Posted Tue Mar 16, 2004, 12:52pm Subject: buying a commercial espresso machine
I live in the bay area, Ca and was wondering if anyone could point me in the direction of buying a commercial 1 or 2 portafilter espresso machine for my home.
also, what are the best machines? ive looked on the reviews and the forums and everyone seems to think all the commercial grade espresso machines work wonderfully...which is true compared to home machines, but i have noticed a differance between the 3 different machines I have worked on.
price...well...price may not be an issue...but lets keep it reasonable =)
malachi Senior Member Joined: 5 May 2002 Posts: 1,758 Location: SFCA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Monster Mia (for now)_ Grinder: Monster Cimballi Junior Vac Pot: Not any more Drip: never Roaster: Ecco, Stumptown, Intelli,...
Posted Tue Mar 16, 2004, 1:33pm Subject: Re: buying a commercial espresso machine
why do you want a commercial machine at home?
a "semi-portable" commercial espresso machine is kind of an oxymoron. commercial machines are plumbed in machines, and are 220v.
i honesly don't think i would buy a commercial machine for home. it's not only not needed, a lot of the price you're paying is going to be spent on features and aspects of the machine that are simply not relevent to home use. instead, i would look at buying a nice, high-end "prosumer" machine (La Spaziale S1, LaCimbali Junior D/1, Rancilio S24, etc.).
as an example - compare the price on a high-end "prosumer" machine to a nice commercial machine. The La Spaziale is around $1750. a single-group La Marzocco Linea is going to be more than double that - even before you have to pay to have the electrical and plumbing done.
if i were to buy a machine for home i would not buy a commercial machine, even if price were not an issue. i'd buy one of the machines listed above or something comparable and have it plumbed in. yeah - i couldn't bang out tons of drinks an hour or anything... but it's not like i'd have to.
and i could take the money i'd saved and buy a Mazzer Mini, a HotTop Roaster and enough green beans to last me quite a while.
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 Tue Mar 16, 2004, 1:38pm Subject: Re: buying a commercial espresso machine
Portable????....Commercial!!!!???.....Chris Coffee (I think) or 1st line lists the LM single PF at 175 Lbs....might be a miss print...but not somthing I'd want to haul up to the vacation house for the weekend!
onocoffee Senior Member Joined: 5 Sep 2002 Posts: 730 Location: Towson, Maryland Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: La Marzocco Linea 2AV, 3AV &... Grinder: 4 Mazzer Major Autos, Compak... Vac Pot: That crazy Bodum eSantos Drip: Bunn CWT Twin, Bunn Water... Roaster: Petroncini The Crumb
Posted Tue Mar 16, 2004, 2:12pm Subject: Re: buying a commercial espresso machine
I think the thought of having a real commercial machine at home, like the 3group La Marzocco Linea is a romantically psychotic thought. I know I'd love to have one countersunk into my bar with a matching pair of Mazzer Jolly grinders....
There's the sensible thing and the non-so-sensible thing. By God, if you have the spare cash and can afford the ultra luxury of such a machine in your home, you should GO FOR IT!!!!
Why not have a machine that will make CG-ers shudder with envy at your luck and financial extravagance. You will have the comfortable thought that no matter what anyone says, they too wish they could have an LM 3group in their house.
It's like having the Maybach of coffee. An indulgence. An extravagance that makes everyone on here blush. Consider that I have yet to read any telling Mark Prince that it's just foolish and way over the top that he has a Linea in his home.
There's alot of nice "prosumer" machines available. Giotto, La Val, S1 and a bunch of others- all excellent machines that will do what you want them to do: make great espresso drinks. Sure it's unlikely that you're going to have 90 people in line waiting for you to make them a cappuccino but you can rest assured that the day you decide to host your daughter's wedding reception at the house, you can hire a barista from Zoka and you'll have the best drinks ever.
And that's worth the ten grand price tag right there.
Posted Wed Mar 17, 2004, 4:52am Subject: Re: buying a commercial espresso machine
something semi-portable would be nice
Cimbali Bistro 1Group. The 1Group has a tank and can be hooked up to the water supply as well. There is a Cimbali guy on alt.coffee that travels with this thing.
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