Help with New Coffee Equipment/Set up

Chaffingbuttocks on 15/09/2023 - 01:35

Hi all,
Looking for some opinions (preferably from people with experience, or knowledge of the technical side) for a new coffee set up. My Breville Oracle died after 7 years and I'm thinking about an upgrade. I can spend around $2500. Here are my 2 leading options

Option 1
Nuovo simonelli Oscar ii (opv upgrade) ~$1700
Baratza sette 270wi grinder ~$750

Option 2
Flair 58 electric ~$800
Baratza sette 270wi grinder ~$750
Home automatic milk frother ~$750
Goose neck electric kettle $150

Generally only make 2 coffees in the morning for myself and the Mrs. Weekend probably make 2 lots (so 4 cups). Don't really have people around so not going to be making coffees for a whole lot of people very often so I'm aware of the longer workflow of the flair. Anyway hoping for some insights and or recommendations. Thanks in advance.

Home & Garden Coffee Grinder

Comments

  • EightImmortals on 15/09/2023 - 06:46

    We've had this one since around 2016 ish still works fine. I keep the maintenance and parts up to it though, chemical backflush once a month, descale every couple of months, replace/reverse group head seal once or twice a year etc. Not as hard as it all sounds.

    https://www.jetblackespresso.com.au/shop/p/lelit-pl41tem/

    $1129.

  • Hugh G Rection on 15/09/2023 - 07:08
    +1

    option 1

  • coffeeinmyveins on 15/09/2023 - 09:35

    Option 1 definitely.

    Option 2 is a big set up, time consuming and will require more tedious maintenance.

    Why did the oracle die? 7 years seems like a good run but given the price, i'd expect it to last longer. I have mates that have a Rancilio Silvia that's decades old, and mine is quite old too and showing no signs of slowing down.

    It's important to keep up with the cleaning schedule for these things.

  • Chaffingbuttocks on 15/09/2023 - 16:29

    Thanks for the feedback. Lelit looks interesting.. cannot afford the Bianca which seems highly regarded. I've replaced the air pump on my Breville, had seals replaced etc.. apparently the steam can get into the boards at the top. Common issue (had to replace a board too). I just think it's going to keep costing more so going to bite the bullet and move on.

    The flair 58 has next to no maintenance.. I saw a review and they only changed one gasket in 18 months. Looking at the varia vs3 grinder now instead of the sette.. much quieter and supposed to be good bang for buck compared to niche zero.

    • helpdesk on 15/09/2023 - 17:07

      The vs3 is a great option, it does have a slightly annoying high pitch when it's not grinding but when it's loaded it's fine.

  • Chaffingbuttocks on 16/09/2023 - 08:01

    Thanks for the info. These things can only go by online reviews.. not something I can really see for myself like a tv at JB…

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