Title says it all - was able to price match GGChef https://www.ggchef.com.au/product/sunbeam-pu8000-torino-espr… which currently have the machine for $999 with free delivery. Gave appliances online a call and they happily matched with free delivery.
Looks like a great machine with some solid reviews.
Why?
Breville DB is miles better in the same price range.
The Dual Boiler is a better machine (I've owned one for 5 years) but it is 50% more expensive. Remember we are still paying "covid pricing".
Whilst I can't speak to the Torino's quality, I can speak to the quality and reliability of the sunbeam dual thermoblock machines, they are excellent. I owned an em6910 for a decade without a single fault.
By contrast, the Breville dual boiler has required a new pump, new opv valve, new solenoid valve, new triac pcb in 5 years.
@ash2000: had an em6910 too and was not too impressed with it.
Find it a bit odd as they share the same pump (Ulka as in over 90% coffee machines) and solenoid. Em6910 does not even have an opv to begin with.
@ash2000: Same experience, had mine over a decade as well, with only 1 minor issue in the water talk light is faulty (it thinks the water levels are low all the time) but you can clearly see it's not so just keep using it and ignore the warning light… been a real workhorse machine… A little noisy and would prefer something quieter but Sunbeam has been fantastic!
thermoblock vs dual boiler.
Better to match the Gaggia classic pro, looks like $499 on that site.
Gaggia classic pro or Barista Pro?
If you're spending that kind of money on a machine go for a Rancilio Silvia and Breville Smart Grinder Pro. I've had this combo for well over four years and it's amazing. I've used both machines and whilst the Torino looks fancy, the Silvia is modular between revisions and is of higher commercial quality.
What's the heat up time on the Rancillio ?
I'm looking at it and the Breville bambino plus for the fast start up time
Wouldn't be as quick as the bambino. Takes a at least 20 mins to heat the boiler up.
Around 10 mins, if that.
If heat up time is important to you then a thermo block machine is more suitable than a boiler one. The Silvia technically is ready in less than 10 mins but it can better result when the group head and the portafilter are all heat up
Thank you,
I get up at 3am and love to make a quick brew before I leave the house.
Was thinking of hooking up the Rancillio to a power point timer set for 15-20 minutes before I get up so that it will automatically turn on and be ready first thing, not sure if this would work though….
@Tsapena: I have a Silvia and im happy with it, since my routine is to get up, turn it on first thing in the morning and when I am all done freshing up its ready to use. But if I were you I would get a bambino plus, which can auto froth milk and be brew ready under 5 seconds. I wouldn't want to be focusing too much on coffee brewing ritual if im up at 3am, lol
This is a fake machine. Google reviews on it. Fake e61 head. It's basically a fraud in a good looking shell
A fake machine? Is it not really a machine?
It is a real machine, but its design copies the looks of an e61 machine but does not offer the same experience, yet they charge it for a premium price
They also have the Breville Dual Boiler with Smart Grinder Pro for $1199 which seems like a good deal
https://www.ggchef.com.au/product/breville-bep920bss-dynamic…
Coffee Snobs thread about the torino
https://coffeesnobs.com.au/forum/equipment/brewing-equipment…
I have had a Torino for over 2 years , I fitted a opv valve and it makes great coffee , in the past I have owned a Gaggia classic . isomac single boiler and a bezzera HX machine out of all of them I prefer the Torino it heats up in 5 mins and is very consistent with the opv.
In my opinion the grinder is far more important than the coffee machine I have a Nuova Simonelli Mythos grinder which allows you to make good coffee on almost ant machine.
Is GG Chef a legitimate site/retailer?
Was wondering this too (given that it looks like the OP purchased from Appliances Online via price-match)? Can anyone vouch for GGChef.com.au?
Incidentally, I just tried to get Appliances Online to price match GGChef for the 'Gaggia Classic Pro'… no dice!
What did appliance online said?
Apparently GGchef only accepts bank transfer, which seemed very dodgy, I wouldn't risk it
Their website doesn't work so im guessing No
RIP GGChef…( ͡⚆ل͜ ͡⚆)
would not touch this with a barge pole.