Here we go again Expobar vs ECM Giotto premium

jasaretta

We are on the verge of a purchase. Our Gaggia classic has reached the end of its life after a faithful 15 years of service. So now it's time....we have narrowed it down to the ECM Giotto Premium and the Expobar Barista Minore. Love them both but for different reasons.

ECM -  looks, build, great coffee
Expo - coffee, like the idea of double boiler

I know I will get a lot of "it depends on what you want and what you like" answers and that's cool. But I am still interested in what people think. Dollars aren't an issue. I am also partial to getting an italian machine - don't know why just a sentimental thing I guess.

Also if anyone can recommend a couple of places in Melbourne where i can see them both that would be great. So far I have been to speak to Russ at the Coffeecompany.

Thanks in advance. BTW - I'm new here and love the forum. Thanks

James

Remus

i have had the giotto for around 6 mnths and am more than happy. am sure you'll get expobar owners giving the same testimonials. it really does come down to preferences. there is also the diadema/ unico models which are excellent products and the other machine i considered.

john

James Welcome to the forum. Reports on the Expobar seem to be quite good and positive, although no personal experience with them. As Remus said check out the Diadema range. They are also right up there. I have sold a number of Giotto and Diadema machines over the past few years and they both extract excellent espresso and are also right up there in milk texturing capabilities toooo. Currently I have a Diadema Junior on the bench and I am really enjoying using it. The espresso and steam capabilities are superb. I am sure the Diadema importer (Fresh Coffee) will pick up on this thread and give the details of a Melb distributor. Good luck, I am sure you will not be diassapointed, no matter which one you choose. John

mattyj

I'm an expobar user, but not the barista minore ... just the office pulser. I have played with the minore though, and I have ogled at a few ECM's in my time. I was really impressed with both machines, but if I had the money, I'd probably go for the expobar ... the whole temp adjustable thing sounds great to me. That said, ECM is a solid performer, and is daily bringing smiles to the faces of many happy users.

Mad_Barun

Hey that me to the tee, I've just ugraded from the classic to the "Minore" looked at all the other machines hard to make a choice. Its What you don't get with the Minore, is what i didn't like such as~ no machine manaul (well nothing on the minore, but the brewtus group helps out there). I've brought an extra group handle (made one naked),two 18gram baskets, steam tip and handles for the cup tray. its not a beauty, but beauty is only skin deep I've taken it on some group outings and it preformed fantasicly steam and brewing at the same time with no temp issues. But after all said and done you can't go wrong with any of these machine. My mate's, Gitto got me the upgrade fever. I just liked the twin boiler idea makes think I'm a "little" bit closer to a "La Marzocco" (I said Little bit) Have fun making your choice Mark

Unknown

Hi. Same question ..ie. Giotto vs. Expobar Brewtus , but normally they are about the same price - about $2200-$2300 or so. But would the choice be the same if the price of the Expobar was $1800 vs. $2200 for the Giotto ? Would you go in favour of the Expobar and save $400 ? Cheers, Frank.

FreshCoffee2

Frank, the machine will be with you for years. At this level & if you choose carefully, there are quite a few machines that will deliver the business, particularly in the hands of an understanding & interested home barista. So the endless cyclic musings about individual machine specifications, 1 boiler or 2, thermal stability & "performance" are nothing more than furphies designed to confuse the issue for you. Saving $400.00 on basically a $2500.00 purchase is one thing, but as stated in the very first sentence above, the machine will be with you for years....where a saving of $400.00 will pale into insignificance or even be forgotten with respect to either of a) the level satisfaction gained or b) the fact that you & your wife have to live with the site of this thing as the largest piece of moveable equipment in *her* kitchen. I therefore think that if you make your choice from a select few where the level of "performance" is not in question, then it may well come down to plaing your business with the trader that hewlps you out the most with your purchase, the standard of build of the machine and yes shudder shudder, how attractive the thing looks because in the case of a home user, the machine is not just a workhiorse as it would be in an office or business situation. Choose well and remember that after you have chosen, all your worries about tech specs and performance and value for money will be totally forgotten. If I can be of any further help please do not hesitate to call. regardz, FC.

Unknown

Hi FC. I agree - I would not totally base my decision on the fact of saving $400. But for similar machines, all else being equal - $400 is $400. I recall the post not too long ago from someone wanting to buy a machine & grinder and the total budget was $200. From here, I think I need to look at what kind of after sales service I would get given that the 2 machines would be sourced from 2 different vendors. Given this question of Giotto vs. Expobar vs. whatever has been around for a while, I was wondering, if - all else being equal - except price, if there was a clearer choice. I guess it is never really that simple. Thanks again. 98%Caffeine.

Remus

i think what FC is trying to say is that both machines perform and it comes down to personal preference. forget about specs so much cos when it comes down to it both are proven to be reliable, excellent machines. it's no different from alot of consumer goods where different brands compete in the same price bracket.

FreshCoffee2

G'day again all, re: "...I was wondering, if - all else being equal - except price, if there was a clearer choice.

pab

Hi James, I've had a Giotto for about 17 months and couldn't imagine being without it. Mu brother, the infamous Rechesmooth, got himeslf the Diadema Splendor and is equally happy with it. Like Fresh was saying, at this level of machine, it really does come down to personal preference. Good luck!! Cheers Pablo