Coffee machine differentials

I’m aware people probably gloss over my posts because I’ve got a machine a lot of people assume are purchased solely for the name… one thing to note on this is firstly, I purchased my first coffee machine 20 years ago, a Gaggia Classic and have had maybe 5 or more machines since. The badge isn’t important to me.

Also, 99% of people in my family and friends have no idea who LM is, and really the only people who even know I have one are people on this forum! I’ve no desire to impress people.

On the saturated group…(or whatever the actual tech is called because it’s not officially saturated on the Mini/Micra) I personally think it’s a better group that’s more forgiving. I say this having had it side by side with my previous E61 machine.

On a perfect day, with perfect prep and perfect beans, you would get an equally good cup. But what makes say a Lelit Bianca better than a Rancilio Silvia? The temperature stability… in turn, for me, what makes a Linea Mini ‘better’ than an E61? The temperature stability.

I’ve lived with and owned both, side by side. If I didn’t think the LM was great, I’d have sold it. I’m fortunate enough that if I thought a £10k machine would be better for me, I’d buy one. It’s not money stopping me from upgrading, it’s that the machine is perfect for me. And I’ve learned that from 20 years of experimenting and various machines.

But the key is that’s my take. Other people might love their Streitman lever, their profiling E61, their bells and whistles auto-profiler… it’s whatever works best for you.

I think the issue with the LM is the price. If it was £2k, a lot more people would have them and love them. But because of their price, and the connotations of buying expensive things, people write them off as overpriced snake oil. I don’t know why people are surprised… practically m every decent coffee shop on the planet has a LM machine. There’s a premium for the name, certainly, but it doesn’t make it any less of a great machine.

dfk41 For the record, I was not having a pop at you

Sorry yes I didn’t think that but see how it looked likeI thought so!

I just wish more people could try a Linea Mini for a while in the home and I do wish it was cheaper and more accessible as I really do think it’s a great all-round machine for people who don’t want profiling. It’s hard to explain but I’m seemingly able to throw any badly prepared puck in it and get a decent result out which I haven’t been able to do before.

I’m not one of these people who meticulously prep the puck and I’m often in a rush between meetings to make a couple of coffees. I’d love the AV functionality from the GS3 though.

HarveyMushman I’m aware people probably gloss over my posts because I’ve got a machine a lot of people assume are purchased solely for the name

100% totally vain ;)

I’d love a LM but I could never justify the cost (also the WiFi connectivity puts me off as I like the idea of a dumb machine). But the build quality and relative simplicity are a real draw for me. A lot of people like tech and the ability to fiddle so would inevitably go for something different. I also like the idea of a Decent but I can’t imagine them still going strong in 20 years time.

If we were all able to properly test all the options available to us then we’d probably buy very differently but it’s not possible. We have to purchase based on specifications, reviews and inevitably our own personal bias will come in to play(whether logical or not…).

Dusk

Indeed. Another reason I think the ‘original’ version is preferable. I’ve never used the wifi functionality and the boilers on mine are controlled with physical controls.

Bella Barista have showroom but I think as with everything you need to live with something for a while before you can decide it’s right for you.

Trying to make a ££££ purchase based on internet browsing or a 10 minute trial isn’t ideal.

@Dusk thats a great idea for a poll - how long have you owned your machine, i doubt many would have long term with out upgraditus

I went to bella barista a few tears ago .

They were showing how good the lmlm was. I just kept thinking how cramped it looked and how id manage ti use it with my Denby mugs under that group .

They said the rockets were particularly pretty and people who turn up in full biking gear usually prefer them.🫣

At that time i purchased the Synchronika anniversary edition.

Loved it for a while prior to moving on to the ACS’s

I can’t see me changing again (this year), but id have a nurri or Decent if ACS were no longer available. LMLM would be way down my particular list.

I do like the enthusiasm of LMLM owners on here and Reddit but cant quite see the excitement .

Luckily theres a lot of choice as we are not all the same 🤪☕

Cuprajake ive had mine 33 hours longer than yove had yours; Approximately 🥰

Adrianmsmith They were showing how good the lmlm was. I just kept thinking how cramped it looked and how id manage ti use it with my Denby mugs under that group .

This is the most annoying problem I have had using the linea mini, especially using a spouted portafilter and a scale. I also don’t really like the water tank being behind the drip tray if it is being used to make a lot of coffees.

I do really enjoy using a linea mini, it is well built and the older models are very simple feature wise in a nice to use way. I do hope they update the GS3 so i can convince my boss to upgrade our event machine, I did suggest a spiritello but I don’t think that will happen.

Now searching everywhere for a decent local Mini. Think that’s what I want. Especially as her indoors likes the look of them. 🤣

HarveyMushman

On the mini, I think from 2015. It is fine for flat whites but takeaways or latte cups can be awkward. It is a small problem and most of the time I end up pulling espresso into a cortado glass then transferring them.

The reservoir is not a problem for when I have to make 4-5 drinks but making 20+ drinks in a row makes it less convenient, I like top fill boilers that don’t need you to remove the drip tray like the eagle one. The eagle one does has a tiny reservoir which is it’s own problem.

HarveyMushman stop putting me off haha

All the ones for sale are other end of the country and don’t fancy getting it couriered

Jason1wood

Yeah I don’t blame you! When I picked mine up from Bella Barista the guy trollied it out on its palette and we both lifted it into my car.

Didn’t consider the fact I’d have to then get it from the car to my kitchen single handedly sans trolley.

Needless to say I didn’t bother going to the gym that day!

LM is expensive but I would not say no to accepting a LEVA X if somebody wanted to give me one for free LOL