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Re: Espresso machine [trainlighter] [ In reply to ]
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Nespresso convert here !

I have a Gaggia classis at home, and a Baby Gaggia at work. Gaggia MDF grinders.

I love my espresso and probably have 3 or 4 double shots a day.

But I recently bought a Nespresso machine and I love it ! It hasn't replaced the others but it's a great machine.

I'm up at 05.15 to swim 4 times a week and it's just a lot less hassle to throw a pod in and press a button than fire up the grinder and start brewing !

I would say it's 80% of the taste of a "proper" shot, and 0% of the hassle.

I still enjoy a "proper" coffee when I've got time, but for what it is I think the Nespresso is great.

Each to their own !

LG
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Re: Espresso machine [goodboyr] [ In reply to ]
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I like that, actually was thinking about getting one. It would be nice not to have to weigh the output. Set it up for desired extraction ratio with a particular bean and roast level once.


goodboyr wrote:
Nuff said.......



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Re: Espresso machine [Rover24] [ In reply to ]
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There's nothing like it. Oodles of endless great steam, plus volumetric control. Awesome machine and once dialled in very consistent.
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Re: Espresso machine [PT] [ In reply to ]
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PT wrote:
beston wrote:
I have had a few cheap-er espresso units over the years, but seem to have stepped up my espresso making abilities with the Breville Barista Express.

https://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/...ess-espresso-machine

I like that the grinder is built into the package, the pressure gauge is great for getting a feedback on the grind size and tamp pressure, and most importantly, I think it can make a decent cup.

It's certainly in your price range too!



We have this machine and it is Very good. Not sexy Italian but well made and reliable. Easy to clean too. The only thing which can catch you out is that the filter basket is smaller than most (54mm I think - most are 58) and so you can't get yourself a fancy after-market tamper unless you're very lucky. Or you have enough $$ for a Chris King - they come in different sizes. According to two friends of mine who're in the coffee business, a deeper/smaller basket enables a better result from a modest machine and (importantly) without much barista expertise.

That about describes me:).

I had the pleasure of visiting NZ a few years ago and was amazed at the consistent quality of Flat White's (The worst FW I ordered in NZ was from Starbucks). I try to recreate the FW as best as I can and while I'm happy with the results, I know it can be better! I was pissed the other week to order a FW from starbucks (in Canada) and my first thought was 'shit, ...this is better than mine!'

I don't worry to much about the tamper. I like how it magnetically attaches to the unit and isn't too likely to go missing. All my other Breville units have used the same size basket (I agree, I think it's a 54mm), so it can't be that uncommon.
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Re: Espresso machine [lagazelle] [ In reply to ]
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lagazelle wrote:
Nespresso convert here !

I have a Gaggia classis at home, and a Baby Gaggia at work. Gaggia MDF grinders.

I love my espresso and probably have 3 or 4 double shots a day.

But I recently bought a Nespresso machine and I love it ! It hasn't replaced the others but it's a great machine.

I'm up at 05.15 to swim 4 times a week and it's just a lot less hassle to throw a pod in and press a button than fire up the grinder and start brewing !

I would say it's 80% of the taste of a "proper" shot, and 0% of the hassle.

I still enjoy a "proper" coffee when I've got time, but for what it is I think the Nespresso is great.

Each to their own !

LG

I have the baby and the same grinder. I find some beans to work better than others with this setup, and now I'm looking for something else. I'm having a hard time wrapping my head into a Nespresso, but maybe I should.
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Re: Espresso machine [xrookiex] [ In reply to ]
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xrookiex wrote:
lagazelle wrote:
Nespresso convert here !

I have a Gaggia classis at home, and a Baby Gaggia at work. Gaggia MDF grinders.

I love my espresso and probably have 3 or 4 double shots a day.

But I recently bought a Nespresso machine and I love it ! It hasn't replaced the others but it's a great machine.

I'm up at 05.15 to swim 4 times a week and it's just a lot less hassle to throw a pod in and press a button than fire up the grinder and start brewing !

I would say it's 80% of the taste of a "proper" shot, and 0% of the hassle.

I still enjoy a "proper" coffee when I've got time, but for what it is I think the Nespresso is great.

Each to their own !

LG

I have the baby and the same grinder. I find some beans to work better than others with this setup, and now I'm looking for something else. I'm having a hard time wrapping my head into a Nespresso, but maybe I should.

Try one. The coffee is quick and consistent and almost entirely mess free. Does exactly what it says on the tin !

LG
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Re: Espresso machine [quickguru] [ In reply to ]
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I know you are talking home espresso machines but a shout out to Behmor, a small producer of coffee makers and bean roasters located in Incline Village, NV. I recently purchased the Behmore Brazen machine and it rocks. You can program brew temp, your elevation, pre-saturation time, etc. I think it is only US company that makes a SCAA (Specialty Coffee Assoc of America) coffee maker. Pair that with a nice burr grinder and you are good to go. When I want a shot, i use the commercial machine at work since it is free ;-) see http://behmor.com/
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Re: Espresso machine [quickguru] [ In reply to ]
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Alright, for those of us who just want to move to a semi auto / auto from a cheapo steam unit... what's the value buy. ~$400 or below?

I'm a coffee nerd, but not ready to move into the espresso nerd market yet... still have sticker shock. To stay on topic, what's the Cervelo P2sl of espresso units ;)

My Blog - http://leegoocrap.blogspot.com
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Re: Espresso machine [leegoocrap] [ In reply to ]
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leegoocrap wrote:
Alright, for those of us who just want to move to a semi auto / auto from a cheapo steam unit... what's the value buy. ~$400 or below?

I'm a coffee nerd, but not ready to move into the espresso nerd market yet... still have sticker shock. To stay on topic, what's the Cervelo P2sl of espresso units ;)

For machines I think it's any of several Gaggia units (Classic, Baby Class, etc) which can generally be found on sale between $250 - 400. The step up to Rancilio Silvia is about double the money, although it's arguably worth it if you want to spend that much. All of these machines hold resale value surprisingly well.

Bigger issue is the grinder, where I think the hands-down value choise is Baratza, either an Encore or a Virtuoso. They are also a cool company that tries to reuse things like packing materials to avoid waste, and all their grinders are rebuildable yourself (they sell parts) or by them for a reasonable charge.
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Re: Espresso machine [vjohn] [ In reply to ]
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yeah I've got an Encore for grinding. (and a porlex for when the wife is asleep)

She might throw me out of the house if I show up with a ~$1k+ espresso machine though ;)

My Blog - http://leegoocrap.blogspot.com
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Re: Espresso machine [vjohn] [ In reply to ]
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vjohn wrote:
leegoocrap wrote:
Alright, for those of us who just want to move to a semi auto / auto from a cheapo steam unit... what's the value buy. ~$400 or below?

I'm a coffee nerd, but not ready to move into the espresso nerd market yet... still have sticker shock. To stay on topic, what's the Cervelo P2sl of espresso units ;)


For machines I think it's any of several Gaggia units (Classic, Baby Class, etc) which can generally be found on sale between $250 - 400. The step up to Rancilio Silvia is about double the money, although it's arguably worth it if you want to spend that much. All of these machines hold resale value surprisingly well.

Bigger issue is the grinder, where I think the hands-down value choise is Baratza, either an Encore or a Virtuoso. They are also a cool company that tries to reuse things like packing materials to avoid waste, and all their grinders are rebuildable yourself (they sell parts) or by them for a reasonable charge.

Would it make sense for me to go from a Baby Class with a Gaggia MDF grinder to a Rancilio Silvia with a Rocky grinder? Is this a logical upgrade in your opinion?
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Re: Espresso machine [xrookiex] [ In reply to ]
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xrookiex wrote:
Would it make sense for me to go from a Baby Class with a Gaggia MDF grinder to a Rancilio Silvia with a Rocky grinder? Is this a logical upgrade in your opinion?

Yes.
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Re: Espresso machine [leegoocrap] [ In reply to ]
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leegoocrap wrote:
Alright, for those of us who just want to move to a semi auto / auto from a cheapo steam unit... what's the value buy. ~$400 or below?

I'm a coffee nerd, but not ready to move into the espresso nerd market yet... still have sticker shock. To stay on topic, what's the Cervelo P2sl of espresso units ;)

Saeco Via Venezia with an unpressurized portafilter. Make sure you also budget for a grinder
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Re: Espresso machine [xrookiex] [ In reply to ]
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leegoocrap wrote:
Would it make sense for me to go from a Baby Class with a Gaggia MDF grinder to a Rancilio Silvia with a Rocky grinder? Is this a logical upgrade in your opinion?


I would increase your budget slightly and get a Breville dual boiler or E61 HX machine and a better grinder. The Silvia is not worth upgrading over a Gaggia IMO. I used Gaggias for 8 years and they are fine machines if you know their limitations. As I said before, the Silvia and Rocky are no longer good values in 2016 IMO.
Last edited by: Dunbar: Apr 22, 16 12:41
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Re: Espresso machine [quickguru] [ In reply to ]
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Aeropress + hand grinder + freshly roasted beans are all you need.




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Re: Espresso machine [goodboyr] [ In reply to ]
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Is that a Vivaldi? I've had one for 8 years now. Plumbed in with double boiler and love it. As you said the volumetric control is great. Just hit the double button and start steaming the milk.


goodboyr wrote:
There's nothing like it. Oodles of endless great steam, plus volumetric control. Awesome machine and once dialled in very consistent.
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Re: Espresso machine [echappist] [ In reply to ]
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I say something used is the best. I have an old Expobar Office Pulser that sits unused as a spare. You could find one like it in that price range.


echappist wrote:
leegoocrap wrote:
Alright, for those of us who just want to move to a semi auto / auto from a cheapo steam unit... what's the value buy. ~$400 or below?

I'm a coffee nerd, but not ready to move into the espresso nerd market yet... still have sticker shock. To stay on topic, what's the Cervelo P2sl of espresso units ;)


Saeco Via Venezia with an unpressurized portafilter. Make sure you also budget for a grinder
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Re: Espresso machine [svennn] [ In reply to ]
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It's the successor to the Vivaldi, the La Spaziale Dream. Same mechanicals, but improved control and display, plus built in timers, user profiles, etc.
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Re: Espresso machine [goodboyr] [ In reply to ]
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Another nespresso fan here. Quick, easy and good. Different flavors and the machine also makes cups of coffee for when you wan to change it up.

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Re: Espresso machine [leegoocrap] [ In reply to ]
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leegoocrap wrote:
Alright, for those of us who just want to move to a semi auto / auto from a cheapo steam unit... what's the value buy. ~$400 or below?

I'm a coffee nerd, but not ready to move into the espresso nerd market yet... still have sticker shock. To stay on topic, what's the Cervelo P2sl of espresso units ;)

Man, that is a good question. Atomic maybe? I'm not sure if this is the P2SL. - or even P3SL, perhaps more of a Pegoretti...and it's very unautomated but it's a classic made from metal.

http://www.atomiccoffeemachine.com/index.htm
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Re: Espresso machine [PT] [ In reply to ]
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Came back from a year in Switzerland and bought a Jura superautomatic for my house. Failed on day 1; would not power on the second time. Returned it, bought a Nespresso. It. Just. Works. Best shot ever? No. Best product for me? Yes. And I've purchased two other Jura superautomatic machines for my office. They've been great. The first one took endless abuse and the failed only because the tubing started to leak more than we were willing to mop up. And then we discovered that for something like $150, Jura would completely refurbish a machine. This is an office with about 100 folks, many making espressos. Pretty impressive. That machine is nails. Pretty good espresso, too!
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Re: Espresso machine [callidus] [ In reply to ]
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callidus wrote:
Aeropress + hand grinder + freshly roasted beans are all you need.

on race day i would agree. can make it in your hotel room easy peezy.
Only limitation is you cant pull a proper shot with them, but its as close as you're going to get in something portable.


For those complaining about the time for the big dual boiler machines to heat up i strongly suggest getting a wifi wall timer. Can set it to auto turn on in the morning so you can just wake up and its ready to steam right away. Handy as well as you can simply pop into the app while you're riding home, turn it on, and by the time you're home its ready to go.
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Re: Espresso machine [trainlighter] [ In reply to ]
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trainlighter wrote:
There is only one choice, and that choice is Nespresso!

The best part of their offering is the number of varieties they have for you to choose from. I think they're up to around 14 different varieties now and it really makes a difference. They have an easy way to recycle pods and ship the pods easily as well.

It's certainly worth a look!

Nespresso has been life changing for me, in a good way.

2024: Bevoman, Galveston, Alcatraz, Marble Falls, Santa Cruz
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Re: Espresso machine [SBRcoffee] [ In reply to ]
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Plus 1
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Re: Espresso machine [RONDAL] [ In reply to ]
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RONDAL wrote:
callidus wrote:
Aeropress + hand grinder + freshly roasted beans are all you need.

on race day i would agree. can make it in your hotel room easy peezy.
Only limitation is you cant pull a proper shot with them, but its as close as you're going to get in something portable.


For those complaining about the time for the big dual boiler machines to heat up i strongly suggest getting a wifi wall timer. Can set it to auto turn on in the morning so you can just wake up and its ready to steam right away. Handy as well as you can simply pop into the app while you're riding home, turn it on, and by the time you're home its ready to go.

I bought this on Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/...i_detailpage_o02_s00

Turns it on at 4am. Off at 2pm.

If you have a bunch of wifi plugs, that's a great option also. But if you just want something simple, this works.

"Non est ad astra mollis e terris via." - Seneca | rappstar.com | FB - Rappstar Racing | IG - @jordanrapp
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