New machine €1000 budget

Etnies

Lads,

Looking to get a new machine, not sure what to go for. Have a Delongi EC271.B and it has never made good coffee.

What would be your suggestions in the 1000 euro range?

bilbot79

Etnies wrote: »

Lads,

Looking to get a new machine, not sure what to go for. Have a Delongi EC271.B and it has never made good coffee.

What would be your suggestions in the 1000 euro range?

I mean, like...are you the artificial intelligence arm of a cafe doing internet research for industrial coffee machines? Why would you spend a grand on a coffee machine?

fullstop

bilbot79 wrote: »

I mean, like...are you the artificial intelligence arm of a cafe doing internet research for industrial coffee machines? Why would you spend a grand on a coffee machine?

Is this a joke? You realise what forum you’re in, yeah?

OP does the 1k include grinder?

Ginger83

Jesus you'd buy a good car for that.

Etnies

bilbot79 wrote: »

I mean, like...are you the artificial intelligence arm of a cafe doing internet research for industrial coffee machines? Why would you spend a grand on a coffee machine?

Thanks for the reply.

Do you have any suggestions?

Etnies

fullstop wrote: »

Is this a joke? You realise what forum you’re in, yeah?

OP does the 1k include grinder?

Yeah, at the moment I just have a basic grinder an or off job.

Marcus-Aurelius

Etnies wrote: »

Lads,

Looking to get a new machine, not sure what to go for. Have a Delongi EC271.B and it has never made good coffee.

What would be your suggestions in the 1000 euro range?

Hey Ethnies,

For 1k id be looking at something along the lines of the Nuova Simonelli Oscar 2 and a Eureka Mignon combo. Reputable website below whom I have purchased x 2 machines and grinders from with no problems. I had a Muscia previously and didnt cause me any problems. Any spare parts were orders from elektros too.

https://www.elektros.it/ie/en/oscar_II_nuova-Simonelli/oscar-II-black.html

Hope this helps,
R

bilbot79

Etnies wrote: »

Thanks for the reply.

Do you have any suggestions?

Clearly I don't. I looked on Amazon and couldn't find anything over 300.

Apologies for my uncouth pleb reaction but I'm genuinely shocked. What does an extra 700e do for a coffee connoisseur?

Hodors Appletart

bilbot79 wrote: »

Apologies for my uncouth pleb reaction but I'm genuinely shocked. What does an extra 700e do for a coffee connoisseur?

makes good coffee

adrian522

So is they entire €1000 going on a machine or would you consider grinder update as part of that?

Assuming you are talking about an espresso machine and will be making milk based drinks as well as espresso/americano type drinks.

Is space an issue or do you have plenty of space?

https://shop.3fe.com/product/nuova-simonelli-oscar-ii-espresso-machine

https://www.bellabarista.co.uk/rocket-appartamento-copper.html

2 options there, though I haven't experience with either.

Both of these are heat exchange machines. More info on the difference between single boiler, heat exchange and dual boiler here:

https://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/article-heat-exchangers-vs-dual-boilers

Best of luck with the purchase and keep us updated with progress!

Marcus-Aurelius

adrian522 wrote: »

So is they entire €1000 going on a machine or would you consider grinder update as part of that?

Assuming you are talking about an espresso machine and will be making milk based drinks as well as espresso/americano type drinks.

Is space an issue or do you have plenty of space?

https://shop.3fe.com/product/nuova-simonelli-oscar-ii-espresso-machine

https://www.bellabarista.co.uk/rocket-appartamento-copper.html

2 options there, though I haven't experience with either.

Both of these are heat exchange machines. More info on the difference between single boiler, heat exchange and dual boiler here:

https://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/article-heat-exchangers-vs-dual-boilers

Best of luck with the purchase and keep us updated with progress!

The mark up on the Oscar is beyond ridiculous with 3FE. Shop about OP. I have purchased recently with BB. Outstanding service and delivery with 48hrs and quality communication with Claudette. Be wary of Brexit import duties mind now.

adrian522

Well there is huge advantage to having bought locally if anything goes wrong with the machine.

I bought a machine from the UK back in 2016, saved a bit of cash but I've been left to my own devices when it comes to repairs or maintenence.

It's a bit of a trade off at the end of the day.

Certainly do your homework on brexit before ordering from UK and do some research on the place you are buying from as some have some very negative feedbsck.

Mr Magnolia

What type of coffee do you drink?

The Hound Gone Wild

Ginger83 wrote: »

Jesus you'd buy a good car for that.

Have you ever had an espresso from a Nissan Micra? Tastes like shíte tbh.

OP I'd almost get a Sage barista express or a Gaggia classic and a good grider like a Niche zero.

bilbot79

bilbot79 wrote: »

I mean, like...are you the artificial intelligence arm of a cafe doing internet research for industrial coffee machines? Why would you spend a grand on a coffee machine?

This coming from the lad that spends 1000s on bicycles when they have perfectly good ones in halfords for 200e

Tabby McTat

Hi. I bought a Rancilio Silvia and Eureka Silenzio grinder from Espresso Coffee Shop. Came in around €1k. Maybe a bit less. I would budget for a PID on either the Rancilio or Gaggia Classic (welcome to the black hole!). This gives guaranteed temperature control and therefore a consistent shot.

They are based in Italy. Have some mixed reviews but I found very good to deal with. Responsive to email queries and shipping was quick. Obviously will be difficult if something goes wrong.

bilbot79

BrownFinger wrote: »

This coming from the lad that spends 1000s on bicycles when they have perfectly good ones in halfords for 200e

😂 Presume this coffee machine is made of carbon then?

Krusty_Clown

Damn. Should have known better than to check out this thread. I've largely bought all of my equipment second hand so far, but the Oscar II at €733 delivered, and with a big birthday coming up and no holidays this year, seems to be at a price-point where it wouldn't be beyond the range of possibility.

Damn you coffee addiction.
/subscribe

Etnies

Thanks for all the replies, going to research all these links now

Ginger83

The Hound Gone Wild wrote: »

Have you ever had an espresso from a Nissan Micra? Tastes like shíte tbh.

OP I'd almost get a Sage barista express or a Gaggia classic and a good grider like a Niche zero.

No but I've had 1 in 1 :pac: just shocked at the figures tbh

Sleeper12

Ginger83 wrote:

Jesus you'd buy a good car for that.

In fairness though it wouldn't taste as good

James 007

BrownFinger wrote: »

This coming from the lad that spends 1000s on bicycles when they have perfectly good ones in halfords for 200e

I am a bit lucky that I can have my coffees while I cycle, it is a bit trickier when i go up & down hills but i seem to manage fine. ;)The cost saving is good too.

https://coffee-bike.com/company/the-coffee-bike

The Hound Gone Wild

Ginger83 wrote: »

No but I've had 1 in 1 :pac: just shocked at the figures tbh

1k is reasonable tbh ...

https://shop.3fe.com/product/victoria-arduino-eagle-one-prima

fullstop

Marcus-Aurelius wrote: »

The mark up on the Oscar is beyond ridiculous with 3FE. Shop about OP. I have purchased recently with BB. Outstanding service and delivery with 48hrs and quality communication with Claudette. Be wary of Brexit import duties mind now.

Is that website from the link you posted earlier with the Oscar II legit? I was looking at buying one last year and they weren’t coming in under €900 anywhere that didn’t have awful reviews and horror stories.

OP, would suggest something like a Silvia with one of the more affordable Eureka grinders.

fullstop

bilbot79 wrote: »

😂 Presume this coffee machine is made of carbon then?

Do steel ones not have seats or something?

bbbbb

if you’re making cappuccinos or other milk based drinks, then a dual boiler machine is good.
I got a lelit elizabeth
https://espresso.lelit.com/product/31
from
https://www.lamacchinadelcaffe.com/lelit.html

Marcus-Aurelius

fullstop wrote: »

Is that website from the link you posted earlier with the Oscar II legit? I was looking at buying one last year and they weren’t coming in under €900 anywhere that didn’t have awful reviews and horror stories.

OP, would suggest something like a Silvia with one of the more affordable Eureka grinders.

100% legit. I’ve mas three purchases from them. Nuova Simonelli Musica and Eureka Mignon x2 for a bday present and a Xmas present and a grinder for myself. No issues whatsoever, well packaged and tracked on sending. Auld fellas one is going strong 4 years later, serviced locally.

fullstop

Marcus-Aurelius wrote: »

100% legit. I’ve mas three purchases from them. Nuova Simonelli Musica and Eureka Mignon x2 for a bday present and a Xmas present and a grinder for myself. No issues whatsoever, well packaged and tracked on sending. Auld fellas one is going strong 4 years later, serviced locally.

Wow! Will be looking there for my next purchase.

Squidgy Black

I have an Oscar II myself that I got from 3fe as an exdemo machine, couldn't recommend it enough.

But for that budget, your best bet is the likes of a Gaggia Classic and adding a PID to it, and then putting a chunk of change into a decent grinder like the Eurekas, or possibly a Niche if you can stretch to it.

wilsixon

Squidgy Black wrote: »

I have an Oscar II myself that I got from 3fe as an exdemo machine, couldn't recommend it enough.

But for that budget, your best bet is the likes of a Gaggia Classic and adding a PID to it, and then putting a chunk of change into a decent grinder like the Eurekas, or possibly a Niche if you can stretch to it.

I upgraded from Gaggia Classic and Gaggia MDF grinder (which I had for 8 years) to NS Oscar II and Mahlkonig Vario grinder.
Only paid slightly over your budget - €685 for the Oscar and €370 for the Vario.

Huge step up in quality. No regrets.

I'd definitely recommend that over gaggia classic, which is still a good little machine for the price.

P.S. the opv kit is definitely worth the small extra charge. I bought it afterwards and installed myself, which was easy.

Marcus-Aurelius

Marcus-Aurelius wrote: »

100% legit. I’ve mas three purchases from them. Nuova Simonelli Musica and Eureka Mignon x2 for a bday present and a Xmas present and a grinder for myself. No issues whatsoever, well packaged and tracked on sending. Auld fellas one is going strong 4 years later, serviced locally.

Did you plumb that in ?
I'd love one of those

Treppen

Anyone any other thoughts on what to get for 1K

Bean to Cup so it would have to include a grinder etc. (or a grinder that sites beside/onto the machine and you pour the ground coffee in yourself!)
Does milk Based drinks too.
Easy to maintain.
For an office, so will be dealing with luddites that can possibly be trained if it takes less than 30 seconds.

wilsixon

Treppen wrote: »

Anyone any other thoughts on what to get for 1K

Bean to Cup so it would have to include a grinder etc. (or a grinder that sites beside/onto the machine and you pour the ground coffee in yourself!)
Does milk Based drinks too.
Easy to maintain.
For an office, so will be dealing with luddites that can possibly be trained if it takes less than 30 seconds.

Here's a quick video (at double speed - 1:48 in real time) of using Oscar+Vario combo. Very simple workflow once you have dialled in and set timer on buttons for your particular beans (which would only need occasional adjustment, depending on consistency of the beans you use).

https://youtu.be/bWgooOkNNCU

wilsixon

wilsixon wrote: »

Here's a quick video (at double speed - 1:48 in real time) of using Oscar+Vario combo. Very simple workflow once you have dialled in and set timer on buttons for your particular beans (which would only need occasional adjustment, depending on consistency of the beans you use).

https://youtu.be/bWgooOkNNCU

Clean-up afterwards was a 3 second flush of steam wand and group head, and wipe off milk on steam wand. Empty drip tray and top up the tank with filtered water approx. once every 10 coffees. Thorough clean of group head (including backflush) every 1-2 months, and descale every few months depending on your water hardness.

cnocbui

Treppen wrote: »

Anyone any other thoughts on what to get for 1K

Bean to Cup so it would have to include a grinder etc. (or a grinder that sites beside/onto the machine and you pour the ground coffee in yourself!)
Does milk Based drinks too.
Easy to maintain.
For an office, so will be dealing with luddites that can possibly be trained if it takes less than 30 seconds.

Quickmill Pegasso or 02835 https://www.homecoffeemachines.ie/collections/quickmill/products/quick-mill-mod-02835

Krusty_Clown

wilsixon wrote: »

Here's a quick video (at double speed - 1:48 in real time) of using Oscar+Vario combo. Very simple workflow once you have dialled in and set timer on buttons for your particular beans (which would only need occasional adjustment, depending on consistency of the beans you use).

https://youtu.be/bWgooOkNNCU

Was that your video? I wanted to reach through the screen and clean your steam wand.

Marcus-Aurelius

BrownFinger wrote: »

Did you plumb that in ?
I'd love one of those

Nah not plumbed in, only going through about 6/8 coffees a day in the house, no need.

adrian522

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Was that your video? I wanted to reach through the screen and clean your steam wand.

Same. Clean that thing as soon as you move the jug away.

wilsixon

adrian522 wrote: »

Same. Clean that thing as soon as you move the jug away.

I usually do - in fact straight into a cup of water, flush out any backed up milk with a blast of steam, then wipe.
But video was to show how quick/easy to go from beans to drinking.

Tommiekly84

https://www.bertazzofood.com/prodotto/nuova-simonelli-oscar-ii-nera/
I ordered this yesterday . Seems like a great deal. Free postage also.

Ginger83

The Hound Gone Wild wrote: »

1k is reasonable tbh ...

https://shop.3fe.com/product/victoria-arduino-eagle-one-prima

Wow I'm so happy I like tea.

Mr Magnolia

Marcus-Aurelius wrote: »

100% legit. I’ve mas three purchases from them. Nuova Simonelli Musica and Eureka Mignon x2 for a bday present and a Xmas present and a grinder for myself. No issues whatsoever, well packaged and tracked on sending. Auld fellas one is going strong 4 years later, serviced locally.

Nice set-up. You put the portafilter in the group-head when you're heating up, yeah?

MrMusician18

Treppen wrote: »

Anyone any other thoughts on what to get for 1K

Bean to Cup so it would have to include a grinder etc. (or a grinder that sites beside/onto the machine and you pour the ground coffee in yourself!)
Does milk Based drinks too.
Easy to maintain.
For an office, so will be dealing with luddites that can possibly be trained if it takes less than 30 seconds.

Miele 6350. It needs a bit of daily and weekly love, but makes great coffee.

I have one with 12k drinks on it and it hasn't missed a beat.

wilsixon

Tommiekly84 wrote: »

https://www.bertazzofood.com/prodotto/nuova-simonelli-oscar-ii-nera/
I ordered this yesterday . Seems like a great deal. Free postage also.

I bought mine there last July. Excellent service. Had the o-ring on water tank go, and a replacement part was sent out quickly.

Tommiekly84

Yeah they were very quick to reply to me mails, like 20 mins. The pro pack upgrade was only 75 as well.

Marcus-Aurelius

Mr Magnolia wrote: »

Nice set-up. You put the portafilter in the group-head when you're heating up, yeah?

That’s the setup at the home house/Dads machine. He has a habit of leaving the used portafilter in the group for sure 🀣

cnocbui

Ginger83 wrote: »

Wow I'm so happy I like tea.

If you drink 3 cups a day, that's 12.5 cents a cup over 5 years for coffee as good as you get from a cafe. A cappucino costs €3.43 in Dublin according to numbeo.

A machine like that is likely going to last a good bit longer than 5 years.

Enjoy your tea, and best you stay away from the pictures of my watches thread.

Squidgy Black

wilsixon wrote: »

I upgraded from Gaggia Classic and Gaggia MDF grinder (which I had for 8 years) to NS Oscar II and Mahlkonig Vario grinder.
Only paid slightly over your budget - €685 for the Oscar and €370 for the Vario.

Huge step up in quality. No regrets.

I'd definitely recommend that over gaggia classic, which is still a good little machine for the price.

P.S. the opv kit is definitely worth the small extra charge. I bought it afterwards and installed myself, which was easy.

I actually upgraded to the oscar from a classic myself, but they're great little machines for getting started on, but the oscar is a different beast altogether.

Opv kit is well worth the money for sure and as you say was a breeze, did you get a sirai kit as well?

wilsixon

Squidgy Black wrote: »

Opv kit is well worth the money for sure and as you say was a breeze, did you get a sirai kit as well?

No sirai. From my understanding, that just adds reliability/longevity especially for those who leave the machine turned on all day. No improvement in performance/quality of shots. Correct?

I have mine set up so it automatically comes on half hour before my morning coffee. And can switch it on from anywhere with Google home. So I don't leave it on all day.

Did you get the sirai? Benefits?

Planet X

Started on a Gaggia Classic also....with a Baratza encore. Great coffee for a starter.

Now on a Rocket :pac: and Compak K3. Happy so far......
With all the money some people are saving with lockdown/pubs......................treat yourself.

(Let yer man treat himself with the €1000 car )

bergipau

I’m in the very same situation. Ideally I’d love a dual boiler with PID, the silvia pro looks perfect but I can’t justify 1400.
The Oscar II looks good but it doesn’t have a PID, can anyone recommend a heat exchequer with PID?