rezz Senior Member Joined: 17 Aug 2011 Posts: 85 Location: Dallas Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: La Cimbali Junior, Expobar... Grinder: Mazzer Major, Kitchenaid... Vac Pot: Why? Drip: Really? Roaster: Hot Top, Gene Cafe
Posted Tue Sep 4, 2012, 2:51pm Subject: Calling ALL geeks for opinion between Cimbali and Rancilio
Hello everyone! I have had the pleasure of finding myself in the company of 2 fantastic espresso machines. One is the Cimbali Junior (I retrofitted this one with the dual pressure gauge) plumb in with rotary pump, 2.25 liter boiler, the other is "Laranzato" green club (this is basically a Rancilio Epoca in an off brand shell), featuring a 4 liter boiler, plumbed in with rotary pump. Now for the dilemma: I must sell one of these 2 beasts since I cannot justify keeping them both. The coffee from the Cimbali is more to my taste with most coffee blends.. the Laranzato also makes a good shot, though the ones from the cimbali are thicker and more chocolatey, the shots from the Laranzato are brighter, cleaner with a ligher body.
The kicker is that the Laranzato is a brand new machine whereas the Cimbali was used in a restaurant and is a 2006 model. I did change the pressurestat and the pump on the Cimbali, so those are new.
Some other pros/cons.... the Laranzato is so big that it will need its own custom built cabinet whereas Cimbali fits under existing cabinets (but I will make an espresso cabinet in the near future in either case, so not a big deal). Cimbali has a noticeably larger heat exchanger, according to some sources. Laranzato seems to come to temp faster. Cimbali has a denser brew group with a heavy metal donut to keep the temperature stable. Build of both machines is incredible, but Cimbali was really designed by someone who was thinking about maintenance in the future and seems easier to service. I think the Rancilio has an E-61 brew group? Can anyone confirm?
Which one of these 2 great machines would the ultimate geek keep? ; ) I will probably end up listing the one I do not keep for sale on coffee geek if it will not sell locally.
I don't think so, unless the group head is hidden. Does yor machine look anything like this Epoca? Can you post a picture?
As far as your being spoilt for choice is concerned, the Laranzato will probably have better thermostability and steaming power due to its much larger boiler. But the Cimbali will still be sufficient for home use. If you like the taste in the cup of the Cimbali better, go for it.
(Click for larger image)
*** "This drink of the Satan is so delicious that it would be a shame to leave it to the infidels." (Pope Clement VIII on coffee)
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.
![NobbyR: 1215116996371_epoca-E1-550x370.jpg](javascript:ImagePopup("/images/58495/1215116996371_epoca-E1-550x370.jpg", 550, 370, "NobbyR: 1215116996371_epoca-E1-550x370.jpg");)
= No New Posts since last visit 