(GPGT)Espresso machine hoot

derazor

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I don't recommend the silvia too. Not so much because of the brass but because more of the HUGE temperature range by which the thermostat operates.

If you brew right after the boiler light has gone out you will get STEAM coming our of the shower screen and making your expensive fresh arabicas taste like drain water.

If you brew long after the boiler has gone off you will get sour espresso.

So the solution was to count the number of seconds after the boiler light has gone off to get the right temp to brew.

Like chickyblink mentioned best to get a decent HX machine or a single boiler with a PID with a bit more money.

Nonetheless I have an old silvia that I'm willing to let go cheap. PM me for details.

Slap a PID then GG liao :)
PID Control Retrofit KIT for Rancilio Silvia w/ Steam Control [KIT-RSNSb] - $187.00 : auberins.com, Temperature control solutions for home and industry
 

chikyblink

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I don't recommend the silvia too. Not so much because of the brass but because more of the HUGE temperature range by which the thermostat operates.

If you brew right after the boiler light has gone out you will get STEAM coming our of the shower screen and making your expensive fresh arabicas taste like drain water.

If you brew long after the boiler has gone off you will get sour espresso.

So the solution was to count the number of seconds after the boiler light has gone off to get the right temp to brew.

Like chickyblink mentioned best to get a decent HX machine or a single boiler with a PID with a bit more money.

Nonetheless I have an old silvia that I'm willing to let go cheap. PM me for details.

actually when you think about it, when starting out, newbies like myself will likely be considering the Silvia as one of their top choices. But the fact is Silvia, or any other machines in this class are extremely finicky and unforgiving. No doubt they can perform well while in the hands of an experienced and skilled barista, but newbies will probably have a very steep learning curve and mostly likely tend to quit due to frustration.

On the other hand, experienced baristas in the market will probably be looking at HX/dual boiler machines which are more forgiving in techniques and thus more suitable for newbies. But most newbies when starting out probably wouldn't wanna spend that kind of money cause they weren't sure they're in it for the long haul.

Just something for newbies to think about.
 

chikyblink

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yeah haven't dial in yet. been busy and I tend to leave coffee stuff over the weekend.

Getting coffee over the weekend. Maybe I go Papa and get the normal house blend?

before you do please taste their espresso 1st. I think they're using Terra Firma or Throwback for their house blend can't remember.
 

chikyblink

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Yes I single dose. just enough for a double shot and to purge out the old grounds. Grounds retention is terrible. i flush about 10+ grams out so there is alot of waste.

Thinking of getting a vario but maybe after the k3 breaks!

After the K3 breaks? Then i doubt you'll ever get the vario cause these things are meant to last a lifetime or two!

I've been reading on the vario/vario-w/forte too and I think its a great grinder for the home. I can't say much for the earlier versions of the vario where there's quality issues and the adjustments would slip, but they've since rectify the problems. Grounds retention is one of the least I've read in a electric grinder and one of the neatest.

Doug and Barb of Orphanespresso, creator of the famous Lido and Pharos hand grinders, use a vario at home. That says a lot.
 

kenshinz

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actually when you think about it, when starting out, newbies like myself will likely be considering the Silvia as one of their top choices. But the fact is Silvia, or any other machines in this class are extremely finicky and unforgiving. No doubt they can perform well while in the hands of an experienced and skilled barista, but newbies will probably have a very steep learning curve and mostly likely tend to quit due to frustration.

On the other hand, experienced baristas in the market will probably be looking at HX/dual boiler machines which are more forgiving in techniques and thus more suitable for newbies. But most newbies when starting out probably wouldn't wanna spend that kind of money cause they weren't sure they're in it for the long haul.

Just something for newbies to think about.

I was originally thinking of getting a Gaggia Classic somewhere down the road, but with unwanted's current MO, the Expobar Leva E61 looks very tempting too. The problem now is space and convincing my wife why we need another coffee equipment (after the nespresso, aeropress and v60 :s13:)
 

Lazy_Tiger

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I was originally thinking of getting a Gaggia Classic somewhere down the road, but with unwanted's current MO, the Expobar Leva E61 looks very tempting too. The problem now is space and convincing my wife why we need another coffee equipment (after the nespresso, aeropress and v60 :s13:)

nespresso for her office, aeropress for traveling, v60 for your office and now you need a brewtus!
 

IntelFlash

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Coffee drinking is a long term, possibly lifetime habit, and it's a good habit to keep.

For newbies, it's even more important to get better equipment so they can get the desired result easily. Buying those Krups, Delonghi stuffs are the worst choices.

It's also important that the process should be kept as simple and easy as possible, so the user won't feel it's a chore to do it. Everyone in the family should be able to use with ease and happily.
This is one thing Nespresso really did brilliant in, but at the cost of 3X more for sub standard coffee.

If one even want the process to be simpler, Double Boilers are the best bet with the PID guidance, heat exchangers are also excellent and are fast.

I used to use the Gaggia which is similar to the Silvia then switched to Nespresso.
I just switched to Brewtus heat exchangers.

If time could turned back, i should had bought the Brewtus straight.

Wasted think $800+ for the Gaggia, then $400+ for the Nespresso and another $1500+ on their overpriced capsules.

Also don't feel heartache for a grinder, they can last forever. Get those electronic on demand grinders will be the best choice. Cut your preparation time by at least 40%.
 
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The_King

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intelflash i thought i saw your post, that you brought nespresso maestria?


my route to coffee, start with:

French press then
la pavoni + pharos

i will stop here, will not plan to upgrade again unless i win toto

i am still using french press for concentrate cold brew. using this when i am lazy.

BTW did any of you guys using your steam wand to make egg?



 

IntelFlash

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I sold the Maestria to my cousin a week later.

I was spending on average $150 on capsules each month.
Thought about it for a while, it's too much for coffee.

Now i'm spending like less than $50
 

The_King

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ohh no wonder

i remember you saying what good it is, and i almost wanted to buy it,
i did post on the nespresso post, asking ppl how much they spend on average, no one reply, so i did not get it.


using french press i use about 500g of coffee bean every month, about $22 to $30 per month but now around $11 to $17(250g) per 3 to 4 week us. thanks to my lever machine, dose around 12gram per shot
 

relacker

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I was weighing if should get la pavoni euripiccola .


in end got a jura ena micro 9


can anyone enlighten me if buy la pavoni europiccola lever machine, is tamping a difficult skill to master?



Coffee drinking is a long term, possibly lifetime habit, and it's a good habit to keep.

For newbies, it's even more important to get better equipment so they can get the desired result easily. Buying those Krups, Delonghi stuffs are the worst choices.

It's also important that the process should be kept as simple and easy as possible, so the user won't feel it's a chore to do it. Everyone in the family should be able to use with ease and happily.
This is one thing Nespresso really did brilliant in, but at the cost of 3X more for sub standard coffee.

If one even want the process to be simpler, Double Boilers are the best bet with the PID guidance, heat exchangers are also excellent and are fast.

I used to use the Gaggia which is similar to the Silvia then switched to Nespresso.
I just switched to Brewtus heat exchangers.

If time could turned back, i should had bought the Brewtus straight.

Wasted think $800+ for the Gaggia, then $400+ for the Nespresso and another $1500+ on their overpriced capsules.

Also don't feel heartache for a grinder, they can last forever. Get those electronic on demand grinders will be the best choice. Cut your preparation time by at least 40%.
 

The_King

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i do light tamping. as in i hardly tamp and i tamp is to settle the coffee, and adjust the phraos to around 4.3 settling. so far so good, not bitter and not sour. and i leave it that way
 

IntelFlash

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I was weighing if should get la pavoni euripiccola .


in end got a jura ena micro 9


can anyone enlighten me if buy la pavoni europiccola lever machine, is tamping a difficult skill to master?


I put my single basket single spout portafilter to my demand grinder to get about 8 grammes of coffee in about 3.4 seconds.

Tamp straight and go straight to the machine, always come out good.

Once you configure the grinder, you don't really need to do much.
Trust me, after you do like 2 to 3 weeks, you will always get it right without effort.


I used to use the Gaggia, which required more technical steps, now it's just dose, tamp, flush machine and go.

I'm using e61 brewtus models, not those lever machines which are more tricky to use.
 
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chikyblink

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lol any reason for tampers to sell at those 'uber premium' prices :s13:

Many reasons. Higher quality material used, weight calibrated, craftsmanship, etc. Its also called a barista's jewelry.
For home baristas, self gratification.
For professionals, ergonomics comes first.
 

relacker

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I put my single basket single spout portafilter to my demand grinder to get about 8 grammes of coffee in about 3.4 seconds.

Tamp straight and go straight to the machine, always come out good.

Once you configure the grinder, you don't really need to do much.
Trust me, after you do like 2 to 3 weeks, you will always get it right without effort.


I used to use the Gaggia, which required more technical steps, now it's just dose, tamp, flush machine and go.

I'm using e61 brewtus models, not those lever machines which are more tricky to use.


i have a baratza maestro coffee grinder :s12:
 
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