Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

My setup three months on.

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

  • My setup three months on.

    Hi all.

    I bought this setup a few months ago thanks to advice offered here at Coffee Snobs. I just want to say that it has been perfect!! Ive pulled literally hundreds of coffees.

    Imat Mokita Jnr, Sunbeam grinder EM0480, Pullman tamp, Grindenstein knockbox.

    - I know the knockbox looks small but surprisingly its perfect. I can knock coffee out of the grouphead with the hardest of tamps with ease... no need to get a larger one. Very happy with it, 10 times better than banging on the sink and it prevents those ugly brown grains from going everywhere!

    - As for the Mokita. Sensational! However remember to remove the "crema enhancer" ring from the grouphead and the "froth enhancer" from the steamwand. Get a Pullman tamp because the one on the machine is almost entirely useless. I cant stress how crucial getting a good tamp is, I was skeptical when I started.

    - Sunbeam grinder. WOW, so cheap but its performance has been nothing but exceptional. I hope they win the Australian Design Award for this one. For a long time I puzzled over what the rubber mat was used for but after a lot of experience I found myself tapping the grouphead on it to settle the coffee in. In fact this saves a lot of tamping. Grind a little... tap on the rubber... grind some more... tap again. Then tamp lighter than normal. Perfect crema every time.

    - I would also like to add that when I started I thought I could get away with buying pre-ground coffee from Gloria Jeans. In fact I was at a loss as to why anyone would get a grinder. Well there is a very good reason, each coffee machine requires a different grind and the only way to find that grind is through a little experimentation. Now if you go to GJ or other outlets, the grinds will differ every time and usually theyre too coarse. You can still have an OK coffee but there will be very little crema and itll be weak. So *get a grinder*, the Sunbeam is perfect, the only cheap grinder you should buy.

    - Oh yeah and one more thing.. I know Im probably echoing others here when I say to the newbs, make sure the coffee is fresh. Store it in an airtight container always. Only put a little bit of coffee in the grinder at a time as you need it. If youve had roasted beans sitting on the shelf for over two weeks then its probably time to throw them out.

    - And one more thing, ignore the jibes of the instant-coffee crowd The longer you have had your setup the more you will appreciate it.


  • #2
    Re: My setup three months on.

    Spoken like a true Snob BennyB [smiley=tekst-toppie.gif],

    Mal.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: My setup three months on.

      Hey guys!

      An update on my Mokita/Sunbeam combo:  Still going strong 3+ years down the track, around 2-3 double lattes every day!!   [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

      The only thing Ive replaced is the group-head seal and the knock-box (that little thing was filling up too fast!).  The power-switch burned out but it was easy to hot-wire to be permanently on, but I could get a new switch from Dick Smith anyway (if I needed one).

      The Sunbeam grinder has been flawless;  Other than the occasional inconsistent grind which will waste maybe 2-3 shots after each clean.  Im now fully roasting with the bread maker/heat gun combo.

      Ill try to get an "after" pic of the setup.

      Ben

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: My setup three months on.

        Originally posted by 6D6A6161766D0F0 link=1144225478/0#0 date=1144225472
        I know the knockbox looks small but surprisingly its perfect.I can knock coffee out of the grouphead with the hardest of tamps with ease... no need to get a larger one.Very happy with it, 10 times better than banging on the sink and it prevents those ugly brown grains from going everywhere!
        what happened to this?^^^

        still tamping twice?

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: My setup three months on.

          Welcome back. Perhaps you should have changed the subject to "My setup three years on."

          A great testimony to the concept that you dont have to spend a fortune to enjoy good coffee. Im sure others would agree.

          What new kncokbox did you get? Ive persisted with my Grindenstein but have weighed the fact that I dont have to travel far to empty it (in the garden or compost bin) against cutting the bottom off and extending it with a piece of stormwater pipe.

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: My setup three months on.

            Azz, the Grindenstein works just fine, but only holds around 5 pucks.   I got over having to empty the damn thing every second day, so ended up getting a deeper one.  If youre making a few coffees a day, better to get a bigger one from the get-go IMO.  It has a more solid feel too, less movement on the bench-top; And less spray over the wall.

            Flynn, I cant edit the original post for some reason;  Would love to change the subject though.  The new knockbox is this one from Compact Designs.

            As far as starter setups go, its been awesome;  Heck, the whole thing could last another three years!  I now buy in bulk too, green beans only, about $100 per order.

            Ben

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: My setup three months on.

              Thats the knockbox I started with; its been great.

              I hear you can squeeze up to 7 pucks into the Grindenstein.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: My setup three "years" on.

                Originally posted by 7F787373647F1D0 link=1144225478/5#5 date=1248509763
                Would love to change the subject though.
                You can change it on the reply subject as above. Doesnt matter really.

                Originally posted by 4975687379786F7A72791D0 link=1144225478/6#6 date=1248517954
                I hear you can squeeze up to 7 pucks into the Grindenstein.
                I havent counted but yes, I think you could and you can also crumble up some of the older ones.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: My setup three months on.

                  Nice set up benny!!
                  yeah the Grindstein is small but i have a rubbish bin in my kitchen and also a garden... sorry for my sarcasim

                  dishwasher safe, compact to hide away and almost indestructable.... works for me.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: My setup three months on.

                    Goes to show you dont need to spend a mosta to produce quality espresso.

                    Just dont tell my wife that :

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: My setup three months on.

                      Originally posted by 0A0B01120C0913600 link=1144225478/9#9 date=1250600866
                      Goes to show you dont need to spend a mosta to produce quality espresso.

                      Just dont tell my wife that  :
                      So ya home address is ??

                      I hear that for a small fee, some will print out ya posts and send them by snail mail to the other half

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: My setup three months on.

                        Originally posted by 705F5654437C505F5056545C545F45310 link=1144225478/10#10 date=1250601050
                        Originally posted by 0A0B01120C0913600 link=1144225478/9#9 date=1250600866
                        Goes to show you dont need to spend a mosta to produce quality espresso.

                        Just dont tell my wife that  :
                        So ya home address is ??

                        I hear that for a small fee, some will print out ya posts and send them by snail mail to other half  
                        > Now be nice, there may be a 6910 coming your way soon.
                        Ive actually done pretty well out of my buying & selling of coffee equipment so far (until the 6910 disaster). That particular episode would have cost me the equivalent of a trip to Brisbane.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: My setup three months on.

                          Originally posted by 47464C5F41445E2D0 link=1144225478/11#11 date=1250601473
                          Originally posted by 705F5654437C505F5056545C545F45310 link=1144225478/10#10 date=1250601050
                          Originally posted by 0A0B01120C0913600 link=1144225478/9#9 date=1250600866
                          Goes to show you dont need to spend a mosta to produce quality espresso.

                          Just dont tell my wife that  :
                          So ya home address is ??

                          I hear that for a small fee, some will print out ya posts and send them by snail mail to other half  
                          > Now be nice, there may be a 6910 coming your way soon.
                          Ive actually done pretty well out of my buying & selling of coffee equipment so far (until the 6910 disaster).  That particular episode would have cost me the equivalent of a trip to Brisbane.
                          Ya... I have never made money ... Always pass on the savings etc etc...

                          But I must admit I have had a few losses... Some my own and others... Safer not to say

                          Three wood lathes, untill I got teh one I wanted and each of the others I sold for 1/2 what I paid... Just to turn them over... And I had to tell teh new owners about the faults and why I was selling cheep..

                          That is life... And I am here caus I love it... Not to make $$$..

                          Not looking forward to Airport coffe at Brisbane or Townsville tomorrow :

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: My setup three months on.

                            Originally posted by 6B444D4F58674B444B4D4F474F445E2A0 link=1144225478/12#12 date=1250601810
                            Ya...  I have never made money ... Always pass on the savings etc etc...  

                            But I must admit I have had a few losses... Some my own and others...  Safer not to say  

                            Three wood lathes, untill I got teh one I wanted and each of the others I sold for 1/2 what I paid...  Just to turn them over... And I had to tell teh new owners about the faults and why I was selling cheep..

                            That is life... And I am here caus I love it... Not to make $$$..

                            Not looking forward to Airport coffe at Brisbane or Townsville tomorrow  :
                            Yeah Im not in it for money...any hobby or passion is going to cost you.  Coffee is a relatively cheap obsession compared to golf, sports cars, boating, etc.

                            I think I just find it difficult to resist a bargain and so tend to make a bit when I re-sell.  Want to be clear that Id never try to make a profit from a CS member (only ebay suckers)  ;D

                            I feel for you having to drink airport coffee.  No idea what Im going to find in the USA.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: My setup three months on.

                              Originally posted by 02050E0E1902600 link=1144225478/5#5 date=1248509763
                              I got over having to empty the damn thing every second day
                              Im emptying mine 2-3 times a day at the moment. Every second day......I dream of being allowed a knockbox where that is the case!

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X