Hi everyone,
Have been rolling with the Breville Smart Pro Grinder and DeLonghi EC685 for a couple years while putting aside some money.
We were set on going the Breville Dual Boiler BES920 and continuing with the Smart Pro Grinder, but it seems to be superseded by all in ones. We were looking at the Oracle unless under $1000.
What is everyone go to for a home use machine with a separate grinder?
Bought a Bambino Plus back around April when WFH kicked in, thoroughly impressed by it. I think it really benefits from a single-wall basket and a really good grinder makes all the difference. Started out with an ageing Bodum grinder that couldn't quite grind finely enough and the coffee wasn't great.
I knew the Bambino was capable of better things since fresh pre-ground espresso beans produced a much better result. Amazon must've been watching my window shopping because the Breville Smart Grinder Pro dropped to an insta-buy (for me) price and after adding that to the mix I haven't looked back since.
Working back at the office which has the Barista Express (admittedly very high duty cycle and keeps on ticking) and I don't think the results are as good, even bringing my own grind in. That said though, rainwater at home, mains water at the office so may not be a fair comparison.
out of curiosity you could try it with bottled water or mains water (fill a drink bottle at work or something) and see if it's any different?
Sure thing! Next back in the office Friday though so it'll take a few days to report back, sorry.
@paulnojustpaul: Update: happened to have to go to the office today after all so brought some rainwater. I think the water does make a noticeable difference but I'd still favour the Bambino Plus at home over the Barista Express at work. That said the work machine has had a much harder life and more miles on the clock. Or it could just be that I prefer coffee at home. :-) Not a lot in it though if you ask me. HTH!
We were looking at the Oracle unless under $1000.
The Oracle is roughly around $2,300 at the moment and that is the cheapest I've seen it for awhile. You might need to wait another year before it hits the $1,500 range or so. It might also never get there again.
Excellent machine though. Keeps everything really clean and pumps out great coffee with little work.
To be honest. If you are going to buy a SPG and some other machine, Maybe a New Gaggia Classic. I've seen them discounted to about $600-700.
Otherwise hang out for the BDB to get cheap again.
BDB is very good.
Oracle is overkill.
BDB has been great value for us. I would think that the oracle is unlikely to produce better coffee unless automation is important to you. If I were in your shoes, and was determined to keep my SGP I would absolutely get a BDB when they go on reasonable sale again. Consider getting an extended warranty based on some reports of poor longevity.
Lelit have a few interesting options that usually sit just over 1k - maybe have a look for any sales, particularly on a combination espresso machine/grinder - the SGP doesn't have the best reputation for espresso, but upgrading both SGP and machine will typically overshoot your budget by a fair margin.
Make sure you're watching gumtree/fb marketplace for used (but repairable) older/sturdier products. I bought a cheap mazzer super jolly on gumtree that is built like a tank and makes several excellent espressos daily. Together my used mazzer and new BDB with 5 years warranty cost less than $1000.
I've only just started looking at Italian machines, but haven't come across any package deals yet, at least not with significant saving.
I'm falling into the rabbit hole of creeping from single boilers to hx to dual boilers and pid or no PID, e61 or non e61…
I think a Lelit Anita fits the bill, if the single boiler isn't a deal breaker. Obviously as you move up the ranks into hx and onward the price is going to exceed the 1k bracket.
The really big (and often unexpected) money sink is the grinder - while a SGP or a lelit combi grinder might do the job, many would say that you need a better piece of machinery to achieve better results, and that the grinder contributes most of the outcome. I found that really hard to reconcile when I was looking for first machines. How much it matters may depend on your taste/palate.
I noticed (obviously) a huge difference between pre-ground coffee —> cheap hand-grinder from Aldi —> Mazzer. What I often ask myself is would I actually notice the difference between my mazzer and another higher-end machine. I have no answer to that. The rabbit hole is real, and I think your decision making should come from a mix of opportunity, budget and intent.
If you just want good coffee, there are a number of really good (and often affordable) options, and you can seize on discounts/used machines when they appear freely. If it's a hobby that's developing then the budget might need to expand, and simple utility/automation of the machine takes a back seat.
If I had never found my grinder on gumtree I think I would likely have gone for a breville barista express as a nice middle ground between acceptable espresso and ease of use/price. The Lelit combi is pretty much just a fancier version of that.
Thank you, that's very helpful!
Agree with this. S/h Italian made will outlast a new Breville machine.
If I could offer a slightly alternative option - I bought a Delonghi Eletta cappuccino fully automatic machine - it was on sale for $889 at the time.
Having owned a Nespresso+Aeroccino machine, and a Breville single boiler with integrated grinder before, I can’t go past the convenience of a fully automatic machine machine. Proper espresso or lattes in 60 seconds with remarkable consistency.
Admittedly, you won’t have the level of daily, granular control you would with a manual machine, but having had my Eletta for about 3 months (we make at least 4-5 Coffees a day), I couldn’t imagine going back.
https://www.amazon.com.au/DeLonghi-ECAM45760B-Fully-Automati…
We've had the lelit https://www.jetblackespresso.com.au/shop/p/lelit-pl41tem/
For a few years (6 or so?) been pretty solid, had to replace the steam wand at some point but is pretty serviceable at home of you're handy at all.
Of these machines discussed here, which one is best to knock out about 12-15 coffees in reasonable time in 1 go?
Well you need a dual boiler as a starting point so you can steam and pour coffees at the same time.
Protip: if you have a BDB or Oracle get two portafillers so you grind/tamp while you are pouring! Can speed up the process a bit if you are making a lot of coffees at once.
I've found that the after about 6 coffees in quick succession that the BDB/Oracle will struggle to keep temp super consistent, but it really does an excellent job for a prosumer machine. I would assume a la marzocco linea mini would probably not stuggle, but another big step up in price.
I think you have to ask yourself if mess is an issue for you after 12 coffees? If so, then maybe an Oracle is the way to go simply because you won't get grounds all over the place with the massive coffee grinding session you will be doing.
Another consideration is that the SGP or built in grinder on the Oracle can get hot and jam (I've read about but never experienced). So if you are going a manual solution for 12+ coffees at once you might want to invest in a more commercial grinder.
Thanks very much @serpserpserp , i will have a look at the BDB & fingers crossed it comes on special in the coming weeks.
I just want the breville dual boiler in black… Seems like it's $1500 everywhere minimum!
we just bought from good guys for $999. Also think its selling on Bing Lee separately too.
In black?
A couple of Sharpies should do the trick
Rancilio Silvia gets good reviews but it might be slightly over $1000.
Single boiler machine, with temperature surfing for the same price as dual boiler with great temp control from breville…
Just did more research and yes it seems the Breville is better. My mistake.
I've had a Silvia for 10 years with only parts needing replacement are washers in the steam wand and group seal. Mine has a pid installed but I doubt you'd get the same life out of a Breville machine. My opinion anyway.
Any thoughts on the Breville Bambino Plus?
Might need to get a new group head and baskets to get the most out of it.