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Nuova Simonelli Oscar II Professional (OPV Fitted) $1395 Delivered @ Happy Farmer Organics

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Nuova Simonelli Oscar II Professional (OPV Fitted) $1395 Delivered @ Happy Farmer Organics
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becku on 25/11/2021 - 18:07 happyfarmerorganics.com (548 clicks)

A solid Italian made heat exchanger machine, Oscar II is amongst the most affordable HX machines at the prosumer category.

Oscar II Black Features:
Compact design and footprint (only 30cm)
Perfect extractions: Temperature compensated brewing unit giving consistent and quality extractions.
Professional: Produce cafe quality espressos or cappuccinos.
The thermo-compensated group and steaming system are derived from larger, professional machines.
Versatile: Available with a direct water line connection or a 2.3 liter reservoir to brew anywhere.
Safe: The ergonomic, professional portafilters are designed to fit comfortably into the user’s hand.

This model is the cheapest I can find that has an OPV factory-fitted. Alternatively Alternative Brewing is selling the non-OPV model for $1295 but given the OPV is a must have upgrade anyways (and the kit is selling for $130 individually + you have to fit it yourself) might as well just get the professional model.

This is part of Black Friday / Cyber Monday deals for 2021
Electrical & Electronics Black Friday Coffee Machine Nuova Simonelli

Related Stores

Happy Farmer Organics
Happy Farmer Organics

closed Comments

  • 50centscheaper on 25/11/2021 - 18:13

    Hi OP

    Just wondering what is OPV? Why is it a must have upgrade? Thanks !

    • becku on 25/11/2021 - 18:23
      +4

      My understand is that the over pressure valve regulates the maximum pressure of the pump, and it is commonly used in prosumer/commercial coffee machines to protect the pump. Coffee enthusiasts often fiddle with it to lower brew pressure to fit their espresso profiles. The Oscar model does not have it included when launched and the lack of it tend to cause overpressure in the brewing process, and it essentially creates an after market demand for a OPV for the Oscar.

      • wintermadness on 25/11/2021 - 18:26
        +6

        The standard vibratory pumps can push out up to 15bar, whereas you want to extract espresso around 9bar (some people prefer even lower for certain beans) - this allows you to control that

      • 50centscheaper on 25/11/2021 - 18:29
        +1

        Thanks OP

  • wintermadness on 25/11/2021 - 18:14
    +3

    Good price, great machine. Would take it over a Breville anything any day of the week.

    • nubzy on 25/11/2021 - 18:31
      +1

      Yep 100%. Spend a bit of money and have a quality Italian made machine which will churn out great coffees and last 20+ years (if not a lifetime) with servicing.

      • Sidor on 25/11/2021 - 18:35

        How much to service it and how often?
        Spare parts available if needed?

        • nubzy on 25/11/2021 - 19:30
          +1

          Use filtered water and service every couple of years (budget around $200). Replace gasket yourself every 6-12 months, easy job only costs a few $.

    • Anders on 25/11/2021 - 19:13
      +3

      The Breville is the far better machine if you care about the quality of espresso vs the looks of the machine. This is still a great machine however.

      Negatives vs the Breville Dual Boiler:

      • It's a single boiler with heat exchange, so temp stability for your espresso is more variable and NOT programmable. If you switch between dark roasts and light roasts, this is a BIG deal.
      • No PID for controlling temperature (see above why that matters)
      • Can't program pre-infusion separately
      • No manual shot. 2 programs only.
      • No pressure gauge
      • No screen for settings
      • No auto on/off
      • Comes with fewer baskets
      • Tamper is worse (plastic)
      • It's more expensive
      • No descale port to empty the boiler
      • Less serviceable than the widely used Breville head.

      Pros vs Breville Dual Boiler:
      - It looks great
      - It's slimmer
      - Steam wand is far faster and better
      - It's likely to consume less power and get up to temp faster (single boiler)

      • sternocleido on 25/11/2021 - 19:23
        +1

        Great post!

        I have both the breville dual boiler and this oscar (without opv). Breville is used daily, oscar is sitting in it's box. I need to order an opv kit and try again cause it's a terrible machine without

      • becku on 25/11/2021 - 19:50
        +2

        I know the comparison to the BDB is coming when I posted this lol

        I don't think its subjective to say the BDB is 'far better' than the Oscar when proper preps are done when extract coffee. There is a reason why a lot of HX machine doesn't use a PID, their huge steam boiler is already providing great thermo stability.
        The Oscar II also can be upgraded with a Sirai pressure stat that has the ability to adjust boiler pressure (hence boiler temp) and it does has a valve to empty the boiler

        One thing you might want to choose the Oscar over BDB would be build quality and serviceability. Its common consensus that a prosumer machine made in Italy lasts way longer than appliances such as Breville and Sun beam. You can take the Oscar to any technicians you can find that repair coffee machines or even do it yourself since NS parts are wildly available online. While the BDB can stretch its lifespan for a few years, even 7 or 8 years, the Oscar can easily last 10+.

        After all both are great machine on their own merits, no need to snub either

        • Dtezy on 25/11/2021 - 19:59

          I'm choosing my 10yr old HX Rocket over a Breville everytime.

        • Anders on 25/11/2021 - 20:34
          +1

          I'm not snubbing either. I created a comparison that said the BDB is cheaper, easier to use, makes better espresso, makes more repeatable espresso, more versitle espresso yet looks uglier, takes up more space and uses more power to do it. And yes, components might not last as long, but it's incredibly easy to service a BDB too.

          How many more add-ons do you need to get till you can you argue against these points?

          • onepiece on 25/11/2021 - 20:52
            +1

            @Anders: Breville is dual boiler, and for dual boiler it is cheap. Agreed that it is easier to use and also very practical. I have Breville and Silvia, the Breville died after 2 years - the Silvia has been great for almost 10 years now (of course being single boiler, its not as practical plus it takes about 30 mins to warm it up before use)

            • Anders on 25/11/2021 - 20:55
              +1

              @onepiece: Silvias will not die. They're beasts. And yes there's value in that. But truth is I'd rather good espresso for 8 years than 10+ years of Single-note espresso that is inconsistent and I can't learn from because I can't see/set the temperature or pressure of my shot, among other things.

            • carlJack on 25/11/2021 - 21:57

              @onepiece: You are unlucky that your breville died in 2 years. If you look around there are many units which are still going strong even after 6 - 7 years. Silvia may last longer but its not in the same league as BDB.

          • tor on 27/11/2021 - 19:33

            @Anders: When your machine starts to build up too much scale, you need to take it apart and completely descale it and rebuild id. It's just not practically possible with the BDB. I've owned the BDB and I've rebuilt several HX machines, including an Oscar mkI.

      • petec_7 on 25/11/2021 - 20:30
        +1

        Fair enough comparison with the BDB but as others have mentioned, you're missing the longevity of the Oscar over the BDB. And I would debate its looks, I reckon it's quite ugly for a prosumer machine…

      • carlJack on 25/11/2021 - 21:54
        • It's likely to consume less power and get up to temp faster (single boiler)

        Oscar 2 takes about 25 mins to reach the temperature just like any other HX machines. BDB only takes few minutes.

        • Anders on 25/11/2021 - 21:58

          I remember my hx being quite fast, but there you go. Apologies for the mistake. Breville takes 10 mins at the boiler, but it's closer to 20 till it's stable at the group.

          • carlJack on 25/11/2021 - 22:04

            @Anders: Yes.. even though BDB heats up faster, Its better to leave a bit longer to be stable at the grouphead.

            • Anders on 25/11/2021 - 22:23

              @carlJack: In retrospect, it makes sense the breville's small brew boiler heats faster than the large steam hx boiler on the Oscar.

              • tor on 27/11/2021 - 19:37

                @Anders: Fun fact: the BDB still uses a heat exchanger to heat up the brew water, it just has a saturated group head in addition, which is the 'second' boiler. A saturated group head is a small boiler that sits on top of the group head.

  • tman2020 on 25/11/2021 - 18:19
    +6

    OPV - over pressure valve. Regulates the brewing pressure (sets an upper limit) so over extraction is avoided.

  • Dtezy on 25/11/2021 - 18:24
    +1

    HX machines are great, would recommend this over a single boiler nightmare for anyone that wants to make milk coffees

  • maverickjohn on 25/11/2021 - 18:38
    +1

    It's actually a very good machine. It's just over double the gaggia but leagues ahead.
    Over the dual boiler it will probably provide a nicer extract but just remember you need to enjoy investing time into learning how to make coffee with this. Brevilles can be more auto pilot.

    • blues99 on 25/11/2021 - 18:56
      +1

      how is it going to extract better than the BDB - the BDB has 2 PID in the brewing path and also has an OPV, the BDB is going to have better temperature stability than this machine

      • Anders on 25/11/2021 - 19:18
        -2

        Correct. the BDB will produce a far better espresso.

        • becku on 25/11/2021 - 19:37

          Both are good machines in their own category. It's absurd to suggests one can perform 'far better' than the other

          • Anders on 25/11/2021 - 19:42
            +1

            @becku: Absurd? Both are in the same category of prosumer coffee machines, and the Breville is objectionably the more capable machine for producing more consistent, tailored and high-quality espresso.

            • becku on 25/11/2021 - 19:51

              @Anders: Brevilles are appliances

            • 0jay on 25/11/2021 - 20:23

              @Anders:

              the Breville is objectionably the more capable machine

              and there’s the rub

              • Anders on 25/11/2021 - 20:25

                @0jay: Heh. Oops…

                *unobjectionably or objectively

      • becku on 25/11/2021 - 19:36

        I mean if you use proper method and preps both machines can make great extraction. To say one would do better than the other is a bit subjective to me. I would say the BDB has better functionality to help to achieve perfect extraction while the Oscar II has a better build quality and serviceability.

      • maverickjohn on 25/11/2021 - 20:54

        Mate I have the oracle and have had for over a year. I had a dual boiler prior and bes860 prior to that.I just think the italian know how to make the complete package quite nicely. In all the brevilles I've owned the steam wand isn't as great as things like the vibiemme etc. Breviles are great value for money and are great machine. But the attention to detail on the quality end of the Italian machines are generally more refined. Once you have played with the higher end machines you notice the small subtleties
        You will see see articles online even state that the cream produced from these Italian machines tend to have less bubble extract etc.
        Don't mistake my comment for saying the brevilles are bad hence why I said probably have a better extract as they generally are more refined with their products

        • Anders on 25/11/2021 - 20:56
          +1

          Crema is bad anyway. It's literally the worst tasting part of an espresso shot. All bitterness. Don't @ me.

          • maverickjohn on 25/11/2021 - 21:00

            @Anders: Lol that's the beauty of coffee it can be catered for many palettes. In your case a shot dump would help reduce the bitterness so let the first 3 or so seconds of coffee go to the drip tray

            • Anders on 25/11/2021 - 21:03
              +1

              @maverickjohn: Crema is all about texture and appearance. There's not many people in the industry who will argue crema tastes good.

              To get rid of it, I use lightly developed coffee with a coarser grind, extract at 6 bar and lower temp on my Decent espresso machine + Lagom grinder.

              • maverickjohn on 25/11/2021 - 21:05

                @Anders: Maybe one day I'll try your setup, I'm a latte guy so the bitterness is always dampened.

                • Anders on 25/11/2021 - 21:07

                  @maverickjohn: If you're using milk, crema has no obvious negative impact. I'd never bother stirring or removing for latte, and I'd also pull a very different shot than what I described.

              • carlJack on 26/11/2021 - 11:35

                @Anders: As a a matter of fact, I do the same with BDB. For Lighter roasted coffee, I usually increase my brewing temperature to 94 deg and change the preinfusion pressure to 60 to 70% of the normal pressure and increase the preinfusion time to 90 secs. This way i can extract beautiful espresso at lower bars for longer duration. Thats one of the advantages of Breville dual boiler. ofcourse Decent is the king when it comes to comes to that. You have a great setup there.

                • Anders on 26/11/2021 - 11:49

                  @carlJack: Exactly why I sing praise of the BDB. Such a capable (yet inexpensive) machine in good hands.

                • huntabargain on 26/11/2021 - 12:37

                  @carlJack: How would you drink this black or white and how much comes out during the 90sec pre-infusion (is pressure close to 5 bar)? I am keen to try, guess can do similar for medium roast! So basically you run all shot at pre-infusion if I understand correctly. Is it less bitter this way?

                  • carlJack on 26/11/2021 - 12:51

                    @huntabargain: It worked well for both. Early morning with milk and later in the day I was drinking espresso. Yes basically you just run the whole shot in preinfusion. I tried this with sensory lab deal from ozbargain. Initially i tried to do it the traditional way with 10 sec preinfusion but the shot was running too fast even with finer grind size. So i just reduced the pressure and the result was very good. The shot was much sweeter with fruity notes overall. Just give a try and play around with variables, you will be surprised. With lower bars you get less channeling as well.

  • huntabargain on 25/11/2021 - 18:51
    +1

    2 lr capacity HX machine, that is quite large decent size for brewing and steaming multiple shots.

  • segfault on 25/11/2021 - 19:59
    +6

    Hey all, coffee roaster here, and owner/former owner/restorer of ECM, Bezzera, Expobar, Rancilio, Breville, and Nuova Simonelli machines (including an Oscar). There seems to be some partially informed debate going on about the BDB versus the Oscar. For my money, the Oscar wins hands down. You have high quality, repairable, industry standard parts in an excellent HX machine, with great temperature stability and a basic design that has stood the test of time for many decades. The use of a pressurestat instead of a PID makes negligible difference in the performance a HX, due to the thermal mass of the group and boiler. Pressurestats are also extremely reliable and easy to replace - a PID is just not required in a HX machine, except as a bullet point on a product brochure. The OPV, however, I'd consider essential. A PID does make sense in the case of the BDB, being a dual boiler machine. If you like electronic gizmos and prefer an appliance-grade machine, go the BDB. But, in the right hands, you'll get a better cup, for longer, from the Oscar.

    • Anders on 25/11/2021 - 20:45
      +1

      If you're a traditional coffee lover, who thinks coffee should be extracted exclusively at 9 bar at the same fixed temp, then this machine will do you well. But if you're at all into light roasts (or switching roasts) or speciality third wave coffee, then you're going to want some flexibility in your brew temperatures and preinfusion time/pressure.

      There's a reason why the inventor of the Decent espresso machine, aka the most powerful and versatile espresso machine available today, doesn't sell a sub 2k machine and that's because the BDB exists. It's in a class of its own at 1k and he has said himself he can't compete at the price.

    • huntabargain on 25/11/2021 - 21:00

      Thanks for the comment, I have Breville Barista Express for almost 3 years, still running strong and time to upgrade. I just ordered Eureka Specialita so looking for a machine. I mainly makes flat white/ cappuccino couple of cups a day. To future proof another upgrades was considering double boiler and found Expobar Minore as very good value for around $2500 (don't really want to pay much more), what is your feedback / experience, or any other recommendation? I am just concerned about heating time when turned on to get ready, as prefer no more than 15min. I looked at Rancilio Pro (simple operation, no gauge, drip tray shallow / bad design) and Profitec 300 (did not like its look and lack of pressure gauge) Thanks

    • carlJack on 25/11/2021 - 22:07
      +2

      Being an "Appliance grade" machine, most of the things in BDB can be replaced easily. on top of the it can be moded as well.

    • shaidas on 26/11/2021 - 00:31
      +2

      Cannot argue with that.. this is a better built machine..all the components will last longer.. better coffee from any machine is a rubbish claim.. the beans and grinder always plays a lot more of a part than the machine itself.. Rubbish in will always be rubbish out .. the cost or components or temp stability will not matter.. having said all of that.. given that most Australian home users do not enjoy an espresso and cannot distinguish the flavours between a light roast from a higher altitude or a dark roast from Aldi .. I doubt whether this or the BDB either one of them is actually the best for home use in Australia. And btw for the PID fans .. Breville uses a software based PID, this one has so much thermal mass that it will consistently have a more thermally stable temp at the group head even without a PID. This is undoubtedly a better built , made to last longer, higher quality for every component machine. But unless you know the difference between the flavours that can be achieved from beans …IMHO Breville Bambino plus should be the go to for decent tasting coffee ..neither this one nor the BDB. But if you can discern the difference in taste then you would know that this is a good deal.. much better than the BDB because you will drink and enjoy your cuppa as long as you live. I am a fan of the BDB for the features but obviously a dual boiler with all the great features it has at that cost has cut corners and the biggest question is ..do you need a dual boiler with all the features or are you making milk based drinks and do not really need to spend all that much ?

      • Anders on 26/11/2021 - 01:26
        +1

        "Breville uses a software based PID, this one has so much thermal mass that it will consistently have a more thermally stable temp at the group head even without a PID."

        Stability means nothing if the machine runs too hot and you can't do anything about it.

        IMO if you care to learn about espresso extraction, then having a PID, pressure gauge, pre-infusion control is core to that experience. You will get better coffee if you care enough to explore these features and put in good coffee (and good water), I promise you.

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