Gaggia Deco or Faema e91 Ambassador, Help

Cmack

Opening a coffee shop in a medical facility, its not really intended for the general public. Mainly for patients/visitors and such.

I've narrowed the machine I want down to two, the (Faema e91 ambassador http://www.faema.com/eng/pr_scheda.asp?id=79) or the Gaggia Deco (http://www.gaggia.com/macchine-da-caffe.asp?macchine-caffe-professionali-manuali_111_DECO). They are about the same price with the same after sales service details.

The Gaggia is definitely the best looking of the two, I'd just like to know which is the better machine. Does anyone have any experience with either of these, good or bad?

Any chance of some advice?

Thanks in advance

Berty

My opinion is filled with Bias because I work with the Faema machines on a daily basis.

Gaggia have one of the best known names in the market but the parts can be pretty expensive.

For me I would pick the Faema.

Are you buying the machines outright or are you going on a rental/lease option?

ch2008

What sort of volumes you expecting to do? Might be overkill for small volumes...

Cmack

I would be expecting low to medium volumes. The place won't be massively busy but for the sake of relatively little extra money i'd prefer to the extra capacity that a 2 group provides.

ch2008

Cmack wrote: »

I would be expecting low to medium volumes. The place won't be massively busy but for the sake of relatively little extra money i'd prefer to the extra capacity that a 2 group provides.

If your set on these two I'd probably go.....with....eh....the Gaggia. not hugely enamored with either but Gaggia by a whisker.

arabica69

...just curious why you've narrowed it down to these two?

I'd have the same thoughts re overkill as ch2008.

Big brand names definitely, but I would recommend continued research on pro machines (if that's what your heart is set on) before investing in either.

Also, don't forget to think carefully about your choice of grinder.

Cmack

I've narrowed it down to these two because i'd been offered good deals by two suppliers one Gaggia and one Faema. Naturally each company thinks their offering is superior so I was looking for some guidance. This preference is not set in stone and I'm open to suggestion. I'm very much new to the coffee business but I believe i'll need a professional/commercial machine.

Are these machines/brands known for quality or is their popularity more attributed to marketing/branding?

Suggestions for other machines are also welcome.

Thanks

Berty

How about a nice

Elektra Barlume 2 Group?



Or for the truly "bells and whistles" machine you could try this

Elektra Emblema

arabica69

Just to be clear, I don't sell machines or have any vested interest any company that does. But working in the biz - and seeing as you apparently have the budget - I would definitely shop around further.

In my own business, I tend to see value in the robust, 'Low Tech' machines - those that don't rely too heavily on electronics - but my needs are very specific. Saying that, those machines with the right technology do have definite advantages... if you are skilled enough to use them properly.

Brands at the top of the heap in the professional world are, in no particular order:

• La Marzocco - Linea, GB5, FB80
• Nuevo Simonelli - Aurelia
• Synesso
• CMA's Plus for You

You'll find Marzocco's everywhere and they were up to recently considered the Best in Show. Colin at 3FE has a tricked out Aurelia if you'd like to see one in action. I don't know if there are any Synesso's on the island, but their reputation appears solid. The Plus for You is praised in some quarters, although i don't know much about it.

Given the chance, I'd go with the Aurelia. Solid, well thought out and lovely to work with.