. Any device can have problems but I would not expect you to have issues with that machine.
You made a good choice with the grinder too, you should be very happy with your choices!
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
chris201 Senior Member Joined: 15 Jun 2012 Posts: 5 Location: Czech Republic Expertise: Just starting
Posted Fri Jun 15, 2012, 10:22am Subject: Re: Bezzera Galatea Domus
Hi Again,
Thx for the info. I am not worried about cleaning the machine, I believe that even I can do do/learn that. I was just getting second thoughts when the vendor started scaring me regarding repairs and service. I just want the Galatea machine, it looks fantastic and it can be ordered with a rotary pump, which seems to be everybody's choice on this forum.
Now I just need to learn to make a nice espresso, seems it takes some practice.
thniels Senior Member Joined: 27 May 2012 Posts: 3 Location: Varde, Denmark Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Bezzera BZ10 Grinder: Mahlkönig Vario Drip: 3 x Freud Cafetières
Posted Fri Jun 15, 2012, 10:46am Subject: Re: Bezzera Galatea Domus
Chris, you may want to check out Espressobar in Denmark as well. I am sure you can get some good tips as to where to have repairs made in the vicinity, for slet ikke at tale om gode gør-det-selv tips.
chris201 Senior Member Joined: 15 Jun 2012 Posts: 5 Location: Czech Republic Expertise: Just starting
Posted Fri Jun 15, 2012, 4:02pm Subject: Re: Bezzera Galatea Domus
Hej Niels,
Jeg er dansker men bor i udlandet, men jeg kan jo altid tage maskinen med til DK naar jeg skal hjem og besoege familen men ellers tusind tak for linket.
BlueHawk Senior Member Joined: 15 Jun 2012 Posts: 2 Location: DENMARK Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Fri Jun 15, 2012, 5:07pm Subject: Re: Bezzera Galatea Domus
Hej
I'm also danish and also new to semi-automatic espresso machines. But I did a lot of research when I had to replace our Saeco Incanto automatic after 22.000 cups - and I ended up with an ECM Manufactur Classica II. It is a single boiler machine, because I nor my wife likes milk-coffee oddities.
The Classica boiler is stainles steel, not nickel-plated copper - I have a bit of nickel allergy and does not want to run the risk.
But back to your needs and wishes: If you want the most silent machine, choose one with a rotary pump. The vibration pumps are quite noisy. Byt you can do a bit of noise insulation to avoid the steel cabinet to vibrate in syncron with the pump. I have done so, using a lot of car-vibration-reduction self-adhedsive mats.
On various forums there are some discussions about temperature stability of the HX-machines. If you have the fundings and want to make a lot of espresso and steaming at the same time, you might be more happy with a double boiler machine.
The Mahlkönig Vario grinder is sufficient for at starter. I'm happy with mine.
Be aware about the calcium hardness of your water. I installed a calsium filter, coupled directly to the water supply. Works smooth and easy.
Remember a good tamper. I choose a "click at 13.6 kg pressure" tamper - but I have learned, that tamping not always can be done with that pressure. Some times 20 kg are required.
Sorry for my poor english spelling - I do much better in danish.
Good luck - there is hours of learning ahead, once you have the machinery up and running.
chris201 Senior Member Joined: 15 Jun 2012 Posts: 5 Location: Czech Republic Expertise: Just starting
Posted Fri Jun 15, 2012, 5:47pm Subject: Re: Bezzera Galatea Domus
Thx Hawk,
I am only drinking espresso but my wife and most of our guests are drinking latte. I have also researched ECM, Rocket, Vibiemme and they are all very nice machines but I am simply just crazy for the Bezzera Domus design.
I know very little about espresso machines but reading hundreds of postings here and on a German forum made me to want a semi-automatic with a rotary pump. The rota pump is only 100,-EUR more than the vibration pump, which according to the experts/baristas is money well spent.
There you go, I was sure that a tamper would be included in the deal :-)
Yep, I know that there will be a lot of learning to pull consistent good espresso's but it will be great fun to play with it. I just read the tread about idiots guide to pulling consistent shots so I am not alone :-)
I am bargain hunting in Germany and Italy at the moment and I have friends living in Milan (only 40km from the Bezzera factory), maybe I will be lucky and get a deal directly from the factory, I do not believe it but my friends promised to try the direct route.
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