Hello fellow coffee botherer :-)
Kev here from coffeeblog.co.uk,
In this edition of Brew Time, I'm answering some espresso machine comparison questions that I get asked a lot, when it comes to particular machines vs others.
1: De'Longhi Magnifica S Vs Magnifica S Smart
I've reviewed the Magnifica S on Youtube:
| | | | But I haven't done a review of the S Smart yet - I will do, but actually it's going to be almost the same video, because the S Smart is almost the same as the S.
So, if you were wondering, the only real difference between these two machines other than slight aesthetic differences, is the steam wand.
Both machines have a Panarello wand, but the S Smart has the "Smart" panarello wand that you'll also find on the Dedica EC685, which has two steam settings, a cappuccino setting and a hot milk setting.
So what this means is that similarly to using a pro steam wand where you'd hold the tip closer to the surface so that you're pulling more air in initially and then raise the jug so you stop the aeration and then just continue to heat the milk - you start out with the cappuccino setting so it pulls in air, and then change it to "hot milk" when you've pulled in enough air.
If you like the more old school cappuccino foam, or if you don't really need to steam milk often anyway, then I'd say just go for whichever one is the cheapest, depending on what deals are on.
If you want microfoam for silky flat whites, though, and you like the idea of being able to do it via the panarello, then you'd be best with the S Smart.
Remember you can take the panarello off, and use the pipe underneath as a single tip steam wand, but that does take a bit of learning, to get the knack. Using a panarello is easier.
| 2: Sage Bambino Vs. Bambino Plus
| | | This is another very common question, and there's a bit more to this one, but it's still relatively simple.
The Bambino Plus has the auto steaming option, and a slightly bigger water tank (1.9L vs 1.5L) and a four hole steam tip for slightly more powerful steam. | | | Also the Bambino Plus has a solenoid valve for getting rid of the excess steam and water after each shot, the Bambino deals with it a slightly different way (brew valve), but actually this turns out to be a positive for the Bambino.
Simply because the drip tray on these machines is tiny, but the lack of solenoid firing water into the drip tray after each shot means the drip tray on the Bambino ends up being a more practical size than the Bambino Plus which, thanks to the solenoid, will fill up after you've pulled maybe three or four shots.
The Bambino steam wand is on a ball joint too while the Bambino plus steam wand only lifts up and down vertically.
Overall, if milk texture is important to you and you don't want to learn to use a pro steam wand, you'd prefer to just press a button, then I'd say go for the Bambino plus, as the auto milk texture is very good. If you're not too fussed with milk, or if you're happy to get the knack of using a pro steam wand, I'd probably go for the Bambino. | |
3: Gaggia Classic Pro Vs Bambino Plus
| I know I've answered this in a previous email, but this is for people who either didn't see that email, or didn't pay much attention as they didn't have this question themselves at the time but do now.
The Gaggia Classic Pro is an old school espresso machine, with a brew boiler, albeit a teeny weeny one (small yet powerful), capable of decent espresso, especially when some modding has been done.
The milk steaming requires a bit more learning with the Classic, especially given the Bambino plus has the auto option, but even manually the Bambino plus is much easier to get the knack of.
In terms of shot potential, I think they're relatively similar out of the box, but the Classic has a lot of potential with some fairly easy and inexpensive mods.
The biggest difference between the two is probably that the Bambino plus is a more modern kitchen appliance which isn't made to be serviced and maintained, so for most people it'll last however long it lasts to then be replaced, as you would with any other appliance, while the Classic is very much made to be tinkered with and maintained over time.
My Gaggia Classic is nearly 20 years old now, and it works fine, and I'd suspect the same is going to be the case with the new Gaggia classic pro, as long as they're maintained. | | |
4: Sage Barista Range vs Sage Oracle Range
I get quite a few questions asking me if the Sage Oracle & Oracle Plus are just the same as the Barista range but with the automation, and the answer is nope, they're completely different machines.
The Oracle range is based on the Sage Dual Boiler, which is one of the best manual espresso machines on the market, in my humble opinion.
See:
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So the big price difference isn't just because the Oracle machines have automation, it's because you're buying a premium dual boiler espresso machine which has this automation.
The Barista range are great, but they're entry level thermocoil (on demand water heaters) machines which compare well to similar machines, but you can't really compare them to the Sage Dual Boiler or the Oracle machines which have the DB at their core.
So there you go, that's the most commonly asked comparison questions. If you have a question about a comparison I've not answered here, feel free to hit reply and ask me directly.
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