idensie Senior Member Joined: 7 Nov 2012 Posts: 9 Location: New Zealand Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Londinium I Luxe Grinder: MACAP M4D
Posted Thu Nov 15, 2012, 5:41am Subject: Help with coffee machine purchase
Hello Everyone.
I have been lurking around reading the forums and reviews for a while but decided I needed to sign up so that I could start asking some questions...
I have worked in Restaurants and Cafes on and off for most of my life so I drink a few coffees and am use to large automatic espresso machines. Where I currently work we use a Conti Xeos 3 group machine and a Eureka Mythos grinder.
I have recently inherited some money and have decided to spend it wisely and buy myself a coffee machine! (I have paid off 1/2 of the mortgage as well:-)
What I am after is a volumetric/automatic machine so that I can replicate what I can do in the Restaurant at home.
I live in New Zealand and these are the types of machines that I have been able to track down through New Zealand shops/agents/websites and that I like the look of:
BFC Classica Auto 1 Group for $3440 also sold as 'Vittoria Classica' in the States.
BFC Junior ele volumetric espresso machine for NZ$3200, I understand that they are sold under the 'Diadema' brand in Australia or the 'La Valentina' brand in the States.
ECM Elektronika, Plumbed for $ 3582 or Tanked for $ 3260
La Pavoni verobar volumetric for $4000
I have asked the Coffee Rep who we deal with about second hand commercial machines, I missed out on a La Cimbali Junior for $2530, but he has recently offered me a Expobar MegaCrem 1 Group for $2300 but I am reluctant to buy second hand and I have been put off a bit as his service is pretty average. I have checked out new prices for the La Cimbali Junior ($5900) and the La Marzocco GS/3 ($9200) but these are just a bit out of the price range.
So I just want to see what people know about the 4 machines that I have listed above and their thoughts on them.
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,685 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 Thu Nov 15, 2012, 7:22am Subject: Re: Help with coffee machine purchase
Hi and welcome to the light and out of the shadows! I'm sorry for your loss but at the same time, paying down the home is a great way to spend some of the money. As for machines, I do understand your doubts on used equipment but for the most part, if you are fairly handy such as being able to change the spark plugs, timing belt and oil in your car, you will have no problem with an espresso machine. They are robust devices when you look at commercial units.
My use of machines is going to be different from what you have available to you. I can say though, I own an ECM machine (not Rocket) and the quality is high, I can without hesitation recommend the brand to anyone.
The others you list, I have no use on them.
The Elektra Sixties T1 Single Group Commercial Espresso Machine http://www.chriscoffee.com/products/home/espresso/sixtiesa3 is a very sound machine that fits all your so far stated requirements and Jason loves his which is good enough for me to advise you to look at it.
You say you have worked in the industry so you will know the value of a good grinder, have you started looking at them yet? Which grinders have caught your eye so far?
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
idensie Senior Member Joined: 7 Nov 2012 Posts: 9 Location: New Zealand Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Londinium I Luxe Grinder: MACAP M4D
Posted Sat Nov 17, 2012, 4:13am Subject: Re: Help with coffee machine purchase
Thanks for the replies guys.
I saw the post with the person comparing the La Cimbali Junior Casa DT1 with the Elektra Sixties T1 and I tried to see if there was someone in New Zealand stocking the Elektra Sixties but I haven't had much luck. I found a listing for a second hand one that was on a local auction site a few weeks ago and I asked the seller if they would re-list it but I haven't heard anything from them.
Coffeenoobie - I do like the look of the Londinium, the wording on their website that talks about the pattern of use is exactly how I would use it... "on all day, every day, but used sporadically as you take a break from your work for a few minutes to enjoy an exquisite espresso" it could be breakfast or if I come home for lunch, dinner time or four coffee's in a row if friends are around. Unfortunatley I can't find an agent for them in NZ either, I know they say they ship world wide but I would probably be stung with $600-$1000 import duties and tax so that would probably put the machine out of my budget.
As for the grinder, I have had my eye on the Mazzer Mini Electronic but I think it would be pushing the budget as well. These are a few that are available in New Zealand and that I like the look of:
Rancillo Rocky Dosserless $599
Mahlkoenig Vario grinder $800-$850
Eureka Mignon $818-$1008 (I think the $818 could be a trade price I stumbled upon on the Internet)
MACAP M4 electronic $1250- $1449
Mazzer Mini Electronic $1398-$1552
At this stage I think I am favouring the BFC Classica Auto 1 Group and the Eureka Mignon. Does anyone have any thoughts on that combination?
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,324 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Sat Nov 17, 2012, 11:22am Subject: Re: Help with coffee machine purchase
I don't recommend the Rocky unless you get a great deal used. The steps are large and people don't stay happy with them and want to upgrade. I personally don't like to buy stuff I will not be happy with for long unless I am strapped for cash and it is an emergency. I love my Vario W grinder. (the US company works with Mahlkoenig)
The LONDINIUM I is only sold directly. If I had your windfall I would find out for sure the import cost before I wrote it off. I am impressed with what I read.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
Markarian Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 474 Location: Seattle Area Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Modded Nuova Simonelli Oscar Grinder: Vario-W, Mazzer Super Jolly Drip: Moka, Aeropress, Melitta 102 Roaster: Wear-Ever Popcorn Pumper
Posted Sat Nov 17, 2012, 1:18pm Subject: Re: Help with coffee machine purchase
Seconded for the Malhkonig (Baratza) Vario-W. I bought it directly from the guy who designed it and it's a great grinder with a lot of power. Once you have that scale, you'll never want to go back to anything else.
idensie Senior Member Joined: 7 Nov 2012 Posts: 9 Location: New Zealand Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Londinium I Luxe Grinder: MACAP M4D
Posted Thu Feb 7, 2013, 2:26am Subject: Re: Help with coffee machine purchase
Hey Guys
I just wanted to thank everyone for the advise I received a few months ago when I asked for some help with a coffee machine purchase.
Just thought I'd let you know what I ended up with...
After a suggestion from Coffeenoobie I ended up looking into the Londinium I and after a mountain of reading and several emails between myself and Reiss I put my order in for a Londinium I Luxe.
I went with a MACAP M4D grinder, based on a bit of reading and I like the look of it better than the Mazzer Mini E.
So, after a bit of a hold up with demand exceeding supply my machine is now on the courier making its way to New Zealand.
I can't wait!
Thanks for the help everyone and I might see you over in the lever threads when my machine turns up and I have to start asking some more questons!
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