yvetteyo Senior Member Joined: 24 Jun 2010 Posts: 3 Location: Whitby Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Wed Jul 11, 2012, 6:02am Subject: the age old question....which machine to buy!
OK, so I originate from the UK and now live in Canada. As a previous poster commented getting hold of equipment is harder here and definately more difficult than the UK so here is my history and current problem...
I started originally (many years ago) buying coffe from a local coffee shop who sold his own machines and beans (daily roasted and ground - fantastic!) so I was very spoilt. After many discussions with the owner I settled on a Gaggia Baby and buying the beans there.......he was the turning point in my coffee journey and my husband blames him for everything!! I worked close to the shop so I had fresh beans whenever I wanted them.
I then had a kitchen refit and was given a fully all singing all dancing bean to cup built in coffee machine - loved it (even cleaned itself!!) but not sure the coffee was any better (or even as good as) my Gaggia TBH for such a much pricier machine.
I then moved to Canada and for the first year I had to do without, then in a fit of frustation I bought a Breville 800EXSL - yeah I know you all are shaking your heads!! It was on offer and all i could afford at the time.
Less than a year later I returned it to Breville and they replaced it - pump problem. Now 20 month later here I am again but with no Warranty.
I now roast my own beans with a Gene Cafe and then invested in a Rocky Doserless which I found on a super special offer which I love and makes it all worth while.
So now back to the Espresso machine....I generally am more milk based and only 1 or 2 a day, I spend the time roasting and grinding so don't mind spending the time making the drink so definately not looking to go for a Fully automatic. I'm happy to play around and learn.
So after all that the real question is to fix or not to fix...or...replace with better? And if replace with better what to look at. Have no issues with a second hand machine but there are a little harder to find on Kijiji and are quite oftern over priced!
iroast Senior Member Joined: 3 Nov 2011 Posts: 63 Location: NJ Expertise: I live coffee
Posted Wed Jul 11, 2012, 6:35am Subject: Re: the age old question....which machine to buy!
yvetteyo Said:
So after all that the real question is to fix or not to fix...or...replace with better? And if replace with better what to look at. Have no issues with a second hand machine but there are a little harder to find on Kijiji and are quite oftern over priced!
Depends on how much it would cost to fix the Gaggia and how often. If you're spending more on repairs already, then it's time to replace with something that has more steam power. I replaced my Silvia because I needed a machine with more steam power.
yvetteyo Senior Member Joined: 24 Jun 2010 Posts: 3 Location: Whitby Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Wed Jul 11, 2012, 8:24am Subject: Re: the age old question....which machine to buy!
Sorry, I have the Breville 800ESXL which is the one I need to decide to fix or not.
I think it needs a new heater block and pump but the question is as this is the second one I have had with the same problem in less than 3 years whether I should throw any money at it at all.
iroast Senior Member Joined: 3 Nov 2011 Posts: 63 Location: NJ Expertise: I live coffee
Posted Wed Jul 11, 2012, 9:19am Subject: Re: the age old question....which machine to buy!
You can get a used 800ESXL on eBay for about $150-$200. Repairs will probably cost you that much. I say, list it on eBay and use the $ on a new, used machine.
Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit = No New Posts since last visit = Newest post
Forum Rules: No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards. No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum. No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum. Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards. Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics. Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies. Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies. Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts. Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings.
= No New Posts since last visit 