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Hmmm... what to buy for newbie

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  • Thundergod
    replied
    Re: Hmmm... what to buy for newbie

    Nope.
    I was just being lazy.

    The Expobar more than easily coped with 6 orders for milk coffees at once.
    I relegated the bottomless PF to the background and pulled out the double spouted one.
    I also dug out the 600ml jug.

    Then it was just the usual routine with the double basket, Macap and Pullman tamper.
    The first pour was a lovely colour and evenly ran to both cups.
    The second was the same.
    Unfortunately the third was a little uneven so there may have been some channelling.
    However the last order was the one that included the flat white so the shot with the better crema got a reasonable rosetta on it and the other was buried in capp foam and chocolate.

    This batch of Kimel was only roasted on the 21st but from yesterday I started to notice that it had developed nicely. Usually day 7 onwards is its best but this ones been good from day 5.

    I received (as usual) compliments from all.

    Leave a comment:


  • 30x30
    replied
    Re: Hmmm... what to buy for newbie

    Time for an upgrade... LOL

    Leave a comment:


  • Thundergod
    replied
    Re: Hmmm... what to buy for newbie

    Hmm!
    Had everyone over tonight for Easter and a cake for my daughters birthday.

    Only had to do 5 capps and a flat white but did catch myself thinking 2 groups would be good right about now.

    Leave a comment:


  • 30x30
    replied
    Re: Hmmm... what to buy for newbie

    Originally posted by azadean link=1208867805/0#8 date=1209017808

    Excuse my ignorance but what do you mean by "entry level HX territory"?
    HX = Heat Exchange

    Consumer grade (home espresso machines) generally use a single chamber for heating water to brewing temperature, as well as boiling water for steaming your milk. Now, because the ideal temperature for brewing espresso is less than required temperature for steaming, a home consumer grade machine requires time to changeover between brew/steam. So you can only extract or steam one at a time.

    Prosumer or semi-commercial grade are higher-end machines and typically use a boiler chamber only for making steam. Water for brewing passes through a "heat exchanger" which allows heat to be taken from the steam but still maintaining a lower temperature than that required for steaming. HX machines thus allow you to extract and steam at the same time.

    Then you get into commercial-grades but that gets beyond the $3000 mark... and unless you are an extreme enthusiast and passionate about your brew, would usually find these types of machines in cafes. Most CSers would love to have one of these, present company included.

    Leave a comment:


  • -Alchemist-
    replied
    Re: Hmmm... what to buy for newbie

    Hey Aaron - welcome to CoffeeSnobs!

    Sheesh - this time last week, were sampling ristrettos and flat-whites... a couple of days later, youre posting on Coffee Snobs figuring you might be prone to upgraditis...
    Might be???  Sorry Mate, I think youve got it already   ;D  

    I know it might be a pain to wait, but by doubling your budget (maybe plus a smidgen more?) you can get yourself something with an E61 Group-head (with a reasonable boiler capacity) and if you buy as a package, you may be able to get a very capable grinder like a Mazzer Mini thrown in too.  Both will be of heir-loom quality from a longevity perspective

    If you must compromise in the interim, I definitely concur with TG and others above, get the best possible grinder you can first.  This will ensure the best possible quality of coffee given whatever your machine choice.

    Cheers,

    -Alchemist-

    Leave a comment:


  • GregWormald
    replied
    Re: Hmmm... what to buy for newbie

    Hi Aza,
    I cant talk about anything above the VBM Levetta--cause thats what I have now.
    It makes great espresso as fast as you can fill the portafilter, and the E-61 brew head is a joy to use.
    I tested steaming by doing water the other day (I generally only make 1 or 2 milk drinks at once, and these are short ones--max 100ml glasses <--) and it steamed a lot of water to 65 C very quickly. While you cant steam and pull coffee at the same time, by the time youve got the milk jug to the machine, its hot enough to steam--say 15-30 seconds--not a long wait!
    Id be looking at an HX machine only if I was doing more than 4-6 milk drinks at once and doing that often.
    Greg

    Leave a comment:


  • azadean
    replied
    Re: Hmmm... what to buy for newbie

    Hi Greg

    Excuse my ignorance but what do you mean by "entry level HX territory"?

    I would like to know what people thought of the cost vs functionality between the Silvia and Levetta. Greg has already mentioned the increased boiler size but are there any other added benefits?

    I will also look at the Expobar but I think that it is getting towards the too high end of my budget.

    Aza

    Leave a comment:


  • gregpullman
    replied
    Re: Hmmm... what to buy for newbie

    Originally posted by azadean link=1208867805/0#5 date=1208956448
    Well a whole lot of reading and the choice is getting harder and harder.

    Firstly thanks to those who have replied so far. I think that I am setting my sites a little low for my taste. I know that I will suffer from the upgraditis, especiallly because my friends have such good machines that make great coffee. The Sunbeam EM6910 although a good starters machine concerns me in with its potential to only last a few years. I dont like the idea of buying a machine for around $600 bucks when I can spend a little more and get a machine that will last a lifetime.

    So with that in mind I am considering waiting and saving for a Vibiemme Domobar Levetta. If anyone can fill me in with a rough cost that would be appreciated. I suppose that means a better grinder too. I dont think that I will regret it. The wait may drive me crazy but hey no pain no gain....

    Oh well of for a visit to my inlaws.
    Aza,

    If you think you may be susceptible to upgraditis then definitely worth the wait, as TG said you can maybe get the grinder first and use a plunger in the meantime. The Levetta is around the $1200 mark and is a step up from the Silvia; however be aware that, like the Silvia, its a single boiler machine so youll have to wait for steam once youve finished brewing. One benefit for your situation over the Silvia is that the Levettas boiler is over twice the size of the Silvias so youll have much greater steam capacity which should make four milk drinks in one session easier to make (dont quote me, perhaps a Levetta owner can comment on how far one boiler of steam will go). Otherwise you can do what TG did and head down the Expobar path which is entry level HX territory - you then get the flexibility of the 6910 with the build quality of, well, an Expobar which are certainly well in front of the Sunbeam.

    Leave a comment:


  • Thundergod
    replied
    Re: Hmmm... what to buy for newbie

    I had the same opinion Aaron and was fortunate enough to be able to avoid upgradeitis by starting out with my Expobar and Macap grinder.

    They should both last my lifetime and my kids have an eye on them after that.

    If it helps ease the pain at all you could start with a very good grinder and a plunger.
    That will let you have good coffee from freshly ground beans.

    Then when you can afford the machine youll already have a grinder to match it.

    In order of importance (IMHO):
    * Fresh beans
    * Grinder
    * Machine
    * Barista.

    Leave a comment:


  • azadean
    replied
    Re: Hmmm... what to buy for newbie

    Well  a whole lot of reading and the choice is getting harder and harder.

    Firstly thanks to those who have replied so far. I think that I am setting my sites a little low for my taste. I know that I will suffer from the upgraditis, especiallly because my friends have such good machines that make great coffee. The Sunbeam EM6910 although a good starters machine concerns me in with its potential to only last a few years. I dont like the idea of buying a machine for around $600 bucks when I can spend a little more and get a machine that will last a lifetime.

    So with that in mind I am considering waiting and saving for a Vibiemme Domobar Levetta. If anyone can fill me in with a rough cost that would be appreciated. I suppose that means a better grinder too. I dont think that I will regret it. The wait may drive me crazy but hey no pain no gain....

    Oh well of for a visit to my inlaws.

    Leave a comment:


  • greenman
    replied
    Re: Hmmm... what to buy for newbie

    Welcome Aaron youve received good advice above and I agree that the Sunbeam will give you good espresso and churn out the milk drinks, I almost bought one of these but opted for Silvia because of its build quality and reputation, my espresso has improved out of sight since purchasing Silvia, two milk based drinks is a breeze, 4 is manageable with a good routine but if you want to do more than that you will have to look at other options...............good luck with your research and purchase.

    Leave a comment:


  • GregJW
    replied
    Re: Hmmm... what to buy for newbie

    Welcome Aaron,

    Its fun shopping for new toys. Sounds like youve had a head start, picked up a bit of knowledge already with the grinder requirement. Like Greg said, the EM6910 is a versatile unit in your price range, with good features (including the ability to steam at same time as brewing), although many dont like the Made in China quality and potential problems / lifespan. Sold by department stores.

    A solid single boiler machine like Silvia (high $700s new) is a good unit for 1-4 coffees at a time (more than that its a chore) - generally few problems, makes a very good cuppa and should last. Sold by some sponsors over on the left (with the advantage of good back-up).

    I bought a Lelit Combi (similar single boiler machine to Silvia but less solid, with Lux grinder built in) - about similar price to Silvia. (Use the rest of your budget for a good tamper, milk jugs, knock box, etc, as well as getting into a home roasting set-up. Hmm..sorry, off topic -one thing at a time :). Not sold by sponsors as far as Im aware.

    Stick around here for a while though and upgradeitis will eventually grab you. It hasnt caught me yet, but its chasing hard. ;D

    Enjoy the ride.



    Leave a comment:


  • 30x30
    replied
    Re: Hmmm... what to buy for newbie

    For that price range and budget, you cant go past the the Sunbeam EM6910 or Rancilio Silvia. Both great machines that will pull a decent shot and are favorites with fellow CSers.

    Getting a good grinder is key. You can still make great coffee with an exceptional grinder and home espresso machines.

    I have an Iberital Challenge which I started with, and have just recently decided to upgrade to a Mazzer Super Jolly. The Iberital works a treat as a conical burr grinder and it is also stepless. Check out the reviews and product info at the Expobar Australia website. There are other good grinders out there too, so shop around or at least have a read of the grinder reviews in the CS website.

    Ill be getting my Mazzer soon so might be putting up my Iberital for sale on the CS website so keep a look-out

    Good luck.

    Leave a comment:


  • gregpullman
    replied
    Re: Hmmm... what to buy for newbie

    Welcome azaden!

    The first combo that jumps out at me is the Sunbeam EM6910 and the Iberital Challenge. The EM will handle several rounds of milk far quicker than any single boiler machine and the Challenge will keep up, while giving you the stepless adjustment you miss out on in the Sunbeam range of grinders. The downside to the EM is that it probably wont last as long as something like a Silvia but while its going itll be quicker for larger crowds. If that sort of capability is a must then the next step up is around the $1500 mark just for the machine (Expobar Office); the results would be more than worth it IMHO but if the budget wont go that far then the EM will get you off to a reasonable start.

    Otherwise if youre prepared to spend a bit more time on the milk when you get busy (and only you know how often you have crowds and of what size) then youll get a few single boiler options such as the Rancilio Silvia and, if you can stretch the budget over the $1k on the machine, the Vibiemme Domobar Levetta. Of course even within your original spec you may like to push for another couple of hundred to get you into Rancilio Rocky / second-hand Mazzer Mini territory - youll be well in front of the Challenge particularly with the latter option.

    Good luck!
    Greg

    Leave a comment:


  • azadean
    started a topic Hmmm... what to buy for newbie

    Hmmm... what to buy for newbie

    Hello all

    I am a newbie coffee drinker as well as a newbie coffee maker. 12 months ago I would have turned my nose up to even the best coffee (especially because of  my ignorance).  :-[ But slowly the table has turned and now I would like to get into what is hopefully going to be a great hobby.

    But like most newbies I am still getting my head around this complex procedure that is coffee making. (Who would have guessed?) Seriously though, I have a budjet of around $1000.00 (negotiable if I am willing to wait and work harder to pay for it) and would like some advice on a machine and grinder.

    I have been doing some homework and have a few ideas but would like my fellow CS members opinion. I will probably be using the machine for a few cups of coffee a day for me and my wife, but would also like to be able to knock out a few more when entertaining guests without spending all night in the kitchen.

    I can see that I will need to spend about $300.00 plus on a grinder so that leaves the remainder for a machine. All the extras I will cover separately.

    So there you go my first post and look forward to your comments.

    Aaron


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