(GPGT)Espresso machine hoot

sohzai

sohzai

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I am the user of Philips poemia for the last 2 years. And I use a hario slim for grinding. It costs me 200+ back then.

If you just want to taste fresh coffee, and am not able to tell much difference between output from this vs a proper espresso machine, then use this.

For me, I am changing because I have been restraining myself for the past 2 years. To me, it muted quite a large portion of the body as compared to machines I am getting. But at least I drink it almost everyday and also make drinks for family and friends. Well used I guess.

If you consume for yourself only, this is sufficient. Milk steaming probably need to wait a few minutes after pulling your shot. But if you need to make more than 1 cup each time, you may not be patient enough.

By the way, Philips carnival this weekend if you choose to get this.

Budget, frequency of use, quality of drink required. Decide using this factors. It is after all only about 10% of the cost compared to vibiemme, quick mill or berreza machines.

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CTBR

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Judging by the response from users using entry level espresso machines, I would say save for a better espresso machine and try alternative and much cheaper coffee methods like pour over.
Then again, I'm the type that sweeps in every last speck of grounded coffee into my portafilter instead of polishing and reading about wasted coffee makes my heart ache..
 
coolben

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solid advice, thanks guys. :D

I will go for the entry level philips, just to test waters.
 
sohzai

sohzai

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Not that I don't agree that grinders are important, but even shops that I visit are saying importance of grinders are over exaggerated. They told me for Home use, $500 to 1k is more than enough. As long as grinds are consistently fine, no need to tip your budget so much towards it.

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patryn33

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derazor said:
So far quite ok with my Silvia. Most of the time 2 person using nia
Click to expand...

I was ok with my old comparable Silvia for 6 yrs until it broke and time to upgrade. Have to agree 2 person drinks it's ok.

When I upgrade to e61 I like it better than my old machine.
 
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patryn33

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sohzai said:
Not that I don't agree that grinders are important, but even shops that I visit are saying importance of grinders are over exaggerated. They told me for Home use, $500 to 1k is more than enough. As long as grinds are consistently fine, no need to tip your budget so much towards it.

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Click to expand...

Fine grinds, clumping and retaintion is a big deal.
Barista also ask for equal particle size those are costly as most are design to produce fine and uneven particle size.

My MCF or eureka is in that budget does a good job but has a lot of retaintion issue and clumping. Wild about fresh grounds there will be a lot more waste. k30 don't have such issue, if u can find preown mdx it's a steal as they often go for usd$400 (new over usd$1k) just need to get transformer.
 
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patryn33

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sohzai said:
Clumping and retention are more of electronic grinder issue? I think hand grinders, good ones albeit, are still better at these.

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Click to expand...

If u pay k30 or ek43 then issue go away but they usd$1.6k to usd$2.5k!
Hand grinder good one the best is hg-one still it's close to usd$1k. Add shipping and tax u look at sgd$1.5k easy. The ROK will take more turns if u making coffee in the morning for 2, a little more work 62 turns for 14-15gm
Hg one even with 20 turns ppl are complaining
 
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Wryer

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Am also looking to upgrade coffee experience from a Nespresso. Not that it's bad, the speed and convenience is quite unparalleled, but it's just plain boring.

My budget is around 2k for a set up including the grinder. And so far I have only only managed to short list the Bezzera BZ09 + BB05 + accessories which will be around that price mark. My usage is mainly espresso x 1 daily, plus another latte during weekends. Some questions -

1) what are the other alternatives I have at that mark? Prefer local merchants for warranty issues. How does it compare to the Expobar Office series which is a heat exchanger. I'm superficial but they look more modernish and for office usage to me. I also see Expobar are assembled in China, while Bezerra is made in Italy. Is that worth the Berreza premium as its a single boiler which is no frills as compared to the Expobar?

2) BZ I understand is bit faster than the tradition E61. Typically how long does it take for it to warm up and make my espresso in the morning?

3) what are the maintanence I am looking at? In terms of cleaning and regular up keep?

4) it's a single boiler, what is the additional time required to make a single milk drink? Is it really that bad?

5) I'm also looking to use it like a instant hot water dispenser for occasional tea bags and milo. Is that realistic? Or am I oversimplifying?
 
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testerjp

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For start up time, i forgot was bellabarista or whole latte love i asked.

Actually after you see the steam boiler heat up to about 1 bar, means the boiler is hot enough.
Just flush water from the hot water and it will increase the temperature of the contacts to be hot enough to use or at least make it hot faster.
Singapore will heat up a lot faster, i was in UK and the machine heats up damn long due to the ambience temp.

Drink latte/cappuccinos, get heat exchangers better bro.

If you dispense really a lot of hot water from the machine, cold water will displace in.
Then your boiler will go colder and circulate the water around the group head making it cooler too. This is a problem with particularly with E61 HX machines.
Expobar, Rocket, VBM, etc are all E61, it's an open patent and they work the same.
No good if you are doing it right before making a coffee but manageable la bro.

Also note from forumers test earlier, E61 the grouphead easily influenced by ambience changes like a gust of wind.
 
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stonecold996

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Wryer said:
Am also looking to upgrade coffee experience from a Nespresso. Not that it's bad, the speed and convenience is quite unparalleled, but it's just plain boring.

My budget is around 2k for a set up including the grinder. And so far I have only only managed to short list the Bezzera BZ09 + BB05 + accessories which will be around that price mark. My usage is mainly espresso x 1 daily, plus another latte during weekends. Some questions -

1) what are the other alternatives I have at that mark? Prefer local merchants for warranty issues. How does it compare to the Expobar Office series which is a heat exchanger. I'm superficial but they look more modernish and for office usage to me. I also see Expobar are assembled in China, while Bezerra is made in Italy. Is that worth the Berreza premium as its a single boiler which is no frills as compared to the Expobar?

2) BZ I understand is bit faster than the tradition E61. Typically how long does it take for it to warm up and make my espresso in the morning?

3) what are the maintanence I am looking at? In terms of cleaning and regular up keep?

4) it's a single boiler, what is the additional time required to make a single milk drink? Is it really that bad?

5) I'm also looking to use it like a instant hot water dispenser for occasional tea bags and milo. Is that realistic? Or am I oversimplifying?
Click to expand...

1)You should leave your machine on for around 30 minutes before brewing to ensure stable temperatures in the whole machine. Just turn it on, get on your daily routine (brushing/bathing) and it should be ready to brew by then.

3)Maintenance should be the usual, descaling monthly and back-flushing weekly or even more, depending on your usage.

4)Additional time required depends on the machine itself. Does it have quick steam? If yes it will be quite fast, a few minutes. If not, it can even be from 5 to even 10 minutes. Best is to ask the seller.

5)Definitely do-able, can even use to make instant noodles :s13: Just ensure you give the machine proper time to stabilise the boiler temperature before pulling your shot.
 
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patryn33

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Wryer said:
Am also looking to upgrade coffee experience from a Nespresso. Not that it's bad, the speed and convenience is quite unparalleled, but it's just plain boring.

My budget is around 2k for a set up including the grinder. And so far I have only only managed to short list the Bezzera BZ09 + BB05 + accessories which will be around that price mark. My usage is mainly espresso x 1 daily, plus another latte during weekends. Some questions -

1) what are the other alternatives I have at that mark? Prefer local merchants for warranty issues. How does it compare to the Expobar Office series which is a heat exchanger. I'm superficial but they look more modernish and for office usage to me. I also see Expobar are assembled in China, while Bezerra is made in Italy. Is that worth the Berreza premium as its a single boiler which is no frills as compared to the Expobar?

2) BZ I understand is bit faster than the tradition E61. Typically how long does it take for it to warm up and make my espresso in the morning?

3) what are the maintanence I am looking at? In terms of cleaning and regular up keep?

4) it's a single boiler, what is the additional time required to make a single milk drink? Is it really that bad?

5) I'm also looking to use it like a instant hot water dispenser for occasional tea bags and milo. Is that realistic? Or am I oversimplifying?
Click to expand...

1 - 2k budget BB 09 is in your budget if u choose to up budget the expobar leva e61 is still made in Spain. That's $500 more.

2 - BB09 maybe 5 mins , E61 a good 20-30 mins.

3 - normal back flushing, some back flush daily after use. I back flush with detergent weekly. Scrub group head btw shots

4 - time to wait to get steam usually like 5 mins

5 - realistic but I don't do it. Electricity cost more than gas. I don't like to run my entire machine when I can just a kettle to do the job. Sg water not hard so don't need much descaling if not more cleaning is needed
 
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