Looking to buy used

by Bruce Colglazier Pappas

Europe

In Europe, contact:

• Max Selb,
• Francesco Ceccarelli, or
• Tudor Petriman.

USA

Frankly, there are no reputable resellers for used LPs located in the USA. Max Selb does sell used 110v machines from Europe. Ebay is your best bet , through Facebook Marketplace might also work. CAUTION: Don't buy 240v for the USA, as it adds an unnecessary layer of complication.

Forums

Home Barista and Coffeegeek have buy/sell sub-forums that would be hit or miss with regards to LPs, and for location/availability in your corner of the world. [Tim Randerson]

• Home Barista
• Coffeegeek

What to look for

Many sellers don't know what they have, so it's hard to know what you're buying. Ask for lots of pictures, especially inside the boiler, under the drip tray and under the base cover, if they can open it. Also, after you buy before it's shipped, discuss how to pack it. Taking off the steam wand and lever is essential. What we see most of the time is the machine is not adequately bubble wrapped and the steam assembly gets squashed into the boiler and dents the boiler.

First, boiler size:

• Europiccola (smaller 8 cup): Euros are usually more available and cheaper. They are said to heat up a bit faster.
• Professional (larger 16 cup): If you need to do multiple pulls, Pros are a must. Pros also have better resale.

Second, generation, indicated by the grouphead:

• Gen1 = fixed grouphead (Euro only, no Pro): larger GH bell, metal sleeve
• Gen2 = PreMillennium (Euro & Pro): smaller GH bell, no sleeve
• Gen3 = Millennium (Euro & Pro): larger GH bell, plastic sleeve
• Gen4 = Stradivari (Euro & Pro): egg-shaped GH bell, plastic sleeve

Personally, I'd recommend a Gen3 (Mill) Pro. That's what I have, a 2005. Better heat control (plastic sleeve). Better electronics (pressurestat). More available parts and mods. Easier back-to-back shots. Better resale. In short, here’s the “bible” where to date machines: Francesco Ceccarelli

Problems to look for

• Large mineral buildup inside the boiler.
• Huge rust under the drip tray (a small amount is common).
• Rust/electrical shorts under the base cover.
• Dented boiler at the steam-boiler connection.

The rest is pretty manageable.

More information

• Voltage 110

Created 11-NOV-2019 | updated 30-AUG-2022 | BCP