expiredsmachine posted Jul 12, 2022 07:00 PM
Item 1 of 2
Item 1 of 2
expiredsmachine posted Jul 12, 2022 07:00 PM
Philips 4300 Series Lattego Superautomatic Espresso Machine
or less + Free S/H$719
$899
20% offPhilips
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It's easily one of the best features for the uninitiated or lazy like myself.
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For what it's worth, I bought my Rancilio Silvia Used and my Baratza Sette 30 with stepless dial refurbed. I'd say I've gone through ~20+ lb of beans so far with no issues. Worth the risk, IMO.
In the espresso world, upgrades that will allow you more control and/or precision on the espresso brewing process: shower screens to allow for more evenly distributed water to your coffee bed, precision baskets to allow for optimal even coffee extraction, PID for temperature control, portafilters in general, etc.
The biggest factor is having a grinder that's capable of grinding fine enough to allow proper espresso extraction to venture into non-pressurized (single wall) baskets. You'll run into features such as retention, clumping, stepless (allow very, very small adjustments to grind fineness), etc. If you do want to venture into the semi-auto world the right way (with a grinder that allows for espresso quality grinds), you'd expect another $300 at a minimum new to start. Baratza's Sette 30 is a good start at $300, but even better to add a stepless dial for another $100.
Someone else will have to chime in on other grinder options, such as manual hand grinders which may be a cheaper starting point, but can't speak on that realm personally.
Lots of complaints on sitejabber (and similar but not as many on TrustPilot) on how they don't pay on larger purchases. What will happen is they will deny the claim because you used an "unauthrorized coupon" or some other excuse.
Yes, you can add whatever to the pre-ground hopper. Quality of coffee will be affected. I used it with my Breville grinder to get an espresso drink, any espresso pre-ground will be good. Maxwell House not so much
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I have a Barista Touch (have to grind, tamp, etc.), and JUST got the Philips 3200 from Prime Day for $420 to compare.
For my wife and I, the Barista was too much. It was hard to get shots dialed in consistently, and a lot to clean each time. Awesome machine though, and if you want the experience of learning to tamp, adjust grind size, "dialing it in", etc., it's great.
But we stopped using it because it was too much work, especially before you have your coffee in the morning (Catch 22, I know). I've only tried the 3200 out yesterday and today, but the few shots I've pulled tasted good, and it is very easy to use. I still miss the controls and customizability of the Barista Touch, but at the end of the day the goal is just a good cup of coffee, and this does it with ease.
We've been using a Nespresso for years, tried to replace it with the Touch, but went back to it (for the good of the marriage). I'm hoping the 3200 will be our way to get out from under Nestle's incredibly talented (but evil in many ways) coffee-making thumb. And, if I did the math right, save a few bucks, too.
Oh, and I can't speak to the LatteGo attachment, but in my experience, the whisk-spinner frother from Nespresso works better than the two actual steam wands I've tried. And easier to maintain. But obviously I'm not a true latte aficionado, so YMMV.
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