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Regional: Western Europe
Buying a machine in Italy?

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ZVIKA
Senior Member

Joined: 5 Feb 2002
Posts: 23
Location: RAANANA, ISRAEL
Expertise: I live coffee

Espresso: Isomac Millenium
Grinder: Cunill El Cafe tranquilo
Roaster: Hearthware Precision

Posted Sun Mar 28, 2004, 2:36am Subject: Re: Buying a machine in Italy?

I bought my Isomac Millenum at the factory located in Monza near Milan for about 1000 euro. You should know that you have to make an appointment before, pay cash and the machine is 25 Kg and big like a suitcase. Zvika.

Wesman
Senior Member

Joined: 28 Jan 2004
Posts: 95
Location: New Jersey
Expertise: I like coffee

Espresso: Gaggia Classic
Grinder: Rancilio Rocky DL
Vac Pot: Nope
Drip: Mr Coffee & FPress
Roaster: My Girlfriend would LEAVE!

Posted Sun Mar 28, 2004, 12:59pm Subject: Re: Buying a machine in Italy?

I saw espresso machines in many shops in nothern Italy...I almost fell for the temptation to take one home but decided not to due to the weight of the thing.....when I got home I realized it was a good that I did not....due to the electrical incapability (110 vs 220).....remember if you live in the US .....european appliances are of a differnt voltage....(although I'd Imagine this dosen't apply to Sweden).

coffeemanic
Senior Member

Joined: 17 Jun 2003
Posts: 4
Expertise: Beginner

Posted Tue Apr 13, 2004, 12:00am Subject: Re: Buying a machine in Italy?

I dont understand what some of you are talking about? you trying to tell me that you cant find A domestic espresso machine in ITALY? hahahaha I am Italian! and I will tell you.. first of all! most Espresso machines were invented in ITALY, they are made in ITALY! do you think we only sell them abroad!?? you can buy a home espresso machine in any town! any department store! hahhaha come on guys! Italy with no domestic machines??? this is a joke right??? Yes In Italy we prefer the moka stovetop espresso. just becuase its traditional, simple and taste really good too. rememeber like one of the first posters said, espresso is very cheap in Italy and everyone drinks it.. but in the house for breakfast we have a latte or in the evening we will drink an espresso, but during the day when all Italy is out and about working, running around. we go to the cafe bars and have espresso... its custom, tradition.. there are plenty of espesso machines for sale.. just go to a department store! you will find everything you want.. this is ITALY!! come on!!!

MrFollies
Senior Member

Joined: 3 Oct 2003
Posts: 98
Location: Amsterdam
Expertise: Just starting

Espresso: Isomac Tea
Grinder: Mazzer Mini
Roaster: Prima Popper

Posted Tue Apr 13, 2004, 12:31am
Subject: Re: Buying a machine in Italy?

ZVIKA Said:

I bought my Isomac Millenum at the factory located in Monza near Milan for about 1000 euro.
You should know that you have to make an appointment before, pay cash and the machine is 25 Kg and big like a suitcase.
Zvika.

That's interesting, I would have thought it to be a little cheaper than that.
I bought a Tea in Amsterdam for 1050. They also had (and still do) Millenum's for the same price.

-D

ken1998
Senior Member

Joined: 29 Jun 2003
Posts: 2
Location: New York, NY
Expertise: Intermediate

Posted Sun May 16, 2004, 6:54am Subject: Re: Buying a machine in Italy?

Hi coffeemanic: I will be at Firenze and Rome in early June. Do you have any suggestion of where to buy cheap La Marzocco machine? Thanks in advance. Kevin

theakston
Senior Member

Joined: 29 Jun 2004
Posts: 2
Location: USA
Expertise: I love coffee

Posted Wed Jul 7, 2004, 9:36am Subject: Re: Buying a machine in Italy?

Just a couple of questions as I am planning a trip to Sicily this fall: 1) about voltage compatability. Yes I live in the USA so my voltage is 110 not 220. Is there no way a machine designed to work on 220 can work at 110? (would it not work at all? work slower? can you get a converter?) OK that was probably more than 1 question. I was thinking of getting an elektra art machine (with the lever). 2) if it can be made to work on our puny US voltage can anyone recommend a place to purchase an elektra machine in Sicily? Thanks, P.

BeanWhere
Senior Member

Joined: 6 Jan 2002
Posts: 163
Location: Elizabethtown, PA
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Expobar Pulser
Grinder: Rocky & Barista
Drip: Technivorm
Roaster: FR+

Posted Wed Jul 7, 2004, 10:39am
Subject: Re: Buying a machine in Italy?

theakston Said:

1) about voltage compatability. Yes I live in the USA so my voltage is 110 not 220. Is there no way a machine designed to work on 220 can work at 110? (would it not work at all? work slower? can you get a converter?)

Posted July 7, 2004 link

No, not really. You need to change the internals of the machine. If you change the plug and put a 220 volt machine on a 110 V circuit, you will not be delivering enough electrical power to the machine. Electrical power, P = IV where P equals power, I equals amps, and V equals volts. The unit will be rated for a power requirement (kilowatts). As an example, on a recent trip to Korea, my wife used a blow dryer rated for 110 V use on a 220 V circuit and promptly fried it because it was receiving much more power than it could handle. Going the other way, if you use a 220 volt on a 110 volt, it will only be getting half of the power it needs and will not operate properly.

This goes way back. In Europe, the thinking has always been to use higher voltage (the motive force) to push smaller amps (the quantity of power). In the US, the practice has always been to use less volts to move more amps. The pros and cons to each method, although lower voltages tend to be safer.

Dual voltage electrical devices exist, but they have the internals necessary to adjust the power supplied as required. Chances are an espresso machine is not going to work that way.

In order to avoid headaches, you need to make sure you are getting a machine rated for 110V service.

theakston
Senior Member

Joined: 29 Jun 2004
Posts: 2
Location: USA
Expertise: I love coffee

Posted Wed Jul 14, 2004, 2:08pm Subject: Re: Buying a machine in Italy?

But surely I could purchase a transformer? like this 300 watt version: click here and at $29 would that not be worth the difference in price? Or are 110V versions of, say an Elektra casa e leva available in Sicily?

BeanWhere
Senior Member

Joined: 6 Jan 2002
Posts: 163
Location: Elizabethtown, PA
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Expobar Pulser
Grinder: Rocky & Barista
Drip: Technivorm
Roaster: FR+

Posted Wed Jul 14, 2004, 7:38pm
Subject: Re: Buying a machine in Italy?

theakston Said:

But surely I could purchase a transformer? like this 300 watt version:
click here

and at $29 would that not be worth the difference in price? Or are 110V versions of, say an Elektra casa e leva available in Sicily?

Posted July 14, 2004 link

A transformer will change the voltage but not the current available.

Even if this would work, this unit is much too small. Most espresso machines draw well in excess of 1000 watts. These units are intended for small electrical devices. Besides, why on earth would you want this sitting on your counter? You will be buying more headaches than it is worth.

HB
Senior Member

Joined: 3 Apr 2003
Posts: 2,913
Location: Cary, NC

Posted Thu Jul 15, 2004, 5:27am Subject: Re: Buying a machine in Italy?

Here's a few threads that discussion the whys and what fors of cross-continent espresso machines: "Rocky and Silvia travel to the Continent" "Using 220V Silvia in the U.S." "advice needed from electricity geeks (or UK geeks or both...)" I lived overseas and went the 1500W transformer route for some kitchen appliances; it is pretty bulky and weighs +20 pounds. I think you'll find that it isn't a very attractive proposition. You might find some 110V machines for sale in Italy -- a friend of mine got an export version of the La Pavoni while on vacation in Rome. -- Dan

www.home-barista.com

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