We all brag about our set ups being best and since my drink Tate profile is similar to yours, I'll do it now, Bezzera Duo De and Eureka Atom 65w. $4k for both. Maintenance is comparable to any machine in its class (most machines require the same maintenance). Easy to use and has pre-infusion. Initially it should take you \~20-25 shots to really figure out everything out and have an easy quick workflow for tasty coffee.
I posted a video of my workflow with it here the other day.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/espresso/comments/1rs10vu/showing\_off\_my\_simple\_workflow/](https://www.reddit.com/r/espresso/comments/1rs10vu/showing_off_my_simple_workflow/)
I really like the idea of volumetric machines. IMO the build quality, brand legacy and service reputation of Bezzera is equivalent to La Marzocco. I thought the Micra was too small and the Micro was pushing my budget. I like the looks of both and when I was ready to buy, the Bezzera was on sale for $2400.
For the grinder, I wanted something that was commercially suitable because there really is a difference and I wanted GBW to simplify things. I was between the 65w and the Mahlkönig 64wgbs, I thought hard because the Mahlkönig has nicer features but, I ultimately went Eureka for the build quality. I am going to add a single dose grinder for decaf and to occasionally play with different beans and am seriously considering the Eureka Oro because I like the grind quality of the Atom so much. No WDT needed.
I have a Bezzera Duo De, it's a great machine especially for guest users. There are 4 programable buttons. I dial in them as a ristretto, normale, lungo and flush. I have a GBW grinder so it's super easy for guests to do their own thing. The steam is really powerful too, too much so that you have to help guests at first. I definitely recommend this setup for a small party situation and it's awesome for daily use.
Love my Bezerra Duo De. Has everything you’re asking. Solid build and powerful steam and hot water. Haven’t had to get parts yet but the company has been around for a few years so I don’t anticipate a problem.
Thankfully not yet. The thing to realize is that as long as the machine is capable of heating water to the right temp and pushing out water at 9 bar, coffee quality won't improve much with a more expensive machine. Machine prices go up because they add features (yes some may aid in flavor) and build quality not because they make coffee taste better.
I have a Bezzera Duo De that I love and recommend. I chose it because I wanted a dual boiler, volumetric programing and felt the quality was the level I wanted plus I feel confident I can get it fixed reasonably fast, which I hopefully won't need. None of those things affect coffee quality.
Bezzera Duo De , volumetric programming paired with GBW is a game changer for easy work flow. I highly recommend it.The machine is built like a tank, the BZ group head heats up really fast and is very temp stable. Bezzera has a lot of heritage in the espresso world too.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/espresso/comments/1rs10vu/showing\_off\_my\_simple\_workflow/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web3x&utm\_name=web3xcss&utm\_term=1&utm\_content=share\_button](https://www.reddit.com/r/espresso/comments/1rs10vu/showing_off_my_simple_workflow/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
I have an Atom 65w and Bezzera Duo De, GBW and really solid build. The Bezzera heats up really fast for a dual boiler because of the BZ head and the Atom is solid commercial quality.
I drink a large (3 (17/35) shots, 40oz tumbler) iced Americano in the morning and 1-2 shots in the afternoon. Workflow is super easy, easy enough that you can show a guest how to diy.
Total cost was $4k I definitely recommend the set up for a “home cafe”.
https://www.reddit.com/r/espresso/s/SnlkpmZY41
I have the Bezzera Duo De. Not sure what you mean about refinement vs Profitec but, it's really solidly built. If you dial it in for your girlfriend, it can be almost super auto simple for her. Happy to answer questions for you. I posted my set up here a few weeks ago:
[https://www.reddit.com/r/espresso/comments/1rs10vu/showing\_off\_my\_simple\_workflow/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web3x&utm\_name=web3xcss&utm\_term=1&utm\_content=share\_button](https://www.reddit.com/r/espresso/comments/1rs10vu/showing_off_my_simple_workflow/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
Bezzera Duo De checks all your boxes. I pull 3 shots in the morning 2 in the afternoon daily. The build is really solid and the BZ head heats up fast and is temp stable.
I have a Bezerra Duo and a Eureka Atom 65w it’s an amazing setup. So I get what you’re saying. I’d have recommended it but it’s out of OPs budget. I still would spend more than $500 for a grinder. I know the DF grinder is popular here and it’s decent for the price but the quality of grinds is not like those of a higher end grinder.
Most machines in that price point don't heat up super fast, especially the dual boilers. The work around is a timer either built in or a smart plug. My Bezzera Duo takes around 15 minutes to fully heat up so I just set the timer accordingly.
Have a look at Bezzera Duo or Rocket R58 or R9 oneI have the Duo. Zero issues in 8 years so far. Was looking at the R9 one recently and what shall I say… I understand your concerns.
Breville touch 2 weeks then returned and realized I was gonna like doing this
Bezzerra duo paired with libra 55 grinder for 18 months because I got to really enjoy it
Now linea mini with same libra 55
I would look into the topic a lot more before jumping straight to serving espresso professionally. There is A LOT to be done wrong here, and if you don't know what you're doing (wrong) it can get extremely frustrating for you and your customers.
That aside, a machine to serve many espressi and latte as efficiently as possible should be one with a dual boiler (one boiler for steam and one for extraction water) with a robust rotary pump (much quieter, a bit more expensive than a vibratory pump. Vibratory pump machines usually give off hobby vibes, even if looking very sophisticated.
My recommendation would be something like:
Bezzera duo top
Lelit bianca v3
LM linea mini
You could also go with a heat exchanger machine (no separate brew boiler, brewing water gets heated by passing through the steam boiler) but one has to be a lot more careful to get good repeatable and reliable results with those machines than with a dual boiler.
I can't really tell you which machine to pick, since I don't know US prices, and seeing how those change daily everyone else might have a hard time too.
Still my primary advice stands: get into espresso yourself first before you scare off customers with practice shots.
Nothing worse than knowing more about the topic than the one serving you.
Another advice: the best machine might as well be a nespresso machine if not paired with an at least decent grinder. Grinder choice is much more important than machine choice.
The machine basically just pushes hot water through ground coffee, but the grinder is where the magic's at. All the variables are locked in during grinding.
A high quality grinder is more important than a high quality machine.
Top Espresso Machines on Reddit
1
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Bambino Plus
77% positive of 1,092 users
Fast heat-up, easy for beginners; inconsistent shots, annoying cleaning.
Plane_Arachnid6182
