My espresso machine died mid-pull last Tuesday, and I had to decide whether to fix it or replace it

The grouphead just seized up with a half-pulled shot sitting there, leaving me with a $200 repair estimate versus a $600 new machine, so which side do you fall on when expensive gear fails on you?

3 comments

3 Comments

jessica_hall4912d ago

Really that big a deal over pulling a shot of coffee for a few seconds?

lewis.troy11d ago

Read an article this week about how commercial machines pull shots in like 5-7 seconds sometimes, so it really depends on what you're going for. Those few seconds make a huge difference in the taste and pressure (which is kind of wild when you think about it). I've messed around with my own setup timing and it's amazing how even a second off can turn a good shot into something bitter or sour. Plus, like the other person said, fixing your own gear is way cheaper than buying new.

hannahk1912d ago

$200 to fix vs $600 to replace feels like a no-brainer to me honestly. I've been running the same Gaggia Classic for almost 8 years now and every time something breaks I just fix it. Sure it adds up over time but a new machine at that price point probably won't last as long as the one you already have. I'd rather put that money into keeping a known quantity running than gamble on something new that might crap out in two years lol.