Merge pull request #128 from afullerhouseatlantic/patch-4

Update entry-machines.md

recommendations/entry-machines.md

@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ These machines all use a traditional tank-style boiler. They generally have stro
   - PID for temperature control
   - OPV Adjustment requires spring replacement **NB: 2024 onwards in the US market has a 9 bar OPV**
 - Difficult to fit a scale and cup with stock drip tray, especially with spouted portafilter
-- Aluminum boiler prone to scale formation - watch the water you use.
+- Aluminum boiler prone to scale formation - watch the water you use. **NB: The "E24" version of this machine uses a brass boiler**
 - If buying used you need to check what year it was made; the European market 2015-2018 models are to be avoided as they lack a 3-way valve
 - Poor steam power
 - Bad steam wand
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ These machines all use a traditional tank-style boiler. They generally have stro
 - Included accessories (baskets, tamper, etc) are surprisingly decent and totally usable
 
 #### Cons:
-- Temperature is controlled by thermostats and wanders around; worth
+- Temperature is controlled by thermostats and wanders around; very much worth PID modding
 - Many different versions, takes some research to understand what the differences are
   - check the "Silvia of All Varieties" thread under Pump Machines in the Discord server for more information
 - Frame sometimes can rust
@@ -83,6 +83,7 @@ Similar machines to the Silvia include the **Bezzera New Hobby ($835)**, **ECM C
 - Oddball 57mm group makes finding accessories more difficult
 - Temperature wanders around on the non-PID model.
 - Included plastic tamper is bad
+- Immersion element can burn out if you're not careful about refilling the boiler post-steam
 
 ### **Lelit Victoria** ([$999](https://www.lelit.com/product/victoria-pl91t/))
 #### Pros:
@@ -92,9 +93,10 @@ Similar machines to the Silvia include the **Bezzera New Hobby ($835)**, **ECM C
 - Larger boiler for better temperature stability in shots
 - Good quality included baskets
 - lots of space for cups and scales under the portafilter
+- comparable to the Silvia with mods already added and then some
 
 #### Cons:
-- Expensive, competing with used heat exchangers and dual boilers but comparable to the Silvia with mods already added
+- Expensive, competing with used heat exchangers and dual boilers
 - Included plastic tamper is straight up bad, especially for the price
 - Immersion element can burn out if you're not careful about refilling the boiler post-steam
 
@@ -106,15 +108,16 @@ Similar machines to the Silvia include the **Bezzera New Hobby ($835)**, **ECM C
 - Larger boiler for better temperature stability in shots
 - Good quality included baskets and tamper
 - Lots of color options
+- comparable to the Silvia with PID already added
 
 #### Cons:
-- Expensive, competing with used heat exchangers and dual boilers but comparable to the Silvia with mods already added
+- Expensive, competing with used heat exchangers and dual boilers
 - Lacks space between drip tray and group; can be hard to fit larger cups with a scale and a spouted portafilter.
 - Immersion element can burn out if you're not careful about refilling the boiler post-steam
 
 
 ## Thermoblock:
-These machines use thermoblocks to heat water - they heat faster and have much faster changeover between brew and steam, but can have temperature stability issues as temperature is also dictated by the rate at which water flows through the heater.
+These machines use thermoblocks to heat water - they heat faster and have much faster changeover between brew and steam, but can have temperature stability issues as temperature is also dictated by the rate at which water flows through the heater. Thermocoils and thermojets are subsets of thermoblocks - coils are 
 
 ### **Breville Bambino** ([$300](https://www.breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes450.html))
 #### Pros:
@@ -131,11 +134,11 @@ These machines use thermoblocks to heat water - they heat faster and have much f
 #### Cons:
 - Pre-infusion is not as flexible as Breville thermoblock machines (limited to 10 seconds) and tends to run hot
 - Tiny drip tray
-- Temperature is variable throughout a shot - starts very hot then drops off a cliff
+- Temperature is quite variable throughout a shot - starts very hot then drops off a cliff
   - This behavior _is_ repeatable and consistent, so you are able to dial around it to a degree 
 - No true semiautomatic mode; programming mode is the workaround. 
 - Lacks 3-way group valve to release pressure
-- Thermojet prone to clogging from scale - make sure you use good water
+- Thermojet has a very small pipe and is prone to clogging from scale - make sure you use good water
 - Internal and external build quality is lacking
 - Light codes for cleaning and descaling not particularly obvious
 
@@ -149,10 +152,11 @@ These machines use thermoblocks to heat water - they heat faster and have much f
 #### Cons:
 - Higher cost than the regular Bambino
 - 3 way valve does not open immediately at pump shut-off, which is a little hard to learn
-- other cons minus 3-way valve apply here as well
+- otherwise shares the same cons as the Bambino
 
 ### **Breville Infuser** ([$599](https://www.amazon.com/Breville-BES840XL-Infuser-Espresso-Machine/dp/B0089SSOR6))
-> Generally the best value Breville, if you're focused on espresso quality and steam takes a back seat.
+> Generally the best value Breville, if you're focused on espresso quality and steam is less important.
+
 #### Pros:
 - Works decently out of the box
 - PID Controlled temp (5 settings at 2F increments, 196-204F) and fairly stable
@@ -167,7 +171,8 @@ These machines use thermoblocks to heat water - they heat faster and have much f
 - 15 bar OPV can be hard to manage; it can be tuned to 9 bar with relatively minimal effort, or ignored by using the [Pre-Infusion Mode only](/manufacturers/breville/preinfusion.html) trick
   - this has been rectified to a 9 bar limit on newer (2022-) machines, to my understanding
 - rather slow, weak steam
-- Amazon-only in the US
+- First shot or two is cool - run a blank shot to heat the group and portafilter
+- Amazon-only in the US, often not available elsewhere
 - Auto-volumetric mode is poorly implemented and basically not worth using
 - Water-waster, the OPV dumps to the drip tray
 
@@ -177,7 +182,7 @@ Instead of using a pump to create pressure, lever machines use a  lever actuated
 > Note: for the manual levers that don’t include a milk steamer, you can froth milk by heating it up then frothing in a French press, using a spinny-thingy like a Nanofoamer, or buying the Bellman stovetop milk steamer. Whether that’s worth the price and effort for your workflow is up to you.
 
 ### **Flair** (Neo, Classic, Pro 2) ([$160 - $319](https://flairespresso.com/products/espresso-makers/))
-> The most affordable entry point to true espresso
+> The most affordable entry point to true espresso, but it is just a piston on a lever. 
 
 #### Pros:
 - Highest espresso quality at its price range due to profiling ability
@@ -190,7 +195,7 @@ Instead of using a pump to create pressure, lever machines use a  lever actuated
 - Requires a kettle to heat water
 - No ability to steam milk or heat water
 - Maximum temperature reaches ~200F and tapers from there, limiting shot time and the ability to pull light roasts
-- Lack of non-proprietary accessories due to portafilter size
+- Lof non-proprietary accessories due to portafilter size
 
 ### **Flair** 58 (58X, 58, 58+) ([$500-$720](https://flairespresso.com/products/espresso-makers/)
 
@@ -224,7 +229,8 @@ Similar to the Flair but with higher build quality and an easier workflow
 - Oddball basket design limits options for accessories
 
 ### **La Pavoni Europiccola** ([$989](https://www.lapavoni.com/en/products/domestic-machines/europiccola-lusso))
-> Classic and basically indestructible machine made since the 1960s, but a poor value at its current new price. 
+> Classic and basically indestructible closed boiler lever machine made since the 1960s, but a poor value at its current new price.
+
 #### Pros:
 - Can make amazing espresso
 - Small footprint
@@ -246,9 +252,11 @@ Similar to the Flair but with higher build quality and an easier workflow
 These machines are similar to the Single Boiler/Dual Use machines listed above but have a grinder built in. They are great for space saving, but it is not uncommon to outgrow the grinder quickly as they are generally pretty poor quality. Generally not recommended. 
 
 ### **Breville Barista Express** ([$699 [Commonly on sale for $599]](https://www.breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes870.html))
-> Breville Infuser, but with a grinder. The Express Impress adds an assisted tamp feature, but is otherwise the same. The Barista Pro is also very similar but with a thermojet instead of a thermocoil.
+> Breville Infuser, but with a grinder. The Express Impress adds an assisted tamp feature, but is otherwise the same. The Barista Pro and Touch are also very similar but with a thermojet heater instead of a thermocoil.
+
 #### Pros:
 - Comes with a grinder
+- Incredibly common new and used
 - similar pros to Infuser otherwise
 
 #### Cons: