Hello. I’ve come from ‘the other forum’. I’ve been away for a bit and didn’t realise how much things have changed. I think I missed the bit where everyone left.

Anyway. I sold my LR and Niche Zero a while back to get some money in the bank while my house was on the market and to not have to move them. I’m currently using a Melitta bean to cup but it’s simply not cutting it - as expected. I like the Niche so was thinking of trying the Duo and pairing it with a Cinquantotto. Having read more about the Rocket, I might swerve it now. I’ve read quite a bit about the Lelit Bianca and it seems well reviewed, although you never really know how honest they are. I have a suspicious mind. In summary, I’m now looking at a Bianca and a DF83 V2. I’m looking for fairly low maintenance and cleaning, definitely dual boiler and I like single dosing. I only make a couple of coffees a day most days and tend towards the lighter roasts.

in addition, I wouldn’t mind some kind of puck prep/distribution tools.

Your thoughts and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

    Bianca V3 is a cracking machine and more than you will ever need

    I’d say duo over df83

    Decent De1pro v1.45 - Niche Duo - Niche Zero - Decent is the best machine ever made -

    Yeah had a Bianca V2 and agree it’s a great machine.

    E61 group will require some maintenance (lubrication after detergent rinses) but I had a year of trouble free ownership!

    La Marzocco Linea Mini - Mazzer Philos

    Ikawa Roaster

    That’s really interesting about the grinder. Thanks for the replies. I may be fickle and easily-led, but I suspect that’s sealed it.

    If you can stump up. Bit more the new mazzer philos gets rave reviews but that’s closer to a grand

    Decent De1pro v1.45 - Niche Duo - Niche Zero - Decent is the best machine ever made -

    Seand I was looking at exactly the same position a few months ago.

    I was about to pull the trigger on a Bianca but other than the price, I kept seeing a lot of issues with them and not being technically minded and struggling to get my last dual boiler serviced I went in a different direction.

    You definitely get a lot for your money with a Bianca but there’s also a lot to go wrong.

    Not seen many with faults? What went wrong?

    Decent De1pro v1.45 - Niche Duo - Niche Zero - Decent is the best machine ever made -

      Cuprajake Not seen many with faults? What went wrong?

      I remember now I had a vacuum valve go on mine after about 6 months. To be fair though I’ve had similar ‘minor’ issues with every machine I’ve ever had except the LM. And even then it’s probably luck more than anything else. I’ve come to accept that niggles like OPV/safety valve/temp probe niggles are just part of espresso machine ownership.

      La Marzocco Linea Mini - Mazzer Philos

      Ikawa Roaster

        HarveyMushman - agree.

        I had a Profitec 700 back in the day. Gicar box had to be replaced 10 months after purchase, from new.

        I’ve been lucky with the Elizabeth. So far (touch wood) nothing, and that’s after 4 years. I had La Pavoni before, anti-vac valve started hissing and got bored of tapping it with a wooden spoon - the recommended solution. Bought a new one, retrofitted and… same rubbish happens… 🤦‍♂️

        @delta76 said his Bianca had to have the heating element and “power box” (assuming it’s he gicar box) replaced after 1 year of ownership.

        But overall, you don’t see many fault reports with Biancas.

        Also had a Gaggia Classic which never gave me any problems for 3 years. It’s still going strong 10 years later in Sydney.

        Yeah, everything has a failure rate. I was in a small % of unlucky owners I think. but it was all covered by warranty, what was lost was time out of commission and my personal time for packaging/unpackaging. But that could happen to any machine you buy (maybe except for LM as I heard their warranty policies mean a technician will come to your house to fix it, don’t know if that’s true always)
        If I have to buy a new espresso machine today with 2000 EUR budget, Bianca is definitely top of the short list.

          delta76 If I have to buy a new espresso machine today with 2000 EUR budget, Bianca is definitely top of the short list.

          The Bianca is no more, or less unreliable than other Dual boiler machines. The V3 of course with the low and high flow system, has much more to go wrong, especially if bad water is used, and I don’t just mean limescale. On the prototype V3 I had about 18 months before launch, Mauro contacted me and said they had found faults with the solenoid system having problems, so in production machines, they changed that and sent me a complete bolt in system. However, my water is so clean (not just low limescale), that mine never had a problem, so the replacement parts still sit in a box.

            DavecUK just to be clear, I meant for features for price. I did not mean it is more reliable than other machines.
            Can you elaborate on the “bad water” and low & high flow system? What’s “bad water” and what could it cause (more) troubles to Bianca (compared to other machines)

              I’m sure compared to other machines it’s probably not dissimilar in ‘failure rate’, I just noticed a lot of tech requests from owners on forums etc only after a few months and haven’t really seen that compared to ECM, Rocket or Profitec machines.

              Lelit have crammed a lot in for the price point, but when you’re spending 2 grand for essentially some hot liquid I wanted a little more reassurance in my purchase.

                DavecUK if bad water is used, and I don’t just mean limescale

                delta76 What’s “bad water”

                I’m also curious about this. What else could cause problems?

                  dang2484 but when you’re spending 2 grand for essentially some hot liquid I wanted a little more reassurance in my purchase.

                  Good luck. Don’t buy Profitec/ECM then. My failed at 10 months old.

                  Bottom line… it happens. And that’s the point of a warranty.

                    MediumRoastSteam that’s a shame, and sounds like a pain after 10mths.

                    I had a Bezzera Duo for 5yrs and never had an issue so reliability is achievable without breaking the bank. I think when you’re paying thousands for a hot water machine reliability should be as standard!

                      dang2484 - Yes… But remember that the machine failure is at the mercy of the weakest component in that machine, and those are sometimes outsourced. If there’s a bad batch that has been used (as an example, if I remember correctly there was a bad batch of temp sensors during the pandemic) then it’s just fact of life, no matter what you buy. Take cars for example… Buy German. Built to last. Well engineered - Not in my experience. :-)

                      MediumRoastSteam I’m also curious about this. What else could cause problems?

                      Water that’s low in limescale but can leave other residues.

                      For me RO water is not only clean, but for the 2+ decades I have been drinking it, greatly reduced my exposure to microplastics, chemicals, hormones and pesticides.

                        DavecUK - understood. But how does these other contaminants, or elements, can adversely affect the high/low flow valve of the prototype Bianca you had?