La Marzocco vs. Unic? - Barista Exchange2024-03-29T14:50:54Zhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/la-marzocco-vs-unic?commentId=1688216%3AComment%3A1313944&x=1&feed=yes&xn_auth=noAs far as I know, La Marzocco…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2019-12-12:1688216:Comment:16671632019-12-12T07:23:49.338ZDiana Hillshttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/DianaHills
<p><span>As far as I know, La Marzocco had their day in the spotlight. It's a good machine yes but it's way too expensive to maintain. We were discussing swapping for other equipment several years ago. And some of the parts on that device just make us scratch head and say - why should we pay $400 for a thermostat that most other manufacturers would use a standard one that only run $75? <br></br><br></br>And I believe that's why our network been using Nuova for many years. It depends on the model you…</span></p>
<p><span>As far as I know, La Marzocco had their day in the spotlight. It's a good machine yes but it's way too expensive to maintain. We were discussing swapping for other equipment several years ago. And some of the parts on that device just make us scratch head and say - why should we pay $400 for a thermostat that most other manufacturers would use a standard one that only run $75? <br/><br/>And I believe that's why our network been using Nuova for many years. It depends on the model you choose but our Nuova Simonelli Aurelia (<a href="https://wisepick.org/best-commercial-espresso-machine/#product3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">specs</a>) is easy to fix, parts seems to be cheaper and they are built like tanks. Our oldest one is almost 10 years old (~120-130 cups per day), so far so good.<br/><br/>So, back to the Keith's post, you must consider: y</span>our budget + your business model.</p> Both old respected companies.…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2019-04-03:1688216:Comment:16581992019-04-03T21:55:46.062ZJoel Cohenhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/JoelCohen435
<p>Both old respected companies.</p>
<p>One is dual boiler LaMarzocco Linea PID other is Unic Stela Di Cafe independent boiler PID</p>
<p>the Unic Stella is more up to date technology with more versatility for different coffees and more stable temperature platform.</p>
<p></p>
<p>They are both strong machines La Morocco can run hot because of brew group designee need to flushed before shot.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Software on Unic may be a little more flexible</p>
<p></p>
<p>Both have good customer…</p>
<p>Both old respected companies.</p>
<p>One is dual boiler LaMarzocco Linea PID other is Unic Stela Di Cafe independent boiler PID</p>
<p>the Unic Stella is more up to date technology with more versatility for different coffees and more stable temperature platform.</p>
<p></p>
<p>They are both strong machines La Morocco can run hot because of brew group designee need to flushed before shot.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Software on Unic may be a little more flexible</p>
<p></p>
<p>Both have good customer support </p> When looking at a water tempe…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2017-03-04:1688216:Comment:16092322017-03-04T22:57:32.988ZJoel Cohenhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/JoelCohen435
<p>When looking at a water temperature stability system.</p>
<p>It is very impotent to understand your coffee and the water temperature needed along with</p>
<p>pre-infusion time along with coffee volume, weight & grind.to get the sweet spot</p>
<p></p>
<p>Look for PID control of the coffee water first then PID of the boiler temperature for your steam</p>
<p>Some machine brands can run hot when setting to long, this will burn your coffee with out a pre flush of some cooler water over the…</p>
<p>When looking at a water temperature stability system.</p>
<p>It is very impotent to understand your coffee and the water temperature needed along with</p>
<p>pre-infusion time along with coffee volume, weight & grind.to get the sweet spot</p>
<p></p>
<p>Look for PID control of the coffee water first then PID of the boiler temperature for your steam</p>
<p>Some machine brands can run hot when setting to long, this will burn your coffee with out a pre flush of some cooler water over the brew head before pulling your shot.</p>
<p></p>
<p>slower shops may be best served with a different machine brand or model then a very busy shop. It not just a mater of more groups its also a mater of ease of us and water temperature stability. </p> Their are other coffee shop m…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2016-12-18:1688216:Comment:16042242016-12-18T23:32:47.017ZJoel Cohenhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/JoelCohen435
<p>Their are other coffee shop machines that also work very well Some with PID temp CONTROL is always a nice thing to have for controling coffee water temperaute with more stabelity </p>
<p>the UNIC Stela Di Cafe as it for both the coffee and Steam </p>
<p></p>
<p>Pre heating of the brew water is importent also for coffee water stebelity </p>
<p>The Linea fropm LaMarzocco does not have pre heating only the GB% and The FB80 do</p>
<p></p>
<p>Other Brands like Faema Teorema, LaCimbali M34, M39 or…</p>
<p>Their are other coffee shop machines that also work very well Some with PID temp CONTROL is always a nice thing to have for controling coffee water temperaute with more stabelity </p>
<p>the UNIC Stela Di Cafe as it for both the coffee and Steam </p>
<p></p>
<p>Pre heating of the brew water is importent also for coffee water stebelity </p>
<p>The Linea fropm LaMarzocco does not have pre heating only the GB% and The FB80 do</p>
<p></p>
<p>Other Brands like Faema Teorema, LaCimbali M34, M39 or the M 100 with independent boilers are also good coffee house machines as well </p>
<p></p>
<p>Grinders play a very big part</p>
<p>water filters also play a good part in how does the coffee taste </p> Booth machines are well bult…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2016-12-18:1688216:Comment:16041292016-12-18T23:21:37.055ZJoel Cohenhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/JoelCohen435
<p>Booth machines are well bult from good parts</p>
<p></p>
<p>they are respected brands for reliability when taken care of properly</p>
<p></p>
<p>The LaMarzocco Estrada and the Unic Stela Di Cafe are the only independent boiler machines they make </p>
<p></p>
<p>The rest of the MaMarzocco line use twin boilers one for coffee and one for steam</p>
<p>Unic are single boiler with smaller ft print and with plenty of power </p>
<p></p>
<p>Unic has independent master power boards for each brew…</p>
<p>Booth machines are well bult from good parts</p>
<p></p>
<p>they are respected brands for reliability when taken care of properly</p>
<p></p>
<p>The LaMarzocco Estrada and the Unic Stela Di Cafe are the only independent boiler machines they make </p>
<p></p>
<p>The rest of the MaMarzocco line use twin boilers one for coffee and one for steam</p>
<p>Unic are single boiler with smaller ft print and with plenty of power </p>
<p></p>
<p>Unic has independent master power boards for each brew group and touch pad adjustable pre infusion settings</p>
<p></p>
<p>If space and price are a consideration go Unic</p>
<p>If looks and twin boilers are needed and price is no object go LaMarzocco </p>
<p></p>
<p>If space iss a problem looke at unic Mira </p> I would add that you want to…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2011-11-13:1688216:Comment:13144112011-11-13T17:46:52.553ZMickaelhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/Mickael
<p>I would add that you want to make sure that the service provider has experience and parts for the machine you choose</p>
<p>I would add that you want to make sure that the service provider has experience and parts for the machine you choose</p> Not sure why you find this ba…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2011-11-12:1688216:Comment:13140512011-11-12T02:12:34.570ZBradyhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/Brady
<p>Not sure why you find this baffling. There are quite a few interesting things happening with lots of manufacturers that the community pays very little attention to.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Why?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I think its because, despite the neat new features, a La Marzocco is still a La Marzocco, an Astoria still an Astoria, a Rancilio still a Rancilio, and a UNIC still a UNIC. If you weren't into the old model, chances are good you won't be all that excited about the new model. Seems like…</p>
<p>Not sure why you find this baffling. There are quite a few interesting things happening with lots of manufacturers that the community pays very little attention to.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Why?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I think its because, despite the neat new features, a La Marzocco is still a La Marzocco, an Astoria still an Astoria, a Rancilio still a Rancilio, and a UNIC still a UNIC. If you weren't into the old model, chances are good you won't be all that excited about the new model. Seems like everybody has new bells and whistles... but they've been designed and built by the same crew that built the last model. If that crew built a reputation for workhorse machines, why would people suddenly look to them as innovators.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>In a cafe, does it really matter how many multicolor LED accents the new one has?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>For the record, I do think the new Rancilio system is pretty cool, as are the systems on the +4U, the Strada, etc. I'm not running out and buying them though, nor am I going to quote them, because my customers don't really care about that kind of stuff. They just want good solid espresso machines that will make good espresso, be easy to operate, and not be super expensive to maintain and repair. You know what? I kinda want the same thing.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>On the original topic...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Keith's first reply was spot-on, mostly. I'd only substitute that there are lots of good machines out there worth considering in place of the Rancilio commercial.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>La Marzocco's reputation is well-deserved, as are most companies' - for better or for worse. If a company is well regarded and well supported in your area and you like their machines and the espresso that they make then they are worth considering. Try not to be too distracted by the flashing lights and high-dollar marketing though.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><cite>Keith Eckert said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/la-marzocco-vs-unic?page=1&commentId=1688216%3AComment%3A1313944&x=1#1688216Comment1313944"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Dustin,</p>
<p>What Rancilio has done is truly amazing and the lack of buzz is baffling. I would love more time on the Xcelcius to play and experiment. </p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote> Dustin,
What Rancilio has don…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2011-11-11:1688216:Comment:13139442011-11-11T05:06:12.699ZKeith Eckerthttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/KeithE
<p>Dustin,</p>
<p>What Rancilio has done is truly amazing and the lack of buzz is baffling. I would love more time on the Xcelcius to play and experiment. </p>
<p>Dustin,</p>
<p>What Rancilio has done is truly amazing and the lack of buzz is baffling. I would love more time on the Xcelcius to play and experiment. </p> Keith thanks for talking abou…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2011-11-11:1688216:Comment:13136122011-11-11T05:00:35.016ZDustin DeMershttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/DustinDeMers998
<p>Keith thanks for talking about the xcelcious. I posted something a few months ago asking if anyone had tryed it and what there thoughts were. There were no responses from anyone that had used it. Its pretty crazy when you think about it. If La Marzocco had released a temp profileing machine, 90 percent of the industry would be talking about it. There would be heaps of people wishing they had one, and tons of reviews. But that's not the case.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Ive been lucky enough to work on…</p>
<p>Keith thanks for talking about the xcelcious. I posted something a few months ago asking if anyone had tryed it and what there thoughts were. There were no responses from anyone that had used it. Its pretty crazy when you think about it. If La Marzocco had released a temp profileing machine, 90 percent of the industry would be talking about it. There would be heaps of people wishing they had one, and tons of reviews. But that's not the case.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Ive been lucky enough to work on first the strada MP, and now the strada EP. But honestly would be more excited to work on an xcelcious. (sorry op for veering of topic)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Ive had experience on the Linea, and its a pretty great machine. Put a p.i.d on it and you will be good to go! Plus you most likly can find a used Linea for pretty cheap and refub it, for way less than a new machine.</p>
Thanks Kevin for your resp…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2011-11-11:1688216:Comment:13138562011-11-11T03:06:44.340ZJ. C.https://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/JC156
<p> </p>
<p> Thanks Kevin for your response, I agree with you reliability is a major factor with starting a new shop. I've been told by a few baristas/managers that the more bells and whistles a machine has the more chances of it breaking down. Thanks again!<br></br><br></br><cite>Kevin Ayers said:</cite></p>
<blockquote><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>If you're starting a new shop, and reliability is a major factor (which it should be), I have to recommend the Linea. This is not based on any…</p>
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</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p> Thanks Kevin for your response, I agree with you reliability is a major factor with starting a new shop. I've been told by a few baristas/managers that the more bells and whistles a machine has the more chances of it breaking down. Thanks again!<br/><br/><cite>Kevin Ayers said:</cite></p>
<blockquote><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>If you're starting a new shop, and reliability is a major factor (which it should be), I have to recommend the Linea. This is not based on any experience (negative or positive) from Unic, just based on positive experiences with LaMarzocco in general, mainly their Linea line of machines. They are pretty basic dual boiler machines, with a limited amount of components, making them easy to repair and maintain.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Good luck with whatever you choose.</p>
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