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My Gaggia classic has served me well but it is time for an upgrade ie bigger / shinier / better
Any recommendations
Rancilio Silvia.... [i]Neeeexxt!![/i]
www.handpresso.com
www.johnlewis.com/Search/Search.aspx?SearchTerm=FrancisFrancis
www.casabugatti.it/english/ecaffe.html
www.lapavoni.it/model.asp?id=612
Think I will go with the Rancilio next myself as and when my Jura expires (again).
Nespresso (can open worms everywhere)
If my Classic ever packs in then I'd be going for a La Pavoni.
Ima nespresso convert... Simply Superb. Creama to die for
Silvia is not really an 'upgrade', it's got the same shortcomings. Fine for knocking out a few espressos a day, but struggles if you need to make a few drinks in short order.
The classic is very good, adjust the pressure to 9bar (it's overpowered from the factory), even fit a PID controller to really get the best out of it. Upgrading your grinder would give you much more bang for your buck.
I'll believe the nespresso hype when I see them being used in bars. It's alright, a step up from instant maybe, but appalling espresso.
I'd like to try this. UK made, excellent customer service, same internals as their commercial machines.
http://www.fracino4u.co.uk/featured.asp?featured_item_id=1
Rancilio Silvia.... Neeeexxt!!
I'd 2nd this choice. Excellent in every respect, made from brass copper & stainless steel. You wont be disappointed 8)
If my Classic ever packs in then I'd be going for a La Pavoni.
How much do like drinking the results though ? The Pavoni takes variability in your shots to a new & different level. Getting consistency from a manual machine like the Silvia takes practice. Getting consistency from the Pavoni takes forever & then some. I know a couple of folks who (have) owned these & they generally end up as paper weights. The inconsistency in the coffee eventually wears you down. IMO it's simply not worth the hassle. I'd just like to add, if you enjoy riding a fixie, naked, uphill through a forest of thorns & nettles the Pavoni may suit 😉
D.
Heston swears by nespresso at the fat duck, say no more....
Amazed the amount of money people spend on coffee machines here.
How much do like drinking the results though ? The Pavoni takes variability in your shots to a new & different level.
That is a good point. I reckon would get quite a lot of satisfaction from getting a good shot out of the la pavoni, though it may be good to have a nespresso for those days when in a hurry!
I'd just like to add, if you enjoy riding a fixie, naked, uphill through a forest of thorns & nettles the Pavoni may suit
🙂
Heston swears by nespresso
He is a bit of a dick, and he does have previous for poisoning folk there.
Heston swears by nespresso at the fat duck, say no more....
This the guy who poisoned 500 diners? Maybe it's for safety reasons...
Lol !
To the OP, if you've got upgradeitis, something like this will make the biggest difference.
http://www.hasbean.co.uk/products/mahlkonig-vario-coffee-grinder
Heston swears by nespresso at the fat duck, say no more....
That's because it's consistent, no variation due to inexperienced or lack of specialist staff and easy for an idiot to operate. The coffee from them is defiantly mediocre but better than a badly made burnt/over extracted shot made by somebody who doesn't know what they are doing.
Heston may be many things but he's hardly an arbiter of good coffee, you only have to look at the cretinous Blue-Peter like ego stoking T.V. program's he makes.
Ima nespresso convert... Simply Superb. Creama to die for
Stone the infidel! 😈
Help !!! Seriously, it's simply superb !
That's because it's consistent, no variation due to inexperienced or lack of specialist staff and easy for an idiot to operate. The coffee from them is defiantly mediocre but better than a badly made burnt/over extracted shot made by somebody who doesn't know what they are doing.
Seems a shame to go to all that trouble in the kitchen then serve duff coffee. In contrast, a local restauranteur is big into coffee ([url= http://www.mugaritz.com/blog/?p=1049 ]link[/url], sorry it's in Spanish), can't imagine them making do with a nespresso machine ❓
Next step up from a Gaggia would probably be something like the Isomac Zaffiro, gets excellent results for espresso, but as it is a single boiler, not as good for steaming as a dual boiler or HX machine.
Lever machines can be tricky to get consistent results, I have an Elektra MCaL, looks lovely, but I get better results from my Carimali HX.
An exception to this is a new lever machine from Londinium which has excellent temperature stability. Different price range though.[url= http://londiniumespresso.com/products/londinium-i ] Londinium 1[/url]
I assume that you already have a good grinder.
home-barista.com has lots of useful information
Thganks for the comments about a grinder but I use a Rancillo Rocky Burr grinder and there is no need to upgrade imo
I have been looking at the Isomac Tea which has alot of good reviews
But another which has caught my eye is a La Nuova Era Cuadra as sold by Brian Wogan the coffee roasters from Bristol (hmmmmmmm there Monsoon Malibar brew is superb)
As for the Rancilio Silvia is that not a bit like going fron Deore to LX when I realy want XTR
I upgraded from the trusty Classic last year to a used Alex Izzo Duetto. I big step up in price but well worth it for the consistency and control. Have a look on here http://coffeeforums.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?36-For-Sale-or-Swap for some used stuff and some great advise. This coffe thing is so addictive! Nothing better than a great coffee for breakfast before a ride.Good Luck
As for the Rancilio Silvia is that not a bit like going fron Deore to LX when I realy want XTR
No. It's the Rolls Royce of home espresso makers. Just Google it for the evidence. Gaggia's are sold by John Lewis to people who don't really know any better.... 😉
the_lecht_rocks - MemberHeston swears by nespresso at the fat duck, say no more....
I bet he get paid a lot for endorsing all the things he used in his restaurant or food.
Coffee in a carefully designed capsule ... hhhmm ... ya baby I see you coming ...
La Pavoni Professional here, in copper and brass, with an eagle on top.
Rancillo Silvia is very nice as well - a friend has one, grinder is key regardless of the machine.
For grinder ... this one.
Ascaso i-mini stainless steel non-doser.
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Or Ascaso i-mini from here.
[url= http://www.myespresso.co.uk/section.php/13/1/non-doser ]Plenty from here.[/url]
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[url= http://www.gio-espresso.co.uk/products.php?product=La-Spaziale-S1%252dII-Mini-Vivaldi-Red-Coffee-Machine ]This has 3 litre tank.[/url]
No. It's the Rolls Royce of home espresso makers. Just Google it for the evidence. Gaggia's are sold by John Lewis to people who don't really know any better....
Except it has a single boiler to do 2 jobs. A twin boiler is the next step up.
Going from a gaggia to a silvia is like 105 to ultegra when what you really want is electronic dura-ace or super record.
PSA
Gaggia Classic Sale at Fenwick for £199.
🙂
p/s: the S1 above has dual boiler.
Or if you really want a retro looking coffee machine this is my favourite.
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Gaggia Classic Sale at Fenwick for £199.
Phillips direct were knocking them out for £125
Or this one Elektra Model T1 One group automatic
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MrSmith - MemberPhillips direct were knocking them out for £125
That is a steal and anyone who has not got one this is your chance.