Coffee machine

[the nerd]

Has anyone heard anything about the La Pavoni Gran Craffe machine?

 

Trying to decide between this and the Isomac maverick.

 

I think they both fairly similar machines. Both would benefit from a PID

[the nerd]

Hi Guys..

I have occasionally been checking in with this thread but not following it page for page. I am sure that somewhere in the last 267 pages that this has been asked and answered before.. Sorry if it has but to go through all the pages will take me a few days, I will try and read them all in December

 

But my question is: What options are there for a manual machine at +- R10k?

 

I had a Breville Venezia, I know it is basically a junk machine but i used it until it finally packed up this morning after 5 years of daily use and now I am looking to get something much more decent. The grinder that I am using is a Krups Burr Grinder which I also plan on upgrading in the next few months.

 

Ah flip replied ass about face... 

 

This is what you buy for R10k

 

https://www.yuppiechef.com/rancilio.htm?id=10271&name=Rancilio-Silvia-E-V5-Manual-Espresso-Machine&PHPSESSID=lh2kn9d96c04bpt1r2lp6vnsv6

 

can be had cheaper! But a silvia is great! If not the best entry manual espresso machine... (oh and an oscar, but I think they ugly..) 

 

https://www.facebook.com/HeavenlyCoffees/?pnref=lhc 

 

These guys used to get them cheaper you'd have to check.. 

Edited November 17, 2016 by the nerd

[Benuti]

 

What do you plan to use for a grinder?

 

At the moment I have a Krups Burr Grinder but will look at upgrading it in the next few months.

 

For now the machine has to be the first step as my old machine has finally packed up.

[Benuti]

Ah flip replied ass about face... 

 

This is what you buy for R10k

 

https://www.yuppiechef.com/rancilio.htm?id=10271&name=Rancilio-Silvia-E-V5-Manual-Espresso-Machine&PHPSESSID=lh2kn9d96c04bpt1r2lp6vnsv6

 

can be had cheaper! But a silvia is great! If not the best entry manual espresso machine... (oh and an oscar, but I think they ugly..) 

 

https://www.facebook.com/HeavenlyCoffees/?pnref=lhc 

 

These guys used to get them cheaper you'd have to check.. 

 

Thanks for the advice and feedback 

 

Here is my dilemma:

I could for the Silvia at R10k, or I can get the Maverick at R8K, or the La Pavoni for R6k

I showed pics of all the machines to my wife and the only one she liked the look of was the La Pavoni.

 

Would the Silvia be MUCH better than the La Pavoni fitted with a PID? If yes, I will try and pitch it harder  . We only drink espresso's at home and won't be using the steamer very often if ever.

 

Also would a PID that has been bought in the USA work on a locally bought machine? I will be there in a few weeks and I see that there are quite a few PIDs listed on Amazon.

[the nerd]

Thanks for the advice and feedback 

 

Here is my dilemma:

I could for the Silvia at R10k, or I can get the Maverick at R8K, or the La Pavoni for R6k

I showed pics of all the machines to my wife and the only one she liked the look of was the La Pavoni.

 

Would the Silvia be MUCH better than the La Pavoni fitted with a PID? If yes, I will try and pitch it harder  . We only drink espresso's at home and won't be using the steamer very often if ever.

 

Also would a PID that has been bought in the USA work on a locally bought machine? I will be there in a few weeks and I see that there are quite a few PIDs listed on Amazon.

 

The silvia will be miles ahead of the others! 

[SpruitCommuter]

The silvia will be miles ahead of the others! 

 

 

What about a second hand E61 - like this (I realise it's over budget)

 

https://www.gumtree.co.za/a-coffee-makers/eastern-pretoria/espresso-machine/1001835271210910171818409

[Mathieu_Schneuwly]

Thanks for the advice and feedback 

 

Here is my dilemma:

I could for the Silvia at R10k, or I can get the Maverick at R8K, or the La Pavoni for R6k

I showed pics of all the machines to my wife and the only one she liked the look of was the La Pavoni.

 

Would the Silvia be MUCH better than the La Pavoni fitted with a PID? If yes, I will try and pitch it harder  . We only drink espresso's at home and won't be using the steamer very often if ever.

 

Also would a PID that has been bought in the USA work on a locally bought machine? I will be there in a few weeks and I see that there are quite a few PIDs listed on Amazon.

 

I recently went through the same process and got slightly burnt.

I had a low end home espresso machine for years with a Krups burr grinder.

Espresso packed up so I did my research and picked up the Silvia. First impression, lovely machine- built like a tank and really oozes confidence in longevity.

 

However my Idea to "use the krups burr grinder for now", huge mistake. It was not possible to make a decent cup of coffee - tried for 2 weeks. I did more research and uncovered the truth written everywhere: the quality of the grinder is as much if not more important than the coffee machine.

You have to make a proper budget for a proper grinder if you want to use a grown up espresso machine.

 

I wouldn't go any lower than something like this: http://capecoffeebeans.co.za/products/baratza-encore-conical-burr-coffee-grinder?variant=18764048452

 

Ideally this: http://capecoffeebeans.co.za/products/rancilio-rocky-espresso-grinder

 

Or best something proper: http://coffeeandtea.co.za/mini-mazzer-grinder

 

I went for a compak K3 (cheaper competitor to a mazzer mini) and my home espresso/Americano/cappucino production is approaching god-like status.

[Flippa]

I recently went through the same process and got slightly burnt.

I had a low end home espresso machine for years with a Krups burr grinder.

Espresso packed up so I did my research and picked up the Silvia. First impression, lovely machine- built like a tank and really oozes confidence in longevity.

 

However my Idea to "use the krups burr grinder for now", huge mistake. It was not possible to make a decent cup of coffee - tried for 2 weeks. I did more research and uncovered the truth written everywhere: the quality of the grinder is as much if not more important than the coffee machine.

You have to make a proper budget for a proper grinder if you want to use a grown up espresso machine.

 

I wouldn't go any lower than something like this: http://capecoffeebeans.co.za/products/baratza-encore-conical-burr-coffee-grinder?variant=18764048452

 

Ideally this: http://capecoffeebeans.co.za/products/rancilio-rocky-espresso-grinder

 

Or best something proper: http://coffeeandtea.co.za/mini-mazzer-grinder

 

I went for a compak K3 (cheaper competitor to a mazzer mini) and my home espresso/Americano/cappucino production is approaching god-like status.

 

I would concur wholeheartedly with this. I started with the Krups burr grinder, grinding for Aeropress. Picked up a La Cimbali Domus and the grinder was immediately out of its depth. Picked up a little Isomac Macinino grinder and coffee became great again.

 

Then, upgraded my espresso machine to an Isomac E61. The little Isomac grinder is not quite up to the task, but its acceptable. Now I'm looking for a grinder to match, Mazzer, Sette, etc.

 

It never ends......

[V12man]

Hi Guys..

I have occasionally been checking in with this thread but not following it page for page. I am sure that somewhere in the last 267 pages that this has been asked and answered before.. Sorry if it has but to go through all the pages will take me a few days, I will try and read them all in December

 

But my question is: What options are there for a manual machine at +- R10k?

 

I had a Breville Venezia, I know it is basically a junk machine but i used it until it finally packed up this morning after 5 years of daily use and now I am looking to get something much more decent. The grinder that I am using is a Krups Burr Grinder which I also plan on upgrading in the next few months.

I had a look at the LaPavoni site - I could only find the La Caffe in models that use an ESE pod - and that you must avoid... must,,,,

 

The Maverick has a PID model available http://www.isomac.it/model.asp?id=40 (perhaps not locally) and a model with a built in grinder http://www.isomac.it/model.asp?id=10 - perhaps you should consider that - given that the WAF seems to be influencing you already... and the grinder is way better than what you have

[Benuti]

I would concur wholeheartedly with this. I started with the Krups burr grinder, grinding for Aeropress. Picked up a La Cimbali Domus and the grinder was immediately out of its depth. Picked up a little Isomac Macinino grinder and coffee became great again.

 

Then, upgraded my espresso machine to an Isomac E61. The little Isomac grinder is not quite up to the task, but its acceptable. Now I'm looking for a grinder to match, Mazzer, Sette, etc.

 

It never ends......

 

Okay cool thanks for the feedback Flippa and Mathieu.

 

This has left me more confused about what to do I cannot spend more than R10k total.

 

So I am now leaning towards buying the La Pavoni and installing a PID and also buying the Isomac Grinder which will bring me to roughly the full R10k.

 

OR could I get the Silvia and use it with the Krups grinder until about march when I could afford a better grinder, or would it be four months of real shitty espresso?

[V12man]

Thanks for the advice and feedback 

 

Here is my dilemma:

I could for the Silvia at R10k, or I can get the Maverick at R8K, or the La Pavoni for R6k

I showed pics of all the machines to my wife and the only one she liked the look of was the La Pavoni.

 

Would the Silvia be MUCH better than the La Pavoni fitted with a PID? If yes, I will try and pitch it harder  . We only drink espresso's at home and won't be using the steamer very often if ever.

 

Also would a PID that has been bought in the USA work on a locally bought machine? I will be there in a few weeks and I see that there are quite a few PIDs listed on Amazon.

You can use a PID on the Sylivia and the Maverick - - If you want to do it yourself I can point you at a good supplier - but expect to add about 150usd to the price of the machine approximately - depending on what features you want in the PID - and don't expect a warrantee after the mods.

[Benuti]

I had a look at the LaPavoni site - I could only find the La Caffe in models that use an ESE pod - and that you must avoid... must,,,,

 

The Maverick has a PID model available http://www.isomac.it/model.asp?id=40 (perhaps not locally) and a model with a built in grinder http://www.isomac.it/model.asp?id=10 - perhaps you should consider that - given that the WAF seems to be influencing you already... and the grinder is way better than what you have

 

Thanks V12

 

That changes the plans all over again, the La Pavoni is now out the window.

 

The Maverick with the grinder I can get locally for R11k a little bit more than the budget but can stretch it to that. 

[Benuti]

Another option is the Maverick and a separate Isomac grinder so that in the future if I get another machine I will at least have a grinder that I could use.

 

It never ends.. I thought this would be an easy painless exercise but as I learn more I realize that it is never ending. How much can you spend?? Well how long is a piece of string   upgrades are never ending.

Edited November 18, 2016 by Benuti

[cfcjim]

Another option is the Maverick and a separate Isomac grinder so that in the future if I get another machine I will at least have a grinder that I could use.

 

It never ends.. I thought this would be an easy painless exercise but as I learn more I realize that it is never ending. How much can you spend?? Well how long is a piece of string   upgrades are never ending.

Remind you of something? Two wheeled, the reason you joined this community?

[V12man]

Another option is the Maverick and a separate Isomac grinder so that in the future if I get another machine I will at least have a grinder that I could use.

 

It never ends.. I thought this would be an easy painless exercise but as I learn more I realize that it is never ending. How much can you spend?? Well how long is a piece of string   upgrades are never ending.

The benefit of having an integrated grinder is that when you do upgrade, then you have to upgrade the grinder as well.... this is usually a good thing.

[Benuti]

The benefit of having an integrated grinder is that when you do upgrade, then you have to upgrade the grinder as well.... this is usually a good thing.

 

OH NO! I can see i have entered a never ending worm hole here