Traditional Espresso Machines
Comparisons - Under $1000 Range
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Traditional Espresso Machines |
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Comparisons
of Traditional Espresso and Cappuccino Machines
(Under $1000 Price Range) |
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Frame and Body Technical Specifications The structural integrity of the frame and body add long term duarability to the useful life of your machine from 1st-line Equipment, LLC. Equally as important are the color finish to match your decor as well as the dimensions to fit your espresso machine's location or countertop real estate. |
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| Detail | |||
| Frame |
Enameled Steel
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Stainless Steel
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Enameled Steel
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| Shell/Body |
Stainless Steel
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Stainless Steel
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Enameled Steel
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| Drip Tray Material |
Stainless Steel
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Stainless Steel
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Plastic
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| Drip Tray Size (W" x D") |
9 1/2 x 4 7/8
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8 1/2 x 7 1/8
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8 5/8 x 4 5/8
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| Drip Tray Adjustable |
No
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No
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Yes (2 Settings)
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| Drip Tray Grate |
Stainless Steel
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Stainless Steel
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Plastic
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| Maximum Cup Height |
3 1/4"
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3"
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3 1/2"
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| Color(s) |
Satin Stainless Steel
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Polished Stainless Steel
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Black or White
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| Dimensional Data (At Base) (H" x W" x D") |
13 5/8 x 9 1/2 x 11 3/8
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13 3/8 x 9 3/4 x 12 1/2
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12 1/4 x 11 W Back
(10" Front Width) x 9 1/2 |
| Weight (U.S. Pounds) |
25.6 |
19.0 |
15.2
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Control Panel Technical Specifications The espresso machine control panel typically consists of controls for power, espresso extraction, and steaming as well as L.E.D.s to indicate the status of your espresso machine. Preinfusion is where the machine allows some water to soak in the coffee grind inside the filter basket for about 5 seconds prior to full extraction. The auto water dosing allows the espresso machine to measure the pre-determined amount of water that will flow through the coffee grind. |
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| Detail | |||
| Power Control |
Rocker Switch
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Rocker Switch
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Touchpad
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| Coffee Control |
Rocker Switch
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Rocker Switch
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Touchpad
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| Separate Hot Water Control |
Rocker Switch
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Rocker Switch
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No
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| Cup Warmer Control |
No
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No
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Yes
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| Steam Control Knob |
Knob
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Knob
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Knob
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| Ready Light(s) |
Single
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Dual (Coffee/Steam)
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Dual (Coffee/Steam)
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| Ready Light Use |
Coffee/Steam
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Coffee/Steam
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Coffee/Steam/Over Temp
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| Numeric Display Panel |
No
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No
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Yes (Numeric)
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| Over Temperature Indicator |
No
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No
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Yes
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| Preinfusion |
No
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No
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Yes
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| Auto Water Dosing |
No
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No
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Yes (12 Settings Plus
Manual Override) |
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Cup Warmer Technical Specifications Most machines have integrated cup warmers where the heat emanating from the boiler heats the top surface of the machine to heat your cups. This is known as passive heating. Some machines have a heater built-in underneath the top surface to supplement the heat from the boiler. This is known as active heating. |
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| Detail | |||
| Type |
Passive
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Passive
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Passive or Active(5 Watts)
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| Size (W" x D") |
9 x 6 5/8
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9 1/2 x 7 1/4
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Front 8 3/8 x 6 1/4
Back 8 3/8 x 6 1/4 |
| Material |
Stainless Steel
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Stainless Steel
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Enameled Aluminum
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Water Reservoir Technical Specifications Most reservoirs are made of plastic to avoid rust. Most are removable for easy cleaning and/or refilling. Some machines also have a water filter to remove large particles that may have contaminated your water. a water softener removes the calcium and mineral deposits (calcium and magnesium) that can accumulate inside your machine to form lime scale build-up. a condition that typically shortens the life of your machine if bottled/filtered water (low in calcium and magnesium) is not used - in other words, if hard tap water is used. |
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| Detail | |||
| Maximum Capacity |
80 oz
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96 ounces
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108 oz
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| Material |
Opaque Plastic
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Plastic
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Tinted Plastic
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| Removable Method |
Top
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Top
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Top or Side
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| Cover |
Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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| Height To Remove |
22 5/8"
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23"
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23 3/4 From Top
1" From Side |
| Particle Filter |
Optional with WS
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Built-In
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Built-In
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| Water Fill |
Top
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Top
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Top
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| Water Softener (WS) |
Optional/
Rechargeable |
Optional/
Rechargeable |
No
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| Low Water Indicator |
No
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No
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No
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Steam Wand Technical Specifications The placement and type of the steam wand and steam knob is important in the placement of your machine on the countertop or bar. Most machines allow water dispensing through the steam wand for cafe americano, tea, or hot chocolate. Steam wand clearance is important to fit the steaming pitcher or cup underneath it. Frothing aids typically assist in the production of frothed milk for cappuccinos. However, they need to be removed if only steamed milk is desired. |
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| Detail | |||
| Type |
Circular Swivel
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Circular Swivel
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Unidirectional (Frnt-Bck)
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| Material |
Chrome Plated Brass
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Chrome Plated Brass
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Chrome Plated Brass
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| Knob Location |
Front Right Panel
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Right Side
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Right Side
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| Wand Side |
Right
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Right
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Front Right
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| Hot Water Dispenser Capability |
Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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| Steam Wand Clearance Off Countertop |
4 1/8"
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4 7/8"
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4"
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| Steam Tip Holes |
1
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2
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1
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| Frothing Aid |
No
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No
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No
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Maximum
Steam Pitcher Capacity |
4" 24 oz
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4 7/8" 24 oz
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4" 24 oz
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Grouphead Technical Specifications Brass groupheads (portion of machine where the filter handle with coffee is locked into) provide superior temperature stability for improved quality in your espresso beverages. the design of the dispersion screen allows the ability to use ground coffee or pods. Machines with a 3-way solenoid valve offer the ability to remove the filter handle immediately after espresso extraction. Machines with a spring activated grouphead valve do not have the same benefit. |
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| Detail | |||
| Material |
Brass
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Brass
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Brass
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| Dispersion Screen |
Commercial
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Home Model
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Home Model
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| Grouphead Valve |
3 Way Solenoid Valve
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Spring Activated
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Spring Activated
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Filter Handle Technical Specifications The type of filter handles determines its interchangeability with commercial machines. Brass handles maintain optimal temperature stability. Heavier handles contain greater critical mass to maintain improved temperature stability. Longer handles offer improved leverage locking the filter handle into the grouphead. |
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| Detail | |||
| Type |
Commercial
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Home
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Home
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| Basket Holder Construction |
Chrome Plated Brass
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Chrome Plated Brass
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Polished Chrome Plated Brass
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| Handle Shape/Material |
Round Plastic
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Round Plastic
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Square Plastic
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| Filter Handle Weight |
14.4 oz
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11.6
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13.6
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| Number of Handles |
1
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1
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1
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| Spouts/Type |
Double/Extended
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Double/Built-In
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Double/Built-In
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| Handle Length |
4 7/8"
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5 "
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4 3/4"
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| Basket Lock |
Spring
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Spring
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Push Over Lever
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| Tamper Size Needed |
58mm
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53mm
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53mm
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| Filter Baskets Included |
One Single; One Double
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One Single; One Double
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One Single; One Double; One Pod
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| Pod Use Compatability |
No
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No
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Yes (With Included Pod Basket)
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Boiler Technical Specifications Boilers are typically made of one of three materials - marine brass, food safe aluminum alloy, or stainless steel. Marine brass has a longer warm up time and is the most durable. Food safe aluminum alloy has the quickest warm up time and is the least durable. Stainless steel has an average warm up times and has average durability. Internal heating elements heat the water directly and require less wattage. External heating elements heat the water indirectly and require higher wattage. |
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| Detail | |||
| Type |
Boiler
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Boiler
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Boiler
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| Construction |
Marine Brass
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Marine Brass
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Marine Brass
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| Heating Element Placement |
Internal
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Internal
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Internal
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Heating
Element Wattage/ Rated At Voltage |
952 Watts/120V
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952 Watts/120V
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1088 Watts/120V
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| Capacity |
10.5 oz
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(being verified)
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8 oz
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Boiler Controls Technical Specifications Home model espresso machines have standard thermostats to regulate coffee and steam temperature. Safety thermostats are utilized to prevent boiler meltdowns. Electronic thermostats can provide improved temperature control. Thermistors are used to prevent heating element damage known as "burn out". |
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| Detail | |||
| Coffee Thermostat |
Standard
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Standard
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Solid State
Heater Contol |
| Steam Thermostat |
Standard
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Standard
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| Safety Thermostat |
Yes: Reset Type
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Thermistor Type
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| Burn Out Protection |
No
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Yes
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Yes: Thermistor Type
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Expansion Relief Valve Technical Specifications Most high-end home model espresso machines create greater pressure than needed to extract espresso. Therefore, a needed expansion relief valve will bleed this excess pressure either to the drip tray or water reservoir. |
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| Detail | |||
| Location |
Boiler
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Steam Valve
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Pump
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| Excess Water Pressure To |
Water Reservoir
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Water Reservoir
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Drip Tray
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Pump Data Technical Specifications Vibratory pumps are the standard in high-end home model espresso machines. Only 8-9 bar of pressure is required for "proper" espresso extraction. The pressure from these pumps is higher to compensate for the forward and backward motion of the diaphragm. In addition, the aforementioned expansion relief valve will bleed off the excess pressure from the pump. Therefore, pump pressure ratings are not as important as one would think. Some pumps have an overheat thermostat on the pump to shut-off the pump prior to overheating (which can damage the pump). Most pumps have Teflon outputs. Replacement ulka pumps with brass outputs (more durable) are sold separately at an additional charge. |
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| Detail | |||
| Type |
Vibratory Self-Priming
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Vibratory Self-Priming
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Vibratory Self-Priming
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| Manufacturer |
Ulka
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Ulka
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Ulka
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| Maximum Pressure Rating |
14 Bar
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14 Bar
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15 Bar
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| Pump Wattage |
41 Watts
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52 Watts
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41 Watts
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| Pump Overheat Thermostat |
No
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Yes
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Yes
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| Output |
Teflon
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Teflon
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Teflon
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Power Technical Specifications The total wattage consumption is important in insuring that the current supplied is adequate for your machine. In addition, machines can have 2 or 3 prongs on the electrical cord plug. In most instances, a three-prong plug should not be used on a two-prong outlet with an adapter. Machines have been damaged because of this. |
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| Detail | |||
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Total
Wattage (Manufacturer Rated at 120V) |
1100 Watts
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1000 watts
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1197 Watts
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| Prongs On plug |
3
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3
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3
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The specifications and details above have been compiled
by technical service representatives of 1st-line Equipment, LLC and
are not wholly specified in manufacturer's sales literature or specification
sheets. All rights are reserved. Content is copyrighted. Any commercial
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reproduction for personal use and personal online discussion is permissible
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link to this page.
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