Cellini Classic

I have the La pavoni Cellini Classic (the one you’re thinking about is the mini cellini). Mine is a HX but yours is a single boiler so you’ll have to wait after pulling your shot to steam milk - 30-60 seconds I believe. I couldn’t be happier with mine.

No issues at all. Backflush with water every few days and with cafiza every couple of weeks. I haven’t yet greased the cam and inside the grouphead mechanism (I should , I’m being naughty). I use Waitrose bottled water and my scale has been practically nothing up to now (by checking what’s called the mushroom every few months). Can do back to back shots no problem but can’t say of course if that’s the same with the mini. Maybe search the sub for Cellini mini and see if others have mentioned that ? I can’t see myself wanting to get a new machine anytime soon despite it not having a PID (at least mine doesn’t). It’s really not an issue for my use - flat whites. Really happy.

It’s often easier to learn on a prosumer machine than a cheaper one. Same goes for the grinder. Philos is SO easy to use. You even keep the grind setting when cleaning it - which very very very rarely needs doing. I’ve done it once so far in 2 months and it had 0.1 g that I brushed out of the burrs. So minimal. Remember you’ll probably lose some money selling it. I went straight for my E61 - la pavoni Cellini Classic - and it was absolutely the right choice. I would have wasted money had I gone for a cheaper machine first. Not here to demand you keep them but I think you may regret if you do sell machine and or grinder.

Now I have no personal experience of the meraki so hope others will jump on this thread and answer But , a huge but An all in one machine is very much *not* recommended as if one element breaks you’ve lost the whole machine. Usually the grinder in an all in one is pretty mediocre but I don’t know whether this is the case for the meraki. I therefore believe getting a eureka grinder for £250-380 depending on model , and maybe even a heat exchanger like mine - la pavoni Cellini Classic for £950, is going to be your best bet. I absolutely love my Cellini. Can do back to back shots and steam at same time as pulling shots. Consistently great results.

**What I'm after in terms of coffee and machine** \- Making 2-3 espresso drinks, generally in the morning. I use plant milk although I do not always use the steamer to heat it (sometimes I use the microwave, is just quicker, less cleaning) \- Prefer a quicker heat up time \- Prefer an aesthetic that is not the square, box-y stainless steel look, if possible, and a smaller footprint \- Already have a Eureka Libra grinder I bought on sale \- I would say I'm maybe medium-level ability and confidence with coffee-making. I'm not a beginner and not expert, definitely open to learning more but I'm not into onerous workflow either so I do prefer machinery that makes it easier and smoother for me to achieve consistent results without thinking too much \- Previously owned La Pavoni Cellini Classic and Eureka Speciality, so that's what I'm used to \- don't change beans too often, I will stick with one I like, prefer darker roasts, but I will try different beans at times, I'm not religious with the one bean lol **Rundown of machines I've looked at** I've just been to look at a **Nurri R type**, in person after seeing them online. They have the vibratory pump model in stock at around $AUD3200, and can get in the rotary model which sits jut below $5000. I looked at these because I liked the aesthetic and they seem in line with other Italian espresso machines quality-wise. While there I saw a **LeLit Bianca** rotary model demo'd and being picked up, they are also around $AUD5000. Also liked that aesthetic. And, yes it was quiet! Since I am looking for aesthetic as well as good espresso-producing, the owner recommended some retro-looking machines they are getting in, as a possible choice. This is a **Quick Mill Stretta**, around $AUD1500, which looks great but I know nothing about these machines and I gather it probably has less features, being at a lower price point. (I am about to google this right now.) Having had a La Pavoni Cellini Classic before, I had also considered the Cellini Mini, as the smaller footprint is desirable but I know it doesn't have PID which I understood as desirable. **Questions I got** I got questions. First off, does the vibratory pump model Nurri R type have PID? Does anyone know? I had seen it listed online as having PID but in the shop the guys insist it does not (however the rotary model does). How much difference does having a PID really make.. for one person making like 2 coffees? How much difference does rotary make over vibratory, and also do they hold resale value better? **Overall focus question** Overall I am trying to weigh up how much it is realistically worth spending. While I am considering machines across a wide price range, I feel like spending the money on a machine with the rotary would be overkill, but I'm after help with determining what features really matter for what I'm after Thank you so much for any help

It will have to be a manual lever such as Cafelat Robot or La Pavoni Europiccola. Even $6000 La Marzocco machines use plastic for the water tank and cold water lines feeding the pump, as does the Cellini. Better quality semi-auto machines such as Cellini are all metal for the water lines and components that are hot or under pressure, but you can't avoid plastic in the water tank and in the water lines feeding the pump. If you are OK with this, there are better alternatives to the Cellini, which is traditional a HX machine using 25 year old technology.

HX is the brewing technology that is used in the Cellini and other espresso machines. It isn't directly related to use of plastic. HX technology has evolved considerably in the past 25 years, and HX machines such as Profitec Jump or Lelit Mara X are much more technologically advanced than the Cellini, and have better temperature stability. However, all semi-auto machines with pumps, such Cellini, use plastic water tanks, and plastic water lines to connect the tank to the pump. The only way to avoid that is to go with a manual lever machine that lacks both a water tank and a pump.

Modern E61 dual boilers do not require flushing. The traditional HX machines like La Pavoni Celina still do require flushing. Synch II has an electrically heated group which makes it much more temperature stable. It also gives you the option for flow control which doesn't exist on LM. If you are in love with LM but want to save money, get the Linea Micra instead. For most home users, the Micra makes more sense than the Mini.

I love the sounds my La Pavoni makes! Foaming milk will still sound like hell, though.

This is probably the best value for money setup you'll find for a machine and an electric grinder. I've got the CF64V (different model from the same company). A hand grinder such as 1zpresso will save a fair bit of money for excellent quality, but it depends on if you want to go to the extra effort. In the same way, a manual lever espresso machine will get you better espresso, but definitely a steeper learning curve. I went straight in for this with a second hand la pavoni from eBay, and got a service kit for it (not a difficult job to do). With a few upgrades, I'd say it's the best value machine with end game potential for most people, but definitely harder to master.

https://preview.redd.it/q8r6p3yegcsg1.jpeg?width=2304&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c928b61fc822b69b9c793b93907937521e8edd7a Hard to beat a La Pavoni!