I have been sweating the espresso machine options for a while and an apparently 6-month old Boema (Australian made commercial machines) was on sale in Victoria for $1000. And it was the day before work started and it seemed to me that I needed to take action. My wife too, was wearying of my esprotic (?) advances, because she said 'fine, see if I care.' And so I said 'Maybe I will!' And since the auction was ending in about twenty minutes I pressed to bid, and then watched in horror as I won. It is pictured here installed in our already crowded laundry, because it needs to be plumbed in. So you've spent $1000 on a young machine - but it doesn't work. So you take it to a service guy (coffeemachinist.com.au - excellent guy) and pay for a new solenoid and two hours of work. $300. Then you take it home to fit the new filter ($80). To get it connected has taken a lot of hassle and expense and a pressure reducing valve ($75), with a lot of different fittings leaking until I spent my way free of trouble, culminating in today's purchase of a 3/4in f-f flexible hose for $53. I would say I have spent $1600 altogether. Much, much more than I thought it would cost. But cafe coffee at home starts tomorrow morning, and I can't wait.
