Evening All New to the forum although did post once on coffeeforums. I am looking to purchase my new espresso equipment and start my new hobby. I have now narrowed my requirements to two machines Lelit Elizabeth and ACS Minima and 2 grinders Niche Zero and Eureka Mignon Single dose. Does anyone know where I maybe able to view this equipment before purchasing in the areas in the title? Thanks in advance Mark

The official Minima dealer is blackcatcoffee.co.uk in Norfolk and I do not think there is anyone else. https://www.blackcatcoffee.co.uk/collections/domestic-coffee-machines/products/acs-minima They can be vouched for! The Lelit……Bella Barista but again you are going to have to travel as they are in Northamptonshire https://www.bellabarista.co.uk They can also look after your Eureka needs. Niche only sell direct to keep costs down but our own @DavecUK was involved with final design and it has a proven track record so ask away on here!

SouthMark45 - where abouts are you? I’m near Newbury and the closest we have is Bella Barista for The Elizabeth, which I own one, and also have a Niche. BCC for the Minima is in Norfolk I believe. Bit of a drive. 😊

Ok so looks as if I’m just gonna have to push the button on purchasing without actually seeing any device in the flesh (so to speak) which is a bit of a shame Any advise on one device over the other? Thanks Mark

SouthMark45 - I was reading your posts on CFUK…. Did you watch the videos and read the reviews? I personally, would get the minima if you are not too fussed about heat up time and a slight noisy pump, and space is not at a premium. And I’d get the Niche too. 😊

SouthMark45 I’m in Andover BTW I live only 45 miles from you in Byfleet, near Woking., quite happy to show you both the Elizabeth and the Minima in the flesh. Unfortunately they are not on the bench at the moment, so I can’t show you them working, as I have 2 other machines under test. And I do have the odd grinder hanging about. I’ve about 13 mostly dual boiler machines in total, so you can have a look at various machines, like Bianca, Vesuvius, Vibiemme etc.. as well.

Thanks MediumRoast and thanks Dave For the offer (really kind) I watched your reviews on both hence those 2 machines was what I settled on Do you have a preference on machine and grinder which I have listed? Im leaning towards the Elizabeth and the Niche Thanks

Yep I know Woking well I have worked there on 2 separate occasions, there’s a good pub there 😀

SouthMark45 I have a Niche and think I want an Elizabeth, so I’m interested to see Dave’s answer.

I don’t think you will get a direct answer from Dave on this, I certainly haven’t seen one before! My gut feeling is that Dave’s heart belongs to the Minima 😄 I’m certainly happy with the Minima (in black) and Niche combo. Although at some point in the future I will have to scratch the flat burr itch… Over to you @DavecUK

Shops to view equipment Hampshire/Wiltshire/Berkshire

LMSC

SouthMark45 Unless I missed, you didn’t tell us how many cups a day ? How many of them are milk-based? Do you think you will make more than 2 back-to-back milk based drinks. Do you think you will a lot of visitors ?

Both Liz and Minima are great machines. The former is small, ticks all the boxes and is very quiet; the latter is packed with great features, a cracking machine for the money and a bit of a noise compared to the quiet Liz.

SouthMark45

Many Thanks all for the great responses it certainly helps….. Just awaiting some reviews on YouTube for the Mignon Single dose before buying the Niche 😀

SouthMark45

Sorry forgot to say I will be making back to back lattes circa 4 at a time…. Not sure if this really makes a difference based on my research?

The only other question I have is do they both come preset to 9 bars of pressure or do they need adjusting? I have seen the acs review by Dave which looks easy to adjust the minima, not sure on the Lelit?

Thanks

MediumRoastSteam

SouthMark45 looks easy to adjust the minima, not sure on the Lelit?

Equality simple to adjust.

If you are doing 4 back to back lattes every day, the Minima, IMO, is the better choice.

DavecUK

MediumRoastSteam If you are doing 4 back to back lattes every day, the Minima, IMO, is the better choice.

I think if you want capacity and don’t mind a noisier machine…Minima is well able to cope with 800ml brew boiler and 2.3l steam boiler.

SouthMark45

Cheers both looks like the Minima is the machine to purchase then assuming I can fit it in my kitchen…. If not it will have to be the Elizabeth

MediumRoastSteam

SouthMark45 - Elizabeth is a shallow machine, but wider. The Minima is deeper, but slightly narrower.

SouthMark45

Just wanted to drop a note out to thankyou all for the advise, I ended up Purchasing the Niche Zero which will be here next week and I will be ordering the Lelit Elizabeth on Monday so in a couple of weeks I’ll be up and running

Cheers Again

DavecUK

SouthMark45 Definitely let us know how you get on., and photos of course.

SouthMark45

Cheers Dave…. Will do…. Have watched all your videos which have been super helpful

simonc

@DavecUK Hi Dave, long time reader of all your reviews here and the old one, desperately trying to decide between the MaraX and probably a 2nd hand Minima (although love the look of it in black) that lives just up the road in Walton if you do ever want to have visitor to your lab!

DavecUK

simonc lives just up the road in Walton if you do ever want to have visitor to your lab!

Always happy to have visitors…drop me an e-mail link in signature and let me know if you want to pop over….

simonc

DavecUK Cheers Dave, will do that when work calms down a bit.

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