Bean to cup coffee machine help

ADrunkTeddyBear

ADrunkTeddyBear

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So. I want an upgrade from a nespresso machine. I want a good bean to cup machine thats also fully automatic, meaning that I just want to add beans, some milk and it needs to do its thing.

I unfortunately dont have much time in the morning and evening to get a proper barista machine, so I need a automatic bean to cup machine.

Spoke to a salesman in Hirsh this week and he recommended this

www.hirschs.co.za

DeLonghi PrimmaDonna Coffee Machine - ECAM550.65.SB + Free Toaster (73787NC)

Enjoy easy interaction of PrimaDonna Class thanks to the 3.5” colour display with touch controls which allows you to choose and personalise your drink and even setup your personal profile, all with a simple touch.
www.hirschs.co.za www.hirschs.co.za

Is this good and are better options?

@RedViking opinions from your side?
 
I have an oldish Saeco Minuto. This would be the equivalent today: https://www.takealot.com/philips-series-2200-fully-automatic-espresso-machine/PLID56936353

I think my Saeco is really entry level stuff. It does the job. It is obviously far from a cappuccino you'd get from a proper manual coffee machine, but I am still pretty happy with it.

In terms of what the best one for the money would be, I have no clue. I know the higher end ones have a lot more options for different beverages, etc. I have zero experience in higher end ones though.

One thing I need to mention is that you pay for the convenience with maintenance. I live on the coast so it gets pretty humid here. Also use my machine quite a lot. If you don't give it TLC at least once a week (as in clean out the inside, rinse brew group, empty knock box regularly and keep that clean, and so on), you are in for a bad time. A biggie in terms with maintenance is that lack of affects taste in a bad way LOL.

That aside, these things are really built to last. If they die in some way, there are service centers around that can fix them. There is also service costs you probably have to think about too, although I feel like that can be done yourself (mostly - I am still undecided). I paid like R4100 for mine a few years ago. It died in 2020 and got it repaired for around R1500. Since then it's been 100's.

On a side note, has anyone else experienced the thrill of making a cheese cappuccino when the milk has gone bad? :D
 
ADrunkTeddyBear said:
So. I want an upgrade from a nespresso machine. I want a good bean to cup machine thats also fully automatic, meaning that I just want to add beans, some milk and it needs to do its thing.

I unfortunately dont have much time in the morning and evening to get a proper barista machine, so I need a automatic bean to cup machine.

Spoke to a salesman in Hirsh this week and he recommended this

www.hirschs.co.za

DeLonghi PrimmaDonna Coffee Machine - ECAM550.65.SB + Free Toaster (73787NC)

Enjoy easy interaction of PrimaDonna Class thanks to the 3.5” colour display with touch controls which allows you to choose and personalise your drink and even setup your personal profile, all with a simple touch.
www.hirschs.co.za www.hirschs.co.za

Is this good and are better options?

@RedViking opinions from your side?
Click to expand...
Can't give too much advise for bean to cup. But it does look nice. Also look at the Philips in the same price range. A lot also depends on how you set it up. I have had horrific coffee from a bean to cup, and on the same machine but different user, a really good cup.
 
I've had my trusty delonghi eletta cappuccino for almost 7 years now.

The boiler actually gets hot enough to do a decent extraction of lightish roasts, which most other machines are unable to do.

The delonghis are very serviceable (I do it myself once a year). Im on almost 11 thousand shots with the machine so far - never had an issue. (Just make sure you grease the main basket screw every 2 months)

Have a look at second hand eletta cappuccinos - most people that bought them when they came out on special at the various home stores never serviced them or cleaned the basket and the old materials makes the shot sour.
 
ADrunkTeddyBear said:
So. I want an upgrade from a nespresso machine. I want a good bean to cup machine thats also fully automatic, meaning that I just want to add beans, some milk and it needs to do its thing.

I unfortunately dont have much time in the morning and evening to get a proper barista machine, so I need a automatic bean to cup machine.

Spoke to a salesman in Hirsh this week and he recommended this

www.hirschs.co.za

DeLonghi PrimmaDonna Coffee Machine - ECAM550.65.SB + Free Toaster (73787NC)

Enjoy easy interaction of PrimaDonna Class thanks to the 3.5” colour display with touch controls which allows you to choose and personalise your drink and even setup your personal profile, all with a simple touch.
www.hirschs.co.za www.hirschs.co.za

Is this good and are better options?

@RedViking opinions from your side?
Click to expand...
Red and myself are on the Breville Barista Epress. Mine going on 4 years now. Just need regular descaling with cheap vinegar.
 
RedViking said:
Can't give too much advise for bean to cup. But it does look nice. Also look at the Philips in the same price range. A lot also depends on how you set it up. I have had horrific coffee from a bean to cup, and on the same machine but different user, a really good cup.
Click to expand...
So its all about dialing it in i suppose?
 
I ran a Saeco Vienna from around 2000 to 2004/5 and then upgraded to a Royal Cappucino which made over 20,000 cups in the time we used it. Upgraded from that to Rancilio.

My foks also have a Saeco that is well north of 10,000 and all good.

Jura another great option, I installed one at our offices 15 years ago - also still faultless.

Final note - all of these machines get a regular service as needed.
 
So I see that these machines need servicing.

Who do I do in a service?

Can I do it myself? Do I need to send it in?

How much is it to service it?
 
ADrunkTeddyBear said:
So I see that these machines need servicing.

Who do I do in a service?

Can I do it myself? Do I need to send it in?

How much is it to service it?
Click to expand...

Majority you can DIY easily - maybe do a major with the agents or a reputable party like Brewfix every 3 years or so.

Machine dependent - was usually in the range of R750 to R1.2k depending on what service parts were replaced. I got into the habit of replacing many of the pressure and related gaskets/seals every 3 years, but this was not prescribed. I am a bit OTT on looking after stuff. When I sold them, reports from agents pretty much said that aside from wear and tear surface scratches, my machines were like new.
 
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