I know not exactly in posted budget- but I had that exact decision, chose to wait and save a little longer and just got a used GS/3-MP. Couldn't be happier, not too much tech, but enough pressure control to do 95% of whatever you'd ever want to do. Then right after can make lattes for 10 guests without profiling and no setting changes.
Truly don't understand people calling LM a "flex" or comparing to Rolex/Ferrari. One is on your wrist in public or loud and flashy for the world to see. The other is hidden in your house, where a tiny fraction of friends and family may have a clue what it is. I bought my GS3 because it's the machine I want to use...
I have a gs3. Takes 1 hour for everything to get to temp. Yes it’s an inconvenience if you want coffee right now and it’s off. I have it plugged into a smart plug that turns on at 6am everyday so when I’m up it will be up to temp.
People like the rocket but I’d recommend saving your tips like your life depends on it, and getting the GS3. I’ve had ours for a decade, it gets daily use, and it is rock solid.
Former obsessed barista here lol i know how you feel :)))
Almost eveything you say rings lelit bianca v3, the rotary pump, nice steam, flow profiling, except for the part about saving the profiles, that would be Decent DE1 territory. i don’t see myself with a LMLM at home, although I absolutely adore Linea in a cafe setup, it is just reliable, I wanna play around at home and need profiling (maybe GS3 but I don’t like the aesthetic tbh)
Personally I would be happy with a gaggimate modded rancilio silvia but i don’t know if it would withstand 20 shots a day.
I have also heard great things about WPM Primus but definitely doesn’t have the charm of a cafe workflow machine
Grinder is a hard ask, perfect grinder technically would be a Sanremo X-One, but it is huge and financially only good sense for a shop (it replaces 3 grinders so at about 8000€ not too bad), coupled with a Sanremo espresso machine and a RO with remineralizing filter for water. Told my misses about this one and she was a little concerned I was contemplating it.
Keeping home aesthetics and size in mind and if I would only want one grinder I’d probably get an EG-1 or Monolith flat Max. Currently have two grinders though, one with hopper (83mm burr) and one single dose for my decaf/specialty drinks. Which I would be unlikely to drop as single dosing I won’t do for groups or in the morning, a large burr gbw grinder would be my choice.
For the espresso machine, a Sanremo you or LM GS3 would offer everything I would want, but honestly a simple flat profile machine with good pid and dual boiler like a LM Mini R or a Micra is good enough for me already. Micra does come with some short comings, the reduced height is a little annoying at times. Mini r was too big for my counter though.
Top Espresso Machines on Reddit
1
Breville
Bambino Plus
77% positive of 1,081 users
Fast heat-up, easy for beginners; inconsistent shots, annoying cleaning.
Acrobatic_Mission149
