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Update midrange-machines.md
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afullerhouseatlantic authored Mar 26, 2024
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Expand Up @@ -207,13 +207,29 @@ _In Short:_ A somewhat unique machine, it uses a traditional boiler for brew and
- Included tamper is a cheap nylon scoop/tamp combo; more forgivable at its price point, though.
- Lacks the signature Quick Mill pulsor (a noise reducing attachment for vibration pumps)
- Cup clearance is poor.
- The stock shower screen seems to hang onto a lot of coffee grounds, so it's worth spending $20 on the IMS precision (RA200IM) screen solely for ease of cleaning.
- The stock shower screen seems to hang onto a lot of coffee grounds, so it's worth spending $20 on the IMS precision (RA200IM) screen solely for ease of cleaning.

#### ECM Puristika ($1549 US)
*In short:* Chic, tiny, single-boiler, <u>espresso only</u> machine.

**The Good:**
- PID control of boiler temperature, shot timer, eco mode.
- Adjustable OPV on front of machine - 7.5 to 13+ bar.
- Quick heatup- ~15 minutes.
- External water tank
- E61, so flow control is possible.
- Incredibly small, similar to the Olympia Cremina.
- ECM build quality.

**The Not So Good:**
- Single Boiler, Single Use. It makes espresso. Nothing else. No steam, no hot water tap/valve.



## Not Recommended:
Compared to the above options, these machines are generally too expensive for the features and functionality they offer. If you get a good deal on one used, then it may be worth considering.

### Profitec Pro 500 or almost any PID HX machine
#### Profitec Pro 500 or almost any PID HX machine

*In Short:* Most PID heat exchanger machines from the likes of Quick Mill, ECM, Rocket, and so on are similar to this one. A PID on the steam boiler of a heat exchanger is kind of a gimmick - it offers basically no more control than a pressurestat and still relies on getting the thermosiphon tuning correct and/or flushing the group.

Expand All @@ -227,7 +243,7 @@ _In Short:_ A somewhat unique machine, it uses a traditional boiler for brew and
- PID control, but only of steam boiler temperature. Group thermometer is almost mandatory.
- Generally quite expensive for its feature set

### Nuova Simonelli Oscar II ($1400 US)
#### Nuova Simonelli Oscar II ($1400 US)
*In short:* Wildly overpriced in the US. This machine lands firmly on the "don't buy" list from truly baffling shortcomings for the price.

**The Good:**
Expand All @@ -244,18 +260,3 @@ _In Short:_ A somewhat unique machine, it uses a traditional boiler for brew and
- Copper boiler more scale prone
- Older versions don't come with an OPV installed.
- Uses a less common (Simonelli/Bezzera type) portafilter shape.

#### ECM Puristika ($1549 US)
*In short:* Chic, tiny, single-boiler, <u>espresso only</u> machine.

**The Good:**
- PID control of boiler temperature, shot timer, eco mode.
- Adjustable OPV on front of machine - 7.5 to 13+ bar.
- Quick heatup- ~15 minutes.
- External water tank
- E61!
- Incredibly small, similar to the Olympia Cremina.
- ECM build quality.

**The Not So Good:**
- Single Boiler, Single Use. It makes espresso. Nothing else. No steam, no hot water tap/valve.

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