Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Another budget machine thread!

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Bushtocup
    replied
    I had the BES 870 for my first machine. Was a great way to start out. So I'm going to give a thumbs up to the advice above. And maybe the 840 is an even better machine - I see it's about the same price without a grinder.

    But before you lock in your purchase, at least have a look at the Flair Espresso. About half the price, no running costs, takes little space on your benchtop (can be taken travelling), nothing to break or service, you already have the grinder and you don't need to texture the milk. I suppose you might not want to go manual... but then again, you bought a manual grinder.

    You ask for idiot proof... well I've been making better coffee and much more consistently. My wife wouldn't use the BES 870. But she makes a great coffee with the Flair.

    https://coffeesnobs.com.au/forum/equ...572#post836572 echoes my thoughts.

    Leave a comment:


  • sp0rk
    replied
    I highly recommend the BES840, I'm loving mine after a couple weeks using it now.
    Though I know I'll want to upgrade within the next year...
    I suggest if you are getting the Bambino, if it doesn't come with unpressurised baskets (like in the US) then allow for at least 2 weeks to receive anything from Breville.
    I ordered my 2 cup unpressurised basket and a cleaning tool last thursday night and it looks like it'll be getting sent tomorrow or monday (I just got an email from Auspost saying it's being prepared for sending)

    Leave a comment:


  • mattchili05
    replied
    Thanks so much for the advice everyone, really appreciate it!

    Leave a comment:


  • level3ninja
    replied
    The grinder should be ok. If you can get a BES840 you'll be set. The 810 is a plenty capable machine too. Make sure to get non-pressurised baskets with whatever you get, should be able to get them disarray if it doesn't come with it.

    Leave a comment:


  • Bushtocup
    replied
    Check out the Flair Espresso. There's a thread about it in this forum I'm a beginner but, with good beans, I can make coffee that's consistently better than most cafes. It's just about unbreakable. Idiot proof enough for me to manage. Ultra low maintenance. Your manual grinder will probably pair well with it though I have never come across it before. the base looks interesting. I might try to make something similar for my Aergrind... arthritic hands sometimes make the grinding a bit unpleasant.

    Leave a comment:


  • WarrenK
    replied
    You are unlikely to get a new Breville Barista Express Bes870 for less than $500. Based on six years experience it is capable of doing the job, but it is an appliance and can be expensive to fix, so consider extended warranty.

    Leave a comment:


  • mattchili05
    started a topic Another budget machine thread!

    Another budget machine thread!

    Hi all,
    Long time lurker, first time poster! I have myself a two soy latte per day habit and in an effort to save myself a few grand per year I recently purchased some coffee equipment, and might have been a little ambitious in what I could achieve. I purchased the infamous Anko K-Kmart machine (actually a Kogan clone but they look identical and i'm pretty sure they are re-badged globally for different department store chains), probably reading too many reviews from people who use the word 'expresso' instead of espresso, and also a Brazil Crushgrind manual burr grinder. The ratio varies wildly per shot even when I weigh in the same amount of beans and stop the timer at 23 seconds, anywhere from from 38g-50g (i've read 36g should be the double shot target for 18g espresso) - i'm thinking (feedback welcome!) the Kmart machine varies with temperature, plus the pressurised basket means its just going to always pull an inconsistent shot. I thought I was onto a winner by getting the manual burr grinder but if anyone thinks that's the weak link would love to hear some truth there too!
    Assuming the machine is the issue, i'm looking at the Breville BES810BSS the Duo-Temp Pro, Breville Bambino Plus, or if the grinder I have is absolutely no good then a Breville Barista Express.
    When it comes to the steaming wand, tbh I can get what I need from the el cheapo I currently have so i'm not too fussed about auto-frothing etc, I guess I just want a decent shot that's consistent and tastes good, and as idiot-proof as possible as i'm no expert. I'd prefer to stay away from second hand machines as I really don't know what i'm looking for in terms of cleaning/faults/issues etc that I might miss....
    Many thanks for any advice anyone could offer me within the restraints of what I suggested or any other ideas too!

    Thanks
Working...
X