Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Phil Proteau on March 26, 2010 at 4:36pm

I know the Aurelia has a very intricate mechanical design for maintaining an extremely consistent brewing temperature. The Appia, of which I am not as familiar, will probably require much more attention and skill from the Barista to hit the same brewing temperature over and over, but if you put your savings into a Thermofilter (Scace device), you should be able to learn how manage it.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mike Sabol on March 26, 2010 at 4:52pm

The group heads on the Aurellia are probably 5 lbs heavier than the ones on the Appia. Between the better boiler capacity, which makes a huge difference when you've got a line out the door and the better brew groups I'd go for the Aurellia. As your business grows it will last you longer before you have to move to a 3 group.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Joe Marrocco on March 26, 2010 at 9:55pm

I work with and train people on both. I prefer Aurelia. This is totally cheesy and not scientific, but from the feel of one machine to the other; the Aurelia dose not move when I lock in a shot. It is sturdier and more consistent. The Appia feels like driving a Focus, while the Aurelia feels like driving a solid SUV. Totally silly response, I know. they are both great machines though. Simonelli is such a great company. Customer Service PLUS!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Shadow on March 28, 2010 at 5:00am

I agree 100% on the Aurelia. We use a 2 group unit and it is superb. Has alot of nice features like the lever steam valves (for me anyway), 2 piece groups makes gasket changing/cleaning much easier, etc. Just too many things to list this early in the morning, lol. We can easily extract from both groups and steam from both wands at the same time. This machine can keep up regardless. Have heard alot of not-so-great things regarding heat exchange machines in the past, but this really doesn't apply to the Aurelia, even though it is a HX. Whether I do 2 doubles a minute or it sits idle for an hour while we go eat lunch it always gives me the same brew temperature within 1 degree regardless. The only thing negative I find with it, and this is nitpicking on my part, is the shallow drip tray. This might not be an issue for most people, but this machine is in our mobile espresso van and having a deeper tray would help when we must park on not-so-level ground, which is quite often. Hope what I and others have said helps you. Later!

• ▶ Reply

▶ Reply to Discussion