Let’s talk coffee

[definenredefine]

It's not so much a purist thing, it's more of a waste of money to buy a nice espresso machine and then dump tore up beans in it. Good call getting a real grinder too.

-Mike

That's what I read, hence the search for a good grinder. They're pricey! Gaggia makes them too, so used may be a good way to go for that as well...

 

[MJ5150]

That's what I read, hence the search for a good grinder. They're pricey! Gaggia makes them too, so used may be a good way to go for that as well...

We bought a Baratza Vario 20 years ago. It wasn't cheap, but it's commerical quality components built in a way so it can be repaired as parts wear out. We've had parts wear out, a gear and a belt, but nothing has broke on it and we work that machine daily. The customer service is A+ too, even after Breville bought them six years ago.
Don't forget about your water. Since coffee is 98% water, make sure you're using good clean water.

-Mike

 

[definenredefine]

We bought a Baratza Vario 20 years ago. It wasn't cheap, but it's commerical quality components built in a way so it can be repaired as parts wear out. We've had parts wear out, a gear and a belt, but nothing has broke on it and we work that machine daily. The customer service is A+ too, even after Breville bought them six years ago.
Don't forget about your water. Since coffee is 98% water, make sure you're using good clean water.

-Mike

We have an RO filter with dispenser on our kitchen sink, so we're (hopefully) set for good clean water. Appreciate all your advice!

 

[PWolverine]

What do you like better about the Rancilio? It's about double the price of the Gaggia I'm looking at (new, anyway)...what do I get with that extra investment?

I like the brass boiler a lot better. There have been issues with Gaggia boilers over time, flaking and so on. Some of them were aluminium (though I think that has changed now) and I wanted to get away from aluminium if possible as something i use daily.

The steam pressure is 100% better than the gaggie, because of the bigger boiler it can steam more too.

I just find the Rancilio was a much more solid machine. They are similar, but I wasn't expecting it to be that much better when I initially bought it, but I had people comment the coffee tasted a lot better. I just think after using both that the Rancilio is a better investment over time, and just put together better. You will get amazing shots and coffee out of both however. I regret not upgrading to the Rancilio earlier.

You can sometimes find these really cheap on Marketplace too, and they are very easily servicable and cleaned. They are built like tanks and last ages.

 

[kesslari]

For us oldsters... I was thinking about old coffee commercials, the ones where an intrepid coffee buyer goes into South American countries to buy the finest beans. First (actually second, but easier to recall) is Juan Valdez.



But what came to mind was a guy called "Alexajente". I tried to look him up today, and some smart person figured out that it's actually "El Exigente" (the demanding one). Unfortunately the only commercial I could find for him was for instant coffee, which would be morally and ethically wrong to post here.

Still, it was a fun thing to learn. And between them they created an idea way back in the early parts of my childhood brain that "Rich Columbian Coffee" was the bestest.
It's still good coffee, despite the silly ads.

 

[Jens Telemark]

I’m sure in 7 years and 56 pages the importance of grind quality has been pretty well discussed. My grinder recommendation is a Knock. The grind coarseness is highly adjustable, the build quality is superb and full rebuild kits are available. A worthwhile long term investment for the serious coffee geek.

Because of its compact design I got one about 15 years ago just to use on the road. It became my home grinder and I haven’t used anything else since.

Unfortunately the only commercial I could find for him was for instant coffee, which would be morally and ethically wrong to post here.

Hey, I really enjoy good instant coffee… as sprinkles on vanilla ice cream.
(I’d rather bite down on a file and rip it out of my mouth than drink it)