c.£1500 - what espresso machine to buy?

smallblueplanet

Adrianmsmith I think you may be going in the right direction, but like with shoes I have to try on every pair first. :)

Adrianmsmith

smallblueplanet just dont go buying every pair 🥴🤭 it gets expensive!!

smallblueplanet

Edit can’t find the emojis - Looking for ‘deep irony/as if’ emoji! :D

dfk41

smallblueplanet We ran a small survey a couple of weeks ago asking people to vote as to which machine they owned. I deleted the file but have split the results up into two screenshots.

Cuprajake

Elizabeth is best of your budget

Splash the cash and get a bianca if you want rotary

Those would be the best two options at that budget

John_Yossarian

I would suggest the ACS Minima. It is E61 group and it isn’t as it doesn’t need any maintenance, it has solenoid valve. If I was out for a new machine that would have been my choice. Elizabeth is a solid choice too, just a smaller steam boiler, still capable. Whatever choice you make you will better off compared to the Classic.

smallblueplanet

John_Yossarian I would suggest the ACS Minima.

They look a bit weird, I think I’d need to see one first. :)

Do some E61 machines not require as much maintenance then, I’d sort of forgotten there was a difference in upkeep? I might stick with the rings, just seen a video on here of the Minima and it was very loud.

dfk41

smallblueplanet The E61 group often has a lever to operate the shot. When you backflush the lube gets stripped off meaning every now and then you need to take the cam out and apply lube. Some machines use a button linked to a solenoid as opposed to a lever and this arrangement does away with the need to lube. The Minima is capable but looks odd and boy it is noisy……in fairness most vibe pump machines are…..perhaps our host can chip in and explain why the Elizabeth is better that most, or and I would recommend this, read Dave’s review! He does these for free and his Elizabeth review is the most comprehensive one out there. I guess a large part of your decision making process, is who or what to believe. I tend to listen to those that know their onions! Unfortunately with coffee gear, a large part of any decision is the wife coupled with looks rather than its function!

Tal

Traditional e61 are operated by a lever/cam that open and close the valves, whereas the ACS Minima uses a solenoid valve and switch instead.

So there isn’t the e61 maintenance to deal with, which consists of disassembly and lubricating the cam/valves etc after a chemical backflush.

smallblueplanet

OMG! I’ve found the Lance Hedrick YT vids! Errr… :D

Anyway he really rates the Elizabeth, in his $1-2200 mid-range it’s the only (realistic) one to get an A. So why doesn’t everyone own one? What are it;s drawbacks?

delta76

smallblueplanet late to the party but for future visitors my Elizabeth was really solid the 2 years I had it. No issue. Just worked. It compromises in build quality (like the steam knob) but delivers where it matters. Really good machine for the price
If you really want to be picky:

water tank position is awkward, hard to.refill and even hard to change water softener and clean it. I recall no plumbing is possible
cheap steam knob. Fine for me but a nice wood knob would be appreciated
very few accessories. Almost bare minimum. no tamper included.
the top is very easy scratchable

Clodius

@smallblueplanet everyone is saying Lelit Elizabeth, but making americanos using water from the kettle is a bit of an overkill. I would take it down a notch to Lelit Victoria, still the premium line, but the single boiler version of Elizabeth. The rest you can use for some accessories if you’re interested in things like that.

smallblueplanet

Clodius Yeah, that was crossing my mind. We need a new car soon too (EV), and another holiday!…I’m trying to balance what I’d like/want, with what we need and would be happy with. Which is why we stuck with the Classic for so long, until it has died!

dfk41

Clodius @smallblueplanet Just for clarity, the Elizabeth is a dual boiler, but…….you can leave the steam boiler switched off and pull hot water to top up your Americano though the hot water tap……it is all covered in the review! No need for a kettle. I drink 3 Americno’s a day drawing hot water this way

Cuprajake

if i could buy a dual boiler i wouldnt be considering a single boiler machine,

Clodius

@Cuprajake it’s personal, everyone attributes a different value to the objects. Would you buy a Mercedes AMG just to go shopping?

Adrianmsmith

Clodius if i won the lottery, certainly.

Cuprajake

Clodius

ok,

smallblueplanet

dfk41

I’m just watching/listening to Hedrick’s review of the Elizabeth. It’s quite big (edit: just checked the size, must be the camera angles, it’s not that big), not very pretty but mostly seems quite complicated. I’m not sure we can be bothered with all that ‘stuff’ just for a nice coffee. :) I really just fancied a machine with a shot counter/ adjustable PID and OPV and better quality brew/steam than the Classic (not that difficult atm!).

Dunno, I’d get a Merc to go shopping, if I won the lottery…well no it’d be a Porsche Cayenne EV :D

Adrianmsmith

smallblueplanet

A Tesla is big and butt ugly but sone buy them 😎 and then realise they can’t go far!!

LMSC

smallblueplanet It’s quite big (edit: just checked the size, must be the camera angles, it’s not that big), not very pretty but mostly seems quite complicated. I’m not sure we can be bothered with all that ‘stuff’ just for a nice coffee. :) I really just fancied a machine with a shot counter/ adjustable PID and OPV and better quality brew/steam than the Classic (not that difficult atm!).

The size and complexity of the machine might seem daunting at first, but it isn’t if you don’t mind routine maintenance.

I don’t own a Liz, but I recommend reading Dave’s review. I believe it could be perfect for your requirements, in my humble opinion.

Is there anything specific you have in mind?

DavecUK

smallblueplanet not very pretty but mostly seems quite complicated. I’m not sure we can be bothered with all that ‘stuff’ just for a nice coffee. :) I really just fancied a machine with a shot counter/ adjustable PID and OPV and better quality brew/steam than the Classic (not that difficult atm!).

Then a simple machine like Silvia Pro, or ACS Minima would be perfect for you.

The Minima has very large boilers, drain taps on both boilers, no E61 maintenance needs and is about as simple as you can get. It’s vibration pump is no louder than other vibration pump machines, apart from the Lelit Silent Pump, which is much quieter and is in the Elizabeth.

Uncletits

smallblueplanet Comparison oh and they’re a great machine

smallblueplanet

Adrianmsmith Lol. Range anxiety spread by MAGA fans! :D

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