(GPGT)Espresso machine hoot

[derazor]

Huky 500 seems nice got thermal profile.
not cheap I believe .

Need to roast at least 2.5 years ( 1 bag 250gm a week or so )to recover the cost assume it doesn't break down.

 

[chikyblink]

Huky 500 seems nice got thermal profile.
not cheap I believe .

Need to roast at least 2.5 years ( 1 bag 250gm a week or so )to recover the cost assume it doesn't break down.

Huky is at $2.2k thereabouts. Running on LPG, you'll have faster and more control of the temperature over the M3. The cooling on the Huky is faster too and you can roast up to 400gm as compared to M3.

 

[CTBR]

I believe you can buy huky 500 directly from the creator in taiwan.https://plus.google.com/114467416395977386099/photos/photo/5412861347672051010?pct=ab&pcv=5412860644735895457&sview=20&pid=5412861347672051010&oid=114467416395977386099

 

[patryn33]

My hoot today

 

[Lazy_Tiger]

Tiny roaster is clearing stock of some greens. Check out their Instagram for details.

 

[chikyblink]

Sous viding the beans b4 grinding. New technique inspired by chefsteps lol.

Sent from Samsung SM-N910G using GAGT

 

[stonecold996]

Hi, what semi-automatic espresso machine would you guys recommend for a first time owner? Is it worth it to spend on something like a krups/delonghi ~$300 machine and upgrade later or just get something like a silvia from the start? Budget is not really fixed as I'm still open to both routes but the cheaper machines is easier to justify for me, would appreciate your opinions!

 

[chikyblink]

Hi, what semi-automatic espresso machine would you guys recommend for a first time owner? Is it worth it to spend on something like a krups/delonghi ~$300 machine and upgrade later or just get something like a silvia from the start? Budget is not really fixed as I'm still open to both routes but the cheaper machines is easier to justify for me, would appreciate your opinions!

Hi, I jumped straight in and got a relatively expensive home machine so I have no experience with the low end ones. Take my advice with a pinch of salt but if I were you, I would go for the ~$300 krups/Delonghi. Also, have you decided on your grinder yet? Its just as important as the machine itself. Good luck!

 

[stonecold996]

Hi, I jumped straight in and got a relatively expensive home machine so I have no experience with the low end ones. Take my advice with a pinch of salt but if I were you, I would go for the ~$300 krups/Delonghi. Also, have you decided on your grinder yet? Its just as important as the machine itself. Good luck!

Hi, thanks for your advice! Theres a guy selling a used Lelit PL53 grinder for $400 and it seems to be the same model as yours Do you think its a good deal?

 

[chikyblink]

Hi, thanks for your advice! Theres a guy selling a used Lelit PL53 grinder for $400 and it seems to be the same model as yours Do you think its a good deal?

Mmm although the grind quality is good but I dislike the sharp edges and lightweight feel of the grinder. Also, it spits grounds to the left if you're dosing direct into your portafilter.
Do you have a budget for the grinder?

 

[patryn33]

Hi, what semi-automatic espresso machine would you guys recommend for a first time owner? Is it worth it to spend on something like a krups/delonghi ~$300 machine and upgrade later or just get something like a silvia from the start? Budget is not really fixed as I'm still open to both routes but the cheaper machines is easier to justify for me, would appreciate your opinions!

there are training to get your touching the more professional machine.
I rather spend my $$ on a basic course to touch and feel or go into a coffee place to touch both setups to get a understanding of how a $300 vs a $2000 works.
http://www.baristascraft.com/courses/baristas-craft-7-workshop-to-comprehensive-coffee-insights/
http://www.kinsmencoffee.com/services/barista-course-and-training/
http://www.highlandercoffee.com/onsite barista.html
http://www.yahava.sg/academy/

my 2 cents I wouldnt invest on a cheap machine and later upgrade esp u are planning to do it b4 machine broke. after being in us$400 machine (sg maybe $800 knowing how prices are jacked up), and going thru basic then expensive.

 

[erwinseow]

Hi, what semi-automatic espresso machine would you guys recommend for a first time owner? Is it worth it to spend on something like a krups/delonghi ~$300 machine and upgrade later or just get something like a silvia from the start? Budget is not really fixed as I'm still open to both routes but the cheaper machines is easier to justify for me, would appreciate your opinions!

Some other considerations:
Do you intend to use it for Milk Based drinks? Do you intend to learn Latte art in the future?

The lower end machines may not have good steaming capabilities.

So it all depends on what you want.

If you are using it mostly for milk based drinks... I recommend a Silvia machine or better...

Hope this helps!

 

[patryn33]

Iatte art is over rated, even I live in states home of latte art.
I love the powerful steam my baby product to get my milk base drinks.

Cheaper machine mostly pressurized portafilter need to modify. If u into making modification here and there even cheap machine can get decent froth. One don't have the money just have to spend the time to tinker with machine, simple trade off.

Pay the $150 ++ for a class u learn something more a textbook or reading on forum may provide. From that point in decide from there. Walk in try a few kinds of machine.

Then again if u cannot discern the taste or quality of the result using same beans then no pt getting a high end machine

 

[stonecold996]

Hi everybody, thank you all for your input and advices. just a quick update, I got a used gaggia classic off a guy for 250, my intentions are to use it for a year or two just to test the water to see if its worth it for me to invest in a higher end machine. Still looking for a grinder though.

 

[CTBR]

What's your budget for the grinder?

 

[stonecold996]

What's your budget for the grinder?

Budget is around 350.

 

[CTBR]

Orphan espresso's pharos would have been an excellent choice for you but unfortunately right now they're retooling to improve production speed. No eta yet. Next best is lido 2/3 or lelit pl53. Lido 2 is cheaper but manual.

 

[Titman]

you happy can liao

 

[derazor]

so quiet...every boy drink sencha liao ah

 

[Lazy_Tiger]

so quiet...every boy drink sencha liao ah

Lol. I guess everyone is just busy exploring and drinking coffee.

Share my 2 recent purchases.

A cremina

Great little machine. Not trying to justify my purchase here but I think the espresso i've have so far on the cremina is on average better than on my other machines. Its easy to get great espresso with the machine, maybe its the manual lever, maybe its the 49mm portafilter. Channeling is not a problem. The extreme sourness or bitterness u get when brewing wrongly is minimised with the cremina. I can get shots as thick as with my vbm by grinding finer and pulling harder. Downside is that the cremina can only brew 5 shots back to back before i feel the shots are too hot and bitterness creeps in due to the group head overheating. Have to cool the grouphead with a cool portafilter or with a wet towel after the 4th shot or so.

I would say if you are a beginner and have decided to seriously get into espresso, really can't go wrong with a cremina and a good grinder. Rock solid construction and will last a long time. Forgiving even when grind size is dialed in slightly wrongly because u can adjust the pressure during the pull and look at the flow rate instead to get desired shot weight in the given time.

Steaming is more suited for small quantities. Not much power for large latte. 0.3l - 0.5l pitcher is ok. Steam wand non-articulating so have to tilt the pitcher.

Now have to figure out how to do maintenance on this baby. This one is a lifelong keeper.

A minipresso

Only $60, espressos are decent at best. Need to run hot water thru it first before brewing otherwise its brews too cold and results are sour. Works best with darker roasts and smaller shots. I guess the plastic parts can't retain heat very well. hard to beat at $60. I think it uses a pressurised portafilter kind of system to enhance the crema. can clearly hear the crack and "whoosh" when the valve opens.

I recently tried beans from Sensory Lab (Matt Perger's shop). Bought the steadfast and seamless blends. They are dark roasted. My guess is full city. They recommend ultra large doses of 22g and yield of 50-60g. Yes holy cow. A triple dose gigantic lungo with dark roasted beans. This didn't taste good to me although the pour and tiger striping was beautiful. Bitter and diluted when brewed with the vbm. When brewed with 14g doses with the cremina and vbm with a 21g yield they tasted more to my preference. you get italian style chocolate espresso. Thick creamy body with the steadfast with hints of croissant and cherries, some biscuit maybe?. Steadfast i felt had lighter body but a slightly more complex aroma, finish had some hints berry acidity but honestly not much here cos they are pretty heavily roasted. Recommended if you like traditional espresso stuff.