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  • First Coffee Machine

    Hi

    I was thinking of buying a coffee machine this weekend in the 300-500 price range.

    Initially I was looking at the Breville Ikon BES400, but there doesnt seem to be any good deals with that product at the moment, and Harvey Norman (who is having a 3-day coffee machine sale this weekend) seems to think that it is discontinued.

    Does anyone have any suggestions for a coffee machine in this price range, especially ones from HN?

    Cheers.

  • #2
    Re: First Coffee Machine

    Hi Sutinati, dont rush in and buy a machine until you do some research, ideally you need a grinder (Sunbeam EM450) to go with a machine so that you can grind fresh beans as you need them. Read some of the posts in this section on people looking for new machines.
    Welcome to coffeesnobs!

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: First Coffee Machine

      Hi Greenman,

      I have been doing a fair bit of research lately and i know that most people recommend a grinder to grind your own beans.

      I called HN and the "coffee" guy there recommended the 800ES with a cheap breville grinder for $399. The Grinder is the CG2B.

      Will the cheap grinder make that much of a difference for someone like me who has not owned a coffee machine in the past?

      Cheers.

      P.s. I was planning to either do the mod or get a non pressurized basket for both the breville models.

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: First Coffee Machine

        Originally posted by 292F2E33343B2E335A0 link=1241165108/2#2 date=1241169299
        Hi Greenman,

        I have been doing a fair bit of research lately and i know that most people recommend a grinder to grind your own beans.

        I called HN and the "coffee" guy there recommended the 800ES with a cheap breville grinder for $399. The Grinder is the CG2B.

        Will the cheap grinder make that much of a difference for someone like me who has not owned a coffee machine in the past?

        Cheers.

        P.s. I was planning to either do the mod or get a non pressurized basket for both the breville models.
        On behalf of many others here...  

        A cheep grinder will make life a misery...   Regardless of the machine you have..

        A great grinder will mean you have a better chance of getting good coffee from a crap machine..

        Hardly Normal is like Evilbay ... They have a roll but it is not COFFEE, it is about offloading appliances..   In general most appliances work and work well.

        Coffee machines are not appliances..  They are one a couple of TOOLS, you need to make coffee..

        GRINDER and Fresh Beans (Not GJ or CC etc) = Good Coffee


        Comment


        • #5
          Re: First Coffee Machine

          Originally posted by 3731302D2A25302D440 link=1241165108/2#2 date=1241169299
          Will the cheap grinder make that much of a difference for someone like me who has not owned a coffee machine in the past?
          I went straight to a very good machine and grinder and wondered if Id missed out in something by not starting with a cheap machine and grinder.

          So I asked a fellow coffee snob who has a similar setup to mine that did it the long way.

          His answer was that all Id missed out on was a lot of bad coffee and wasted money along the way.

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: First Coffee Machine

            Originally posted by 383E3F22252A3F224B0 link=1241165108/2#2 date=1241169299
            P.s. I was planning to either do the mod or get a non pressurized basket for both the breville models.
            Hi Sutinati,

            If you’re planning to buy this set and mod it anyway, and you are in Sydney, I can sell you my 6 months old 800ES with the BarAroma Grinder (BCG450) for $300. (still got box and manuals).

            The set is pretty much like new as I only use it few times a week.  But as you know already, the Breville is not the best setup for a great shot of coffee.   I’m not too impress!, but I don’t want to mod the grinder and buy new basket – incase it doesn’t work out. Rofl.  I am looking to get the 2009 silvia + rocky grinder instead -upgradeitis.

            Need to spend my $900 stimulus money…… hehehe.

            So please PM me if you’re interested.

            Cheers.

            BTW: Hi to all the CS members + Sponsors….. very helpful info here. Thanks.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: First Coffee Machine

              Originally posted by 4640415C5B54415C350 link=1241165108/2#2 date=1241169299
              Will the cheap grinder make that much of a difference for someone like me who has not owned a coffee machine in the past?
              I read somewhere that you should consider the coffee machine as an accessory for the grinder, meaning that some would attach more importance to the grinder than to the machine itself.   8-)

              Also, if you plan to use non-pressurized baskets, you may be in for a nasty surprise if you find that the cheap grinder wont grind fine enough to get the proper extraction. I have a friend with a Breville burr grinder (cant remember the model), and even at the finest setting on Turkish mode, it wouldnt grind fine enough. :-/

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: First Coffee Machine

                Originally posted by 537C7577605F737C7375777F777C66120 link=1241165108/3#3 date=1241170638
                A great grinder will mean you have a better chance of getting good coffee from a crap machine..
                Originally posted by 467A677C767760757D76120 link=1241165108/4#4 date=1241174589
                I went straight to a very good machine and grinder and wondered if Id missed out in something by not starting with a cheap machine and grinder.

                So I asked a fellow coffee snob who has a similar setup to mine that did it the long way.

                His answer was that all Id missed out on was a lot of bad coffee and wasted money along the way
                Welcome Sutinati. great advice quoted here.

                Enjoy the ride.

                CB

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: First Coffee Machine

                  Originally posted by 4874697278796E7B73781C0 link=1241165108/4#4 date=1241174589
                  I went straight to a very good machine and grinder and wondered if Id missed out in something by not starting with a cheap machine and grinder.
                  I had the same path as TG
                  I hopped skipped and jumped over some of my first equipment choices & finally settled on my current set up

                  Originally posted by 4874697278796E7B73781C0 link=1241165108/4#4 date=1241174589
                  His answer was that all Id missed out on was a lot of bad coffee and wasted money along the way
                  Yes I have had the best coffee experience from day one
                  So I cant complain as the extra money IMO was well spent

                  KK

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: First Coffee Machine

                    Originally posted by 547079797A7A4054706C72701F0 link=1241165108/8#8 date=1241227003
                    I have had the best coffee experience from day one
                    Ditto.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: First Coffee Machine

                      Hi Sutinati,

                      If you are keen on the Ikon BES 400, try one of the Breville factory Shops if convenient, you can ring them theyre probably open sundays.
                      Know what you want first though, coffee machine advice may not be their strong suit. The Breville Shops 427 Smith St. Fitzroy Vic. 3065 ph.03 9543 8199 have several Ikon BES 400s for $159 ( a seconds or refurb I suppose) and and a reasonable conical bur grinder for $79.
                      There is also another Breville factory Shop in Melb, 2 in Sydney and 1 in Brisbane.
                      Sunbeam also have factory shops.

                      Lindsay

                      Cherish the journey

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: First Coffee Machine

                        Originally posted by 35203B343421263720520 link=1241165108/6#6 date=1241195823
                        I have a friend with a Breville burr grinder (cant remember the model), and even at the finest setting on Turkish mode, it wouldnt grind fine enough.    
                        Hi Griffster

                        I think that must be the same grinder I have (mine also has a turkish setting).

                        Did your friends grinder look like the one pictured here? If so, what machine were you brewing on?

                        Squirrel

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