PROSUMER EQUIPMENT BUYER’S GUIDE 0

PROSUMER EQUIPMENT BUYER’S GUIDE 1

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to our Buyer’s Guide. You are here because you know there is better coffee out there than what you currently produce in your kitchen and you need help with a roadmap that brings those flavours home. Working with over 15,000 coffee lovers like you for the past 15 years, Di Bartoli Coffee gained invaluable insights into what coffee lovers like you need to be able to make a confident decision, avoid buyer’s regret and start enjoying delicious flavours at home straight away. We have learned that everyone is different, but we all share a common learning curve that takes us from newbies to seasoned baristas. Sharing the knowledge, tailoring the equipment’s benefits to your own specific culture and supporting you in each step in your coffee exploration is what we do best and what sets us apart.

Choosing a new isn't an easy task. But we are here to make it as easy and as quick with these Bullet-proof how to’s below, to ensure you invest in what is right for YOU. We simplify the technical language, demystify few common myths, touch on essentials for great home espresso and cover all logistics to help you make a choice you do not regret, saving you months of frustration, beans wastage, and a soon after upgrade that ends up costing you more. Here is our free roadmap to you:

PART 1: How to Choose the Right Equipment? Section 1: Choosing the Right Espresso Machine Section 2: E61 Group Head Vs Traditional Group Head Section 3: Creating Your Short List Section 4: Choosing the Right Espresso Grinder Section 5: How Do I Narrow it Down to the ONE Machine and Grinder?

PART 2: What Else is Essential to Know Before Buying Equipment? Section 1: Why using soft water is important? Section 2: How to Choose the Right Coffee Beans for My New Equipment? Section 3: How to Choose the Right Accessories? Section 4: Why Barista Training isn’t just for Commercial Baristas Section 5: All you Need to Know about Shipping Section 6: Warranty and Repair Section 7: 7 Smart Reasons Choosing Di Bartoli Coffee as your Partner

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PART 1

Section 1: Choosing the Right Espresso Machine

A first stop before stepping into or models’ discussion, is understanding the various technologies out there and what it means to you. Thermoblock vs. Boiler? Single Boiler vs. Heat Exchange? You’ll find the answers right below. Given the huge range of espresso machines on the market, many people find the process of choosing one, overwhelming. At Di Bartoli Coffee, we are committed to helping you understand the key differences between the myriad of machines and what it means to you, so you can make the right choice with confidence.

It’s important to note that our carefully selected high end prosumer espresso machines range shares many common denominators: o Excellent longevity if correctly maintained and serviced o Most are made in Italy (99%), the rest in Spain o High quality, durable materials like stainless steel, copper and brass, no plastic and very little silicone o Prosumer machines (‘Professional-Consumer’) are designed for home use yet are commercially oriented enough to sustain a high pressure and temperature environment o Ability to produce great espresso if paired up with a good grinder, fresh beans and a skilled operator o Available parts and high standard technical support extended by Di Bartoli Coffee o Similar cleaning and maintenance advice

Note you may not see few brands on our e-shop you may be able to find elsewhere, but there is a reason for it. Chat to us if you want to know more about our selection criteria. Di Bartoli is the service agent of all the brands on our range and we offer comprehensive technical services for all of them, working with service agents in all capital cities to effectively offer support to all states in , even if you don’t live in Sydney.

So how do you choose the right one for you?

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Let’s Start with a Definition of Espresso:

‘Pressurized water as 9-10 bar pressure, pressing through finely ground coffee at 85-95 degrees Celsius, extracting aromatic oils, sugars and soluble, resulting in 30ml of liquid with a thick layer of crema, balanced flavour and an enjoyable after taste.’

If this is what we attempt achieving each shot of espresso, then the questions to ask are these:

o How consistent is the temperature of extraction? (Does it use a thermoblock or a boiler?) o How much steam pressure does it produce? (How large is the boiler?) o Can it produce coffee, and steam milk at the same time? (Is it a Single Boiler, a Heat Exchanger or a Double Boiler? o Does it have the best brewing head design to optimize temperature? (E61 group head vs. Traditional group head) o Do we want to control brewing temperature? (Heat Exchange with PID, Double Boiler with PID)

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Consistent Temperature for Extraction

Almost all coffee drinks start with a 30mL shot of espresso. To this, hot textured milk is added to give us, the latte, the cappuccino, and the flat white. Nowadays there are 2 common technologies employed by coffee machines manufactures to deliver hot water for brewing: a thermoblock and a boiler.

A boiler holds a volume of water, which heats up and maintained at the correct temperature. A thermoblock on the other hand is a block of aluminium that heats the water on demand. The thermoblock makes for a very compact, lightweight and low-cost machine. Unfortunately, the temperature of the water during extraction tends to fluctuate, slightly souring as the temperature dips, and slightly burning the coffee as it peaks.

Few of the popular brands that employ thermoblock are Breville, Sunbeam, Delonghi and . There really is no contest, a boiler machine, provided it is well maintained, provides you with better coffee. At Di Bartoli, we believe that if you own a discerning palate, then a boiler machine is the one for you. Our entire machine range employs boiler only variations: Single, Heat Exchange and Double. No thermoblock.

How much steam pressure does it produce?

An excellent Latte (or flat white, or cappuccino) is silky smooth, and is made from well textured milk (=microfoam). Good steam pressure and a good steam nozzle, combined with good technique, allow us to achieve this.

Thermoblock does not deliver sufficient pressure. Boiler size will tell you how much steam pressure the machine will deliver consistently. Boiler sizes vary greatly across the range of coffee machines. Anywhere from 100mL to 3Litres. The larger the boiler the more pressure per jug we experience, the easier and quicker it is to achieve microfoam.

Can it produce coffee and steam milk at the same time?

A Single Boiler coffee machine extracts coffee, and steams milk, but not at the same time. After extracting coffee at 85-95 degrees, the machine must be put in ‘steaming mode’, and after 30 seconds to a minute, the boiler will have heated up further to 120 degrees, building sufficient

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pressure texturing the milk. A Single Boiler is great for making coffee for two, but for entertaining guests you will find it too time consuming.

In addition, as espresso is awaiting steam to come up to temperature, it loses its crema and going cold, thus affecting the overall quality of your Latte.

A Heat Exchange machine (or Double Boiler) will allow you to do both at the same time, without compromising on temperature consistency and overall quality. Need to produce a dozen coffees, one after another? No problem.

How to Choose between Single Boiler (SB), Heat Exchange (HX) or Double Boiler (DB)?

Single boiler machines are mostly suited for coffee lovers who upgrade from a non- espresso coffee maker or from a thermoblock machine. It is also suitable as a first machine buy for the novice who appreciates their coffee and want to replicate their favorite barista coffee quality at home. These machines will not be suitable for anyone who wishes to make more than 3-4 milk coffee consecutively. If you are an espresso lover and the only consumer at home, Single Boiler might be for you. However, there are other factors like longevity, safety and aesthetics that may see you considering an HX anyway. Few examples are the Rancilio Silvia, the ECM Casa and the Isomac Zaffiro.

Heat Exchange is the most popular Prosumer technology for home or small office use nowadays. With any Heat Exchanger, you can steam milk and make coffee at the same time and maintain high quality standards. Those machines are also more commercially built and will last longer. Few examples are: Rocket Giotto Type V, Vibiemme Junior and Profitec Pro 500.

If you are a serious coffee geek, if you are experimental and love trying different coffee beans, if you plan to roast at home in some point or you enjoy espresso with no sugar or milk and quite particular about your espresso taste, you might like to consider a Double Boiler

This technology allows you to control brewing temperature easily via the PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) control located at the front panel and enable viewing and adjusting brewing temperature and with some models also steam pressure.

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Additionally, unlike HX, there’s no need to cool flush to reduce brewing water temperature, as the two separate boilers keep a stable temperature either by a probe or via a pressure switch. Saying so some flushing is needed at start to stabilize temperature and clean group head residue like with most other technologies.

Double boiler’s heat up time from cool start is usually shorter and steam pressure recovery time is quicker. However, if you only make 3-5 coffees in a go, you are less likely to test your machine’s steam pressure recovery time. Some models have extras you don’t see in HX, like the ability to switch off steam boiler for energy saving, build in timer in the PID or a cup rest enabling both the usage of espresso cups and large mugs. Double Boilers usually also feature a rotary pump and the ability to easily plumb-in the machine is needed. Few examples are: ECM Synchronika, Profitec Pro 700 and Rocket R58.

“If you are a serious coffee geek, consider a double boiler”

Section 2: E61 Group Head v.s. Traditional Group Head

Most prosumer machines brands and models in Australia nowadays incorporate E61 group head and a thermosyphon brewing system. As oppose to a traditional group head design, E61 is heavier with a mass of metal that retains heat better and keeps a stable temperature for brewing. It is also more mechanical and less likely to break than the traditional system, as it operates with a lever / spring as oppose to electrical solenoids. Better water flow control in the boiler also adds to stability of brewing temperature, which ensures better and more consistent espresso flavor.

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Section 3: Creating Your Short List

‘Ok, so I realized I need / want a Heat Exchange (HX) machine with an E61 Group head, how do I choose THE one within the range?’

A good place to start creating your short list is on our Most Popular Machines page. These are models which present an overall value as seen by a large percent of our customers throughout the years, and who have been in the exact point you are now, needing to choose one. This selection scores high in reliability, temperature stability (E61), making coffee and steam same time (HX + DB), quality of casing, design features, low water level cut off, an automatic boiler replenishment and a steam gauge – all have those.

Di Bartoli recommends only brands and models on its range. This selection meets certain quality and technical support criteria which allows us meeting our warranty repair and support promise to you. Any advice on this guide relates only to our selected range.

From here, we can spot three distinct sub categories within the HX range:

HX Start range - $2,000-$2,400 Those would normally be smaller in footprint to the mid-range (great if your bench space is limited), will feature 1.2-1.5L capacity of boiler (you are not a great entertainer, average at 2-5 milky coffee in a go), have a vibrating pump, and tend to score higher in functionality than aesthetics.

HX Mid-Range - $2,400 - $2,800 Larger footprint as required by a larger boiler 1.5-2L. All come with vibrating pump, some feature toggle switches for steam and water as oppose to the classic knobs. With larger footprint comes larger cup warmer plate for more cups, larger drip tray (less trips to the sink), and for most, boiler gauge and pump gauge. Most models also feature a better steam wand design, either commercial ball – joint wand or cool-to-touch wand. If you are not limited with space, you appreciate higher attention to details and you entertain on occasion than this sub category may be the one for you.

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HX High Range -$2,800 - $3,600 It is not really about boiler size. It is more about aesthetics and extra features. We are often asked: ‘what do I get if I go to the high range?’ That will depend on whether certain features are a benefit to you or not. Planning to plumb in your machine in some point? Some models will be plumbable. Want to be able to know or control brewing temperature? Some models feature PID. Love style knobs? 2 gauges? Large drip tray? You are at the right place.

'Profi' Lever Taps (ECM Technika Rotary) or the Knobs Style? (Rocket Giotto)?

There is no 'better' or 'worse', it is an individual call. However, working with both style designs, we found that the Profi is an easier system to enable consistently of milk texture, particularly if you are a newbie. When not required to evaluate distance of knob turning, we tend to focus on instantaneously achieving a whirlpool motion in the jug, which guarantees silky microfoam milk one time after another. We found students achieving microfoam faster with the 'Profi' system than those using the traditional steam knobs. Naturally a skilled operator can achieve desirable outcomes with both so if you have any aesthetics preference, go with it, the rest would follow.

What is the difference between a Rotary pump machine and a Vibrating pump machine?

Within the range, all models that are plumable, feature rotary pump. Let us look for example at the Rocket Giotto Type V and the Rocket Giotto Evoluzione R. The Evoluzione R model comes with a rotary pump and a motor attached to it, while the Type V will feature a standard Ulka vibrating pump. There are some benefits to the rotary:

“We don't believe there is 'better' or 'worse', it is an individual call”

1. Rotary pump is more commercially built, less likely to fail as vibrating pump and can sustain a higher volume of water. If the machine will receive a good workout, that point might be beneficial to you 2. Plumbing your machine in with minimal hassle does allow the joy of automatic refill without manually doing it

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3. The Rotary pump is much quieter and operating it does 'feel' better. The low noise level might be a value with young babies or in an early shift work scenario

We found no bearing on the quality of the coffee among both models, vibrating is cheaper and quicker to replace if it fails and available in stock all year around. Some models like the Rocket Giotto Type V come nowadays with extra padding to the pump housing part, which reduces significantly noise level.

Why PID and what is the difference between HX PID to Double Boiler PID?

Traditionally, a pressurestat controls the temperature of the boiler by detecting the amount of pressure it has. If the pressure gets too high, it will switch off the heating element, and switch on when the pressure falls below. This is what is inside Single Boilers and HX. A PID is an electronic temperature controller that replaces the pressurestat. It measures the temperature of the water in the boiler directly and switch on and off as needed.

A PID has two additional features over the pressurestat: o Full control of the temperature o Narrows the deadband of temperature fluctuation

The user can have full control of the temperature and tune to his preference. This might be useful for exploring different flavours coming from the same coffee at different temperature, as well as controlling the intensity of its bitterness and sourness. The pressurestat will create a fluctuation of temperature in the boiler, as it switches on and off according to the measured pressure. The PID is more reactive and will keep the deadband smaller, so temperature is more stable. If 90°C is the set temperature, a PID may sway around 0.2°C up and down, a pressurestat may sway approximately 2°C or more.

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In a PID Heat Exchanger like the Rocket Giotto Type V, you find the digital controller hidden under the drip tray. It displays the boiler pressure and allows you to change it which will impact indirectly brewing temperature. In double boilers like with the Profitec Pro 700, The PID is more reactive and will keep the deadband smaller, so temperature is more stable

A PID benefit to an HX buyer is the clarity whether the machine runs hot as a troubleshooting tool for imperfection in the coffee like bitterness. As HX is less stable than a DB, you may have a spike in temperature when the boiler heats up too much and you can see that on the PID. On the other end you get to identify yourself as the weak link when temperature remaining stable, yet you still get bitterness in the cup.

Need help narrowing it down to the ONE for you? If you also need a grinder, read on. Otherwise skip to page 15.

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Section 4: Choosing the Right Espresso Grinder

As with choosing an espresso machine, choosing the right espresso grinder comes down to your individual preferences. At Di Bartoli we ensure that every grinder we sell grinds fine enough and consistent enough for espresso. However, there are variations in build quality, type and size of grinding burrs, power of motor, speed, noise level, etc.

As we believe your grinder is as important as your coffee machine, we would usually recommend pairing grinder to match the capacity of your machine and will help you to work out among the different features, which one is more important to you.

There are also variations in the mechanism used to adjust grind particles size: a ‘stepless’ grinder allows infinitely fine adjustments and is ideal for those who like to have complete control over every aspect of the extraction process, while a ‘stepped’ mechanism allows you to choose from fixed increments in grind size, and is usually easier and faster to adjust, particularly for those who alternate between grinding for espresso and plunger or filter coffee.

You should also consider whether you prefer a ‘doserless’ dispensing mechanism, which grinds the coffee directly into the basket and allows you to visually evaluate the exact volume of your dose, or a ‘dosered’ mechanism, which dispenses into a segmented dosing chamber and then transfers a fixed dose into the basket via a lever mechanism. Di Bartoli endorses the doserless version, as while in the past doser grinders were valued for breaking up clumps, it isn’t as accurate dosage dispensing mechanism as some of the good digital grinders out there nowadays.

Another important criteria would be ‘digital’ dosing Vs. ‘manual’ dosing. It is important to place the exact same amount of coffee in your basket as it is important to tamp at the same pressure. Every variable of the coffee making routine should be fixed and repetitive as possible to ensure only one variable changes. Hence why digital grinders are becoming popular. Not only it gives you consistent dose but it’s also usually quicker and easier when it isn’t you who needs to judge dose level.

Obviously, your budget will also be an important factor in your decision. It is possible to find an espresso grinder under $700. Nevertheless, bear in mind that many people buying in this price range later end up upgrading to a more commercially oriented grinder as their coffee-making skills and appreciation develop, or the amount of coffee they make increases.

In considering your budget, you should also consider the type of machine you have, as the grinder you use will limit the results you can achieve even with a great machine.

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In our experience, new home baristas commonly underestimate the importance of the grinder. To achieve the best results in the cup your machine and grinder should be evenly matched – if you are invested in a heat exchange or double boiler machine, you’d want to make sure you choose an equally capable grinder.

Why do I need a grinder for espresso and why burr blades?

Espresso extraction uses pressure to force water through ground coffee. If the size of the particles is inconsistent, water will find the path of least resistance, creating ‘channels’, and is not able to evenly extract the full range of soluble particles which carry the flavours. This results in inferior coffee, with either a bitter or watery flavour. With a consistent and precise grind, on the other hand, the resistance is equal throughout the ‘puck’ (the disc of ground coffee in the basket). This results in a more even flow of water across the puck and a more even extraction from each particle, allowing for a superior cup with balanced flavour and thick crema. A burr grinder has a true grinding or squashing action which quickly produces the precise and consistent distribution of particle sizes required for even espresso extraction. Flat burrs have powerful motors, and tend to grind very finely, while conical burrs have a shape which gives excellent heat distribution.

A blade grinder does not really grind, but slashes the beans into smaller particles, somewhat like a . This results in an uneven mix of fine powder and large chunks, making good espresso extraction impossible. Another problem with blade grinders is that they generate a lot of heat which tends to burn the grinds, leaving a burnt, metallic taste.

Therefore, if you only have under $400 available for your espresso grinder, we will recommend to initially purchase pre-ground from a specialty retailer till your budget can accommodate a burr blade grinder.

Price Level $400-$700

A grinder under $700 is normally best suited to a low coffee volume scenario (2-3 cups per day) and is likely to involve a degree of compromise, whether on longevity, ability to cope with high volume of beans, grind precision, speed or noise. To help you make the best choice within this category, we would normally require a good understanding of

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your domestic scenario to help establish your priorities: what is crucially important, and where you are happy to compromise.

If precision of grind size is your top priority (being mainly an espresso drinker) you can consider the Compak K3 Push grinder that features a commercial 58mm blades and a good motor. It is micrometric, and potentially allows small increments in grind size. However, we found some compromise with built quality and the excessive resistance of the adjustment collar does not optimize precision. The Compak K3 Touch Advance model has a built-in timer which can slightly improve consistency of your dose, but not as accurate as a digital dosage grinder.

If your priority is ease of use, look at the Rancilio Rocky or the Macap M2M. Both grinders feature a stepped mechanism allowing an easy and quick adjustment between different particles grind sizes. The Rancilio Rocky is robust, with 54mm flat burrs, but it can be slow, and the adjustment notches come with a big gap. The Macap M2M has a smaller footprint, smaller blades but slightly smaller increments. The M2D version comes with a timer that adds to consistency. Another elegant, small footprint and simple to use grinder is the ECA KS, our choice for this price level. It has smaller increments than the Rocky and is a great match with any retro-look, stainless steel machine with its stylish chrome/black body.

Price Level: $700-$1,000

The Mahlkonig Vario is a unique, German grinder, presenting a combination of beneficial features for the home connoisseur: durable ceramic blades that keep the coffee cool and prevents bitterness generate less heat than metal which reduces bitterness. It also has a micro / macro adjustment dials that provides high precision from one end and a quick drastic settings change from the other end, if you use your plunger or stove top maker.

Quamar grinders undoubtedly dominate this category. These are Italian made with robust structure, good set of 54mm blades and easy to adjust stepped collar with small increments. The Quamar Q50 Push comes with a funnel effective in clumps breaking and is non-digital with an on/ off switch. The Quamar Q50E version is an excellent and more affordable alternative for the fully commercial digital grinders over $1,000. The easy to adjust digital panel is accurate down to the 0.05 seconds and provides great consistency. This is the most common choice in Di Bartoli as a pair up with any HX mid-range while keeping it under $3.5k budget.

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“if you only have under $400 available for your espresso grinder, you better off buying pre-ground coffee from a specialty roaster”

Price Level: $1,000 - $1,800

One of the most popular models for the home connoisseurs nowadays, is the Mazzer Mini Elektronika. It features 64 mm flat burrs, and micrometric adjustment, but it also has an easy to use digital display you can adjust your dose with by time. The chute at the front does a great job in breaking clumps and generating static free, centered ground pour straight onto the basket with minimum waste, mess & clumps.

The Eureka Atom grinder is packed with benefits. With 60mm flat burrs, stepless adjustment, digital dosing and small hopper, it is an attractive option but the cherry on top is the sound insulation that makes it the quietest grinder of its range.

The ECM S-Automatic 64 grinder sets new standards of quality and esthetics. It certainly ticks many boxes, as its faster than the Mini Elektronika, very quiet and has 64 mm burrs.

The Profitec T64 is similar to the ECM S 64, also features 64mm flat burrs, grinds 18g double shot in 7 seconds and is one of the cleanest grinders we have seen. A perfect complement to any top end machine. It makes little mess, very compact with elegant looks and simple to operate.

The Rocket Fausto: This new grinder features a 65mm, it comes in matt black or chrome finish. Both models have the Rocket 'R' at its back in copper. From its looks, its resembles the Mazzer Mini Electronica but has bigger blades and more powerful motor at 500w motor. It has nice simplified front display with single / or double dose settings and a branded dial.

The Mazzer Mini Electronica is slightly slower than the other 4 grinders and has no 'pause' function. This feature can be handy if you use a 'collapsing' routine half way and need the grinder to pause half way for that.

“A good coffee grinder is as an important decision as your machine.”

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Section 5: How Do I Narrow it Down to the ONE Machine and Grinder?

The one for YOU depends on YOUR unique set of circumstance and preferences we call ‘culture’. No amount of technical specification can possibly give you the right answer, unless tailored by a Professional to that set of circumstances. Our Prosumer Machines Experts are well skilled in asking you the right questions and make a recommendation for the and model you are likely to be happy with for the longer haul.

Here are some of the questions we ask:

1. Are you a black or milk coffee drinker? 2. Are you limited with bench space? (width, depth and height)? 3. Are you likely to rate higher aesthetic than performance vice versa? 4. Do you like the Retro Style or the square looking machines better? 5. Are you an entertainer? How many milky coffees would you expect your machine to cater for in one go? 6. Do you have a specific budget in mind? 7. Do you plan to plumb your machine in?

Have you narrowed it down to an E61 group Heat Exchange or a Double Boiler and need further help with choosing THE ONE? Here is what you should do:

Just starting your research? Got plenty of time before you buy? Complete a short questionnaire and we’ll email you your shortlist within 3-5 working days.

CLICK HERE TO COMPLTE OUR QUEST QUESTIONNAIRE

In a rush? Want to take advantage of a sale? Got a shortlist and just need to choose the ONE? Book a call with the machine expert and speed up the process.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK A CALL WITH OUR MACHINES EXPERT

In Sydney? Want to come down to our showroom, seeing all the machines in action and chat to our expert?

CLICK HERE FOR CONTACT INFO TO BOOK A CONSULT WITH OUR MACHINES EXPERT IN STORE

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PART 2

Section1: Why using soft water with your coffee machine is important?

Did you know 98% of your cup of coffee is water? Subsequently, the quality of your coffee is directly linked to the water used to brew it. Not all water is equal. Water varies by location, even within the same city. Not only is water important for taste, but it also contributes to maintenance of brewing equipment. Using the right water filter will not only improve your coffee quality, but will also reduce the need for maintenance, thereby eliminating down time, frequent equipment repairs, and reducing cost.

Heating and cooling process in each coffee machine attracts calcium from the water, and this tends to accumulate in the boiler, on pipes, in the group head and on internal components. Using hard water that are high in TH (Total Hardness) without removing the scale built up regularly, will lead to blockages, leakages and parts failure. Scale is easily preventable if we take few minutes understanding what it is we’re up against and what are the best solutions available in the market to fight it.

There are 3 things that water filters can remove or reduce in water:

1. Sediment reduction - removing small particles like rust, dirt, sand and microorganism is essential to protect internals, especially the boiler that can develop a 'sludge' and attract scale development

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2. Chemical reduction - especially chlorine, which greatly affects the taste

3. Total hardness (TH reduction) refers to magnesium and calcium. These can affect water temperature, pressure, steam performance and taste

Most filters achieve the reduction of the first 2 but softening agents that effectively reduce up to 90% scale in the water are not common. These are the ones needed most to protect your coffee machine. “Make sure you use 5-micron water filter to prevent scale buildup...”

How to Choose the Right Filter?

My machine isn’t plumbed in and I want a counter top filter An effective bench top filter is the Aqua Pro. It sits next to your sink and connects easily to the end of most kitchen taps. You can choose between filter water and tap water easily. This filter offers a combination sediment, chemical and softening capacity. It comes with a cartridge that require replacing every 12 months.

My machine isn’t plumbed in but I want an under the sink filter You can connect a water filter to main to filter your water. One of the best solutions available is the Brita C150 kit with a 3 stage Brita FINEST filter for effective sediment, chemical and TH reduction. It comes with a dedicated tap that enables the choice of tap or filtered water at will.

I already have a built-in filter in my fridge / under the sink – you can keep it and adding a special TH reducing IN1218-2K filter inline in between your existing system and the tap. It reduces up to 90% scale while keeping the right PH level for Espresso.

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My machine is plumbed-in and I need to connect a filter under the sink - We recommend 2 options: the first is our standard Commercial Water Filter kit that provides huge sediment, chemical and scale reduction capacity. to protect your equipment from breakdown. The second is the Brita C150 Kit. You only need 1/2-inch male tap and you can connect this kit yourself. It comes with filter, hose, counter top tap and 350kpa restricted valve.

Please note the filters above are recommended for a home environment with TH of max 160ppm and under 300ppm TDS (total dissolvable solids). Any reading higher than that, please contact us to discuss a different filter.

Water Filtration FAQ

1. How do I find my water's TH and TDS?

To know your TH & TDS you can search online in your local water authority web site or call them. You can also get TH stripes here or arrange with us for your water sample to be sent out for testing.

2. My water isn't that hard; do I still need a filter to soften the water?

As its the frequent cooling and heating process that attracts scale, domestic machines are more prone to scale, even if used with soft water. Hence why a good combination softening system can keep scale level to minimum

3. We use rainwater; do I still need a filter?

Rainwater are indeed soft, but if unfiltered for sediments (dust, soil) and microorganism, it can be harmful to your coffee machines. Most rainwater systems do come with a mechanical filter at point of entry which should solve this issue, check you have one. Another well-known occurrence with rainwater is the occasional lack of sensor signal to indicate low water level in the tank as the water low in electrolytes that are present in normal tap water. Mixing normal tap water with your rainwater can improve conductivity.

Please note: the above guide is suggestive in nature. Di Bartoli will not be held liable for any cost associated with repair or maintenance work resulting from scale damage while using any filters mentioned above or others. The best water filtration advise is the one based on actual water quality reading. Contact us for a chat before choosing a filter.

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Section 2: How to Choose the Right Coffee Beans for My New Equipment?

Your choice of coffee beans will have equal impact on the flavours in the cup like the choice of a machine and a grinder.

Being a Specialty coffee roaster, we know how freshness, roast level, beans type and origins significantly determine complexity, body, aroma and taste not presented in stale, imported, supermarket coffee with no roasting date on the package. Everything from the farmer's growing and cultivating choices through to the roaster's skills level, will contribute to a carefully selected high quality bean that is best brewed in a Prosumer machine with the hands of a skilled operator. Click here to learn more about Specialty coffee.

How many days old is your coffee? Is that a Blend or a Single Origin? An espresso roast or a filter roast? How do you store your coffee? Is it naturally process or washed?

If you are new to Specialty coffee, we recommend checking our Guide to Choosing the Right Coffee for tips to stir you at the right direction. We normally include free 500g bag of our premium Signature House blend with your machine, to get you started. This is great with milk but if you drink black, a peep into our single origin selection will give you some ideas for you next bag purchase.

So choose wisely, or chat to our friendly customer care team members, they'll match a bean to a palate for you. At the end of the day it's all about being experimental trying different things to find out the body, aroma, taste and aftertaste your palate approves.

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We make the Specialty coffee experience REALLY EASY with our Beans Subscription program. Your choice of beans is being delivered right to your door fortnightly, so you will never run out of coffee again, nor will you have to waste time driving to your local roaster or going through an online purchase process. Your pantry is always full with the freshest beans so your day can start each day the right way from the get go..

Section 3: How to Choose the Right Accessories?

You don’t have to spend $200 on a tamper to get good and consistent results right from the start. But there are few guidelines on what accessories are essential for every Barista to support you in your new routine. You may decide to upgrade one or more in a later stage once you collected few insights or you may find you need more tools than just the basics, but for starters, this is what you’d need with your new machine and grinder:

1. Tamper: a heavy duty, stainless steel tamper with a flat base will serve you well. You’re also be looking at good fit base subject to the diameter of the filter basket. As most machines we sell are with e61 brew head, tamper base is normally 58.4mm and a good example of that is the Rhino Tamper. You can click here for more on choosing the right tamper or browse our full tampers range

2. knock box (also known as knock bin, dumpster, bang bang): an inexpensive and dishwasher safe option is the Grindestein knock bin, very durable and takes little space. However, if you make more than 5 coffees in a go, a larger option like the Cafelat Tubbi might be a better choice. You can find also stainless steel and other materials made knock bins among our full range here

3. Tamper Mat – a brilliant inexpensive invention designed to protect your bench from damage, keep it clean and provide support to your tamping action while introducing force onto the portafilter. Check the full range here

4. Milk Jugs come in all shape in colors. The most popular and a good place to start is the Pro jug. Use the 400 ml for one cup and 600ml for 2. Beware of large volume jugs that make it hard controlling your milk texture quality. Read more…

Our standard price structure of each machine online includes an offer of 50% off the 'Starter Kit' that includes 1-4 at $62 instead of $124.

Simply choose it from the drop-down box on your machine page and the discounted price will be added up to the total. We may remove this option during a sale.

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You may also need a group head brush, a barista cloth for cleaning your baskets and a grinder brush keeping your bench clean from grounds and your chutes from residue. Click here for the full barista accessories listing and contact our customer care with for additional support.

Section 4: Why Barista Training isn’t just for Commercial Baristas

Training is the 4th ingredient for good coffee. Without training, you are likely to make many mistakes prolonging your learning curve before you can produce the first cup that meets your palate approval. You are also likely to get frustrated, and from our experience many at this stage blame their equipment or their beans choices as they are unable to produce what they were told possible.

In Sydney, we offer FREE One-on-one Barista Training with each machine you purchase from us. There is also advanced training and customized training options for grabs. If you live elsewhere and purchase a machine, you can enjoy our free FIRST-STEPS-GUIDE over the phone, so you can make your first GREAT Espresso fast. We also recommend you to engage with “Save frustration local Barista schools and Roaster's appreciation courses to and bad coffee, say further develop your palate and experience Specialty coffee in all its beauty. Sign up today as a member for YES to training...” and be the first to know of any free training courses, master classes or appreciation events we run in Sydney.

Section 5: All you Need to Know about Shipping

• All our equipment deliveries are couriered & insured, machines over 25kg are dispatched strapped to a skid to minimize damage in transit • In an event of clear damage in transit, an immediate replacement unit is dispatched - you will need to contact us immediately with photos of the damage • TNT Road Express delivery within 1-3 business days in NSW, QLD & VIC, 3-7 days in other states, Delays are expected around Christmas time • We recommend advising us with a business address as couriers can deliver any time of the day. If you have none, we provide you with tracking number upon dispatch, so you can ensure someone is at home on the day of delivery • Occasionally the driver will require assistance to download the skid from the truck, please ensure the person waiting can assist • We cannot request a specific time of delivery, but we can request a call on arrival. Please request that in the order comments

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Section 6: Warranty and Repair

All equipment comes with 12 months labor and parts warranty. We do not believe in extended warranty as 15 years of experience repairing prosumer equipment showed us that any genuine fault from factory is likely to occur between 1 to 14 days after using the machine for the first time. Any later breakdowns are usually a result of scale build up, lack or cleaning, harsh environment, electricity spike, or incorrect use, all of which are not covered by the manufacturer warranty, nor by any extended warranty offer out there. We suggest reading the small letters prior to accepting any extended warranty offer.

“All equipment comes In Sydney, we offer a comprehensive set of technical services for all the brands we sell and with 12 months, labor few more. Click here for our Technical Service and parts warranty” Prices and information on our services.

We have a service agent in all capital cities to handle our warranty repair. But more importantly, we stress the importance of good maintenance as above, as a protection against the hassle and cost of a breakdown.

Please note many 'mal functions' are in fact small issues or no issues easily fixed / explained, if you suspect a mal function, please ring us up and our technical expert will troubleshoot your machine over the phone first.

Note all machines are due General Service after 18 months, and earlier with sign of scale. You are also encouraged to bring your grinder for a service at the same time. More about our Workshop services, you can find here.

“We give you unlimited technical and coffee making support over the phone, email, Skype, Facebook or other channel to your choice, including during afterhours”

Section 7: 7 Smart Reasons Choosing Di Bartoli Coffee as Your Partner

When it comes to testimonials, we believe our customers are the best ambassadors. Thousands of people like you have come through our doors in the last 15 years and we were honored to be there for them, share our passion for coffee and expert knowledge in equipment.

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Click here to watch the stories of Marissa, Karen and Sue, sharing their experience working with us before and after buying their equipment from us. And there are few other reasons to why choosing us might just be the best decision you made throughout the entire process:

+ We Care. ‘Your satisfaction is our passion’ is NOT some marketing slogan; it is our day-to-day reality. We want you to experience the wonders of coffee as much as we know and love it, so we will aim at partnering with you in your journey, by sharing our knowledge and giving you the right tools. Create relationship not translocation is our mojo!

+ We Have a Vision. We see it coming alive every day. Once you realize the effort, practice, beans choices and the gear involved with Cafe quality coffee, you might think: ‘I’m not a Barista, I’ll never get to that level’. Well you can. And we’re here to make sure the best coffee in your suburb is the one served in your kitchen!

+ We Are Unique. No other business in Australia has designed their entire business model around the needs of the Home Barista nor delivered consistently for over 13 years, like we do.

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That means to you: professional, comprehensive, caring, efficient, tailored and seamless shopping and learning experiences simply not available elsewhere

+ Experience Counts. Both directors, Renzo and Ofra, bring over 15 years of experience working with over 15,000 aspiring Home Baristas in all aspects of quality coffee:

- Prosumer Equipment R&D, sourcing, consulting, training and offering technical support - Specialty coffee Roastery: sourcing specialty grade beans, designing profiles, bringing innovation, sharing knowledge, inviting you in to explore and experiment - E-commerce that sees our products sent out to all corners of the country and to our customers who enjoy speed, ease, transparency and recognition

+ We Give. We know that unless we stand out from the crowd we will not get the chance to connect with you, so we do more of what we enjoy doing anyway and that’s adding value: - We walk you through your choices with ease and patience - We train you on how to operate your gear and achieve amazing results at home in a one on one personalized format - We recommend a bean to your palate - We offer a free, unlimited support after your purchase - We invite you to enjoy all members specials unavailable to the public - We organize free educational and fun coffee appreciation events

+ We Love Our Community. We’re known to be a bunch of geeks pulling shots all day, but the internet is another playground we love! We are active on forum and social media and participate in industry events. We also love giving to our local community, get involved in school charities, our local Chamber of Commerce and various cancer research causes.

+ We Are a Market Leader. We won several Golden Beans Awards throughout the years, we are the winner of several medals at the Australian International Coffee Award for 4 consecutive years, we have also won the 2016 Brightest & Best Waverley Council Retail Award and our Director is often invited to speak on running a coffee business, coffee marketing, market positioning and customer experience.

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