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Looking for good entry level - 2007/01/08 13:16I am looking to buy my first espresso machine. I want a good machine for under $350 CDN. I will be using it mainly for lattes, etc. I have looked at the entry level machines from several companies (Gaggia, Saeco, Brevill, Mokita), and I really don't know which way to go.
Any recommendations? Anyone use the Mokita?
Thanks,
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colin
Admin Admin
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Re:Looking for good entry level - 2007/01/08 13:32We do suggest the Gaggia Topazio or Carezza at this price point.
Avoid anything and everything by Breville, Krups, Morphy Richards and the like.
And get a good grinder - like the Gaggia MDF, Solis Maestro Plus or Baratza Virtuoso.Colin is the Senior editor and creator of the CoffeeCrew.Com Website
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Bobloblaw
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Re:Looking for good entry level - 2007/01/08 14:23Thanks for the quick response. From looking around, the Gaggia Espresso looks like the kind of machine I am looking for - well made, but simple. Do you know of any Canadian online stores that carry the Espresso? Any national chains carry it?
Thanks again,
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Bobloblaw
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Re:Looking for good entry level - 2007/01/08 20:10Thanks for the link. Are the Breville bad because of reliability or because of the Thermoblock? I ask, because the Ikon now has a stainless steel boiler (and is priced well at homeoutfitters). As well, do you know anything about the Mokita machine they sell at creativecookware.com? It looks like a good machine, but it is very hard to find any information about it online. Thanks again for your help!
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FeTTT
User Senior Barista
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Re:Looking for good entry level - 2007/01/09 03:55For the Mokita,i got the same problem, not enought informations.Imagine now to find some repair parts! This is why i personnaly choose Saeco.
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colin
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Re:Looking for good entry level - 2007/01/09 09:04Bobloblaw wrote: Thanks for the link. Are the Breville bad because of reliability or because of the Thermoblock? I ask, because the Ikon now has a stainless steel boiler (and is priced well at homeoutfitters). As well, do you know anything about the Mokita machine they sell at creativecookware.com? It looks like a good machine, but it is very hard to find any information about it online. Thanks again for your help!
Breville appears to be departing from the T-block system... because it is a great-big retro mistake. As for newbies like the Ikon using a boiler... well...
Francis-francis is a perfect example of how sticking a boiler in an espresso machine is not quite enough. Granted, the Francis-francis has come a long way -- for the longest time they were little more than a pretty piece of junk.
My point: There is more to an espresso machine than a boiler. It comes down to all the other ingredients; construction materials, the portafilter, the plumbing, the overall integrity of the unit and its ability to generate and retain heat for the brew water.Colin is the Senior editor and creator of the CoffeeCrew.Com Website
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Bobloblaw
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Re:Looking for good entry level - 2007/01/09 14:28I appreciate the advice.
Thanks again!
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Darling Jane
Visitor
Re:Looking for good entry level - 2007/01/10 11:46Breville Cafe Roma rocks! And for under $300 you can't beat it.
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FeTTT
User Senior Barista
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Re:Looking for good entry level - 2007/01/10 13:09I will let Colin explain if the cafe roma really rock
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