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.
Please could I get a sanity check on my upgrade thoughts
- Edited
BrewLiam Here is a curve ball!
https://bellabarista.co.uk/collections/heat-exchanger/products/ecm-mechanika-max-espresso-machine
If you have any questions ask them on this thread as @DavecUK will be able to answer them. In simple terms, it means you do not need to leave a steam boiler running all day as the system gets ready for steaming milk in just a few seconds. If I was in the market for a new machine, I would certainly have a closer look at this, even if I did not buy iy
same price as the bianca nearly though
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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.
Hmmm, that does look interesting.
Whilst similar to the stainless steel Bianca in price, I’d highly likely spend the £600 extra for a coloured one however stupid that might be.
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.
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
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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
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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.
https://www.blackcatcoffee.co.uk/products/bezzera-matrix-mn-pid?variant=40408907382851
This is what I nearly got
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Thanks everyone, really appreciate the many responses and view points.
Where I’m at:
- ACS Evo is out based on size even if it’s a great deal
- ECM Synchronika is out based on size and feature set. Feels like paying the same price for build rather than features.
- ECM Mechanika Max. I looked at the small amount of info out there and it does look brilliant. But, I think it would have had to be £1,500 or less for me to bite.
- I toyed last night with the LMLM since they have the 25% discount. Whilst this has been a dream machine for years and the discount has come at the right time, I think I’ll regret not having more to ‘play with’. I realise I’m actually quite excited to get a bit more manual with my espresso.
- VBM Domobar super - seemed like a full featured machine at a good price. But, not sure I like the little screen and the electronic look. Same reason I’m not a fan of the Decent look.
So, it leaves me very much considering placing an order for the powder coated Bianca. Just the colour to settle on, but I’ll suss that one out myself.
As for grinders I have a question.
I’ve backed the Timemore 078s which I’m still on the fence about since no one has had an actual unit to review, just the burrs. And when you cut through the hype it seems average for espresso. I also think I may be stung with VAT which will make the whole grinder around £500 whenever I end up getting it. Which put this in Niche territory and the workflow on the Niche still looks better.
So, since I’m buying from BB and they offer package discounts, is there other grinders I should look at, especially with the potential to get £80-£100 off one?
Hard to say grinder wise as most have something that can get annoying is bellows haha
Think the Bianca is very capable, the flow control can save a shot that would otherwise hit the sink
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