(GPGT)Espresso machine hoot

[Lazy_Tiger]

...I just hoot $2 daiso pour over cup.

Hi seianko, long time no see. I'm thinking of getting some coffee online from aus. Any roaster to recommend me besides coffee barun? I bought some more red brick and sweet shop blend from square mile uk with about $20 shipping. . I think shipping from aus should be cheaper.

 

[calbay]

Why not an expobar brewtus too? Not much choice here in sg.

ECM would be very similar too but I think warranty support is important.

SG already has a lot of brands for a small community.

For prosumer:
Rocket, Bezzera, Expobar Brewtus and Vibiemme.
E61 - all of them have
Lever- Bezzera Strega
Double boilers - Rocket R58 and Expobar Brewtus
Heat exchanger - All of them have
Single boiler - All of them have.

The above list already cover almost everything.

There are many brands available in Europe but many are new companies who re-badge from bigger companies and most are just selling the same stuffs.

 

[calbay]

I will suggest don't import from Aussie and USA that far away.
They don't produce coffee anyway.
So you are basically paying for their roasting and blending, which is imo not necessary and they are not necessarily better.

Explore the local region, find something good and cheap.
Indonesia does has good beans that are unique.
IE: The Sumatran grapefruit note, a profile from the fruity family. Is more appealing than the winey fruity note from Columbia imo.


Actually it's more important to identify the type of aroma, the sourness and bitterness level you want than simply buying from any retailers.

Last time where i was trained, we will have a test. You'll have to ask questions from the drinkers how they prefer their coffee then make a blend or recipe suitable for them asap.

To be honest, it's pretty easy and i know roughly 60% how Asians like their coffee without even asking.
If i ask, my accuracy for making a suitable recipe on first hit is 80+%.

If you are a latte or cappuccino drinker, that's even easier.

So understand what you need and buy something suitable.
If you are a latte/cappuccino drinker, i don't think you need to spend a lot of money on expensive beans.

 

[chikyblink]

No WDT needed so far. Finger distribute because the centre is higher. Then straight down tamp. The pour is even and the taste is good. No harsh bitterness that comes with channeling.

But then again it could be the beans I'm using. Could be some beans are more prone to channeling. The squaremile beans especially will swell up considerably during extraction and the pours are very even. I'm currently using nylon.

I find it awkward to finger distribute my 16gm dose in my 18gm VST. I just finish my bag of 4 chairs. I have some Bokasso left but I'll reserve that for my aeropress.

When you're grinding, do you get fragments popping out of the upper funnel?

 

[Lazy_Tiger]

I will suggest don't import from Aussie and USA that far away.
They don't produce coffee anyway.
So you are basically paying for their roasting and blending, which is imo not necessary and they are not necessarily better.

Explore the local region, find something good and cheap.
Indonesia does has good beans that are unique.
IE: The Sumatran grapefruit note, a profile from the fruity family. Is more appealing than the winey fruity note from Columbia imo.


Actually it's more important to identify the type of aroma, the sourness and bitterness level you want than simply buying from any retailers.

Last time where i was trained, we will have a test. You'll have to ask questions from the drinkers how they prefer their coffee then make a blend or recipe suitable for them asap.

To be honest, it's pretty easy and i know roughly 60% how Asians like their coffee without even asking.
If i ask, my accuracy for making a suitable recipe on first hit is 80+%.

If you are a latte or cappuccino drinker, that's even easier.

So understand what you need and buy something suitable.
If you are a latte/cappuccino drinker, i don't think you need to spend a lot of money on expensive beans.

I drink espressos mostly. Milk drinks only once a month because I'm lactose intolerant.

Actually I've probably tried almost all the espresso specific roasters in sg have yet to try liberty though. A lot of cafés here don't actually roast their own beans.

Keen to try out overseas roasters just compare and see if how does the local scene fare compared to the major players.

Bought from oz speciality (local) yesterday since have not tried theirs before.

 

[Lazy_Tiger]

I find it awkward to finger distribute my 16gm dose in my 18gm VST. I just finish my bag of 4 chairs. I have some Bokasso left but I'll reserve that for my aeropress.

When you're grinding, do you get fragments popping out of the upper funnel?

One or two fragments yes, pretty acceptable popcorning. I saw someone did a mod of a circular cardboard with a hole in the centre inserted into the shaft to cover the beans when grinding.

 

[chikyblink]

This I think is the first video review of the HG One. I didn't know you can buy the HG One anywhere other than their own website. But I think their stock all pre-2014 model.

 

[chikyblink]

One or two fragments yes, pretty acceptable popcorning. I saw someone did a mod of a circular cardboard with a hole in the centre inserted into the shaft to cover the beans when grinding.

This is what I did to mine.

That's a Pringles potato chip cover if you're wondering.

 

[calbay]

I drink espressos mostly. Milk drinks only once a month because I'm lactose intolerant.

Actually I've probably tried almost all the espresso specific roasters in sg have yet to try liberty though. A lot of cafés here don't actually roast their own beans.

Keen to try out overseas roasters just compare and see if how does the local scene fare compared to the major players.

Bought from oz speciality (local) yesterday since have not tried theirs before.

I think you should first identify the family of aroma you prefer.

To be honest, most people prefer nutty woody types of aroma.
For those, you don't really need expensive bean. They are mass produced.

Even for making blends, it's very normal that they use a good chunk of coffee from those nutty profiles.
Add robusta then finally a little portion of the advertised coffee.

Example, a coffee that says it's a blend from XXX.
May consist of only below 50% of the coffee from XXX.

It's very common.
Don't believe too much on those advertisement.

 

[Lazy_Tiger]

True on the limited choice.
Was thinking of bringing in la spaziale S1 Mini Vivaldi, but gave up.

The choices are distributed in singapore, which is why I limit the choices to these machine.but Juz hoping there is an ECM user here to share their thoughts

Might want to visit food and hotel Asia expo 8-11 April I think. Some hidden distributor might pop up.

Another alternative is to ask the major cafe/equipment distributor here if they are willing to bring in some brand that u want and offer after sales support and just pay more. I know one cafe did. A lot of the machines work the same and repair parts sourced overseas esp when there is no stock.

Some brands I've not seen retailing here but maybe there is a local distributor somewhere.

Nuova simonelli
Olympia
Lm
Elektra
La cimbali/pasquini
Breville
Rancilio (epoca semi commercial one)
La pavoni
La spaziale
Faema
Crossland
Londonium
Kvdw (speedster)
Vesuvius

Londonium and Olympia cremina looks cool. Similar to Strega. If there was local support I'd buy it.

Others like isomac, quick mill (plus those usual suspects already mentioned) are e61 clones.

 

[chikyblink]

Bought from oz speciality (local) yesterday since have not tried theirs before.

what a coincidence! I'm thinking of going down later today!
I just found out abt them through this link on my FB last night.
12 cafes in S’pore that are so new, hipsters haven’t even heard of them yet | Mothership.SG

How much per pack? What's their roast date?

 

[Lazy_Tiger]

what a coincidence! I'm thinking of going down later today!
I just found out abt them through this link on my FB last night.
12 cafes in S’pore that are so new, hipsters haven’t even heard of them yet | Mothership.SG

How much per pack? What's their roast date?

I ordered online cos there is free shipping this month. No roast date haha. But I trust it should be roast fresh. Or else reputation will go down the drain very fast. $16 for their roadster blend.
Www.cafeoz.com.sg

 

[Lazy_Tiger]

I found the local distributor for Olympia. The cremina is going for $5k for a lever operated single boiler!

 

[chikyblink]

I found the local distributor for Olympia. The cremina is going for $5k for a lever operated single boiler!

Thats a crazy price. The Londinium I is abt 3.7k plus shipping. With GST abt 4k.

 

[Lazy_Tiger]

Thats a crazy price. The Londinium I is abt 3.7k plus shipping. With GST abt 4k.

Seems to be made in Switzerland now and has a cult following. Thus the price premium. Nice looking machines though. I wonder if there is any difference in taste between pump operated vs lever

 

[chikyblink]

i just exited oz. tried their single shot espresso. $3. gave me abt 10gm of liquid. finished in 1sip. they use common man beans btw. their blends all sold out. ask me to visit their website instead. quite a disappointing trip.

there's another coffeeplace in the same building. November 8.

 

[IntelFlash]

Might want to visit food and hotel Asia expo 8-11 April I think. Some hidden distributor might pop up.

Another alternative is to ask the major cafe/equipment distributor here if they are willing to bring in some brand that u want and offer after sales support and just pay more. I know one cafe did. A lot of the machines work the same and repair parts sourced overseas esp when there is no stock.

Some brands I've not seen retailing here but maybe there is a local distributor somewhere.

Nuova simonelli
Olympia
Lm
Elektra
La cimbali/pasquini
Breville
Rancilio (epoca semi commercial one)
La pavoni
La spaziale
Faema
Crossland
Londonium
Kvdw (speedster)
Vesuvius

Londonium and Olympia cremina looks cool. Similar to Strega. If there was local support I'd buy it.

Others like isomac, quick mill (plus those usual suspects already mentioned) are e61 clones.

E61's patentship had already expired long ago.
No one is a clone or everyone is a clone.

Electra's machines expoded and were recalled in UK not long ago.

Actually i'm looking for another machine for my 2nd office and considering lever machines.

Londonium you are basically paying for the wooden handles, a giant footprint and a hungry power 2400W machine.
My contractor say may trip the power, my office not 100 amp, and the power consumption is crazy, with no advantages so definitely out.

I think it's possible to buy wooden handles to connect to other machines, if that's the accent one likes.

I haven't check out Cremina yet, but stainless steel boiler, wands made with lead releasing brass, plastic chassis.
All for 5k, quite crazy eh.

La Marzocca is considering the return of Lever machines.

La Marzocco - The return of the lever espresso machine

 

[Lazy_Tiger]

E61's patentship had already expired long ago.
No one is a clone or everyone is a clone.

Electra's machines expoded and were recalled in UK not long ago.

Actually i'm looking for another machine for my 2nd office and considering lever machines.

Londonium you are basically paying for the wooden handles, a giant footprint and a hungry power 2400W machine.
My contractor say may trip the power, my office not 100 amp, and the power consumption is crazy, with no advantages so definitely out.

I think it's possible to buy wooden handles to connect to other machines, if that's the accent one likes.

I haven't check out Cremina yet, but stainless steel boiler, wands made with lead releasing brass, plastic chassis.
All for 5k, quite crazy eh.

La Marzocca is considering the return of Lever machines.

La Marzocco - The return of the lever espresso machine

A clone is a clone whether or not the patent has expired. I suppose e61 group heads are very forgiving and make good consistent espressos hence the ubiquity. This however comes at a cost to innovation and we rarely see other type of group heads for domestic use.

If LM can make a well priced lever I'm sure it will be a hit considering their reputation.

Most wands in the market are brass plated with chrome.

Most high end machines use large stainless steel boilers. Thermal stability is not so much an issue with large boilers.

I think U are referring to the red body panel and not chassis and I don't think its plastic. A plastic chassis is impossible for a heavy espresso machine.

Maybe I'll go down to the distributor and have a look. Never played with a lever machine before. Looks intriguing.

 

[Alanteo69]

Icompanyposed that ECM DE machines were actually manufactured by Bezzera ( http://www.bezzera.it/ )
The designs and internal structure are entirely the same with the same spare part lists.
The partnership may had ended, but the architecture is still fundamentally from Bezzera. Particularly their best selling line Technika and Mechanika.

I will rather get Bezzera straight since it's available with local support here. ( Fine Coffee Company | Bringing the best since 2007 (Malaysia/Singapore) )

Since you like ECM Technika

Consider Bezzera Mitica

ECM DE is not considered a long established company, i think just 10 years, and it started out mostly on re-badging from other brands.
Bezzera is 100 over years and yet cost cheaper, so it's a no brainer thing.

Else like Lazy Tiger mentioned.
Expobar Brewtus will work too, if you want a double boiler.
The heat exchanger version is just S$1xxx and it performs as well.

You can buy almost 2 Brewtus HX with one ECM.DE which does the same thing.

I see more Germans owning Bezzera, Quickmill, or Brewtus than ECM. In the first place, the original ECM Italy company wasn't doing good and had gone backrupt, now taken over by La Pavoni iirc.

Saw a news article reported in Straits Times today under Home section. A jeweller fabricated malicious comments to mislead readers about a rival products. This particular jeweller was sued for spreading malicious falsehoods on popular forum HWZ.
Please do consider that each and every company puts in lots of money on their R&D. False comments will caused consumers to loose faith in their brands.

 

[flameignite]

my pick for technika profi series is the boiler is made of stainless steel. Thought this would be better material just like the one in marzocco gs3