[SIC PLS] Coffee Thread II - Recommend best option for *BEAN-TO-CUP* coffee machine

[deokiejisoo]

I think probably I will start with breville barista express 870 to try if I can really go thru with all the inconvenience of making a fresh cuppa espresso or will go back to Nespresso machine. If I can tahan all the hassle and like coffee making then upgrade to a better equipment.
Btw I realised that a weighing scale is very important, what brands do U guys recommend or just get any cheap scales from AliExpress?

Any cheap weighing scale is fine. Some has timer function but for u I don't think it's necessary. If you are set on it you can get a brewista and then upgrade to an acaia.

 

[deokiejisoo]

What brand I should be looking for?

He is suggesting you to use a HX which is at least going to be 1k+ first hand, which is what i suggested if you do an upgrade, to me a Lelit , at least mara X is minimum. Non HX minimum is a gaggia for espresso. I'd really suggest you hold back the 870 first and decide again in a couple months if you want a grinder + espresso set up instead of an automatic.

 

[menthol28]

He is suggesting you to use a HX which is at least going to be 1k+ first hand, which is what i suggested if you do an upgrade, to me a Lelit , at least mara X is minimum. Non HX minimum is a gaggia for espresso. I'd really suggest you hold back the 870 first and decide again in a couple months if you want a grinder + espresso set up instead of an automatic.

I saw Lelit mara X, is it a manual machine?

 

[deokiejisoo]

I saw Lelit mara X, is it a manual machine?

Technically yes, i know what you mean. But saying manual machine is another type of machine, manual is a hand lever type machine. Mara X is a semi auto.

 

[tanminghui1]

share my experience.

Last time drink to those coffee pro. Bought a grinder then semi auto. In the end, the espresso taste bad as need to know how to brew. 15sec the cup already overflow.

Then now bought a fully auto machine. Used for 4-5 years with zero problem

 

[mackenic]

Think its important to realise what you want the machine for.

If its more for a hobby and you are prepared to spend 15-20mins prepping and cleaning up everyday, then go for the manual machines for more customisation and experimenting.

If its for a cup of coffee at the press of a button, then either go for nespresso or a fully auto machine. Nespresso would have lower startup costs, but capsule costs would be 2-5x of what you pay for beans. If you are a heavy consumer, then fully auto would be the way to go. if its just 1 cup a day, then stick to the nespresso.

 

[menthol28]

I've gotten a 2nd hand Breville express 870 and a normal delonghi burr grinder. I suspect I will be looking for DF64 grinder for within days because the delonghi grinder doesn't looks fine enough.
What type of basket should I look for to use with my bottomless portafilter? Does the number of holes for eg 300+ to 600+ matters? Should I be buying more or lesser holes? And do I need to get a pick?
Alrdy got a spring loaded tamper, WDT and now looking for a tamper station or holder

 

[menthol28]

maybe consider 2nd hand espresso machine if that's the case?
anything that's with a E61 group head as a minimum should be good enough.
i remember selling off my expobar for 600 bucks.

for grinder wise, a DF54 should be a really good start.

At the moment I'm using delonghi grinder which I think isn't fine enough.
I've been seeing reviews on DF54 and DF64 upon your recommendation. Should I just get D64 instead because price difference is around $200+, dun wanna waste money on valeting a DF54 and going for upgrade again.
I know that the difference is the 10mm in the burr but I've watched a YT clip that measured both 54 & 64 grind, there's not much difference in particle size. Only thing is DF 54 is slower and can't upgrade the burr

 

[robie_aibo]

For the automatic machine, may I ask which brand is good and value for money, Delonghi or Jura?

 

[Darknights]

At the moment I'm using delonghi grinder which I think isn't fine enough.
I've been seeing reviews on DF54 and DF64 upon your recommendation. Should I just get D64 instead because price difference is around $200+, dun wanna waste money on valeting a DF54 and going for upgrade again.
I know that the difference is the 10mm in the burr but I've watched a YT clip that measured both 54 & 64 grind, there's not much difference in particle size. Only thing is DF 54 is slower and can't upgrade the burr

how often do you think you'll need to use the grinder i.e. how many cups of coffee do you make per round?
say if ya making coffee for a family of 4 - 5, then you'll probably be better off with DF64 as the 54 might just get stuck and it's slowwwwwww.

if ya doing 1 - 2 servings each time.. i think 54 SHOULD be enough, unless ya those who like to always go for the highest end model.
200 bucks is quite a bit of money that you can spent elsewhere.. and if ya already doing so, might as well consider the niche zero?

 

[menthol28]

how often do you think you'll need to use the grinder i.e. how many cups of coffee do you make per round?
say if ya making coffee for a family of 4 - 5, then you'll probably be better off with DF64 as the 54 might just get stuck and it's slowwwwwww.

if ya doing 1 - 2 servings each time.. i think 54 SHOULD be enough, unless ya those who like to always go for the highest end model.
200 bucks is quite a bit of money that you can spent elsewhere.. and if ya already doing so, might as well consider the niche zero?

Max of 4 cups a day and that's quite rare, I'm the only coffee drinker at home. Normally just 1-2 shots a day
Hence I'm thinking since most reviews on YT are saying the grind size of the coffee particles are similar and o my difference is in the speed and not much upgrade can be done to 54 burr.

 

[keewee0415]

For the automatic machine, may I ask which brand is good and value for money, Delonghi or Jura?

I love Jura's auto-clean function.

If you have washed the internal mechanism of automatic coffee machines before, you will appreciate this function.

Another machine that comes with this function but at half the price is from Kith.

 

[Darknights]

Max of 4 cups a day and that's quite rare, I'm the only coffee drinker at home. Normally just 1-2 shots a day
Hence I'm thinking since most reviews on YT are saying the grind size of the coffee particles are similar and o my difference is in the speed and not much upgrade can be done to 54 burr.

Honestly speaking, when I had my espresso machine back then, I really didn't bother much with my grinder.
Just as long as it was working, it didn't really occur to me to upgrade the burs or anything.

Once you are down that path, you might be better off with a 64 instead?
And also, maybe just make it a one time pain and get a 64, so that you won't get bitten by the upgrade itch.

 

[robie_aibo]

I love Jura's auto-clean function.

If you have washed the internal mechanism of automatic coffee machines before, you will appreciate this function.

Another machine that comes with this function but at half the price is from Kith.

Thank you for the info.

I was told by the Jura sales associate at Takashimaya that the brand rarely has sales. Ask me to try my luck during Black Friday sales

 

[menthol28]

What kind of milk do U guys use for creamier texture? Currently using HL and occasionally Meiji but I can't consistently get creamy or frothy milk

 

[sbv7230]

For full auto , WMF is the word..
Robust machine..