I've been in the market for an espresso machine for awhile now. Costco is a place I've been frequenting because of their return policies and warranty, and this machine recently appeared. Seems to be a good combo grinder/espresso maker. Definitely a new product as there are only 4 reviews, but one of them compares it to a Breville Barista Touch which is reassuring. Might be a good value machine but it's too early to tell. I'm tired of waiting for a good Breville deal, so I'll post this here.
I did a bit of digging, and concluded this NOT a dual boiler machine but a dual thermoblock. A true dual-boiler machine would cost much more, and with espresso machines if it's too good to be true it probably is.Shame on Costco/Sur La Table misrepresenting this product.This machine design is similar to the one below, which is a dual thermoblock: https://www.homecoffeesolutions.c...1a88&_ss=r
I found this comment on Reddit regarding comparison of thermoblock vs boiler - the former leads to inconsitent water temperature.
"Thermoblocks are worse for several reasons, all of which involve temperature management:
with a boiler, the brew pathway, including the group, is heated by the passive heat of the boiler, or actively heated in the case of an e61 or electrically heated group. This means that when you pull a shot, the water doesn't lose much heat to its surroundings on the way to the puck. A thermoblock machine never really gets hot, so the brew pathway will suck heat from the brew water in a very non predictable way (i.e. each shot will be affected slightly differently).
a boiler heats up all your brew water before the shot, whereas a thermoblock heats up water on demand. A pid controlled thermoblock will be able to heat water to a temperature which is dependent on the flow rate, because more contact time with the thermoblock means hotter water. Therefore, the brew temperature will be dependent on the flow rate, and hence the puck resistance. You might get away with this if you're always pulling classic 25s shots, but you certainly wont be able to experiment with things like ristretto and lungo as the change in flow will completely mess up your brew temperature.
High end thermoblock machines like the decent are only successful because they are extremely smart, and can dynamically change brew temperature to a very high accuracy using lots of fancy technology. A PID alone on a cheaper thermoblock machine simply wont give you consistent brew temperatures".
I wouldn't bet on quality. It looks very similar to the ones here
similar design, same grate pattern on the drain pan and tamper
I am in the exact same boat as OP here - spent the last few weeks waiting for a good Breville deal and got nothing.
Also am not willing to settle for anything that has plastic parts touching the hot water (so ruling out almost all of the super-automatic ones).
Was about to pull the trigger for Gaggia classic pro, but not sure which grinder should I get... then I saw this... hmmm really not sure about its quality, but could be a good gap-filler until a good Breville deals comes alone?
Thanks for posting!
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I am in the exact same boat as OP here - spent the last few weeks waiting for a good Breville deal and got nothing.
Also am not willing to settle for anything that has plastic parts touching the hot water (so ruling out almost all of the super-automatic ones).
Was about to pull the trigger for Gaggia classic pro, but not sure which grinder should I get... then I saw this... hmmm really not sure about its quality, but could be a good gap-filler until a good Breville deals comes alone?
I am in the exact same boat as OP here - spent the last few weeks waiting for a good Breville deal and got nothing.
Also am not willing to settle for anything that has plastic parts touching the hot water (so ruling out almost all of the super-automatic ones).
Was about to pull the trigger for Gaggia classic pro, but not sure which grinder should I get... then I saw this... hmmm really not sure about its quality, but could be a good gap-filler until a good Breville deals comes alone?
Thanks for posting!
For the Gaggia Classic Pro, or any good espresso machine with non-presurized baskets, you could get the 1Zpresso JX Pro. if you don't mind going for a manual grinder, this would be better than many electric grinders twice its price. If you want to go electric, the cheapest option (in my opinion) is from the Eureka Mignon seried. I think the cheapest ones foe espresso are sold by Seattle Coffee Gear for about $350.
There's something off about this thing...can't quite put my finger on it but it LOOKS cheap. Someone please chime in with its construction assessment once you get it.
That would be amazing, if true. Costco return policies are great. But is it really dual broiler? I don't see any indication in video or manual. Looks like a reskinned Breville barista express, which is not dual.
That would be amazing, if true. Costco return policies are great. But is it really dual broiler? I don't see any indication in video or manual. Looks like a reskinned Breville barista express, which is not dual.
One of the videos in the Costco listing shows them brewing and heating the milk at the same time.
Sur La Table isn't a no-name brand. This should be a decent espresso machine.
I am in the exact same boat as OP here - spent the last few weeks waiting for a good Breville deal and got nothing.
Also am not willing to settle for anything that has plastic parts touching the hot water (so ruling out almost all of the super-automatic ones).
Was about to pull the trigger for Gaggia classic pro, but not sure which grinder should I get... then I saw this... hmmm really not sure about its quality, but could be a good gap-filler until a good Breville deals comes alone?
That would be amazing, if true. Costco return policies are great. But is it really dual broiler? I don't see any indication in video or manual. Looks like a reskinned Breville barista express, which is not dual.
Wish I can get a Breville Barista Express For $400…
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https://www.homecoffees
Single vs dual thermoblock: https://www.homecoffees
Thermoblock vs thermocoil vs boiler:
https://owlychoice.com/thermobloc...il-boiler/
I found this comment on Reddit regarding comparison of thermoblock vs boiler - the former leads to inconsitent water temperature.
"Thermoblocks are worse for several reasons, all of which involve temperature management:
with a boiler, the brew pathway, including the group, is heated by the passive heat of the boiler, or actively heated in the case of an e61 or electrically heated group. This means that when you pull a shot, the water doesn't lose much heat to its surroundings on the way to the puck. A thermoblock machine never really gets hot, so the brew pathway will suck heat from the brew water in a very non predictable way (i.e. each shot will be affected slightly differently).
a boiler heats up all your brew water before the shot, whereas a thermoblock heats up water on demand. A pid controlled thermoblock will be able to heat water to a temperature which is dependent on the flow rate, because more contact time with the thermoblock means hotter water. Therefore, the brew temperature will be dependent on the flow rate, and hence the puck resistance. You might get away with this if you're always pulling classic 25s shots, but you certainly wont be able to experiment with things like ristretto and lungo as the change in flow will completely mess up your brew temperature.
High end thermoblock machines like the decent are only successful because they are extremely smart, and can dynamically change brew temperature to a very high accuracy using lots of fancy technology. A PID alone on a cheaper thermoblock machine simply wont give you consistent brew temperatures".
https://www.amazon.com/Espresso-M...U241FG3KTV
And I see several other names under that :
https://beem.co.uk/products/espre...der-15-bar
similar design, same grate pattern on the drain pan and tamper
Also am not willing to settle for anything that has plastic parts touching the hot water (so ruling out almost all of the super-automatic ones).
Was about to pull the trigger for Gaggia classic pro, but not sure which grinder should I get... then I saw this... hmmm really not sure about its quality, but could be a good gap-filler until a good Breville deals comes alone?
Thanks for posting!
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The total time to heat milk depends on whether you are making a cappuccino, macchiato, or a latte.
Also am not willing to settle for anything that has plastic parts touching the hot water (so ruling out almost all of the super-automatic ones).
Was about to pull the trigger for Gaggia classic pro, but not sure which grinder should I get... then I saw this... hmmm really not sure about its quality, but could be a good gap-filler until a good Breville deals comes alone?
Thanks for posting!
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank rawrrrrr
https://www.amazon.com/Espresso-M...U241FG3KTV
And I see several other names under that :
https://beem.co.uk/products/espre...der-15-bar
similar design, same grate pattern on the drain pan and tamper
Also am not willing to settle for anything that has plastic parts touching the hot water (so ruling out almost all of the super-automatic ones).
Was about to pull the trigger for Gaggia classic pro, but not sure which grinder should I get... then I saw this... hmmm really not sure about its quality, but could be a good gap-filler until a good Breville deals comes alone?
Thanks for posting!
For the Gaggia Classic Pro, or any good espresso machine with non-presurized baskets, you could get the 1Zpresso JX Pro. if you don't mind going for a manual grinder, this would be better than many electric grinders twice its price. If you want to go electric, the cheapest option (in my opinion) is from the Eureka Mignon seried. I think the cheapest ones foe espresso are sold by Seattle Coffee Gear for about $350.
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One of the videos in the Costco listing shows them brewing and heating the milk at the same time.
Sur La Table isn't a no-name brand. This should be a decent espresso machine.
Also am not willing to settle for anything that has plastic parts touching the hot water (so ruling out almost all of the super-automatic ones).
Was about to pull the trigger for Gaggia classic pro, but not sure which grinder should I get... then I saw this... hmmm really not sure about its quality, but could be a good gap-filler until a good Breville deals comes alone?
Thanks for posting!
I recommend the niche zero for the grinder.
Wish I can get a Breville Barista Express For $400…