Most recent deal posted was for $699 from same supplier - but this is a further $40 off on a machine that doesn't normally go on sale.
Perfect for the iso stay-at-home coffee.
I've got myself a Sunbeam EM6190 dual thermoblock and was exploring these (such as the Rancilio Silvia) - but given you need 'temperature surfing' with these single boilers makes me shy away. My thermoblock does a great job, I just don't know what I'm missing out on with these mid-level prosumer machines.
$30 off $300+ spend for You and Your Friend.
night and day.
im considering upgrading to this from my dedica pump (bambino equiv)
In what way? Sorry, coffee newb. Using aeropress atm
i'm a newb too but from what I can tell this is a well regarded brand and has a real boiler / pressure system.
i'm surprised the price is so low so could do with a bit more research on what makes this model cheaper
@ndftz: Isn't a good quality thermoblock, which Breville Bambino Plus is supposed to have, better/faster than an (old-school) boiler?
also got a delonghi dedica that's been running fine for 4 years but tempted to pull the trigger on this…
I've had multiple Gaggia Classics for 15 years. In my opinion, this is the best machine you can get for under $800.
Solidly made, with a proper brass commercial grade e61 group head and portafilter, a boiler not a thermoblock, etc.
Not an e61 group head.
I've had one Gaggia Classic for 5yrs and don't have any real complaints other than the steam wand, which they've fixed on this new model.
Other machines may be a little easier or quicker to use but it's hardly difficult to produce decent coffee with this and I'm rarely in a hurry so I'm not fussed. I'd prefer to have the quality, reliability and spare parts availability of this machine.
Choice magazine Feb 2020:
Gaggia SIN035R = 78%
Sunbeam EM3820 = 79% and $159 RRP
Sunbeam EM5300 = 81% and usually under $400
Sunbeam EM4300 = 82% and $299 RRP
Just sayin' :)
That Choice review was terrible, for example it marked down the Gaggia for having a solid brass portafilter BECAUSE IT IS HEAVY!!!!!!
Solid brass is exactly what you want for consistent heat retention in the brewing process, but Choice recommended aluminium ones instead - I lost all faith in Choice after that.
Taste test:
EM4300 85%
EM5300 85%
EM2800 80%
EM3820 80%
Gaggia 80%
https://www.choice.com.au/home-and-living/kitchen/coffee-mac…
Coming from a Gaggia classic to the mid/top tier brevilles - I much prefer the Brevilles.
Faster heat up times, more functions and theyre fairly priced when on sale.
Only thing i miss is the 58mm pf - all my fancy tampers and baskets dont fit my barista pro :(
Be aware. They don't have stocks and won't deliver to you until end of May. That time they might say no stock again. I ordered one at the beginning of April and expected delivery was mid May. It seems like they keep postponing the delivery date. So I cancelled my order.
Gaggia is pretty good Italian Machine which shall last more than 10 years. This got a two steam wan compared to previous version.
The heat up time is much faster than Rancilio Silvia.
is not this one a silvia but aluminum boiler (vs. brass)?
Your point? I am just saying this one heat up faster 15min vs sivlvia's 30min.
I'd say that silvia is broken somehow, I would not expect 15 vs 30min, they are pretty identical except the materials, at least that was the outcome of googling before I got my current gaggia.
@aik: No, the Silvia has a larger boiler which means more coffeees in a row, but the trade off is slower to get ready.
@aik: No, read any review of the Silvia and you'll find that it needs 30 minutes to get to the right temp.
@nayfon: Thank you @aik. Yes Silvia got larger boiler and requires temperature surfing, whereas Gaggia has smaller one and more forgiving in term of temperature variance. Hence why I didn't get Silivia, almost going to get it. Without PID, you waste a lot of water for temperature surfing.
I ended up buying Lelit Victoria and loving it. Lelit Anna is great machine with built in PID at Silivia price.
@enghone09: I would have thought larger boiler = more thermal mass = longer heat up time but more thermal stability. To be honest when I had a Silvia I never wasted more than a shot on temp surfing, which I’d pour into a watering can I’d later use on my plants. I’ve now got a Elliot Mara which is a step up in thermal stability but still benefits from a cooling flush if it’s been on for a while.
Too bad they are made in Romania now (since 2015) with inferior parts
i thought they were briefly then this one moved back to Italy?
Looks like they brought it back to Italy with this new model going off Wikipedia, i was going off what i read on coffeesnobs
it specifically says this under specifications on appliancesonline.com.au:
● Designed and made in Italy
I think you're better off waiting for another sale on the Breville BES920. It won't have the longevity of a gaggia or silvia, but it has PID control, dual boilers, adjustable preinfusion and sub 5 minute warmup, heated grouphead, shot timer etc etc.
I bought mine back in 2014 and am still using it daily. When it finally dies I honestly don't know what to upgrade to as it seems there isn't anything better until you reach the $5k e61 dual boiler machines.
Does anyone know if you make a shot of coffee and steam milk at the same time?
You’re going to have trouble doing that in any single boiler machine.
Thanks for the reply. I have only ever realy used commercial sized machines. Just did a bit of research on double boilers.
Sopme heat exchanger (HX) machines should be able to steam and brew at the same time, and have a smaller footprint than a double bopiler machine.. though you'll have to do research about the particular model. Ciffee related forums like coffeesnobs and home-barista are good sources of info
Was thinking to pull the trigger on a Breville Bambino Plus, how does this compare?