For the last 6 months I have been deliberating on the options to upgrade from my 10-year-old Saeco (that served me really well). Silvia? Great machine, but is it second best (non HX)? Oscar? A quantum leap, but will I be sorry because of lack of hot water spout? Isomac Tea/Giotto class? Obviously a superior option, but is the expense justified for making 1 espresso a weekday and 3 on weekend days? (for non-coffee addicts: Tea is a name of a coffee machine. Confusing? you bet!)

(For American readers: in Australia machines are more expensive than in the US, and espresso drinks are cheaper to buy in cafes. When the price of a Tea can pay for 900-1000 cups of take-away coffee [sorry, coffee-to-go], economic rationalism kicks in.)

The search is over. Last weekend I bought a Boema 1-group commercial machine. Boema machines have been made in Australia for years. Rolls Royce they are not, but they are solid and dependable, with local service and cheap parts (well, relatively cheap).

My 'new' machine is about 10 years old. It's built like a tank, weighs like a battleship, and steams like a locomotive. It has a rotary pump, auto shot (timer based, which I don't use), b-i-g boiler and plumbed water supply. It takes half the bench space in our kitchen, but the wife is not too upset (even though she rarely drinks coffee) and enjoys the hot water on-tap.

I paid A$650 (approx US$380) which is less than a Silvia, less than half an Oscar and less than third a Tea.

I haven't upgraded my Saeco 2002 grinder yet, but the coffee is already great. I am now looking for a used commercial grinder.

IMHO: if you have the space, a commercial machine is the way to go.

Gidi @ Sydney
February 2003
First posted on Alt.Coffee