Please could I get a sanity check on my upgrade thoughts

Now, back on track, and I pose a question! Without a list of criteria that you make from having done your research, then just how do you decide on a machine? People all tend to believe that the machine they have id the best thing there, and it may well be…but, you have mentioned size so measure up then you can discount anything too big. Do you need a dual boiler for your 2 or 3 flat whites. Make a list of what you want from a machine. I do not know about features as I have never owned either, but both have solid reputations on here.

One thing to remember though. Whatever machine you have, it just makes coffee from whatever you put into it…….no magic involved!

chlorox Coffee Italia have earned themselves a dubious reputation over the years on many forums. Remember, the advertised price ought to be subject to both UK vat and import duties, so therefore not as attractive as first appears.

dfk41

Good point. For me I think it depends on what one perceives as a limitation of what one has on one’s counter that is seen to be holding one back in the pursuit of a good cup of espresso or latte or cappuccino. If the current machine does everything that one wants a machine to do well enough, then there is no real need to change.

I changed to the vibiemme a long time ago because I wanted more stability in temperature control. Was happy with it till I found myself intrigued by the spring lever and when I had the chance to get an izzo pompei, I went for it and found an immediate improvement in smoothness and flavour. I was very happy with the izzo for many years till I began trying out lighter roasts and then I found the task of changing the temperature of the grouphead of the izzo to be increasingly onerous. So therr arose the need for a hybrid lever and then I saw the photo of a white painted Nurri with zebrawood panels and handles and I knew that if I could fit it unto my budget and it was available locally through a dealer, I needed to get one just like that on my kitchen counter. And so I did and I have been enjoying the best espresso based drinks I have ever been able to make since! As well as a machine whose good looks elevates my entire kitchen too as proven by my wife’s non objection to it! :)

dfk41

I didn’t know about that so thanks for mentioning it. I hope the vibiemme is available through other uk based dealers. One factoid about vibiemme - it was set up by the three patent holders for the e61 patent and therefore had the original rights to the “true” e61 grouphead along with Faema. To this day their e61 groupgead is slightly different form the clone e61 grouphead used by every other manufacturer.

same price as the bianca nearly though

chlorox One factoid about vibiemme - it was set up by the three patent holders for the e61 patent and therefore had the original rights to the “true” e61 grouphead along with Faema. To this day their e61 groupgead is slightly different form the clone e61 grouphead used by every other manufacturer.

Which actually makes their group the odd one out that only OEM spares are suitable for many repairs/maintenance. In a way it’s a little Ironic 🙄because as you say…theirs is the only genuine E61.

dfk41 ECM Mechanika Max is a very interesting machine

BrewLiam Dave, I think my only question on the ECM Mechanika Max if you have experience with it would be, what would I be losing out on by going for this HX machine over a Bianca? Other than the obvious flow control and stuff that comes with the LCC on the Lelit.

It’s a use case specific machine…which if I’m honest suits the majority of home baristas.

• Very Economical on energy usage
• always ready for steaming (no 5-7 minute steam boiler warm up, no wasted energy, no constant high temps as in a dual boiler if the steam boiler is left on all the time)
• good brew temperature control, which is selectable and PID controlled
• can’t forget and leave it in steam mode

One downside is very quick shots one after the other for 4 or 5 people, where in a dual boiler you have a little more capacity. You can do it, but you would need to use the ECM Barista Max in a different way and have much less temperature control. Or simply pull the shots a little slower. It’s a machine I loved using and have done a video, just need to edit it and upload it.

Yeah there’s not much online yet as it’s pretty new

Personally I’d say a dual boiler may be more future proof in terms of temp stability, but if most your stuff esp back to back to back gets dumped in milk it’s not the be all.

Ecm make some nice machines

Bella barista have a discount on the Elizabeth and a profitec 700 atm

I think I had a Profitec 700 about 7 or 8 years ago. I have not kept up to speed but has it changed much? When I had one, it was German engineering at its best….but as boring as hell

The build on Bianca can look a bit poor, as in the reflections on the panels from the press are not mirror perfect like an ecm, but the build quality is fine with them, and very well thought out.

Just take your time and ask as many questions as you need to

Cuprajake The build on Bianca can look a bit poor, as in the reflections on the panels from the press are not mirror perfect like an ecm, but the build quality is fine with them, and very well thought out.

As he wants a coloured Bianca, it doesn’t much matter…

Cuprajake The build on Bianca can look a bit poor, as in the reflections on the panels from the press are not mirror perfect like an ecm, but the build quality is fine with them, and very well thought out.

This was exactly my experience. As well as an incredibly sharp edge behind the drip tray under the group. I sliced my finger pretty bad while servicing it.

As above thought inside it’s brilliant and the build issues are only cosmetic.

Really it’s funny because we all talk about build quality, and I especially harp on about how the LM is built like a tank, but it’s not like we’re carting them around each day. They get put in place and left, so you could argue the case quality is a bit of a non-issue.