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Need advice- replacing a Solis Crema SL70

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Discussions > Espresso > Machines > Need advice-...

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tajcinema
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Joined: 9 Nov 2012
Posts: 6
Location: Indiana
Expertise: I love coffee

Posted Fri Nov 9, 2012, 6:38pm Subject: Need advice- replacing a Solis Crema SL70

After many years of great service, my Solis stopped working recently (It's blowing the breaker when I plug it in). I am looking for something roughly equivalent to that machine to replace it. Any suggestions? Thanks!

qualin
Senior Member

Joined: 30 Jun 2012
Posts: 464
Location: Calgary, AB
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto 3
Grinder: Mazzer Mini Elect. Type A
Vac Pot: Looking to buy
Drip: Manual
Roaster: Considering?

Posted Sun Nov 11, 2012, 1:38am Subject: Re: Need advice- replacing a Solis Crema SL70

What is your budget for a replacement machine? The Solis uses pressurized portafilters. Are you still using them?

tajcinema
Senior Member

Joined: 9 Nov 2012
Posts: 6
Location: Indiana
Expertise: I love coffee

Posted Wed Nov 14, 2012, 6:09pm Subject: Re: Need advice- replacing a Solis Crema SL70

I am debating on budget, but I'd say sub-$400. a roughly equivalent machine is what I'm after. I am using the filters it came with.

tajcinema
Senior Member

Joined: 9 Nov 2012
Posts: 6
Location: Indiana
Expertise: I love coffee

Posted Tue Nov 20, 2012, 6:01pm Subject: Re: Need advice- replacing a Solis Crema SL70

Any ideas? So far between forums and amazon searches, I'm seeing: Gaggia New Baby Gaggia Classic Gaggia Baby Twin Not sure on other manufacturers. Once again, I'm looking for a rough equivalent to the Solis Crema. Am I on the right track? (Before someone asks, I do have a decent La Pavoni grinder and most of the accessories.) The whole reason for this is that my Solis blows the breaker when i try to turn it on. I talked to a service center that Solis pointed me to and was told it would be around $200 to fix it with very little warranty. I figure it's time for a new machine. Thanks.

qualin
Senior Member

Posted Wed Nov 21, 2012, 1:18am
Subject: Re: Need advice- replacing a Solis Crema SL70

tajcinema Said:

Any ideas?

Posted November 20, 2012 link

First of all, read the reviews on this site and see what people have to say about them.
"Gaggia Baby Twin Espresso"
"Gaggia Classic Machine"
"Gaggia Baby Espresso Models"

I believe that the Gaggia Classic is actually a step up from your Solis and it is only slightly outside of your budget. Gaggia has been making the classic for quite a few years now. While I don't have any personal experience with this machine, there are a lot of positive posts and reviews about this machine. The design of this machine is tried and proven from what I've read.

The Gaggia Baby is much closer to your budget, but the recommendations I've seen are to go with the Classic if your budget can permit for it.

tajcinema Said:

Am I on the right track?

Posted November 20, 2012 link

Another question I should ask.. Are there any espresso equipment vendors in your area who can locally service and support a machine for you? If so, what brands do they sell?

IMHO, it sounds to me like you simply wore out your Solis. I realize it is outside of the scope of your question, but perhaps you should consider upgrading at least one or two significant steps up. Something like a PID controlled SBDU machine or even to a low end HX machine. It may be something to think about if you are already budgeting $400..

tajcinema Said:

I do have a decent La Pavoni grinder and most of the accessories.

Posted November 20, 2012 link

Why continue to use a machine which uses pressurized portafilters if your grinder is actually capable of grinding for proper espresso? Your future machine should at least be capable of taking advantage of your grinder.

I'd like a little bit more feedback. How many drinks do you make per day? How many milk drinks do you make? (ie. Lattes, Cappuccinos, etc.) My worry is that any sort of replacement machine you are looking at may not be a suitable choice if your drink consumption has increased.

tajcinema
Senior Member

Joined: 9 Nov 2012
Posts: 6
Location: Indiana
Expertise: I love coffee

Posted Wed Nov 21, 2012, 4:00pm Subject: Re: Need advice- replacing a Solis Crema SL70

Another question I should ask.. Are there any espresso equipment vendors in your area who can locally service and support a machine for you? If so, what brands do they sell? I am not aware of one. I've got basically some of the box stores (Kohls and Macy's) Something like a PID controlled SBDU machine or even to a low end HX machine. It may be something to think about if you are already budgeting $400.. Could you help me with a few definitions and examples here. I am not familiar with those terms. I'd like a little bit more feedback. How many drinks do you make per day? How many milk drinks do you make? (ie. Lattes, Cappuccinos, etc.) My worry is that any sort of replacement machine you are looking at may not be a suitable choice if your drink consumption has increased. I'd say maybe a couple drinks per day is average. I dodge between types- probably mostly Lattes and Cappuccinos, but I've been known to do straight espresso shots from time to time. Thanks for the help.

Coffeenoobie
Senior Member

Joined: 11 Dec 2011
Posts: 2,317
Location: PNW
Expertise: I like coffee

Espresso: N S Oscar
Grinder: Vario W

Posted Wed Nov 21, 2012, 6:18pm Subject: Re: Need advice- replacing a Solis Crema SL70

Pease read the following links then ask your questions. "How to Buy an Espresso Machine" "First machine - 300-400$" "For $200-$300 price range is the Gaggia Espresso Pure the best choice?" "Decent Espresso Machines for $300"

Coffeenoobie Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)

tajcinema
Senior Member

Joined: 9 Nov 2012
Posts: 6
Location: Indiana
Expertise: I love coffee

Posted Wed Nov 21, 2012, 7:43pm Subject: Re: Need advice- replacing a Solis Crema SL70

I'd been on most of those threads. I get SBDU (that's, more or less, what I'm used to) HX- I think I get it, but I need help on machines to look at. PID... I get what it does, but once again I don't really know what machines I am looking at. A bit of direction will go a long way. Thanks.

Intrepid510
Senior Member

Joined: 30 Dec 2010
Posts: 303
Location: California
Expertise: I love coffee

Posted Wed Nov 21, 2012, 8:42pm Subject: Re: Need advice- replacing a Solis Crema SL70

First, your Solis was a great machine and in my opinion will be tough to replace as it had great features. Just look at the glowing review on the site; http://coffeegeek.com/proreviews/detailed/cremasl70 With that said if you are at least a little handy with tools or not scared you should do a little searching on the web and try to fix it. If that doesn't sound good pick up a Gaggia Classic or LeLit.

Less water, more grounds.

Coffeenoobie
Senior Member

Joined: 11 Dec 2011
Posts: 2,317
Location: PNW
Expertise: I like coffee

Espresso: N S Oscar
Grinder: Vario W

Posted Wed Nov 21, 2012, 11:12pm Subject: Re: Need advice- replacing a Solis Crema SL70

The first one how to buy an espresso machine lays it out pretty well. I got my Oscar for 475 used. It is a HX machine low volume commercial and low end HX. But because they are plastic they are priced well below the shiny ones.

Coffeenoobie Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)

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