sometimes, it's difficult to quantify what exactly is a "better machine" in your definition?.. it is measured by the saiz of it's purchase price?! the blink factor?.. of you just like the double-boiler setup?

well, a simonelli oscar goes for about rm3.5k.. a very robust heat exchanger(a big boiler too).. has a gooding commercial portafilter and tough/reliable enough to be used for small cafe..
unfortunately.. you'd most likely have to go lump-sum on it..

it's pragmatic vs bling factor i guess.. the oscar is quite an ugly machine i'd say.. that matt-stainless on the breville is quite a looker on the other hand..

where're you at/location? if dankoff is quite out of reach for you.. wouldn't know what to suggest unless your location is known..

there're lots of issues with the rancilio silvia if you care to read them.. it's temperamental 
don't quite understand what you mean by overpriced.. the silvia can be had for about rm2k++?
besides amazon and sg.. have you considered sourcing it from china?

yeah, it does look awesome on a countertop.. with all it's cool led lights fired up 


so you already have a "toy machine".. then i suggest you to avoid EC155 as it wouldn't be much different to go up just a tiny step from your current setup ba..
dunno any coffee-gear retailers in northern region.. well if you can wait till may-2015.. do drop by at matrade(kl).. then you can find coffee beans, coffee machine sellers converge at a place for you to discover..

as for us, we're getting our espresso machine from taobao.. should be arriving soon.. risk is relative, if you know how to mitigate it.

If anyone here wanna buy from Amazon, go to amazon.co.uk... their wattage is similar to Malaysia (220-240), so you don't need to worry about topping up for the transformer conversion. Just keep in mind that if any shit happens, you usually have to fork out the shipping fee to send it back yourself.
@ Baratza: Boleh dapat from PULP in Bangsar... they are from Papa Palheta too. Give them a call to see if they have stocks. If ada kawan coming back from OZ or smthg, can ask them smuggle back. Baratza grinder def better than BES870 grinder.

If you do a quick search in this thread, you'd find some people who had the poemia. Coffee-wise, it won't be macam cafe punya, but it's a way better alternative than instant coffee. Used to knock down anything around that range, but after using http://www.coffeeforless.com/delonghi-bar3...esso-maker.html and watching people learn about coffee (also, we all can make microfoam with it!) , I think it's a great beginner machine that doesn't bust your bank. Unless you're loaded, then by all means, buy atas sikit la ahaha.

If you want the minimum level for cafe quality espressos, people here has mentioned gaggia classic and rancilio silvia. The latter being 1k more pricey, so it is often deliberated with the Oscar.

Note about learning the technique to froth milk; it might be a slower learning curve if you're only making coffee for yourself because there is only so much milk you can drink XD. But don't be discouraged - just find all occasions to practice. Can bancuh Milo as the base for your milk pouring,and you can offer your family to make their drinks for them. It took me 2-3 months in a cafe to properly create a good microfoam, and then pouring a good latte art. First two months in a super low-volume cafe, and the next was in a high-volume one.

Hope you get your gears soon, and report back

hi,

Need some advise. I saw lazada selling Breville BES870 for RM2,999.00. After 10% discount pay by credit card is RM2,699.10. Not yet include GST. Is it worth to buy under this price.

Can give any comment on this Breville BES870 model. Like to know more. I just want to learn and be a home barista myself.

wait.. you mean on your poemia?!.. i gathered the poemia is also not modded rite?
never thought the poemia can be so geng xia.. 

shipped it in 2 batches... currently only the grinder  and lavazza arrives.. the entire bulk of the coffee gears(machine, knockbox, tamper, etc) are in the coming shipment.. currently at the seaport, awaiting custom clearance becos of this gst implementation.. never was shipment delayed so long before.. so far have not been taxed for all the stuff purchased before.. we were informed that the delay was due to gst screening.. 

congrats on your purchase bro.. from EUPA tk-1826 to oscar, must be a very big jump hor? 
where did you purchased your oscar? did you get a good price for it?

i saw an electric grinder there in ur pics. how does it compare with ur hand grinder?

Collecting mine this weekend! Haha. Another big jump for me too. Coffee ritual Rm3.5k nett. That was before GST though i purchased it. Waited 6 weeks for this machine. Btw for those who are interested, Dankoff is selling at 3700++ after GST but comes with freebies such as tamper and milk pitcher if not mistaken. Not sure will the price remain or hike for Coffee Ritual after GST.

hi mates, anyone here knows where I can order a blind basket online?

Can't find them around in Penang Island.

Light House doesn't seem interested in doing small businesses. They never called back to give me the quotes on the blind filters.

Ended up with an even better place in PG island. (after making some calls and hunting around)

Went to the tech support center of Coffex Coffee in penang. Tons of beans and toys for sale. Though this is not a retail store.

Got myself a rubber blind filter.

Of course I have budget. Not too expensive. Budget around 200-250? or less?

Was wondering if anyone seen this being sold in Malaysia. Looks kinda awesome tho. Not sure how much they're gonna sell if it's available here.

USA site selling usd$99, 1400 rmb is like usd$225!

you got this at cafe m'sia 2015? ... kinda remembered passing by the booth..

yayy.. all our gears arrived in 2 huge carton boxes.. without nicks and taxes..