BKSinAZ Senior Member Joined: 15 Nov 2012 Posts: 14 Location: Tucson Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Thu Nov 15, 2012, 6:04pm Subject: Starbucks Barista Espresso died. Need a new machine.
My Starbucks (Saeco) machine died. http://coffeegeek.com/reviews/consumer/starbucks_barista Pump no longer pumps. Had it for years and served me well. One of the things I liked about this machine was that it is very heavy. I liked the fact that when I put on the portafilter that the whole machine did not move around.
I am looking for opinions of what my next machine should be. I do not wish to buy used at this time. My budget is about $350.00 for the machine (Not looking for a grinder or an espresso machine with grinder)
I am looking for a machine that would be considered an upgrade from this one I have in the terms of quality of shot, quality of pump and parts, and dryness of puck upon completion of draw. The Starbucks consistently had a muddy messy puck no matter what grind I ground to.
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,317 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Thu Nov 15, 2012, 9:09pm Subject: Re: Starbucks Barista Espresso died. Need a new machine.
If the machine is fine you can probably replace the pump and get a few more years out of it. Did you remove the pressurized filter? $350 will get you the same class of machine and will not be much of an upgrade. Gaggia classic is probably what I would IF I was forced spent that kinda money and forced to get new.
But if I were in your situation, I would fix what I had or get the same thing refurbished from seattlecoffeegear.com. Then save up for a real step up in gear in a few years.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,317 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Fri Nov 16, 2012, 1:35am Subject: Re: Starbucks Barista Espresso died. Need a new machine.
ya or chriscoffee or espressoparts. I would probably spend the money you have on a nice grinder and fix the machine you have. It really is cool to fix it yourself and have it work.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
I had a question... I just ordered via that ebay link you posted. Howerver I wonder if I made a mistake.
In your link, the Model of Pump is 'E' Type EX5 1/1min. I just took my Starbucks Barista espresso machine apart and found the model to be 'EA' Type EX5 1/1.5 min. (Model 'E' vs 'EA' and 1/1 min vs. 1/1.5min)
Will the pump on your ebay link that I just ordered work?
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