[scmdg]

Excellent, i see that you've done your homework.

if i'm not mistaken then these are Coffee Friend aka The Coffee Mate aka (slipped my mind)....these Polish box shifters are constantly changing "their name"...3 times in less than a year iirc...it appears as soon as they start getting bad reviews on TrusPilot then it's changey-name-time. They keep the exact same "logo" though and site layout etc. If this is the same people then i suggest you avoid them at all costs. click to read what i said (8th one down)

I'm surprised that BB don't sell the Victoria....it's a Lelit after all.

Sorry, it is Coffee Friend, dunno why I remembered as Espresso Friend

Yeah, when I noticed that there is a coffee mate website, did not thought about being coffeeitalia but it seemed 2 names for same company to make it as they are in the UK.

Judging by the delivery times definitely comes from Europe so having no UK presence for me is a no go.

I don't to end up chasing refunds, warranty or other issues.

As for Bella Barista, they stock other models but not the Victoria.

Anna, Grace, MaraX and Elizabeth from the top of my head.

I start considering both the Grace and Anna more and more.

Anna as a cheap alternative that will be upgraded later down the road probably with maybe a HX or DB or Grace which seems an upgrade to Anna already.

Thinking it's only myself drinking mainly espressos and machiattos it may be justifiable to go for the Anna.

Though decision

Is the Victoria so good compared to Grace or Anna?

Except the already awkward thing of the 57mm brew group.

 

[gichka]

@DavecUK Yep, better late than sorry, right ? Actually we did some grocery for New Year's Eve and noticed Costa coffee preground. Decided to give it a go and I gotta say I got the first drinkable result from Victoria. Close , if not better than Nespresso pods- a bit underextracted ,but expected. I can't imagine what could the machine do with proper coffee and grinder.

Strange that specialty freshly roasted coffee was terrible compared to that Costa shelf preground , but as I said it's probably hit and miss. Anyway at least I know the machine is highly capable of achieving great results with the proper grinder.

@Barbu Price was after Black Friday special discounts from local dealer, that's why I ordered it before getting the Niche. Usually looking elsewhere the price was in the range you mentioned, so I am sure you got reasonable price. I am also still learning how to use, but I must say it's an excellent machine and has great learning curve. Also it's easy to use/partner friendly.

 

[Barbu]

Sorry, it is Coffee Friend, dunno why I remembered as Espresso Friend

Yeah, when I noticed that there is a coffee mate website, did not thought about being coffeeitalia but it seemed 2 names for same company to make it as they are in the UK.

Judging by the delivery times definitely comes from Europe so having no UK presence for me is a no go.

I don't to end up chasing refunds, warranty or other issues.

As for Bella Barista, they stock other models but not the Victoria.

Anna, Grace, MaraX and Elizabeth from the top of my head.

I start considering both the Grace and Anna more and more.

Anna as a cheap alternative that will be upgraded later down the road probably with maybe a HX or DB or Grace which seems an upgrade to Anna already.

Thinking it's only myself drinking mainly espressos and machiattos it may be justifiable to go for the Anna.

Though decision

Is the Victoria so good compared to Grace or Anna?

Except the already awkward thing of the 57mm brew group.

Hello, a bit late to reply, but i bought my Victoria from MaxiCoffee. they are in France but have a English language platform as well. i recieved mine 2 days after order

 

[scmdg]

Hello, a bit late to reply, but i bought my Victoria from MaxiCoffee. they are in France but have a English language platform as well. i recieved mine 2 days after order

Hi

Thank you for your recommendation.

It seems that I cannot find espresso machines on their UK version, even when searching google, it takes me to a page where it says Product not available or something like that.

Browsing their brewing category has no espresso machines.

Can you please provide a link?

Maybe is there something I am not seeing or who knows

Edit: Tried browsing their Belgian and French version and it seems for these you have tons of machines.

When changing to Uk... no menu options, or product unavailable.

Brexit? VAT? God knows.

Will email them.

Thanks anyway

 

[Barbu]

Can you please provide a link?

Brexit? VAT? God knows.

Will email them.

Thanks anyway

@scmdgHello and best wishes for the new year!

here is the exact link for the machine:

https://www.maxicoffee.com/machine-expresso-lelit-victoria-pl91t-offre-cadeaux-p-19746.html

and in terms of Brexit, VAT and such, it appears taht there won't be any additional taxes between UK and France, and i have been thinking about ordering a Niche Zero grinder too, which will forcibly come from the UK and i found out today that there should not be any additonal taxies or duties to pay, so I imagine this works both ways...so you could order from France, BUT, you would get a EU powercord, not a G plug

 

[scmdg]

Hello and best wishes for the new year!

here is the exact link for the machine:

https://www.maxicoffee.com/machine-expresso-lelit-victoria-pl91t-offre-cadeaux-p-19746.html

and in terms of Brexit, VAT and such, it appears taht there won't be any additional taxes between UK and France, and i have been thinking about ordering a Niche Zero grinder too, which will forcibly come from the UK and i found out today that there should not be any additonal taxies or duties to pay, so I imagine this works both ways...so you could order from France, BUT, you would get a EU powercord, not a G plug

Happy New Year to you too!

Thank you for the link.

Tried it and it takes to French website, asking me which version I want to see ( French or UK). If I choose UK this is what I am getting (see image).

If I choose French, product is displayed but I don't know if I can checkout using this version and UK delivery address. Will try it.

I have read on Maxicoffee that for products more than £135 shipped to the UK they will not charge VAT but this will be charged by the UK border authorities.

For products less, maxicoffee will charge the VAT.

Don't know about other seller such as Niche but it seems there is no other import taxes, and no matter where is charged, VAT stays the same basically paying same price.

 

[gichka]

@scmdgI think you can order using French version.

Another reliable one I can think of is Mobacoffee DE. You say no additional taxes, but I don't think you can escape VATs. Just hopefully you shouldn't be double VAT charged in country of origin and then again at destination country.

Be careful with VAT and taxes. If I were you, now with first weeks into Brexit ,I would buy locally to avoid those uncertainties and delays. Still too many unknowns:/

 

[scmdg]

@scmdgI think you can order using French version.

Another reliable one I can think of is Mobacoffee DE. You say no additional taxes, but I don't think you can escape VATs. Just hopefully you shouldn't be double VAT charged in country of origin and then again at destination country.

Be careful with VAT and taxes. If I were you, now with first weeks into Brexit ,I would buy locally to avoid those uncertainties and delays. Still too many unknowns:/

I mean no additional taxes besides VAT. before this I would have paid VAT so nothing motr expensive now, if there is no import, etc tax.

Befoee editing you mentioned you bought yours from Romania, which I have considered because I can have it shipped by someone there to the UK. Ideally would buy from the UK but that's an option as well.

How did it go with your purchase, etc?

PS: si eu sunt roman

 

[gichka]

Befoee editing you mentioned you bought yours from Romania, which I have considered because I can have it shipped by someone there to the UK. Ideally would buy from the UK but that's an option as well.

How did it go with your purchase, etc?

PS: si eu sunt roman

Yep, I mentioned Romania, but then I edited as I thought it won't be really good option for UK based people

All was good with the purchase, no issues, since you have that option then I suggest you can check Barshaker.ro. Prices are good.

 

[EdR]

@MediumRoastSteam, why would one got for HX or DB for only one espresso and one milk drink?

Do you think Victoria is not capable of two espressos and steam for the milk? Guess I am missing something, I am new in the coffee world.

I don't mean to argue, just really curious why Victoria seems to get that many negative reviews?

I am asking as my wife and I are having the same morning routine - espresso and cappuccino. Unfortunately I have already ordered the Victoria as the price was reasonable - just 600EUR. My first semi-auto machine and didn't really want to go above that budget. I also didn't want to complicate things for my wife, so with LCC - Victoria seemed easier to work with.

I really wanted MaraX , but it was + 400EUR ( 70% more), but now I am starting to think it was a mistake not getting the latter E61. Actually it is worth mentioning those 400EUR saved from MaraX were spent for Niche Zero Was it a mistake?

And still, is the Victoria really that bad?

Thanks!

Hey! Where did you get the Victoria for 600Euros! Many thanks

 

[Rincewind]

... click to read what i said (8th one down) ...

EDIT :- it's no longer the 8th one down as time has elapsed since my post above ☝...my review is under the title


DANGER DANGER not in UK !!

 

[gichka]

Hey! Where did you get the Victoria for 600Euros! Many thanks

Hi, Barshaker.ro. Wrote it in the post above you But as I mentioned it was BlackFriday promo, still you can check with them.

 

[Zorkin]

I ordered a Victoria from ... ( drum roll ) cafeitalia!

I have not been on the forum and didn't see any of the reported issues. Anyway , took a couple of weeks and there were some minor issues with them but all quickly resolved.

The machine is excellent - very solid build quality , LCC is simple to use and it makes very tasty coffee.

I make Americanos,espresso and flat whites.
About 4/6 drinks a day in total.

The flow is fine - if you make a few milk drinks a day, waiting around 40 seconds for the boiler to come to steam temp is hardly an issue. Steam power is excellent as the boiler can ramp up to high temp. Easy to very quickly texture milk ( 30 / 40 secs or so for two drinks )

The transition back to brewing temp is also very fast

Pre infusion can be switched off via the lcc. However i use it and it does not work as per the videos above. There is no pressure , it just pre wets the puck and lets it sit for a few secs. Happy to post a video of what it looks like.

I did buy my eureka grinder from bb and love it to bits. This duo meant I can be making tasty espresso very quickly.

Highly recommend this machine to anyone wanting to spend less but still get a top of the line single boiler machine.

 

[Rincewind]

@Zorkin 😮 wait, wait a minute, you actually got the machine you ordered 😮

...goes a bit dizzy, falls out of bed, gets up and proceeds to slap one's self about the face to see if one is still dreaming...

...just re-checked the date...nope it's definately not the 1st of April...

SO WHAT'S THE CATCH ? :classic_wink:

 

[Zorkin]

As long as the machine works no catch. Delivery was not long and I didn't realise I had to worry , so
I didn't. It cost 699 pounds which is a good price for the quality I think.

I had a nice chat with the bb people via email when I ordered the grinder , as I was keen to get both machine / grinder from the same place. They didn't have the Victoria , tried to point me towards the MaraX , which would probably have been a good call , but still almost 300 pounds more and I didn't want to skimp on the grinder ( a specialita ).

Yes yes I know - you buy it for the long haul , the money saved will not be remembered etc. All true but I think when you buy your first kit you are doubtful about the whole thing. Am I really spending over a grand so I can make 4 cups of coffee a day?
Do I really need another obsession in my life? And so on. As I'm here the answers unfortunately are yes and yes.

I must admit I found the idea that waiting 40 secs for the boiler to steam milk meant I needed to spend more on a Hx/db machine slightly ott. I mostly still do.

Perhaps post lockdown when friends come over for brunch that will change and I will upgrade, but so far so good.

 

[Rincewind]

"Well slap my thigh and call me a bastard" .....i'm still in a state of shock...this is Coffee Italia we are talking about....wonders will never cease....it does indeed look like "you can polish a turd" 😮

Jokes aside i'm glad for you....i hope it brings you much enjoyment :classic_smile:

 

[MediumRoastSteam]

Coffee Italia checked Zorkin history and detected Zorkin bought a basket from me. They obviously took this very seriously and concluded it must therefore be serious business and not to be messed about. 😂

 

[Zorkin]

@Zorkin [emoji50] wait, wait a minute, you actually got the machine you ordered [emoji50]
...goes a bit dizzy, falls out of bed, gets up and proceeds to slap one's self about the face to see if one is still dreaming...
...just re-checked the date...nope it's definately not the 1st of April...
SO WHAT'S THE CATCH ?

So the funny thing is I didn't.
My wife ordered the machine for my birthday , and to surprise me she ordered a black one rather than brushed stainless - that's an extra 250 pounds or so. I had no idea. When the machine was opened on my birthday she was surprised to see it was not black.
Emailing CE she was told they didn't have the black in stock and they didn't want to delay so sent the stainless one. They promised to refund her which after a few more reminders they did...

 

[HiM]

Hello everybody. I am just in the process of pulling the trigger on a Lelit Kate.

This topic about pre-infusion got me puzzled.

I don't by any means have any barista experience (other than a year or two i worked in a bar).

However just thinking with my limited physics knowledge, is it possible that this is the case in the first video -> pressure rose to pump pressure as soon as the preinfusion started, due to the portafilter having the blind filter in it. Water has nowhere to go and the pressure immediately shows up on the gauge. However on the second and third video, where this does not happen, the water first fills all the gaps in between the coffee and thus does not raise the pressure inside, and does not cause the 3-way valve to open.

If the perfusion would bump 9 bars at the start, surely some coffee would leak out of the spout as it would be the path of least resistance. I would say that in the 3s as the preinfusion lasts, the pressure inside of the puck can not go as high, due to the limit of flow and micro air gaps in the puck...

On the other hand. Can anybody give me any first hand experience on Lelit Kate? I Really like the compact design and the features it has. Is the 38mm conical burr really that terrible? I would lean towards the Elizabeth, but that would probably take up to much of my counter space, cost 400 EUR more and I only make 2-3 coffees per day. 2 of them being espressos and one lathe. Can I expect a "decent bar-like" espresso from this particular machine?

Thank you all.

 

[MediumRoastSteam]

would lean towards the Elizabeth, but that would probably take up to much of my counter space, cost 400 EUR more and I only make 2-3 coffees per day. 2 of them being espressos and one lathe. Can I expect a "decent bar-like" espresso from this particular machine?

I have no experience with the Kate. But if you fancy the Elizabeth... go for it. You won't regret it. It's a far superior machine, in all aspects.

But do budget for a good grinder. An Eureka Mignon Specialità or the Niche Zero are great choices.