My Sage Barista Express, my first espresso machine has popped it's clogs I fear (though Sage have offered me a 40% discount if I buy another BE) I had thought of upgrading. The way I use my espresso machine is that I make two morning flat whites or two cappuccini each morning and rarely anything else, though an afternoon cortado wouldn't go amiss. It'd also be nice to be able to make 4 to 6 back to back coffees on the rare times we have friends around. Though I could solve that problem with a French Press or my Moka. Because of my usage it's not clear whether I need more than a single boiler hence the following list which is a mix of single, hx and double. I would like a timer since I tend to like to monitor the shot in terms of weight and output time. Needless to say I'd be buying a better grinder. So this is my 'short' list: 1. the ECM Classika II PID, 2. the Lelit MaraX 3. the Lelit Elizabeth 4. the ACS Minima Does anyone have any thoughts or recommendations on those 4 machines or am I missing one that knocks them out of the water? I'm slowly thinking I have to spend £1,300 but would prefer to be spending £700, but then wouldn't we all. Thanks

You will also need to factor in a grinder which is equally if not more important than the machine itself. Does your budget include a grinder as well?

I sort of feel it's better looking at the Dual boiler options for you, but that does increase the price. One big advantage is the steam boiler wouldn't have to be left on and in an HX the steam boiler is always on, in effect.

options 3 or 4 for me, more repeatability, plus the minima is on sale with black cat coffee atm

> @"Cuprajake"#p4733 plus the minima is on sale with black cat coffee atm All sold out. I got the last black one and @"BiggerBen"#326 got the last white one. None in stainless left either

@"Lake_M"#p4722 I've got a Niche Zero on order, which I believe will do for French Press and Moka in addition to espresso. So no, the budget doesn't include a grinder

@"dutchy101"#p4767 Yes, I noticed they'd all sold out at Black Cat. There is one for sale on this forum but I'm nervous about buying second hand since a warranty is so useful - especially given my Sage BE is trashed and only 6 months out of warranty.

Someone is selling a year old Minima on this forum at a great price Edit - just seen your next post. To be honest Sage machines do have a bot of a reputation for breaking down and parts are very hard to source and they are notoriously expensive to fix. The Minima is a different level in terms of bud quality, availability of parts etc.

@"DavecUK"#p4728 and would you have preference over the Elizabeth and the Minima since they're both dual boilers?

> @"Java_avaJ"#p4812 and would you have preference over the Elizabeth and the Minima since they’re both dual boilers? I've got both, like em both, perhaps a soft spot for the Minima, for the simplicity and raw power, BUT, the Elizabeth is very clever.

@"DavecUK"#p4818 I need to go back tomorrow and reread your two reviews to remind myself of the differences in detail. Off the top of my head they both had easy to adjust pressures and temperatures, both had solenoid 61 groups so no lube issues after back-flushing. The Elizabeth did 2 types of preinfusion and had presets you could program but doesn't have a shot timer in its LCC display whereas the Minima does, and I do find the timer useful. The Elizabeth will be easier to keep nice looking with its satin finish rather polished finish. Is the Minima more flimsy with thinner guage stainless?

Replacing a Sage Barista Express - help me decide... please

Java_avaJ

Just to thank everyone again, I’ve decided to get the Minima, I can’t find any uk stockists with stock so I’m getting it through Paolo at ACS, he’s been really helpful. I had thought of a custom colour but have decided to go with classic steel. The only problem now is my grinder doesn’t arrive until March and it’s taking me 7 minutes to do 30gms with my hand grinder 😀

hornbyben

Java_avaJ Handheld drill?

That was my solution when I was using an aergrind with my espresso machine, while waiting for the niche to arrive.

PortafilterProcrastinator

Java_avaJ Ditto. We can compare notes!

CafeNoir

Congratulations, great choice, couldn’t get the looks past my CEO, lol..
Omg, thats so long… it’s no Aergrind, probably a wretched Porlex, lol

Java_avaJ

CafeNoir it’s a Cafe de Tiamo 😒

£30 perhaps not so well spent. I guess “any recommendations for a hand grinder” will be another thread 😃

DavecUK

Java_avaJ I guess “any recommendations for a hand grinder” will be another thread 😃

One you should start soon…..yeah 30 quid can buy you a lot of pain in the handgrinder world..

Giphy - organ grinder monkey GIF

CafeNoir

Well, the Toamo is ok for pour over type brew grinding, it’s intended purpose
…No shortage of halfway decent through to amazing in the hand grinder world, common factor is steel burrs. You may soon be swamped with other suggestions, but these are my experiences.
I first got a Zassenhaus Quito and for espresso, it’s rubbish.
Also an Aergrind and it does ok, but it’s optimised for portability. The Feld 2 is better for espresso even with same 38mm burrs. Just got a 1Zpresso J-Max and it’s brilliant to use and even faster…IMHO 48 rotations for 15 gm espresso grind is pretty impressive.

DavecUK

CafeNoir 1Zpresso J-Max and it’s brilliant to use and even faster…IMHO 48 rotations for 15 gm espresso grind is pretty impressive.

They do make a nice hand grinder….I have a JX Pro and I like it.

Java_avaJ

DavecUK but they’re £160 plus delivery and when the Niche arrives in March it’ll be redundant, it’d be cheaper to drink coffee out for a month 😀

DavecUK

Java_avaJ but they’re £160 plus delivery and when the Niche arrives in March it’ll be redundant, it’d be cheaper to drink coffee out for a month 😀

Oh sure, it only makes sense if you already have one….or simply fancy one as a back up/when travelling etc..

Java_avaJ

DavecUK I fear I’m following you down some dark, dark rabbit hole ☺ I’ve just got a 1zpress jx-pro, at the moment using it for Moka since I’m still awaiting the Minima, but it makes the coffee so much tastier and cleaner. But says it should hold 30 to 35g but I can only get 25g of my double roast santos beans in it. Grinds super-fast though, instead of 7 minutes of pain it’s less than a minute of ease. A win. Actually this rabbit hole is quite spacious isn’t it ;-)

DavecUK

Java_avaJ Actually this rabbit hole is quite spacious isn’t it ;-)

Not only large, but deep, for some people almost never ending. 🤣

IntoxNitram

How was your time with the Barista Express? Becoming increasingly interested in getting into espresso and was looking into this, seems to be some good deals online second hand. How’s the experience overall?

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