So why am I here?

[p38arover]

I beginning to feel Im here under false pretences.

I only own a Sunbeam Cafe Crema TB machine which was given to us.

My wife thinks Ive gone overboard in buying green beans, a popper, a new grinder, etc. (Dont tell her Im looking at a set of digital scales - her view is that we are a bunch of w**kers!).

I have to admit that I joined the site after having considerable trouble making a decent cappucinno with the Crema. The coffee was (is) inconsistent. In fact, we still go to our local coffee shop daily because he makes better and more consistent coffee than we can - even with his pre-roasted Moccona coffee.

In our favour, I do have to say that we have coached him into making better coffee and he probably makes the best coffee in the Penrith area. Its probably not to CoffeeSnobs standard, though. And it isnt to everybodys standard. A lot of his customers still complain because he doesnt put a big frothy head on the cappucinno - mjust a nice creamy foam.

He is, however, interested in trying the beans Im about to roast. Maybe we can move him to roast his own.

So, I guess this raises a question. Should we TB owners stay on the forum or will we be sneered at by the HX and other operators?

Ron (any errors and/or rambling can be blamed on the Andrew Garrett shiraz Im enjoying)

[clarexican]

Re: So why am I here?

Hi Ron

You definately wont be sneered at.... or there will be trouble...grrr

I kind of felt the same way at first. I bought a second hand Gaggia Gran for $37 from evlbay and I found out about the greenbeans. I felt abit(alot) out of place, but everyone is really very friendly. It took alittle while to get my green beans but once I did and roasted them I realised that I had just had an epiphany. There is definately no going back.

But you want to think about this... upgradeitis strikes CS members at an uncommonly fast rate and it seemingly strikes at random. So you might not own a TB (from your own choice) for much longer

Me... if I could buy a HX I would, but I cant so I am very happy with my gran. (shush dont tell her I said that she gets jealous).. who knows maybe you will too? The difference in the coffee was unbelivable. No crema to heaps, undrinkable to nectar of the gods.

HTH

Clarexican

[wattgn]

Re: So why am I here?

Monti wont snear at you. He has just bought a Sunbeam EM6900.

Seriously TBs have bad press because of their temperature control.

Anyway, sometimes you can make too big a deal out of these things as TBs can still make a good espresso with the aid of a good grinder.

The other thing is that people are forever upgrading their machines. You will too but when you are ready. In the mean time enjoy the coffee and the forum.

Grant

[Dimal]

Re: So why am I here?

I beginning to feel Im here under false pretences.

I only own a Sunbeam Cafe Crema TB machine which was given to us.....

So, I guess this raises a question. Should we TB owners stay on the forum or will we be sneered at by the HX and other operators?

Ron (any errors and/or rambling can be blamed on the Andrew Garrett shiraz Im enjoying)

Hell no Ron,

Your very presence here means that you have an interest to get the best from the bean, ultimately, that is why we are all here. The equipment you use is secondary to that and so long as you can get the best out of what you have, thats the most important criterion.

In our favour, I do have to say that we have coached him into making better coffee and he probably makes the best coffee in the Penrith area. Its probably not to CoffeeSnobs standard, though. And it isnt to everybodys standard. A lot of his customers still complain because he doesnt put a big frothy head on the cappucinno - mjust a nice creamy foam.

He is, however, interested in trying the beans Im about to roast. Maybe we can move him to roast his own.

This alone goes to show that you have the blood of a true CoffeeSnob coursing through your veins, trying to get a commercial barista to improve what they produce is true CoffeeSnob behaviour.

The bean is always first.... equipment comes second. You are most welcome here Ron [smiley=thumbsup.gif]. All the best and Happy Brewing,

Mal.

[Javaphile]

Re: So why am I here?

The only reason the rest of the world calls us wankers is because theyre jealous of our coffee!! ;D ;D ;D

Java "Wankers R Us" phile

[stratford]

Re: So why am I here?

Welcome Ron!

Enjoy the coffee and the banter.....

[robusto]

Re: So why am I here?

Ron, the idea is to lift your abilities by learning from the many experiences of many other coffeesnobs  so you get the best potential out of (a) yourself and (b) your machine --irrespective of wht that may be.

Sure, there is always going to be some friendly rivalry and banter along the mine-is-bigger than yours schoolyard line, but thats part of the fun.

When I joined I had a $70 IQ machine bought from a Coles supermarket. My experiences in this forum enabled me to learn a lot more about coffee making, get more out of it, and even appreciate it more.  

Its not so much what youve got, but what you can make with it and of it.

[Monti]

Re: So why am I here?

Dont you go anywhere, Ron!  I need back-up.

Not many here have TB machines like us.  Most here are the snobs of CoffeeSnobs.  Most spend all their time waiting for their machines to warm for hours and be ready, then surf the machine and try to catch the right time for them to start brewing so that they dont burn their coffee.  All that is after the privilage of spending a fortune on equipment (and plumbing sometimes) that dont even have all the functions of our machines.   ;D

Dont worry, Ron.  Life is simple without a HX or a boiler machine.  

Have I told you about my new Sunbeam EM6900 TB machine? It is a ripper!   [smiley=cool.gif]

Ok, all you HX and boiler guys.  I am only kidding, of course.  I am just a cheeky one.  

I agree with what all the others said above too. [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[p38arover]

Re: So why am I here?

Thanks chaps.

Im used to getting a "roasting" on some of the 4WD fora I frequent because I drive Land/Range Rovers - so getting it here wont be any different.

My grinder is a DeLonghi KG100 - I was looking for something a bit better, e.g. a Solis Maestro Plus but the local agent for the Solis didnt reply to my email to advise if they were sold in Australia.

I found the KG100 was the same as the Solis Maestro/166 and it was available locally so I bought it. I didnt know the Rancilio Rocky wasnt that much more expensive than the KG100. Still the difference would have been frowned upon by the Minister for Finance.

Ive bought about 6kg of green beans and have done my first roasts - Im not happy with the results so I have lots to learn.

My wife thinks Ill be buying a new espresso machine before long so I will be interested in the reviews of the new Sunbeam TB beast. If the Estro Profimat didnt need plumbing Id consider one from Fresh_Coffee. Weve already installed a new kitchen so its too late to add more plumbing

Ron