Hi there. I am looking to upgrade the espresso machine in my shop.  We are extremely busy most of the year and our two group Astra (8 years old) just isn't cutting it anymore. I need a three group machine that will support a heavy traffic flow.  Because I am already running an Astra, I have looked at their Mega III. Does anyone have experience with that machine? Any recommendations for another three group machine?  I am just now starting to look around so any and all help is greatly appreciated! Please and thanks!

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12 shot a minute??? on a 3 group??? that mean a 15 sec shot ? Wow, i don t what to taste that espresso

David Myers said:

Mega III rated at 720 cups an hour which translates into 12 shots per minute. I would love to watch any cafe that could produce that volume during normal traffic.

Unless you are going to work on your own machine and carry parts, having access to an excellent service tech who not only knows your machine but stocks the parts is really key.

And don't forget about the water. When you're changing over machines, it's the best time to re-evaluate and re-test your water.  

Thanks Brady. I always appreciate your input. Yes, it's the same problem. The fact is, I really like using the machine. My problem is the lack of attention I've received to solve my problems - at least at the distributor level.

Brady said:

Perhaps you could clarify this situation a little, Dennis? First is this the same group you were having bizarre issues with in this thread? Second, are you suggesting that people avoid Nuova Simonelli machines, or your service company?

The point you made a couple of posts back about good service was very well made. I'd hoped that your tech would have gotten to the root of your issues by now. There is something very strange happening in your store (or perhaps something unusual happened to your machine) that is difficult to diagnose by remote control. Very disappointing to hear that you are still struggling with this machine.

I would like to address the idea that the solenoid valves used by Simonelli have problems. First - there are only a couple of major solenoid valve manufacturers used in commercial espresso machines. You'll find the exact same valves that are used on the Aurelia on a number of other machines. Also, every manufacturer can have an issue of a random bizarre component failure, which is what it sounds like you have experienced. I service at least a dozen Aurelias in my market, plus several more Appias and MACs, and have never found their valves (or those of any other major manufacturer for that matter) to be problematic.

I would like to know more about what happened to your machine, btw, if you'd be willing to message me about it (or post in the other thread). Don't want to derail this thread.

For the record, I'm not trying to suggest that your experience hasn't been frustrating or real, or that you shouldn't share it. I just don't think it is very representative of the reliability of the line.


Dennis McQuoid said:

I have a Nuova Simonelli Aurelia 3 group Semi. Well, actually it's supposed to be a 3 group, but only 2 groups have been working for a really long time (almost from installation) and I have not been getting taken care of by service. I've made countless calls with little to no response. So I would suggest you look elsewhere for a machine. Seems the solenoid switches have problems that cause leaking. I actually had one explode, shutting down the machine for a couple days.

12 cups a minute probably means 12 espressos a minute = 6 double espressos a minute = 30 second shot time. I'd be surprised if that actually translated to *stable* shots continuously from all groups.

olivier dutil said:

12 shot a minute??? on a 3 group??? that mean a 15 sec shot ? Wow, i don t what to taste that espresso

David Myers said:

Mega III rated at 720 cups an hour which translates into 12 shots per minute. I would love to watch any cafe that could produce that volume during normal traffic.

Unless you are going to work on your own machine and carry parts, having access to an excellent service tech who not only knows your machine but stocks the parts is really key.

And don't forget about the water. When you're changing over machines, it's the best time to re-evaluate and re-test your water.  

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