Espresso Guys

I don't have a machine but i love my coffee, any of youse guys coffee nuts with your own Machines amd grinders ? I love seeing the machines, they really are functional pieces of art

please share ? lol Please

 

So is espresso just really caffeinated coffee?

 

Im far from an expert...or even truly knowledgable on this topic...but I can say that the beans are roasted differently, ground differently, and its produced using steam instead of liquid water, under pressure...its got a significantly different texture than regular coffee. Im not sure about the actual difference in caffiene...but generally speaking, darker beans have less caffeine since its a heat-sensitive molecule.

 

Ive been looking at this breville for sometime,... last year it went on a rediculas sale price on boxing day (dec 26th here, its a big savings day like black friday in the states), but I wasnt sure so I didnt do it, this year I may though

Has a built in grinder that works well with the machine, a classic look I love, and gets good reviews. plus all kinds of shiney buttons to push and turn

 

I always thought it was just a crap load more caffeine, which is why I never really thought about it. I'm not looking for a caffeine boost, or any more that I already get from a pot of coffee.

will it be on sale this year?
How big a deal was it? I'm always looking for a good deal on a new gadget.

 

seattlecoffeegear.com is a place to watch come black friday as well... the one above had 200 bucks off so its still not cheap, but who knows they may come on for more being out there a little longer. espresso shots are more caffeine and stronger more concentrated shot as its not diluted in water as much as a regular french press or drip brew , theres where the americano cup of coffee comes from, back in world war II american (And probably canadian as well) soldiers didnt like the stronger cups in euro so they started to water them down a bit after the espresso shot was made, a lot still think its more flavourful then a typical drip brew

I like lattes though and this is good for that without being overly complex, doesnt need a separate grinder on the counter, and has a decent if a bit slow (which is good for beginners anyway) frothing knob

 

I have a LaPavoni Europiccola. I brought it back with me from Italy probably 30 years ago. they have changed the design slightly since then. I think they now have a thermostatic controlled heating elements. When I got mine, you turned on the burners until the safety valve lifted. you then knew you had enough pressure to do the deed. Makes fine espresso though. I'd post an image but the upload file button does not appear to be working for me at the moment.

 

The main issue with a machine that is a combo grinder/ brewer is you have double the chance of something crapping out and making a big paperweight. Although I guess at that point you could just buy a new (grinder) (brewer) and keep the combo around for the function that did not break.

And I hate to break it to you, but once you start using that Breville a bit you will find yourself at the start of a slippery slope that WILL lead to a stand-alone grinder and possibly a double-boiler espresso machine. From a budget perspective, think one Bill Burke full custom -- or maybe two If you really get into it.

 

I survived shaving razors, brushes, soaps, pens, inks, and knives... whoda thought a cup of joe may finally bring me down

 

I got a breville youbrew to replace my 15 year old french press and thermal carafe. it's certainly not on the scale of what many of you here do...but serves my needs quite nicely...I think it as an automated french press--not quite, I know...but at least I can just push a button and get 1 cup that's nearly as good.

 

James,

I can guarantee you that if you thought knives, shaving, or pens were even remotely traction challenged slopes, espresso will send you into financial free fall.

Thankfully I made my espresso purchases long before I discovered knives, so I had time to build funds again ...

In all honesty, save yourself time, money, and ultimately dissatisfaction, and get a GOOD separate grinder and espresso machine. Have a look at the Rancilio Rocky grinder and Silvia espresso machine. It was my first combo over 12 years ago, and I only replaced the Rocky recently. Commercial quality and results in the cup (where it counts), and quite compact. Very worthwhile, indeed!

All the best in your espresso quest!

Cheers,

J

 

+1 on separate grinder and maker. This will allow the flexibility to do grind for expresso, grind for a french press or serve a larger crowd drip coffee. I don't have the Breville but they make what looks like a good grinder at about 200 and an expresso machine - without grinder - just under 500. Of course you can spend more.

 

Espresso junkie, but more or less new to knives. I know this is an old thread, but espresso is not actually more caffeinated than a cup of coffee, nor is it made with steam, unless you count the milk for latte drinks.

I use a very high end machine and grinder these days, but it's because I want to. Not that it's required by any means to make great espresso. The combo machines (and that's one of the better ones) are not all bad. I mean you won't have the ability to make a god shot, but if your ok with better than Starbucks, made at home, then they are not all bad. If you truly want to geek out and get that elusive God shot, prepare to see how deep the rabbit hole goes.

While I believe the Silvia is a great machine, and I owned one, I am not sure it's the value it once was. I have never liked the rocky grinder. I would search for used higher end grinders prior to buying a rocky these days.

I can tell you using the Silvia and getting consistently good shots form it is a learning curve. Of course then you get into bean selection and grind settings.

Sometimes all you want is a good shot at home, and to not spend two months salary....the super autos can do that, but as others stated, they are limited...they will only be so good...but still better than Starbucks.

 

Old thread ? who you calling old, I only made it Sunday. Thanks for Chiming in though I appreciate it man.

 

BTW the good shot would probably be a god shot to me,... I use Kcups at home lol. BTW what do you use, any pictures some of these machines are like works of arts

 

Lol, that's what I get for skimming, I thought the thread was done late last year.

I now run a k10 and a r58 and doubt I will ever upgrade. I have reached the point where going to the next level of machine is too expensive for me to justify.

I suck at photos but these machines are in common use and pics should be easy to find.

I use a timer and from the moment my feet hit the floor until I am drinking my first Capps, is less than 5 minutes

 

Sorry, timer turns my machine on an hour before I get up...takes me 5 minutes to walk to the laundry room, grind my beans, pull my shot and steam my milk...

 

I don't think there are any old threads here...

A friend of a friend is going down the expresso rabbit hole as fast and as deep as he can. I just picked up this from his debris field.