shkra11 Senior Member Joined: 12 Dec 2012 Posts: 10 Location: ny Expertise: Just starting
Posted Wed Dec 12, 2012, 3:43pm Subject: Looking for a machine with a regular steam wand and adjustable steam
Background: I worked at a coffee shop as a barista a while back, so I am very comfortable with (and prefer) commercial level machines. I am very far from a connoisseur and I do not have rancilio silvia money (although I enjoyed using that machine for a year at a different job).
What I'm looking for (if it exists): - a new machine - that works with a non-pressurized portafilter/basket (even if it doesn't come with one) - with a regular steam wand (or one where the froth enhancer/panarello can be easily taken off of the wand) - with an adjustable steam lever/knob (not just a button/switch that turns steam on or off with no ability to vary the amount of steam)
Does this exist under $600? I really appreciate your help- it is pretty difficult to figure out specs regarding steam mechanisms online. It seems that my requirements eliminate most Gaggias, but I'm not sure if there might be some Breville or Saeco models that might fit the bill.
shkra11 Senior Member Joined: 12 Dec 2012 Posts: 10 Location: ny Expertise: Just starting
Posted Thu Dec 13, 2012, 6:19am Subject: Re: Looking for a machine with a regular steam wand and adjustable steam
Thanks
- my budget for a machine (excluding grinder) is $300-500. (I don't have questions on the grinder for now.) - I'll almost always use it for 1 latte only, adding flavored syrup or lots of sweetener after, approximately once a day - not trying to give anyone indigestion, but I used illy pre-ground in a rancilio silvia a few times a week and loved it - I want a machine with a water tank - I'll be using a normal circuit - If it meets my needs, I prefer a machine with a smaller footprint (the silvia is a bit large/bulky for my space)
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,683 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 Thu Dec 13, 2012, 8:22am Subject: Re: Looking for a machine with a regular steam wand and adjustable steam
Small size and quality are kind of at odds with each other. The smaller the machine, the less thermal mass there is to maintain a stable temp and the smaller the boiler will be to maintain a constant temp water in brewing. There are several machines for less money than Sylvia that work just as well.
Preground, Illy, uh, OK but that isn't going to even approach anything like quality espresso, ....... on ANY machine but with a lot of additional flavors and sugar syrups, well it may be drinkable.
The coffee needs to be fresh GROUND and no more than two weeks from THE DAY IT WAS ROASTED to be fresh and fresh blows away stale every time.
I will take a few minutes to look at our advertisers (you could do this to) and will post some choices soon.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,683 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 Thu Dec 13, 2012, 8:37am Subject: Re: Looking for a machine with a regular steam wand and adjustable steam
This is the BEST bang for your buck at the moment, the grinder isn't to the level of a Vario but it will do an acceptable job and it is LIGHT YEARS better than pre ground Illy in a can. The combo is less than the list price of Sylvia non pid alone.
shkra11 Senior Member Joined: 12 Dec 2012 Posts: 10 Location: ny Expertise: Just starting
Posted Thu Dec 13, 2012, 8:55am Subject: Re: Looking for a machine with a regular steam wand and adjustable steam
I don't want to panic anybody- I will in time reform my grinding habits after I get a machine and can experiment with grinders, etc. My main problem now is that I have no machine and want to get one and I'd appreciate some information on steam wands and controls. I have looked (and will keep looking) at the resources on this website and at other threads, but my main question here is something that isn't answered that I've seen.
I'm looking for something like this steam wand and control, but in a cheaper machine (around $300-500 range) - does that exist?
Specifically, I'm trying to find out if there are machines with:
(1) a regular steam wand (or one where the froth enhancer/panarello can be easily taken off of the wand) and
(2) that have an adjustable steam lever/knob (not just a button/switch that turns steam on or off with no ability to vary the amount of steam)?
shkra11 Senior Member Joined: 12 Dec 2012 Posts: 10 Location: ny Expertise: Just starting
Posted Thu Dec 13, 2012, 8:59am Subject: Re: Looking for a machine with a regular steam wand and adjustable steam
Thanks for your response. I'll check out the Le'lit PL041 and, if I start thinking I might need to increase my budget to get what I'm looking for, I'll check out the ascaso and the CC1. I've seen some good reviews of both of those machines on here.
I see the ascaso has a frothing aid- does anyone know if that's easily removable from the wand?
shkra11 Senior Member Joined: 12 Dec 2012 Posts: 10 Location: ny Expertise: Just starting
Posted Thu Dec 13, 2012, 10:41am Subject: Re: Looking for a machine with a regular steam wand and adjustable steam
hmm- I wonder if any vendors would do that before shipping the classic out? I'm reading up on switching out the wands, but I don't really want to do any modifications myself.
Auber PID and RTD sensor for DIY and about $75-100 depending on what you want and can do, or PID Kit for about $200.
Before you buy, ask yourself if you want a SBDU, single boiler, machine or if you will want to soon upgrade. You may want to look at used Oscar which I see frequently recommended. I am still at the Gaggia Classic stage and happy with it.
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