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  • #16
    Ha - sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Chances are you probably can't get out of it now and get your money back, so just go and learn the basics.
    It will probably then be worth going to another quality course you can focus on learning higher level techniques as basic will have been covered.
    PMed.

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    • #17
      https://www.google.com.au/search?q=s...w=1546&bih=889

      You'll get the idea about a Scace from the above link.

      A correctly calibrated machine is essential but is only another piece to the puzzle.

      I don't know why people who 'teach' espresso making call a 2-3 hour class a 'course'.

      It's great that you're doing something but don't hang your hat on it! Take away from it the essentials.....

      how and when to adjust the grind, what constitutes a correctly pulled shot, how to manage the work station.

      And above all how to analyse and then correct when things go awry.

      Don't worry about 'latte art'; your coffees will have lids, so good temp and texture is all you need.

      I agree about grind on demand vs autofill doser but my preference for a g.o.d. grinder is personal.....

      a doser grinder without autofill can be managed.

      Have you spoken with your roaster yet? ;-)

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      • #18
        Bames,
        Granted. I'm up for another course. I have at least 8weeks before my truck is built.

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        • #19
          Chokidog
          Off to roaster tomorrow as my bean supply at home is down to 100g. We do about 1kg/wk in my household. 4 adults that drink multiple espressos per day. I do 6-8 daily.
          I will be posing the questions to my roaster as mentioned above. I hope he knows what I'm talking about.
          Last time I spoke with him, 2 weeks ago, he agreed to supply beans for me so he knows what my intentions are already.

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          • #20
            If you have two months......... purchase your machine and grinder, jury rig it at home and start making coffees,

            back to back, 1-2 kgs at a time. Become familiar with your equipment, establish an MO.

            Either that or do the same in the truck ...... before you unleash yourself on the general public.:-)

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            • #21
              Chokkidog
              Was intending to do a couple of weeks of dry runs at home and inviting friends to put pressure on us (operators) to serve in a timely and efficient way.
              Sourcing a quality machine that will do a great job is issue number one that I want to tackle within the next 10 days.
              This course that I'm at today runs from 1030-4pm. Machine operation and prep/serve coffee. I'm standing in front of a 95 pract-a machine (segafredo) as are my 2 sons.

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              • #22
                Hi Vincent, I run a coffee van as a weekend hobby, (yes i have caffeine issue i know) I strongly agree with Chokkidog recommendation on considering mainstream coffee machine which are easier to get parts and sell should you like to upgrade or change your mind.

                Coffee van operation (like any businesses i suppose) can be very financially rewarding but there are times it would be tough to make ends meet especially during hotter months which we are approaching fast so here are some of less attractive observations with running a coffee van when i got into it with my ignorance

                1. Very restrictive area of operations. All council or public properties (eg park, roadside, trains station, beaches car park) would require some sort of permits or DA

                2. Operating on private business premises are generally OK if the business gives its approval, be ready for a lot of rejection with cold calling, it got a bit too much and personal for me, why wouldn't people accept free coffee trial without any obligation? From then on I am a lot kinder to my telemarketing friends, still say no to most of them but I ask how they day has been and decline their offering in a polite way, it's a tough gig

                3. A very competitive business, there are always coffee van for sales in a popular auction site, perhaps it is an indication of some that tried and decided to leave. Some of the popular and well attended sporting events and markets are most likely to have a coffee supply arrangement in place

                Getting a preowned coffee van is a worthy consideration to reduce capital outlay exposure

                4. Seasonal business, especially if you generate most of your income from attending sporting events. Eg netball only runs till september. Hotter months are approaching which will impact on sales. If you get into the business now it would be at the tail end of peak season by the time you get established

                5. Have enough operating capital (aka spare cash) for up to 3-6 months while you try to establish your business. I must admit in my early days at times I wondered what have i got myself into.

                As a hobby i would be happy if I could cover cost but when I first started i couldn't even achieve that conservative financial target. Its disheartening to dump all those milk because I didnt sell as much as i thought I would. My worst day was 3 cups of coffee for 6 hour charity fund raising event

                6. An understanding partner is a must for moral support and someone to cheer us on when going gets really though. There would be times I didnt feel like running the coffee van as i feared another disappointing run would be too much to bear.

                Those observations are some of the less rosy sides of coffee van business. i hope my personal experience can give you some insight on the few challenges you may face along the way. Having said that I also met some really great bunch of personalities and make a decent coin to fund my coffee addiction and future upgradeitis ;D

                I hope it helps

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                • #23
                  Originally posted by Vincent68 View Post
                  Are there others?
                  Yep. Some of them focus less on the worthless piece of paper and more on the understanding. For example - Beginner Barista Course

                  Don't worry about the fact that it is called a "home" barista course, all the theory and practical carries over.

                  charlie

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                  • #24
                    Well, just finished this course today and didn't really gain anything 'new' other than the little SM machine I used today was a little workhorse (2006 model)? Semi auto and a great partner for the different cups I poured.
                    And...albeit a crappy robusta that I couldn't bring myself to put my lips on, every pull came out beautiful. Golden crema, perfumed, pleasing to the eye.

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                    • #25
                      Bazooka
                      Valuable insight. Thank you.
                      I am not going in blind. Fully aware that failure has to occur before success of some sort.
                      Unlike many others I am in a great position. I am on 18 months long service leave on full pay. I have no debts- everything is paid in full. Not even a credit card!
                      I have my 2 sons along for the venture as joint owners.
                      Essentially, I want to see if this could work and if it would be rewarding before I have to return to work in 2016.
                      It's now or never!
                      Business registered, website setup, food truck design underway, panini menu currently trialling daily.
                      I'm up to buying the commercial equipment now.
                      Panini press, salamander, coffee machine, grinder.
                      I'm staying positive- as are my 2 sons and the Mrs is so excited that she is now planning her OWN food truck concept!!!

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                      • #26
                        Good luck Vincent, hard work ahead of you but I'm jealous as hell. Hope it all works out.

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                        • #27
                          Good on you Vince! Jumping in the deep end takes guts but it makes you learn quick! Heaps for you to learn but I'm sure it will be one hell of an adventure! As you said it's now or never. Good luck man, if I'm ever in your neck of the woods I will order a panini and an espresso! What are you going to call it?

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                          • #28
                            Panino Espresso, website up. .com.au
                            No truck yet, just foundational work so far.
                            So now to hunt down a solid 2 head semi/auto machine in the $4-6k bracket that can run in a food truck with an 8kva Oman generator. So hopefully 15amp and below.
                            Suggestions most welcome. Esp if you have experience with the machine!

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                            • #29
                              All the best Vincent, running a mobile coffee business is one of the best decisions I have ever made, i am sure you will soon experience the same, enjoy the journey!!!!!

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                              • #30
                                If you call it a 2 ( 1, 3, 4 )....... Group machine you'll have more street cred and won't get sold a monster. ;-)

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