Think I've Got a Bargain...or maybe not

Pompeyexile

When I started my real coffee journey just over 8 years ago I bought the best I could afford, which was a Gaggia Classic with PID fitted and a Brasilia RR55OD Auto dosing 64mm burr rinder. Over time when funds allowed, I added a few bits and bobs and overhauled the Gaggia giving it a Silvia steam wand, new o’rings, brass shower plate, bottomless portafilter, IMS shower screen and even adjusted the pump pressure to 9 bar etc. I never really hit what many call the sweet spot no matter what I tried and whilst I had OK coffee, had many more misses than hits in general.

Now, I know a big percentage of my failure was probably down to my own ability and truth be told, possibly having the taste buds of a corpse. But, I think maybe the equipment has played a roll too, more specifically the Gaggia.

I’ve dreamed of owning some of the shiny chrome behemoths many of you posess, but the funds required to obtain such beauties has never been available. So, it’s been a case of looking and waiting for something that is a step up from the Gaggia that was within the depth of my pocket.

Well, something came up which I know is not as chrometastically beautiful or has the reliability and reputation of the Italian beauties, but I think is still a step-up the ladder from the Gaggia…although perhaps you’ll tell me different.

A Sage Dynamic Duo package consisting of the Dual boiler and the Smart Grinder Pro. It was on Ebay as an unwanted early Christmas gift (apparantly they already had a Neff coffee machine…go figure) going for £950. I’ve sold my Gaggia and I also have my Brasilia 64mm burr grinder on Ebay, so if that goes the brand new never used dual boiler Sage will have cost me just over £600. Now that does seem a bargain to me. If you think the Brasilia is a better grinder to have than the Sage, if it doesn’t go, I can try and sell the new Sage grinder which would still take me to just over £600 spent.

Got me tin hat on ready…

Dumnorix

Pompeyexile
The Sage DB is a great machine and mine has been very reliable. I don’t think the grinder is so good- I’ve never owned one but seem to recall reading about people who had to overdose as it wouldn’t grind fine enough. I guess you can try it and sell it on if it’s not doing the job.

Lake_M

The Brasilia is the better grinder, unless there is something wrong with it i.e. worn burrs or out of alignment.

Pompeyexile

Nope, the burrs are still in perfect shape and it runs as smooth as a Rolls…but maybe not as quiet. It is however, as big as a Rolls and takes up a lot of space :)

DavecUK

I had a Brasilia R55 many years ago, good grinder…very large though, so I sold it.

Norvin

I have one in the back of the shed as a spare. Converted to single dosing with octopus funnel and camera hood mods but a bit prone to static.

Pompeyexile

Yep, static was an issue but then I swapped the plastic outlet cover for one I made out of copper and that seemed to cure it.

patang

I maybe getting a bargain. I’ve been offered an 2015 ECM Technika IV profi with an ecm auto 64 grinder. I’m currently on a 2019 Rancilio Silvia with a Mazzer mini timed grinder. Should I upgrade or not it’s going to cost about about a £1000. Or are there other options. All the discussions about HX boilers are freaking me out. Help please

DavecUK

patang I maybe getting a bargain. I’ve been offered an 2015 ECM Technika IV profi with an ecm auto 64 grinder. I’m currently on a 2019 Rancilio Silvia with a Mazzer mini timed grinder. Should I upgrade or not it’s going to cost about about a £1000. Or are there other options. All the discussions about HX boilers are freaking me out. Help please

I think the ECM grinder is the same as a MIni E inside (64mm)…for grinder and machine, that’s a fair enough price. Does depend on how well the machine has been maintained during its life. HX systems do require flushing down to temp, you can’t avoid that…group head thermometers help with consistency. The machines always run hotter which has a higher toll on components (it’s why, with dual boilers, I always recommend running with the steam off).

I have used many HX systems, and you will get used to them, perhaps they use a bit more power, more like 100+ watts on average.. There are a few HX machines to definitely avoid, Expobar pulser and Nuova El Cuadra are 2 that spring to mind.

MediumRoastSteam

patang ecm auto 64 grinder

If I remember correctly, this grinder is underpowered and frequently stalls. Better versions are the Profitec T-64 or its big brother, the ECM 64 Titan.

Pompeyexile

Dumnorix Well, after setting it up and leaving everything on default, just as a test, I pulled my first shot using some Brazilian Santos already ground for espresso that my other half got me from York Coffee Emporium. All I can say is that the difference from that and what my Gaggia produced, was like night and day.

I can now start to see what I’ve been missing and altough I haven’t tried the grinder yet, I’m already thinking that if I can sell my Brasilia and the Sage grinder and add a few bob, then maybe just maybe, a Niche Zero could be on the cards…

Damn this real coffee malarky! Will I never be satisfied?

patang

Thanks all for the valuable advice. So it does sound like I’m not going to improve from a grind perspective on my current Mazzer mini timer version with the ecm s-automatik 64 OD with timer - Apart from the Mazzer looking so industrial so possible aesthetics !

I’m going to see the gear tomorrow and they do live in a soft area. apparently it is backflushed every 2 weeks. Is there anything that I should try in particular when I get there- not used an e-61 before?
I’ve seen conflicting IV info online re the spec, e.g :
1) some say that you can adjust the pressure via a screw near the water tank - but theres no visible screw one on this model.
2) they have a no-burn steam wand but all the specs don’t mention it.
3) some have leaks/drips and that this is ok.
4) times in between shots can vary from 2-3 minutes to 20 minutes?

Argh!
Thanks again all

CafeNoir

I think I’ve picked up a bargain also…Fiorenzato F6D (bag model) for about the price of a 1zpresso JX….burrs are very good and its extremely tidy….only issue will be pretending to the wife that my Macap M2D has been into the steroids……

DavecUK

Pompeyexile So you went for the ECM?

CafeNoir

Pompeyexile LOL, maybe not, but it can bring great joy when it all comes together, wishing you much fun on your journey

Hotmetal

When the fun stops, stop as they say on gambling adverts. You can take it at far as your wallet/wife (or whoever) /tastebuds allow. People spend insane money chasing perfection, which is all good if you have the dosh and enjoy the journey. Just remember to stop for a coffee break between chasing God shots! Or as a martial arts master is reputed to have said: “with both eyes on the destination, how will you find the way?”

patang

Is I decided togo for the ecm Technika iv profi with the ecm automatik s-64 grinder. Very happy so far. One question when I switch the grinder on does anyone know what the number 2.03 means before it goes into its lcd dance. This is before I does any coffee which triggers the countdown timer?

DavecUK

patang One question when I switch the grinder on does anyone know what the number 2.03 means before it goes into its lcd dance. This is before I does any coffee which triggers the countdown timer?

I believe it’s the firmware version

patang

Man. You know everything!!

Pompeyexile

Well, that’s both the Gaggia and the Brasilia grinder gone, so now it’s a case of selling the Sage grinder and i’m well on my way to a Niche zero…

My New Year has got off to a better start than I could have hoped.

Dumnorix

Pompeyexile
I am planning to get a Niche also- so we will have the same set up. Before I had the dual boiler I had a Sage Barista Express which had a built in conical burr grinder, and I particularly liked the taste of Kenyan/ Rwandan beans ground using it- hence I’m pretty sure the Niche will work well for me.