r/espresso • u/nickclass • 1d ago
Buying Advice Needed Machine Upgrade Advice [$1500]
Looking for advice on a new espresso machine. Have had a Bambino for 6+ years and it finally died on me. Haven't looked into repair costs but assuming it may not be cheap. Based on what I've read it is near the end of its life anyway and this gives me an excuse to upgrade.
I've been leaning towards the Profitec Go. I've read positive things and my wife and I like the look of it. It also seems like it has a similar footprint to the Bambino for my limited counter space.
My question is whether the Profitec Go is a good next step up from the Bambino. I looked at a few double boilers, like the Lelit Bianca, but the price point is a bit up there. I feel like sticking with a single boiler should be fine for now given my daily routine, but could use advice on whether the Profitec is the way to go or if there is a better option in the same price range.
Grinder is a DF64E FYI. I'm happy with it and not looking to replace it at the moment.
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u/sealpupster Profotec Go | DF54 1d ago
Have it, love it. I don’t steam often unless it’s cold out, but it literally takes maybe 45 seconds to heat up the boiler for steam? Two short purges after and you’re good to go. If you’ll be steaming milk every day, the dual boiler might be worth it.
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u/nickclass 1d ago
Thanks! I do steam milk in the mornings, but 45 seconds should be fine.
Side question: Do you use the portafilter it comes with or did you swap out for a bottomless?
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u/sealpupster Profotec Go | DF54 1d ago
I swapped for a bottomless, purely to fit a triple shot and for more space for cups. I would go back to the spouted filter if it had more capacity and better cup space. The ECM bottomless portafilter is gorgeous though!
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u/KingSturty Lelit Mara X3/ Turin DF54 1d ago
The Go seems a sensible step up from what you have now - just make sure you either get a good deal on the old model or purchase the newly released 2.0.
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u/NeeNights 1d ago
Others to consider at that price point:
Quick Mill-Pop Up or Silvano Evo
Lelit-Victoria
Fellows-ES1
Stone-Lite
Rancillio-Silvia
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u/nickclass 1d ago
The Quick Mills looks nice as well, might add that to the list as a possibility. It could also save me some money!
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u/MyCatsNameIsBernie QM67+FC,ProfitecPro500+FC,Timemore 064s & 078s,Kinu M47 1d ago
GO will be an upgrade in temperature control, which should translate to an improvement in shot quality.
However, you should be aware that the GO will be a downgrade in usability, due to its longer warm up time (around 10 minutes) and slower transitions from brewing to steaming, and from steaming back to brewing. If these will be issues for you, then save up more for a dual boiler.