Jake Posted April 11, 2011 Posted April 11, 2011 I realised this morning that I need a new coffee machine. I have been using my Minmoka Captain Express daily for over 10 years and it has served me well. And I thought it made a good cuppa. But I used the Breville in the office this morning for the first time, using the same coffee I used at home earlier in the morning. Well, the coffee was awesome, and that was just from bloody Breville! What have been missing out on??? Should I just get a Rancilio, or is there a new king of the (moderately-priced) hill?
davidsss Posted April 11, 2011 Posted April 11, 2011 I have a Rancilio and I would wholeheartedly recommend it. Makes a great coffee, it is a cut above the cheap machines I have previously owned (which do make amazingly good coffee given their cost). In fact, I'll be making a coffee using the Rancilio shortly. DS
proftournesol Posted April 11, 2011 Posted April 11, 2011 The Rancilio is better made so will last longer. Have a look at Alan Frew's strip down on the coffeecocom.au website. You'll get better band for your buck with a good grinder though. My Versalab grinder was twice the price of my Rocky but the quality difference was like going from a Rega to a Caliburn.
waricle Posted April 11, 2011 Posted April 11, 2011 I realised this morning that I need a new coffee machine.I have been using my Minmoka Captain Express daily for over 10 years and it has served me well. And I thought it made a good cuppa. But I used the Breville in the office this morning for the first time, using the same coffee I used at home earlier in the morning. Well, the coffee was awesome, and that was just from bloody Breville! What have been missing out on??? Should I just get a Rancilio, or is there a new king of the (moderately-priced) hill? could it be the water and or build-up in the group head? or maybe just get the Breville ???? just kidding..too easy. Rancilio is a good brand, I have an old La Pavoni and every cup I make is different!!! I also have a Sunbeam Cafe Series and it will make a good cup on the right day but the steamer is too slow. Karl Claydon's diy machine speaks for itself -and a tasty coffee- he make a mean clock too..
Full Range Posted April 11, 2011 Posted April 11, 2011 I personally like heat exchanger machines As to new moderately priced machines Breville is about to launch a new model as a competitor to Sunbeam FR
Guest Posted April 11, 2011 Posted April 11, 2011 Have been using a Silvia for nigh on 6 years now, hasn't let us down yet. Simple, robust, and can make a pearler of a brew (can make a dogs' breakfast too, but that MAY be PARTLY operator error...)
jezzaboogie Posted April 12, 2011 Posted April 12, 2011 I recently bought a Silvia and I love the coffee it makes. I did have a problem with water leaking out onto the bench though. It seems to be a bit of a design fault but there is an easy fix if you are willing to get out the plumber's tape. You can read about it here: http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1295553316. The other machine I considered was the Gee Espresso. I went for the Silvia as the safe option because, as is the case with hi-fi, it is a pain in the arse buying stuff "blind" from Tassie.
Full Range Posted April 12, 2011 Posted April 12, 2011 Jake Have you got a grinder ? its just as important when making a choice FR
Jake Posted April 12, 2011 Author Posted April 12, 2011 Jake Have you got a grinder ? its just as important when making a choice FR I have one built into the ageing Spanish machine, but figure on buying the double of Silvia + Rocky.
Guest JohnA Posted April 13, 2011 Posted April 13, 2011 Hey Jake in the price of the rancilio, there isn't much that will beat it. Most people add a pid kit to it which gives you better control and stability over brewing temp. However, there is a new player to the scene, priced almost like a silvia but with the pid already built in it is the GEE http://gee-coffee.com/coffee_machine_products/specifications/espresso_coffee_machine.html is it better, don't know and been knew to the market, don't know about longativity. The silvia on the other hand has been around for a long time, and we know its built to last
Guest Posted April 13, 2011 Posted April 13, 2011 Hey Jakein the price of the rancilio, there isn't much that will beat it. Most people add a pid kit to it which gives you better control and stability over brewing temp. However, there is a new player to the scene, priced almost like a silvia but with the pid already built in it is the GEE http://gee-coffee.com/coffee_machine_products/specifications/espresso_coffee_machine.html is it better, don't know and been knew to the market, don't know about longativity. The silvia on the other hand has been around for a long time, and we know its built to last Digital Espresso Coffee Machine? Are they trying to start another debate?
valvster Posted April 13, 2011 Posted April 13, 2011 But I used the Breville in the office this morning for the first time, using the same coffee I used at home earlier in the morning. Well, the coffee was awesome, and that was just from bloody Breville! What have been missing out on??? Should I just get a Rancilio, or is there a new king of the (moderately-priced) hill? I'm new to this espresso machine coffee addiction since being given an old Breville 4 mths ago. Already figured out a grinder is ultra important so got myself a new Breville smartgrinder...huge improvement in quality brought on an attack of upgraditis so have been eyeing off a Rancilio or Lelit but Breville are doing some clever pre-release marketing over on the coffeesnobs forum for a new machine due early May. Looks promising and if you can beleive the hype it is set to take on machines up to $2K, have a look at the thread and YouTube video at Reply #122. http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1301294820/0 http://www.youtube.com/user/mcknightpl#p/a/u/0/_b7itFyHT2Y http://www.youtube.com/user/mcknightpl#p/a/u/1/RIoNiseUsNU Valvster
Jake Posted April 14, 2011 Author Posted April 14, 2011 Hey Jakein the price of the rancilio, there isn't much that will beat it. Most people add a pid kit to it which gives you better control and stability over brewing temp. However, there is a new player to the scene, priced almost like a silvia but with the pid already built in it is the GEE http://gee-coffee.com/coffee_machine_products/specifications/espresso_coffee_machine.html is it better, don't know and been knew to the market, don't know about longativity. The silvia on the other hand has been around for a long time, and we know its built to last Thanks John, I am tempted by the PID, but at least with the Silvia I can always buy the PID kit at a later date and add it on.
Jake Posted April 14, 2011 Author Posted April 14, 2011 I'm new to this espresso machine coffee addiction since being given an old Breville 4 mths ago. Already figured out a grinder is ultra important so got myself a new Breville smartgrinder...huge improvementin quality brought on an attack of upgraditis so have been eyeing off a Rancilio or Lelit but Breville are doing some clever pre-release marketing over on the coffeesnobs forum for a new machine due early May. Looks promising and if you can beleive the hype it is set to take on machines up to $2K, have a look at the thread and YouTube video at Reply #122. http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1301294820/0 http://www.youtube.com/user/mcknightpl#p/a/u/0/_b7itFyHT2Y http://www.youtube.com/user/mcknightpl#p/a/u/1/RIoNiseUsNU Valvster Thanks Valvster. Like the guy said in the thread, I too would baulk at paying top dollar for a "Holden", although the RRP is still to be determined. I think the Silvia and Rocky though is a rite of passage and something I have to go through. They have such a good reputation that I am prepared to give them a go for a few years Cheers, Jake
proftournesol Posted April 14, 2011 Posted April 14, 2011 another option that makes good coffee and comes with a good built in grinder is a Lelit Combi. I have one of these at my country estate and it makes good coffee. You can get one here
Guest JohnA Posted April 14, 2011 Posted April 14, 2011 just to throw another spanner in the works not sure what you would be up for to purchase the silvia rocky combo, but maybe also have a look at this http://www.e61.com.au/e61-shuttle/ there are a couple reviews up on coffee snobs for your reading pleasure.
brettk Posted April 14, 2011 Posted April 14, 2011 i've got an isomac zaffiro and eureka mignon grinder that i bought through espresso italia in WA. i was looking at the silvia combo but couldn't resist the deal i got on the zaffiro and grinder from memory around $1600 for both including shipping. what sold me was the temperature stability of a e-61 group head and you can never have enough chrome. it's probably just a blinged up silvia but i've been very happy. the most difficult thing was telling my wife i'd accidentally bought a coffee machine during my lunchbreak.
Full Range Posted April 14, 2011 Posted April 14, 2011 For some time now I have set up the home coffee station with commercial equipment Some may think its overkill but I think not And why did I do it - Because I can FR
Guest JohnA Posted April 14, 2011 Posted April 14, 2011 For some time now I have set up the home coffee station with commercial equipment Some may think its overkill but I think not And why did I do it - Because I can FR overkill? anyone who thinks that, and says they like coffee should be shot
Full Range Posted April 14, 2011 Posted April 14, 2011 overkill? anyone who thinks that, and says they like coffee should be shot You are my kind of person John And I know that you take you coffee seriously FR
Monkeyboi Posted April 15, 2011 Posted April 15, 2011 The duo are on the way Good choice there Jake. Like the PID kit addition. Have a Ms Silvia without PID and must say it's the best machine I've owned so far. :-) Cheers, Alan R.
Guest JohnA Posted April 15, 2011 Posted April 15, 2011 congrats mate, will serve you well for many years to come.
Phill451 Posted April 18, 2011 Posted April 18, 2011 ours is 7 years old and still makes a great cup of coffee. The Rancilio is the one for me. Hope you enjoy yours.
Mr_Gadget Posted April 22, 2011 Posted April 22, 2011 I like my Vibiemme machine, costs a little more than the Silvia but still very reasonable before hitting big dollars like a Giotto.
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