Espresso Machines

I just bought this one.

Gevi 20 Bar Compact Professional Espresso Coffee Machine with Milk Frother/Steam Wand for Espresso, Latte and Cappuccino, Stainless Steel, 35 Oz Removable Water Tank…

$225 Gevi 20 Bar Compact Professional Espresso Coffee Machine with Milk Frother/Steam Wand for Espresso, Latte and Cappuccino, Stainless Steel, 35 Oz Removable Water Tank…

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B3SY5GBQ

 

So I finally pulled the trigger. Got the ECM Synchronika with flow control in anthracite and upgraded the handles with olive wood. Should look like the picture I posted on the last page. Pretty psyched. Tired of buying tiny cold lattes for $7 around here. Now the wait...

 

Dang y'all in another league!

 

What's the under $500 consensus for a grinderless espresso machine? I'm willing to return my black Friday buy if there's something better than I what I got. But I have a decent adjustable electric burr grinder already that I like

 

Wow, awesome. Let us know how you like it. What grinder are you using? Did I see you post on HB for a group head?

 

Most people I’ve seen for that price look at the flair lever systems. Check them out, they make great espresso.

 

Can't wait to get the new set up. I gave the salvatore to a friend to fix, not sure what they are going to do with it. I got a mazzer luigi, super jolly grinder. not replacing it any time soon

 

Just a quick snap shot. Really nice machine.

 

Yes it is!! Pressure profiling is fun too. It’s a tank and will last forever. Just send me a note if you have any issues, it’s the same machine I used for a few years.

 

We have a Breville Barista Express that you can find around that range. Once you figure out Grind for the beans you use, spot on

https://www.breville.com/au/en/products/espresso/bes870.html

 

What is your water set up? I never knew the whole "use correct water" was a thing. On my old machine I just plumbed it in and called it a day. And I'm running a whole house filter and reverse osmosis. Now I know that can cause corrosion and make bitter shots. Chemistry just isn't my thing and I'm trying to wrap my head around finding the best solution. There is a company called BWT that has a variety of filters specific for coffee/espresso and I believe what I need to do is do a water test, which I have, and just plumb the espresso machine to the city water with the correct BWT filter. This part of the process and trying to figure it out has been aggravating to say the least.

 

Interested in the answer. I've always used the filtered fridge water...but we also have pretty good water in Aurora, CO

 

Yeah all that you know about good water is going out the window once you go down this rabbit hole.

 

I don’t plumb in because of all that’s needed to make things work correctly. It’s a science for sure. The best way to get around it is to use Crystal Geyser bottled water bottled in Weed Ca. This is water from Shasta and has all the good stuff we need to make good coffee and without all the extra hardness and other minerals we don’t need. I have not had scale build up issues at all with my machines while using this water. Smart to keep an eye on it though.

I just buy four or five gallons at a time. There are guys on Home Barista that specialize in water. You can get a water report from your local district and they will analyze it for you. Some also create their own https://www.home-barista.com/water/easiest-way-to-make-rpavlis-water-t64609.html

 

I ended up plumbing right after the whole house filter, bypassing the RO. After getting the water tested I figured out that the hardness level was within spec to use. It just might not be the "tastiest" water but I can live with that. Problem I have now is that the pressure is too high so I'm waiting on a pressure relief valve from Amazon. I can't begin to describe to you all the problems I've had trying to find the right water fittings to get this thing installed and leaks etc.

 

We had a Saeco Automatic for many years. It was great but we started losing the heat and water was cooler. We went with a Nuova Oscar II and matching grinder. Much better than the automatic. I am still learning how to get the best shots but so far it is doing a nice job!

 

Thinking I might return the Gevi for this. But gonna give it another week. Just noticing the pressure gauge barely makes it into the blue zone, but maybe that's not really an issue. I do like that it heats up way faster than the Mr coffee machine I was using...

 

In the mean time, turn the valve for using the tank and add the Crystal Geyser.

 

Got it plumbed in and proper pressure. But what a damn headache. No leaks so far. Here she is finally.

 

So I have a whole house water filter and RO for drinking water. Had the machine plumbed directly after the WHWF but it had a chlorine type smell to it. So today I just installed this BWT filter which perfectly balances the water for taste and PH etc. Perfect upgrade for anyone plumbed in!

 

How’s the Syncronica running??

 

Oh man, just when I thought this forum couldn't get any better!

Spent about a year using a Delonghi EC260BK until I finally got to the point where I felt like the machine was holding me back. Upgraded ~2 weeks ago to a Rancilio Silvia and I'm obsessed. I can only imagine the shots some of you guys are pulling with these even fancier machines!




...if only it came in cement...

 

there would be at some point improvement such as preinfusuon time, temp, ect. But at the end of the day it will be freshness of the beans and fine tuning of the shot by changing how fine and weight for a certain bean and output. I have a dual boiler Breville that I have been waiting to depart. Bought 2019 and recently replaced the stem valve and o-rings and is good as new. Im somewhat wanting to buy another but not really until I find it necessary. I might get a flair 58 for traveling.