Cuprajake

Thank you. I have ruled out the Minima as it’s simply too large for the space in my kitchen - which is why I keep going back to the Mara/Elizabeth (and why I even considered the ECM Classika).

hornbyben

Honestly I really am not a fan of the looks of the Elizabeth. I was so hoping for a machine with the classic E61 style appearance to be the choice for me. But I have always been the kind of person to go for function over form - hence why the Elizabeth is even a contender for me. I’m extremely unlikely to ever think about flow control. But if the ECM Classika can provide better temp stablity than the Mara/Elizabeth then it wins for me.

dndrich

Thank you for chiming in. How do you use yours? What sort of beans do you use? And your drinks? Have you had any issues? Or any concerns to think about?

          Forget the ECM

          In theory if you’re going to milk say 5% of the time then there’s very little between them

          E61 do take longer to warm up though 20-25mins minimum.

          Fwiw I didn’t find the minima that large.

          At a £1000 point mark you can’t really go too wrong with any option

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

            Cuprajake

            Why do you say forget the ECM? He didn’t really have much bad to say about it?

            Sorry you’re right, the Minima isn’t large per say, but in order for me to accomodate an E61 style machine (so basicaly anything but the Elizabeth), I’ll have to sit it sideways (sitting a corner, the back of the machine to the wall left of me, the right of the machine sitting to the wall in front of me). With any of the other machines the steam wand can still be accessible, but because of the cutout on the Minima, it will make it extremely awkward for me to access.

            Regarding warm up, I’ve just purchased a smart plug (so I can switch the machine on at any time remotely, or time it via an app), specifically for this purpose - so I am prepared for that. I have to leave my Gaggia on for 30mins prior to using anyway so it’s new thing to me.

              Predictive - ment to say ‘forgot’

              As in I forgot to add it to the rest of the vids

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

                Cuprajake

                I did notice in that ECM video, after he’s finished the shot, the temperature that had initially been set dropped - is that lack of temperature stability throughout the shot?

                  Excellent, thank you.

                  So am I right in now believing that if my highest priority is stable brew temp, then a boiler (single or double) will do a better job than a HX machine (like the Mara)? Or is that Mara that good, that it’s stability is not an issue?

                  I’m reading about the ECM Classika, and it seems to be that if you ever get to the stage where you need to regularly froth milk, it’s a pain. Which is now leading me away from a single boiler (you never know what the future holds, I may really start to enjoy milky coffee).

                  I’m leaning heavily towards the Lelit Elizabeth unless I can find something online that really sways me away from it. Or you guys can point out that it’s a mistake for whatever reason.

                    hornbyben

                    I haven’t really found anyone that purchased it and regretted it, even long term owners.

                    Majority of long term ECM Classika owners love the machine but say they wish they had went for either a HX or DB.

                      DrForinor Mine is used at least twice a day. I am a medium roast fan and typically have milk based drinks such as a latte. Paired with my Niche Zero this is such a winner. I can make drinks back to back to back, and the small but mighty boilers come up to temp by the time I have the next shot ready. I grind into the dosing cup, into the portafilter with a shake, tap the sides to level, tamp, and go. I I have 6 seconds of preinfusion programmed, which I like. While brewing I start the steaming, since you can do both at the same time with a dual boiler. I watch the shot by weight and time, and the Elizabeth has a shot timer, so easy. Do the latte pour, weigh beans for the next shot, start the grinder, tap out the puck and a quick “two button” purge that the Elizabeth can do, and by the time I put the next portafilter load into the group it is already up to temp and ready. I clean weekly with Cafiza, which is also super easy with this machine requiring no group lubrication, and empty the service boiler once a month. Again easy.

                      The work flow has been terrific.

                      Yes, it does not have shiny chrome that can be so attractive. But the machine on the bench is actually very attractive, and the brushed stainless is so much easier to keep looking good.

                          Is coffee friend(.co.uk) a reliable retailer? They have the Elizabeth for £999.

                          I would obviously like to pay less if possible, but not if the retailer isn’t reputable. Paying any extra for a trustworthy place is always worth it in my experience.

                            I’ll give them a miss. Shall stick with Bella Barista 🙂

                            Seems a bit unusual that they supply with a European plug.

                            Nope buying in the UK go to Bella barista

                            I’m glad you went away and had a good read

                            I know the e61 machines are visually nicer than the Liz but her spec is amazing.

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