cuznvin Senior Member Joined: 6 Oct 2011 Posts: 421 Location: NY Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sun Dec 23, 2012, 2:34pm Subject: Re: Upgrading to HX or dual boiler machine
JasonBrandtLewis Said:
Helen, in the FWIW Dept. . . .
a) Used is always an option, but never one I consider unless the OP starts out saying they are looking for used.
b) $1500 is not enough for any <new> set up that I feel comfortable in recommending. Closest is Bezzera BZ07 + Baratza Vario = approx. $1650. Shipping is (usually) free; often, so is the sales tax.
JasonBrandtLewis Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 6,099 Location: Berkeley, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 - La Valentina -... Grinder: Mahlkönig K30 Vario -... Vac Pot: Yama 5-cup Drip: CCD, Chemex Roaster: No, no, not another...
Posted Sun Dec 23, 2012, 2:44pm Subject: Re: Upgrading to HX or dual boiler machine
That IS the least expensive setup I'd recommend. But -- and this is up to the user -- if one can survive without a hot water wand*, then I'd go with an Oscar.
* As with most "conveniences," you don't think you need one until you use one, and then you can't live without it. (Plumbing the machine into the water supply isn't essential, for example, but I'd never get another machine that couldn't be plumbed.) My family uses the hot water tap all the time . . . .
Posted Sun Dec 23, 2012, 3:04pm Subject: Re: Upgrading to HX or dual boiler machine
+1 to a plumbed machine. I am now so accustomed to not filling a reservoir I am not sure how long a heating element would last if I had tom remember to fill one!
The hot water tap is good because it allows refreshing the water in the boiler and that goes a long way towards limiting scale build up.
cuznvin Senior Member Joined: 6 Oct 2011 Posts: 421 Location: NY Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sun Dec 23, 2012, 3:21pm Subject: Re: Upgrading to HX or dual boiler machine
JasonBrandtLewis Said:
That IS the least expensive setup I'd recommend. But -- and this is up to the user -- if one can survive without a hot water wand*, then I'd go with an Oscar.
* As with most "conveniences," you don't think you need one until you use one, and then you can't live without it. (Plumbing the machine into the water supply isn't essential, for example, but I'd never get another machine that couldn't be plumbed.) My family uses the hot water tap all the time . . . .
Posted Sun Dec 23, 2012, 5:08pm Subject: Re: Upgrading to HX or dual boiler machine
Wow thank you for all of the replies! :)
However, I guess I have still not made the grinder vs. new machine thing clear: the Baratza Vario is happening, and it's completely separate from anything in this post. I specifically posted in the espresso machine forums, about upgrading my machine and what my budget is for that, because I already know what I'm getting in my grinder, and how much it will cost me. My grinder will not be coming out of my "around $1500" budget.
I get it, a lot of people come here and ask for advice on the machine without considering the grinder, but I am not one of them. :) This post is purely about the machine, and my budget is somewhat flexible. I would like to keep it as close to $1500 as possible, and still get what I want, but I'm not going to say no just because the perfect machine is going to cost me $1700.
While I've heard nothing but great things about the Oscar, I just can't get past how, well, ugly I find it, lol. If I'm going to spend that kind of money on something that will sit on my counter for the next decade or more, I want it to look awesome! Shallow maybe, but there it is. I really like the look of the stainless steel machines.
Anyone wanting to chime in yet on the Rocket versus the Quickmill Anita? Those are the two I'm currently looking at hardest.
JasonBrandtLewis Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 6,099 Location: Berkeley, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 - La Valentina -... Grinder: Mahlkönig K30 Vario -... Vac Pot: Yama 5-cup Drip: CCD, Chemex Roaster: No, no, not another...
Posted Sun Dec 23, 2012, 5:13pm Subject: Re: Upgrading to HX or dual boiler machine
Between the Rocket and Quick Mill machines, either one will serve you nicely, and should for years to come. (And I agree with you re: the Oscar, which is yet another reason why I rarely recommend it.) ;^)
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