Check baratza’s website they have a breakdown for all of their grinders and different brew options a good baseline to start with. And with anything coffee, it’s on you then to experiment up or down to see what works best for you and your beans.
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I use the 6 cup most mornings but only get 3 cups out of it 
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We American have a different idea what amounts a cup of coffee.
When I got the 6 cups i was like “what kind of misleading advertising this is. THIS IS NOT 6 CUPS”. Then I start reading and with cup they mean “shot” so a 6 cup is equivalent of 6 espresso shots!
Right after i learned this, i got a 3 cup!
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Hey all…
So as i said a few days ago, my wife did actually try to get me a new machine.
Her choice was a Bezzera BZ13 HD. This is a HX machine. It has rave review online. Seems like a good choice. Problem is, a lot of people think it is a great choice and its now OOS until next year.
Now, I was considering this machine myself a while ago, but the more I read about it, the more I want to get a dual boiler.
So now, I am deciding between my wife’s choice, a profitec 300 (MAYBE the 500), the rocket appartamento or the Rancilio Silvia PRO.
I currently have a Silvia V3, and its an absolute great machine.
The PRO is a newer machine (release early 2020) that have dual boiler, has insulation on both boilers, have 2 pumps and each boiler have their own PID controller for temperature.
I am not a fan of the e-61 group, but I do not hate it. It seems that having an e61 is more work.
The rancilio has the 1 group, that is the same they use on their professional machines.
The profitec seems to have a similar design on the group than rancilio (boiler over the group)
Bezzera is doing their own thing too, but apparently the head is heated too, and this help with the temperature stabilization (something most e61 groups lack)
I do not love the rancilio or profitec looks, its just boring. I do like the bezzera and e61 machines. They look badass!
anyway, any input would be appreciated, specially if anyone here own any of the machines listed above!
Thanks!
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Given time to warm up the head on a Rocket (or Profictec also I’m sure) is going to be plenty warm, even the portafilter will be. They even put a sticker there to remind you how hot it gets and it’s hot. I usually give mine at least 20 minutes to warm up but have it on a smart outlet so it’s usually on before I get out of bed.
Coming from a Gaggia Classic it is pretty cool to be able steam milk and pull a shot at the same time or even nearly the same time as I don’t really need to work that fast. But it’s a real improvement from having to wait between shots for my older machine to recover. COVID has cut into my entertaining so I haven’t gotten to try it out making drinks for multiple people, only feeding my personal requirements. But it is quite a bit faster and the machine will work as fast as I am capable of feeding it coffee and milk, ok the machine is probably faster…
I put a PID on the Gaggia and it was really handy, especially for telling when the machine was ready.
I’ve got a PID on my E61 machine as well but I honestly don’t do much with it. I’ve yet to feel the need to mess with the temperature much and once the machine is up to temp/pressure it stays there till I turn it off.
There are many many words written on E61 groups vs the rest on the internet. My suggestion would be, whatever you get, get something that appeals to you for whatever reason, and the best warranty / service agreement you can.
The machines are costly, but personally I really enjoy mine and look forward to using it everyday.
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If you have your mind on a dual boiler, I recommend just going for it. Not to say HX machines are bad, but you might get the itch to switch over to a dual boiler eventually (upgrade-itis). Like the poster above mentioned, you’ll be using this day in and day out, so get something that you really want.
The Profitec Pro 300 and Silvia Pro are great choices. Like you said, not many reviews out for the Silvia Pro, so reliability remains someone of a question.
If you want a E61 dual boiler with PID option, the Profitec Pro 600 is another option to consider. It is roughly $600 more, but you do get larger brew and steam boilers. This can be handy if you’re making back to back drinks for you and your wife.
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But the Profitec doesn’t have pink gauges like the Rapha machine …
When I went from a vibe pump dual boiler to a rotary pump, it was just so much more pleasant to use. My list is something like:
-E61
-Dual boiler
-Water/Drain plumb-able
-Rotary pump
-PID
-Mostly off the shelf parts that I can easily get to keep it alive for 20 or 30 years
-Pretty look too it (My Alex is not Rocket pretty. I’d like it if it was prettier)
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That’s my list as well which is what led me to the Expobar Brewtus IV-R. It’s arguably better than the Rocket, for less money.
That said I forego the plumb in and just use a big watercooler jug to feed and empty the tray as required as i didn’t want to do the additional $2500 plumb in and water softener installation that would have been required for that. Had i had my say the current house would have been designed with water lines run where i needed them but they weren’t/. Future problem to address, at which point i’d like to go slayer single group and be set for life.
Lol Rapha.
I like some of the Giro editions I’ve seen…
I could see me plumbing the drain someday, that would be handy, and it can get awkward to empty if I leave the pan too long. I don’t know if I’ll ever plumb water lines though, I thought it was something I’d do someday but it’s just not that big of a deal to add water and I don’t have to do it all that often.
I really like the look of my machine, it does look a bit ridiculous in comparison to the rest of my average at best kitchen.
Might as well get the Chris King x Rapha tamper while you’re at it
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This is my setup:
ECM Technika IV Profi
Mahlkonig K30
But the star of the show is the Gene Cafe coffee roaster.
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A HX machine adds to the feeling that it is a machine you are operating and your input is needed to produce good results. Don’t underestimate the satisfaction that can give. A bit like with a mechanical watch where you are needed to make it work.
That is not for everyone, but if this resonates with you there might be no need for further “upgrades” to dual boilers and the like.
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I assume going to Italy is out of the question?
Kidding aside, the percentage of coffee shops that can do a really good espresso is not high.
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Or just because your shop does roasting and prepare beverage with their own coffee beans, doesn’t not make it good.
Learned that last year… Glad they didn’t had any of their expensive and very bad beans in stock… I was going to buy blindly based on reviews … Omg… So bad! Could have been the barista
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could be barista, could be the beans.
Pre-COVID i did a fair amount of travelling globally, often fueled by work but extend for personal. My go-to is to get on google and look up top coffee bar reviews in town, and use those as my destination points to walk/roam around town and see things. The internet is full of a lot of crap, but for the most part coffee snobs are really good about pointing out who pulls a good shot in key places. Has not let me down to date.
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The place I went to had a ton of good reviews… That why I was ready to buy beans blindly
This
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This is also my approach - also when exploring new cities, I make a point of visiting what are considered the best coffee shops!
Reddit is a great resource to identify some absolute gems, IMO.