Coffee Geeks

I'm about to pull the trigger on the Rancilio Lucy. It's not imported to the states by the Rancilio's US Distributor so I’m buying it from a specialty shop on the east coast that will import it from Italy. From what I under stand Rancilio does not import it because thier 2 piece espresso/grinder package is much more popular than the all in one. Is there any reason to avoid an all in one? They are the same pieces that are available separately just put into one space saving case and from all of the research I've done they are the best consumer level espresso and burr grinder out there.

I really wonder if that grinder is equivalent to a doserless Rocky, and if the boiler size matches up to the Silvia.

One problem is if one part breaks, well, it's all broken.

FWIW I DIG my doserless Rocky.

Have you tried coffeegeek.com?

A quick search yields: this

The traditional knock against an all in one unit is that if any of the components go bad, then you have to replace/fix everything.

oj beat me to it

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by berko

Have you tried coffeegeek.com?

A quick search yields: this

The traditional knock against an all in one unit is that if any of the components go bad, then you have to replace/fix everything.

oj beat me to it

---

Yea I have seen that but the review is three years old and the Lucy seems to have been updated since then.

Other than what was said about all the parts in an all-in-one model, I think it boils down to looks and personal preference. Most hardcore espresso types, say my friends in NZ, have separate prosumer grinder and a prosumer straight espresso machine.

Either way, that machine looks sick!

Only problem I can see, is the obvious one that if the grinder breaks, you gotta send it the whole thing for service, or vice versa. I guess if the machine was dedicated to espresso only, it may have a larger boiler or more capacity for whatever it is those consumer level machines do. I honestly don't know much about them. I work at a coffee shop with a pretty nice machine.

Aside: I interviewed at a new coffee/espresso only (ie no smoothies, pastries, sandwiches) shop in PDX, Ristretto Roasters up on NE Fremont and 47th or so. The guy had a brand new, prototype machine, from italy and it was like a fucking lamborghini. It had to be a $15k machine. I still get chills thinking about the couple cappachinos I made from it. That thing steamed perfect foam in like 10 seconds. Didn't get the job.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bossass

Aside: I interviewed at a new coffee/espresso only (ie no smoothies, pastries, sandwiches) shop in PDX, Ristretto Roasters up on NE Fremont and 47th or so.

---

Hey! I went there everyday! My dog thinks that Katie and Rachel are his girlfriends since they fed him so many biscuits. Tell them the guy who moved to San Diego says "hi", will ya?

Oh, and BTW, it's 42nd and Fremont.

Also, PM Dr. Crash with any esspresso questions. He did a ton of searching before settling on his $$$ machine.

stumptown has some pretty sick custom-made la marzocco mistrals as well.

a lot of people give up on home espresso because it'll never be as consistently good as shots pulled from those incredible machines (if the barista has any skill, etc).

If you've never used a Silvia-type machine before, I will say there is a learning curve before you are cranking out consistently drinkable shots. But when you do, they are sweet. Enjoy.

I;ve got a 4yo la Pavoni all in one and it's going strong for my daily espresso. These machines are pretty durable. If it's what you want, just get it. My only reserve would be about replacement parts. If the shop is directly importing the machine, how are you going to get expendables like head gaskets?

You prolly be happier w/ a seperate grinder. The grinder is the place to spend your money. The finest and consistency of grind lead to good coffee everytime.
I purchased the Gaggia MDF grinder. Not super high end, but a good grinder.

Also, if the beans get stuck and stop feeding the grinder, it going to be a bitch the shake that all in one.

I just went through the process of getting a new machine.

Check out this site:

http://www.coffeegeek.com

http://www.wholelattelove.com

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by farmasea

I;ve got a 4yo la Pavoni all in one and it's going strong for my daily espresso. These machines are pretty durable. If it's what you want, just get it. My only reserve would be about replacement parts. If the shop is directly importing the machine, how are you going to get expendables like head gaskets?

---

The local Rancilio dealer can get the parts. Most of them are interchangeable with the Silvia and Rocky that are sold in the US. I'm still leaning hard towards the Lucy because counter space is a premium in my kitchen

Be careful reading CoffeeGeek, you'll rationalize all kinds of crazy shit! $1000 is totally budget for a lot of those cats.

You need this http://www.coffeegeek.com/proreviews...niprofessional

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Viva

Hey! I went there everyday! My dog thinks that Katie and Rachel are his girlfriends since they fed him so many biscuits. Tell them the guy who moved to San Diego says "hi", will ya?

Oh, and BTW, it's 42nd and Fremont.

Also, PM Dr. Crash with any esspresso questions. He did a ton of searching before settling on his $$$ machine.

---

Viv,
I haven't been in since they didn't hire me :cussing:

If I do, I'll tell them. I still want to try the individual brewed cups of coffee, I've never had it that way.

I didn't know you moved, bastard.;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bossass

You need this http://www.coffeegeek.com/proreviews...niprofessional

---

I don't think I'm up for a lever machine just yet.

I have been using a LaPavoni lever machine daily since 1991. Once you get a good grinder, these things pump out perfect espresso, and only need service every 2-3 years to replace gaskets.

That said, the Rancillio machines are awesome and honestly, are less work to obtain the same results. And they steam milk better.

I would recommend that you skip the Lucy, and get the Silvia+Rocky combo. It only takes up a bit more space on the countertop and you won't feel as cramped when you are working with it, which will be often once your friends find out that they can get free shots.

Get the MS. Silvia rocky 100%. Have had it in the house for years, best coffee I ever had. I think it's the best value pro-sumer machine in its price range. Best coffee ever! However, that inlcudes me slow-steaming my milk on the stove with a
cinnamon stick in it :)
As for a grinder, look at Mazzer. They have a very good prosumer grinder as well.

if you go the Ms Silva route, they are widely available. I would recomended calling a few places to see it you can get a reduce price.

They are also regularly available on ebay.

edit: This is the thread from when I was looking:
http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=37037

Turns out the Lucy can not run off a standard US household current without a converter that may or may not cause damage. So I went with the Rocky & Ms. Silva.
I ordered the combo from wholelattelove.com and it arrived today. We unpacked it and set it up at home during our lunch break this afternoon. I was really surprised by the size of the Rocky. It's the first time I've seen it in person and it looks huge sitting in my little kitchen.
I've never made espresso or frothed milk before so it's going to be a fun night tonight when I get home and start playing. I predict little sleep tonight due to high quantities of caffeine intake. :)

Congrats! Just make sure you get the grind right for your espresso/drinks