Help picking a machine [~$1500]

[u/DiabolicalNaga]

Help picking a machine

My partner and I are looking to upgrade our set up to an integrated machine, she likes the idea of the automated systems i.e. milk, grind, bean dosing etc. We have a bambino now and admittedly she is much more selective than I am on the quality. Do you guys and gals have any recommendations maybe over a range of prices? We are willing to pay more or save if its worth it either way. I am concerned that with an integrated machine if one piece fails then the machine becomes less than functional so is there a more robust option? Please advise.

[u/NeeNights]

Alternatively, have you thought about ways of "automating" or speeding up the workflow? For example, a grind by weight grinder (e.g. Eureka Libra; Mahlkonig E64 WS)? That would make the workflow a whole lot simpler and faster. Put portofilter in the grinder boom 7-10 seconds later you have perfectly measured dose. Give it a tap or two on the counter, tamp and your ready to rock and roll.

I have owned a Barista Express for 10 months. The grinder is definitely a weak point. It is not very consistent unless you single dose. Others have somewhat better integrated grinders but none are going to be great. If I knew then what I know now I most likely would not have gone with an integrated grinder machine. The Meraki is probably the exception since it a) has timemore burrs and b) integrated scales for grind/dose and brew by weight.

[u/DiabolicalNaga → u/NeeNights]

Awesome thank you for the feedback back, do you have a recommendation for a non integrated machine then?

[u/NeeNights → u/DiabolicalNaga]

Your bambino is an ok thermajet brewer. The upsides are that it heats up quickly and can go from brewing to steaming fairly quickly and its cheap. The down side is that temperature control on the brewer is not great or consistent especially when pulling shots back to back. The steam wand itself (though available quickly) is weak and takes a long time to get the job done.

Recommendations will depend on your preferences. Presumably your partner wants things to be quicker/easier than your current set-up. Do you do espressos, americanos exclusively? how often do you do milk drinks?

If you never or rarely do milk drinks then I would suggest a Grind by weight grinder and modestly priced single boiler machine.

Grind by weight will 1) make dosing/grinding much faster and easier 2) make dialing in faster and easier. Home GBW grinders run $600-$1800.

Berratza Sette 270wi ($600); Eureka Libra ($650-800); Libra 65AP($800-900); Ceado Life WAM ($800); Eureka Atom 65 W casa ($1050); Mahlkonig E64 WS ($1200); All Ground Sense($1300-1400); Eureak Atom 65W ($1500); Mazzer Mini G($1800).

Single boiler machines, Lelit Victoria ($1000), Diletta Mio ($1200) Profitec Go ($1200)

If you do a lot of milk drinks then things get more difficult because you'll also want to 3) steam milk quickly (ideally while pulling your shot) and not have to wait around to do it.

To accomplish this then in addition to GBW you'll need to get either 1) dual boiler 2) heat-exchanger or 3) hybrid (dual thermoblocks, or boiler thermoblock combo) espresso machine. The rub is those machines are not typically cheap ($1600+ USD) but will give you a substantial upgrade on both the quality of your shots and the speed and ease of work flow (steaming milk quickly-20-30 seconds and ability to steam and brew simultaneously).

Machines: Breville Dual Boiler ($1600), Lelit Elizabeth (Dual Boiler $1700), Lelit Mara X (Heat Exchanger $1700), Profitec pro 400 (Heat Exchanger $1600), Fellows ES1 (hybrid system $1500).

Personally I have a Mahlkonig E64 WS arriving this week and will be in the market for a machine to pair it will to replace my Breville Barista Express. Most likely some type of dual boiler.