Uncletits Great to hear that you’re happy with your machine. Any tips from you? Which grinder are you using?

I had just ordered the STPK 38 from BB so that’s what I’m pairing it with.

    With this machine I’ve had the DF64 and now a Niche - also have an Osmio for the water

      I always use fairly dark beans and milk so it hides a lot

      For me the superior bit for the Niche is the workflow and cleaning which are really easy

        You guys are gonna think I’ve lost my friggin marbles here.

        The more I’m reading about espresso machines, the more I’m certain it has to be a dual boiler machine. The more I think about it, I’m doubting myself if the Elizabeth will actually be my “final machine” - when I knew I’ll be upgrading after I bought my Gaggia, I never imagined I would go “mid range” but thought to myself I’ll go higher end.

        I can force space on the kitchen table (I hate to do it, but if I have to then I will) but now I’m looking at the Profitec 700. I first started looking at the Profitec 600 but if I’m paying that amount of money and I want it to be my final machine then I want a rotary pump. Yes I know the Lelit Bianca is the very obvious choice but two things to note;

        • In my end machine, I never wanted knobs for the steam wand, always the joystick style
        • I hate the setup of the tank being outside the machine - that would forever really p*ss me off - and I can’t plumb it in the place I’m in right now. I might be able to in the future but I don’t know if/when that will ever happen

        I’ve ruled the ACS Minima out, the aesthetics on it just don’t sit right with me.

        What are your thoughts? Am I being silly? Any other machine that I should consider?

        That’s a £1000 jump right there

        Only you can decide there lol much of a muchness the Bianca is the best of the bunch as its got more features, but if you don’t like it then that that.

        Decent De1pro v1.45 - Niche Duo - Niche Zero - Decent is the best machine ever made -

        The price was not really high on my priority list, I just wanted a better machine. But I have a little feeling that the itch to upgrade to what I always had in mind will always be there, so I’m thinking it might be better just to make that big jump now and forget the mid-range machine.

        The Bianca has more features than the Profitec 700? Which features does it have that the 700 doesn’t?

          A clear case of upgraditis fulminans…

          No, you are not being silly; it happens to everyone - however, a couple of considerations:

          1. Coffee quality at this point will probably benefit more by upgrading the grinder, rather than the machine.

          2. If you eliminate/greatly reduce your constraints on space and budget, then there are plenty of options… the question is what drives your desire to upgrade. Is it just the aesthetics, or are there other concerns/wishes?

          3. If you decide to upgrade, I’d either do it now - as in before BB sends you the Elizabeth - or wait a few months living with the Elizabeth and see what the answer to point 2. above is, if any.

            DrForinor Which features does it have that the 700 doesn’t

            Assuming you get a 700 with the flow profile already fitted (it’s an option), largely around the electronics. I would also consider the separable tank a feature, but you clearly don’t.

              These are obviously first world problems. In the end it is what gives you pleasure. Any of these machines, including your Gaggia, can make top notch espresso if paired with a good grinder and good coffee. It is, after all, just coffee. I upgraded from my Barista Express to the Elizabeth because the grinder was not good enough, and the temperature stability was also lacking, causing too many sour shots. But I learned on that machine, and really loved it for what it was. Upgrading to the Elizabeth and the Niche solved all of those problems.

              This morning I made 4 latte’s back to back for my wife, son, his girl, and myself using my Elizabeth with fresh Verve Streetlevel coffee and the Niche Zero. Nothing could have been easier. I could have made 10. The workflow just goes, and the machine reaches temperature for the next shot by the time I have the coffee ready in the porta filter. After I was finished I did my quick flush with Cafiza. Wiped her clean. Lovely. Living with this machine has been great. Would the Bianca be better? I guess, but not sure how unless for some reason I wanted flow control, which I do not. And the aesthetic of knobs or levers might be nice, but my work flow with this machine is so good, I just do not see the point for my use case. I will not upgrade this machine unless for some reason there is a catastrophic failure. It is warrantied for 3 years anyway through Clive here in the USA. I am just about to 1 year with the machine.

              So, ultimately you have to be happy with what you have, because it is really about that. No downside to the bigger machines that you mention, other than price and weight. Perhaps maintenance is a bit more with those, but you may enjoy it. These are all fantastic, including the Elizabeth.

                dndrich Thank you for that “fresh” perspective, I think I might have needed that.

                  CoyoteOldMan

                  Valid points.

                  Re the grinder, I had only just purchased the STPK 38 because I wanted to bring the Gaggia out of storage. Paired with that it’s fine, and I do understand it doesn’t make sense to partner it with a much more expensive machine.

                  Perhaps my want to go to a very good machine is premature. I may be perfectly happy with the Elizabeth and not feel the need to upgrade.

                  Thanks for your reply.

                    Not at all, you save a small fortune doing it in one go and going end game

                    Personally I’d cancel that grinder order and got for a niche or a df64

                    The Bianca has fast warm up, flow control through pump settings as well as the flow control up top. Would you use these pre infusion features maybe not, I prob wouldn’t but the flow control does really come in handy sometimes.

                    ECM make a fantastic machine, and looks are very important after all it’s not just money, but you will be using it day in day out, the exact reason I never bought an Elizabeth

                    Decent De1pro v1.45 - Niche Duo - Niche Zero - Decent is the best machine ever made -

                      Definitely read these documents about the Elizabeth from DaveC:

                      Review:

                      https://sway.office.com/YUuIpMmQlYAFkxIO?ref=Link

                      Quick guide and advanced features. Definitely reprogram it to his settings:

                      https://sway.office.com/S5J4d9Jp4Y9LdVFx

                      Maintenance tips:

                      https://sway.office.com/qoXHjmMAg4DeFX8b?ref=email

                      I would also say that the Elizabeth is a “very good machine” too. I think you will grow to love it as I have.

                        Cuprajake

                        The STPK 38 had already arrived a little while ago, and I had ground at least a whole bag before I posted on here, unfortunately.

                          I think I know the answer to this, but I want/need confirmation from those with more knowledge.

                          The reason I got my Gaggia out in the first place was because my cousin made coffee that tasted really nice in his Sage machine.

                          Is a Sage machine worth considering? If I do it’ll be specifically this one, which has a 58mm portafilter;

                          Sage Oracle Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine - Coffee Machine with Milk Frother, BES980BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel https://amzn.eu/d/5lBxNO1