Espresso machine

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27 posts

Geek

#1955466 11-Feb-2018 23:19

My home setup for the last 3 years:

BFC Junior Xtra TCI (dual boiler/Rotary/PiD temp control) and Macap M4 grinder

Excellent machine, temp control is really accurate which results in very consistent shots.

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elpenguino

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#1955468 11-Feb-2018 23:45

I know some people like the one touch nespresso thing but I hate buyer lock in so I would never touch one.

I was interested to see this story some years ago:

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/mar/04/why-the-man-behind-keurigs-coffee-pods-wishes-hed-never-invented-them

Personally I run a breville or whatever it is the missus got when the last one died.

It doesn't have to be very high tech to push some hot water through the coffee powder for 15 seconds. Cost ~$150

It doesn't look the part, no manly dials, pipes or shiny metal panels though

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

Geektastic

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#1955470 12-Feb-2018 00:41

Fred99:

As for mess etc, this is my setup:

Machine is plumbed in using the same filter/pressure reducer system as the fridge - just a t-join in the small diameter low pressure line. Waste from the drip tray is also plumbed. Assorted coffees, tools, supplies etc in the drawer beneath. At the time I took that photo, the knock box was in the drawer, but every now and then I'd drop a puck in the bottom of the drawer, so keep it up on the bench now. I've used a rubber mat under the machine and grinder, it's easy to wipe the lot down with a damp microfibre. The main kitchen bench is next to the coffee bench above. I use a battery dust-buster occasionally to suck up spilled coffee grinds. The setup works well - but obviously the whole thing is a bit of a commitment.

"but obviously the whole thing is a bit of a commitment."

Masterful understatement, @Fred99! Masterful.

Tinkerisk

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#1955472 12-Feb-2018 03:52

@elpenguino

Nespresso's claim has been phased out a while ago by court (here) and now there are plenty second sources allowed to offer "nespresso-compatible" capsules - fairtrade-certified and HiQual coffee as well. So you are not locked.

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ermat

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Master Geek

#1955478 12-Feb-2018 06:49

I have an old German hand operated bean grinder (zasenhouse?) What do you consider the best brewing option other than an expresso machine. Stove top percolator ? or ... ?

dafman

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#1955486 12-Feb-2018 07:49

richms:

... and the general ease of the nespresso the nespresso wins out when Im home alone.

Different strokes, I really enjoy the ritual of making a coffee at home.

Dulouz

849 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1955487 12-Feb-2018 08:16

How about an Aeropress? cheap, easy and good coffee.

Amanon

Senecio

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#1955491 12-Feb-2018 08:36

dafman:

Different strokes, I really enjoy the ritual of making a coffee at home.

^^^^^^

This +1,000

Coffee for me is a ritual. I enjoy the making of it just as much as the consuming. Its the one part of life where I just say f*#k it. I'm going to have a coffee and I don't care how long it takes.

Its also why I enjoy roasting and blending my own beans. Not only are they fresh but I get to control everything to my liking. Bean selection, roast profile, blend or single origin. No two cups are the same but that's not because of inconsistency but rather experimentation.

Guv

94 posts

Master Geek

#1955497 12-Feb-2018 08:57

Look at the VBM range as well - nice reliable gear. Similar to Rocket.

https://www.greenbeanhouse.co.nz/product/356639

I have a VBM Domobar Super and a Mazzer Mini, have been roasting my own beans for some time. Love the process and the results.

Good luck and let us know what you end up with ;)

Guv

dafman

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#1955499 12-Feb-2018 09:01

I think the main appeal of Nespresso is the ease and speed. Some people (me) love the ritual of making coffee, others just want a coffee. When we purchased our Nespresso at work, I suggested a machine that, at least, came with a separate milk wand. But I was outvoted - the prevailing view was that it was 'too much effort' to froth milk, so we purchased a Nespresso with an automatic frother. A year on, the automatic frother made terrible milk, was a pain to clean, so now sits permanently empty, never used.

dafman

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#1955500 12-Feb-2018 09:06

Guv:

Look at the VBM range as well - nice reliable gear. Similar to Rocket.

https://www.greenbeanhouse.co.nz/product/356639

I have a VBM Domobar Super and a Mazzer Mini, have been roasting my own beans for some time. Love the process and the results.

Good luck and let us know what you end up with ;)

Guv

Guv & Senecio - you've planted a seed and got me interested in roasting at home. I've just done a search on trade me and it looks like there is quite a bit to see on home roasting. Any hints/advice you can give would be great - like, for starters, where do you purchase the beans from?

Guv

94 posts

Master Geek

#1955506 12-Feb-2018 09:12

dafman:

Guv:

Look at the VBM range as well - nice reliable gear. Similar to Rocket.

https://www.greenbeanhouse.co.nz/product/356639

I have a VBM Domobar Super and a Mazzer Mini, have been roasting my own beans for some time. Love the process and the results.

Good luck and let us know what you end up with ;)

Guv

Guv & Senecio - you've planted a seed and got me interested in roasting at home. I've just done a search on trade me and it looks like there is quite a bit to see on home roasting. Any hints/advice you can give would be great - like, for starters, where do you purchase the beans from?

I get mine from https://www.greenbeanhouse.co.nz/

You can start roasting with a popcorn maker - nice and simple and the batches are nice and small so you can turf if you overcooked some.

I use a modified bread maker (element disabled - just need something which stirs and can handle the heat) and $40 heat gun from bunnings ;)

Or take a look at the following roaster https://www.greenbeanhouse.co.nz/product/BehmorPlus

Loads of resource here - http://www.coffeesnobs.com.au/

Guv

jonathan18

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#1955525 12-Feb-2018 09:43

While others above have talked about the need for a good grinder, I think another key factor is the maker themselves.

A friend has a Rocket (as many above do) and a high-quality grinder, total cost here probably $6k. I’ve a Sunbeam EM7100 (bought 1/2 price from Farmers for $700) and a $220 Breville Smart Grinder Pro, bought for about $120, so a total outlay of just over $900. I’m yet to have a coffee from my friend”s machine that is better than what I can produce with mine.

I’m not saying I’m a great barista, but it only takes a bit of practice and some decent but not amazing equipment (plus fresh/decent beans) to be able to produce a good-quality coffee. In reality, I prefer my coffee to that produced by most cafes in town, and get frustrated when I’ve forked out $4.50 for something way inferior than I can do at home.

I’ve also bought a cheap Delonghi espresso machine to use at work; while it may have the worst steamer I’ve ever seen (I think they even call it a cappuccino frother!), I can actually produce something ok out of it.

TLDR: you don’t have to spend the earth to make decent coffee, and barista skill is a more critical component in achieving this than buying the fanciest machine.

Guv

94 posts

Master Geek

#1955535 12-Feb-2018 10:05

jonathan18: While others above have talked about the need for a good grinder, I think another key factor is the maker themselves.

A friend has a Rocket (as many above do) and a high-quality grinder, total cost here probably $6k. I’ve a Sunbeam EM7100 (bought 1/2 price from Farmers for $700) and a $220 Breville Smart Grinder Pro, bought for about $120, so a total outlay of just over $900. I’m yet to have a coffee from my friend”s machine that is better than what I can produce with mine.

I’m not saying I’m a great barista, but it only takes a bit of practice and some decent but not amazing equipment (plus fresh/decent beans) to be able to produce a good-quality coffee. In reality, I prefer my coffee to that produced by most cafes in town, and get frustrated when I’ve forked out $4.50 for something way inferior than I can do at home.

I’ve also bought a cheap Delonghi espresso machine to use at work; while it may have the worst steamer I’ve ever seen (I think they even call it a cappuccino frother!), I can actually produce something ok out of it.

TLDR: you don’t have to spend the earth to make decent coffee, and barista skill is a more critical component in achieving this than buying the fanciest machine.

Agree , the most important factor is fresh beans. I brought my mazzer\VBM combo as I was frustrated by cheaper equipment not lasting long. I had 3 x sunbeam burr grinders replaced under warranty within a 6 month period. Brought the mazzer 8 years ago and it has not skipped a beat since then.

Same with the espresso machine - went from Sunbeam to VBM 8 years ago and its been reliable since.

Guv

Geektastic

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#1955553 12-Feb-2018 10:14

Senecio:

dafman:

Different strokes, I really enjoy the ritual of making a coffee at home.

^^^^^^

This +1,000

Coffee for me is a ritual. I enjoy the making of it just as much as the consuming. Its the one part of life where I just say f*#k it. I'm going to have a coffee and I don't care how long it takes.

Its also why I enjoy roasting and blending my own beans. Not only are they fresh but I get to control everything to my liking. Bean selection, roast profile, blend or single origin. No two cups are the same but that's not because of inconsistency but rather experimentation.

I'm a bit like that with tea. People often find it strange that I set a countdown timer to time the brewing...!

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