olywadave Senior Member Joined: 24 Mar 2003 Posts: 16 Location: Olympia Expertise: Professional
Espresso: PID'd Rancilio Silvia Grinder: Rancilio Rocky & OLD SCHOOL... Vac Pot: It's a Yama Vacpot baby! Drip: Chemex 8 Cup Roaster: Leaving that to the pros...
Posted Thu Nov 29, 2012, 5:04pm Subject: Re: Opinions on a good professional espresso machine to buy used for a small
This is my first post reply in quite some time on CG... But it's right down my alley. We get asked this question all the time.
Used gear is a crap shoot sometimes but also necessary depending on the business model. Make sure that you buy something that parts can easily be found for. Parts and manufacturers can become obsolete and parts very hard to find. We've seen it happen.
My 2 suggestions would be to get something like a La Marzocco Linea or just about anything from CMA who is the World's largest espresso machine manufacturer. The make a whole family of different brands. Espresso machine brands CMA produces are Astoria, Wega, Rio.
Considering your location a La Marzocco Linea should be easy to come by and if it were me, that is what I would try and find.
2 Group vs. 3 Group. You'll probably be fine with a 2 group. Many of the busiest shops do just fine with 2.
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,761 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 Fri Nov 30, 2012, 8:59am Subject: Re: Opinions on a good professional espresso machine to buy used for a small
The very BEST thing you can do when buying a machine for a business, is to buy from a local company that will service it for you and can maintain it at the drop of a hat for you. When it has a problem (and they all will sooner or later) you can not afford to be not making coffee because ..... the machine is broken.
The exact brand is not as important than being able to have it kept in service. A lot of companies will lease a machine or may have deals on used equipment.
Just my $0.02, you asked for opinions and that is mine.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
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