DaninMaryland Senior Member Joined: 3 Jan 2013 Posts: 79 Location: US Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: V2 Silvia Grinder: Vario-W
Posted Fri Jan 4, 2013, 10:46am Subject: Another help me with my first espresso machine thread!
First off, been lurking for a while on the site and decided to join! i have been doing a lot of research, and looking for a little guidance. There are quite a few machines in the same general price range and looking for a little help in adding/deleting some on the list.
Below is what i am considering:
Gaggia Classic
Lelit PL041
Ascaso Steel Uno special edition
Rancillo Silvia
Ascaso Dream
i already own a Baratza Vario, so just looking for the espresso machine right now.
or take a look at all of them. they all started within the last week or so. Some include recommendations for more reading. Then maybe you can ask some more pointed questions...which we'd be more than happy to answer.
or take a look at all of them. they all started within the last week or so. Some include recommendations for more reading. Then maybe you can ask some more pointed questions...which we'd be more than happy to answer.
thank you for the reply, i beleive i already read those threads and is how i ended up with the list above. Would love to get a CC1 used, saw i just missed on on BST for $500. i think at this point i am leaning towards the Lelit, but the Ascasco Steel Uno is very interesting as well, but i dont see much about them. Opinion on these two? only a $5 difference between the two.
Another question - how important do you think having a PID is?
emradguy Senior Member Joined: 31 Mar 2011 Posts: 1,698 Location: Houston Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto II Grinder: MacapM4T, Macap M4, OE Lido,... Drip: Espro press; Aeropress Roaster: internet
Posted Fri Jan 4, 2013, 12:13pm Subject: Re: Another help me with my first espresso machine thread!
OK, cool!
If you want used, you often have to have more patience than if you're buying new, as they are less readily available. I don't know if you saw the comments about used NS Oscars, but they are a great buy if you can wait for one. A little internal repair may be needed and you may have to replace some parts, but then you get to know the machine that much better. There are people here who can help you with all of that, as they've done it already on the Oscar (and other machines too). Plus, there are professional service techs that visit this site regularly and offer help.
I haven't personally used either of those machines (the Ascaso or LeLit). One drawback I see of the LeLit is that it uses 57mm portafilters, which means your baskets will all be 57mm and your tamper will be 57mm. The downside to that is most other machines are 58mm, so if you ever decide to upgrade, any additionals you bought would be useless to you (though if you end up with a Reg Barber tamper at least the base would be interchangeable as they screw on and off). I guess having more accessories might help your resale efforts too?
PID...well, very helpful...but not necessary at all. I operated a Silvia for about 8 years without one. By the time I thought very hard about putting one on, I was looking at upgrading. And so, instead I bought my Izzo Alex Duetto II - that was about a year ago. The major benefits of PID are reducing guesswork, temp stability and time savings. After one becomes comfortable with the machine, the guesswork portion is less of an issue.
Posted Sat Jan 5, 2013, 5:16pm Subject: Re: Another help me with my first espresso machine thread!
Sgc did have some open box CC1's available for $599. If they were avail when I bought I would have saved $100. . . And I like the machine too. Never only other machine I've used is a Gaggia Classic, so u couldn't really compare. I will say that I think the steam is on the moist side, but pretty much endless.
DaninMaryland Senior Member Joined: 3 Jan 2013 Posts: 79 Location: US Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: V2 Silvia Grinder: Vario-W
Posted Tue Jan 8, 2013, 3:45pm Subject: Re: Another help me with my first espresso machine thread!
Ended up going with the Ascasco Steel Uno special edition. got it for $350 shipped, factory refurbished so i think thats a pretty good deal. i think this should be good enough for my first espresso machine. great looking unit and cant wait to start making espresso!
Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit = No New Posts since last visit = Newest post
Forum Rules: No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards. No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum. No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum. Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards. Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics. Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies. Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies. Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts. Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings.
= No New Posts since last visit 