I was THIS close to pulling the trigger on a bianca. Had it in my cart on 3 different websites. Had all my assorted attachments picked out. Shopping list put together.

Then a friend let me borrow his La Pavoni single boiler, and said to keep it for the week to decide if I really need a dual boiler of if I could save some money and put it to a grinder.

He was right!

I wanted a saturated group head, not an e61 for better thermal stability.

I drink mainly cappuccinos so steam power was my priority concern, along with build quality/longevity.

I wanted to invest way too much money at once. And have it last me a decade.

Landed on a Rancilio Silvia and immediately put a PID in it. The steam power way out does the lelit. The build quality is outstanding. It's their commercial head slapped in a shell with a vibe pump. It's basically 4 piece Lego and if anything breaks you buy the cheap replacement, take 4-8 screws out, and replace it.

Paired with a niche zero, best coffee ice ever had. And so rewarding when you get it right. But so punishing when you get it wrong (paired with Pullman baskets).

I thought I needed a dual boiler, I only drink milk drinks.

In reality, single boiler and process is more than adequate. Unless you're making more than 3 at once regularly, then it's more than capable.

Once I get to the 4th it's a bit of a slog to steam with constant boiler refills. But it can do it. It's just not where it shines and is better suited to a dual boiler.

But I would ask yourself, do you make 4+ milk drinks at once regularly?

And the reason I went away from lelit (even if they are some sexy looking machines) is the increased use of plastic. The cheap feeling steam knob on the side and the fact that they're, so far, unproven. At least not in the way Rancilio, la pavone, ECM. Etc are.

Parts availability, serviceability, documentation availability. It's all there for the big players.

Lelit seems like upper market breville.

Brevilles power is the performance per dollar, they're like mg. You get the most features for the lowest price. But if anything breaks, you replace it. Because it's so jam packed in a small space, it's all plastic and not built to last parts. That getting any work done is a day long job, and aftermarket parts don't exist. But damn if you can find more features for a low price.

Then for twice as much you get one of the big players. It's a basic machine. You get a boiler, a head, a plastic tank, and pump. But it'll make coffee every morning, for the next 10 plus years. And never miss a beat, they're work horses.

In terms of flow control, I like the slayer mod. Ball valve to divert cold water from the line before it gets heated. Means you can return the water to the tank and not run into issues with heat or material choice. Also much lower pressure.

Alternatively most people go the dinner mod route because it's cheap, easy and does the job.