dvv Senior Member Joined: 30 Jan 2013 Posts: 3 Location: NYC Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Wed Jan 30, 2013, 7:42am Subject: QuickMill Alexia with PID
Hello,
I am looking to buy a prosumer level espresso machine and asn so far I have eyed the Rancillio Sylvia with PID and the QuickMill Alexia with PID. I would like to hear some opinions if the Alexia is worth the extra $300-$400. What are some of its benefits over the Sylvia and also is it much different to mantain. Thanks in advance!
JasonBrandtLewis Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 6,098 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 Wed Jan 30, 2013, 8:27am Subject: Re: QuickMill Alexia with PID
dvv Said:
I am looking to buy a prosumer level espresso machine and asn (sic) so far I have eyed the Rancillio Sylvia with PID and the QuickMill Alexia with PID. I would like to hear some opinions if the Alexia is worth the extra $300-$400. What are some of its benefits over the Sylvia and also is it much different to mantain (sic).
Hmmm; guess the "search" feature must be broken again . . . .
Welcome to CG. The Silvia (spelled with an "i") is not a "prosumer" level machine. It is a consumer machine. But before we can even go there, the big question remains: why these two machines? In other words, out of the thousands of machines on the market, you have -- or appear to have -- narrowed down your choices to these two. What is it about these two machines that have caused them, in your mind, to rise above all the other possibilities?
Perhaps we should start at the beginning.
Standard Questions: 1) What kind of drinks do you like/want to make? (This will tell us what you need in terms of a machine's capabilities.) 2) How many drinks, on average, do you see yourself needing to make at ay one time? (This will tell us what you need in terms of a machine's ability to work continuously.) 3) How many drinks, on average, do you see yourself making in any given week? (This will tell us what you need in terms of a machine's durability.) 4) Can you plumb a machine directly into the water supply, or do you want/need a pourover machine with its own reservoir? 5) Do you have a 20-amp circuit available, or only a (standard) 15-amp circuit? 6) What is your budget for a new machine? Does that also include a grinder? If not, what is your budget for a grinder?
dvv Senior Member Joined: 30 Jan 2013 Posts: 3 Location: NYC Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Wed Jan 30, 2013, 9:19am Subject: Re: QuickMill Alexia with PID
hey,
thanks for the reply. I am sorry for not being more detailed. I have not necessarily norrowed down the choice between these two, but from what I have read the Rancillo is a solid choice in its price range. Regarding the Alexia, I guess I have pichked it as it is one of the fewer higher end machines, that I have found, that is offered with pid(I don't want to deal with the whole temp surfing ect every time I make a shot, that's why I preffer the pid; it seems to make life a bit easier, although at ~ $300 price). The point is the Alexia worht the extra money? As for my needs, I will mostly use it for straight shots, 2-3 drinks per day, ocassionaly more if I have guest comming over. I will not use the steam too often. My budget for a grinder is in the 400-500 range. As for the circuit I have no idea. THanks
No, the Silvia is a rock-solid machine that is overpriced in its category.
dvv Said:
Regarding the Alexia, I guess I have pichked it as it is one of the fewer higher end machines, that I have found, that is offered with pid(I don't want to deal with the whole temp surfing ect every time I make a shot, that's why I preffer the pid; it seems to make life a bit easier, although at ~ $300 price). The point is the Alexia worht the extra money?
OK, first of all, do you know/understand the difference between the various types of machines? If not -- or if you are not sure -- you should probably take a few minutes to read this post on Types of Machines. The Silvia is a consumer SBDU machine; the Alexia is a "prosumer" SBDU. SBDU's are fine for straight shots, not very good for milk drinks.
Personally, were I in the market for an SBDU machine, I'd grab the Alexia. Were I serious about a Silvia, I'd save my money and get either a Le'Lit or a Gaggia Classic.
Gig103 Senior Member Joined: 12 Feb 2012 Posts: 204 Location: Arizona Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Crossland CC1 Grinder: Baratza Vario Drip: French press!
Posted Wed Jan 30, 2013, 2:26pm Subject: Re: QuickMill Alexia with PID
You should take a look at the Crossland CC1 instead of a Rancilio Silvia. The CC1 has a PID, plus it has a thermoblock for steaming which means there's no chance of overheating a boiler and there's no cooling flush after you finish steaming. It gets into steam mode in about the time it takes to go to the fridge and pour the milk.
The QuickMill has that prosumer look and the E61 brew head which is great for temperature stability, but for the price increase I'm not sure those features are worth it, only you can answer that. At the price range of the QM I'd start considering a heat exchanger if you plan on drinking lattes and cappuccinos.
The Vario is a great espresso grinder for your budget.
dvv Senior Member Joined: 30 Jan 2013 Posts: 3 Location: NYC Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Wed Jan 30, 2013, 2:40pm Subject: Re: QuickMill Alexia with PID
Thanks for sharing your opinions. I was/am leaning more towards the QM as the E61 provides more temp. stability and consistency. I am not sure how well a machine like the Rancillio, the Le'Lit or the CC with pids come to the consistancy of a macine with a E61 grouphead, but the significant price difference makes them worth considering as options.
CMIN Senior Member Joined: 14 Jun 2012 Posts: 500 Location: South FL Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Crossland CC1 Grinder: Baratza Preciso
Posted Wed Jan 30, 2013, 4:36pm Subject: Re: QuickMill Alexia with PID
Alexia is really expensive for what it is (a sbdu machine), if you were looking at that I'd be looking at some h/x machines in that range. Like mentioned, for your grinder budget, Vario easily.
Posted Wed Jan 30, 2013, 5:45pm Subject: Re: QuickMill Alexia with PID
I recently moved from the Silvia Rocky combo to the Alexia Vario combo and the difference is amazing. Both had PID so temp control was fine. But the preinfusion of the E61 is so much more forgiving. The grinder also allowed me to better experiment with dose and grind combinations. The only downside, as mentioned above, is that there is about a 2 minute wait between pulling the shot and waiting for the steam temp to come up. Not a huge deal for one or two drinks. But not so good when we have guests over because it takes a while to get back to brew temp for the next shots. Counter space for me, kept me for going with and HX or Double broiler.
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