Possible new /replacement machine.

Elcarajillo

As some members will know I have a Q/M Verona and have been happy with it.

At the moment thePID is giving me false readings temp wise. I am about to order a new PID.

I am pondering wether to do this or possibly buy a new machine which will be equal / better than the Q/M.

I am not interested in multiple/ variable computer adjusted settings ( the eyesight is failing).I would like a machine that is reliable and gives good consistent results with Med /dark roasts for espresso / flat whites.

Any thoughts/ suggestions welcomed

dfk41

Elcarajillo Everyone is going to tell you how good what they own is the best…..and I am no different. We have known each other a few years now so you know how many machines I have had. I recently downgraded from an ACS Evo Leva to an Elizabeth. I was not really sure what to expect, just that I have long held the belief that you do not have to have a 4K coffee machine to make good coffee. I am right! The Elizabeth has all the features of machines a lot more expensive. In simple terms dual boiler, pid’s, ability to get hot water when the steam boiler is turned off. It is nice and small, so the simple question I ask, is why go past it and if you do, what extras that you want or need.

DavecUK

Elcarajillo I am pondering wether to do this or possibly buy a new machine which will be equal / better than the Q/M.

I am not interested in multiple/ variable computer adjusted settings ( the eyesight is failing).I would like a machine that is reliable and gives good consistent results with Med /dark roasts for espresso / flat whites.

Strangely enough the ACS Minima, now a mature machine and with improved looks, construction, easily reachable drain valves and large boilers (used across the entire ACS single group prosumer range) gives you a very simple to use (flip a switch) reliable machine. Maintenance is minimal with the solenoid group head.

It also makes excellent espresso.

MediumRoastSteam

See I was going to tell you more about the Elizabeth, to tell you how good it is… Because it’s the machine I have. But looks like Dfk already did the job. 😊

In all seriousness - it’s a great little machine. I couldn’t be happier. In fact, it’s the machine I’ve kept the longest, ever. If you want an E61, rotary pump… maybe a Bianca. But then again ACS might have something out of the oven soon…

delta76

Owned both Bianca and Elizabeth, I would say go with Elizabeth. Using Bianca is nicer, especially the steam wand & the whole experience . But Elizabeth is simpler to use and maintain. Dial in, set the time, and you can pretty much forget about it. No lever, no flow control to lube. For my specific case, Elizabeth was much more reliable, almost trouble free, but that is just anecdotal

Adrianmsmith

So, you seem to have 2 choices 🤦🏼‍♂️🤓

Elizabeth (Which I have to admit I’ve never owned but like everything I have seen about it recently from David and Dave and @MediumRoastSteam )

Or to carry on David’s theme, I’m going to tell you obviously the ACS Evo Mark II without the safety system, but with everything else is the way to go. I originally had sage dual boiler, and synchronika . I used to like the synchronkca but would not recommend it. Too much time spent lubricating the group levers etc. and I am not sure if there were some bad batches but changing the valve plugs on the hot water and steam valves was a pain.

MediumRoastSteam

Adrianmsmith everything I have seen about it recently from David and Dave)

I’m so disappointed. I obviously don’t count. 🤪

Adrianmsmith

MediumRoastSteam edited🤦🏼‍♂️🤪

dfk41

The strange thing about the Elizabeth, is sent from the factory a lot of the advanced settings are miles out. If you visit the Dave review

https://sway.cloud.microsoft/YUuIpMmQlYAFkxIO

then contained within it near to the end is another Sway document detailing all the changes

https://sway.cloud.microsoft/S5J4d9Jp4Y9LdVFx

and boy do they make a difference. I wonder if you stated where you live whether there is an Elizabeth owner nearby so as you can visit and see

MediumRoastSteam

dfk41 - One of the first things I did was to print all of that out and stored with the machine’s box. You never know how long those Sway’s will be available for…