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  • Time to seriously upgrade

    Hi Folks,

    I used to purchase subsidised cappuccinos while in employment in Melbourne. I then moved to the mid north coast NSW and found the prices too high. So I started grinding Peak coffee beans (after sampling everything they had with my daughter, as my quality control, since she was taught by an experienced and passionate barista in her final year of high school) and using a plunger. Somewhere along the line my wonderful wife acquired a DeLonghi Perfecta very cheap and so the new process has been to use this machine for my cappuccinos ever since.

    However, even with my daughters fine adjustments, the cappuccinos just are not good, better than many I purchase here mind you!, but after a year of trials - not good enough; the milk is too frothy and they are never hot enough. Therefore, I have decided it is time to get serious and make my two coffees a day (pre and post work) a rewarding experience, by buying a new machine.

    I am, setting a budget to upgrade to a new machine, with a range of $1500-$3000. Upon chatting, one of the helpful people at Peak coffee (a couple of years ago) recommend to me the 'Giotto Premium Plus' as a great home unit. Watching the videos on the How to Make Coffee - Coffee Machine Steam Grinders Makers Commercial Domestic Italian Automatic website, it looks to add some fun into the ritual and one heck of a lot simpler to keep clean.

    Can anybody suggest where I might purchase one of these and have anything else worth mentioning? I don't mind buying online if warranties and service are good and of a reputable company. I am in no hurry and may not purchase for another couple of months while saving a few more dollars, but I do want to start the search now, before work becomes intense early in the year and I have no time or energy.

    Cheers, Colin

  • #2
    Hi Colin

    Sounds like you have suffered from incurable ailment of upgraditis, congratulations!

    Do get pricing from site sponsors, many offers special deals for coffeesnobs you will also be pleased with the service you are getting, well that is my experience so far anyway and yet to be proven wrong

    Good luck

    Comment


    • #3
      Morning Colin, welcome to Coffee Snobs.

      If you complete the quote form at the bottom of the home page CoffeeSnobs Site Sponsors Quote I'm sure you will get a lot of good advice/offers from the sponsors, you should get something decent with the budget you mention.

      Once the offers are in you can discuss your potential purchase back here, good luck.

      Comment


      • #4
        Hi Colin and welcome to CS!

        Your coffee world is about to go ballistic!! Most of us suffer from upgraditis some of the time,
        or all of the time ;-D.

        There are plenty of great machines in your price bracket, so you will be spoilt for choice.
        A quick read around of some upgrade/ 1st machine threads on CS will indicate the importance of a quality grinder, factor this in to your budget as well.

        I look forward to hearing about your outcomes!

        Ask questions, enjoy the ride!

        Comment


        • #5
          Just confirming/ echoing the comments above...

          I notice you didn't mention your grinder of choice...

          Don't underestimate the importance of a good grinder. It is a make or break part of the equation.... If you're not grinding your beans on demand (with a good grinder) for your coffee machine, you are losing the best part of the coffee to stale grinds...

          You need fresh roasted beans (BeanBay, on here, is a great place to start)
          You need a good grinder, there are many threads on here to keep you busy researching that choice, the vendors can assist with specs, etc
          You need your coffee machine of choice...
          A few accessories, like a tamper, milk thermometer, milk jug... Etc

          And lots of good practice, which you'll find lots of help with on here...

          Enjoy! I promise, once you start, you'll never look back....

          Be warned though it becomes a very enjoyable and addictive hobby, in more ways than one....

          Comment


          • #6
            Hi Folks, thanks for the enthusiastic responses. I am obviously on the right site

            Well it looks like my Breville BCG300 spice grinder is... well a spice grinder from now on. I used to use it to prepare my plunger coffee each time. However, a little research identifies that the correct type of grinder is most likely either a conical style or a flat-burr type. Can anyone tell me please whether there is much difference in cost, a preference between these grinder types?

            OK, it also looks like I'll need to make a list if items for consideration. Aside from the two expensive items: Espresso Machine and Grinder, what Accessories am I likely to need consider, in addition to those already mentioned: tamper, milk thermometer, milk jug, ...?

            I will continue to purchase my favorite roasted beans in small allotments to ensure they are reasonable fresh. It will be interesting whether a real machine opens up other flavours and I go back to trying different brands of beans again. It seems there is much to this hobby as for wines, etc.

            Comment


            • #7
              It's always hard to separate "need" and "want"--but here is my version.

              Need--good grinder Compak, Mazzer, Macap, ...
              --decent machine--many to choose from and less important than the grinder
              --a tamper--plastic will do if it's a good fit
              Want--everything else.

              Suggestion--go to a good shop and look/try. Looks and ergonomics are very individual choices once you get into the right area for your desired spend.

              Greg

              Comment


              • #8
                Heh Colin,
                I'm also in port and have enjoyed many a great brew from the peak guys (and gals). I too have learnt an enormous amount from Ainslee in particular about preparing and making a good coffee - he's also very generous with advice with roasting too.... Which I've also got totally hooked on.... Another story

                I'd completely agree with those who suggest the grinder is the 1st step. Learning the nuances of those things is paramount, especially when dealing with beans of varying freshness. The best machine in the universe is only as good as it's grinder and the person driving it. I've come to realise (trial and error) that most of my average shots are the result of the wrong grinder setting and inconsistent dose/tamp - not the machine.

                Obviously the beans you use are huge factor, but you're in good hands with the great SO's from peak.

                Did you see the Giotto machine and grinder package they had for sale at peak? (It's sold now). See if they are getting more in maybe? I bought a VBM junior and Anfim best grinder from a place in Sydney, and whilst the service and delivery was great, I do wish I had access to support and advice pre and post purchase.

                Even if you ended up paying slightly over the odds for a machine in port, in my humble opinion it would be worth it to get taught how to fly the things properly.
                Being shown/demonstrated the grinding, brewing process and able to ask important stupid questions will be invaluable. Whilst I'm really happy with my equipment and coffees, I'm certain I'm not getting the most out if it. I'd love to have had someone show me the ropes....

                If you were able to get one through peak... You'd be in good hands in regards to support. I personally don't know of anywhere else in port that has or sells high end domestic machines?

                Good luck anyway..... Be great to hear what you come up with.

                Cheers,
                Link

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by cweber View Post
                  Hi Folks, thanks for the enthusiastic responses. I am obviously on the right site

                  Well it looks like my Breville BCG300 spice grinder is... well a spice grinder from now on. I used to use it to prepare my plunger coffee each time. However, a little research identifies that the correct type of grinder is most likely either a conical style or a flat-burr type. Can anyone tell me please whether there is much difference in cost, a preference between these grinder types?

                  OK, it also looks like I'll need to make a list if items for consideration. Aside from the two expensive items: Espresso Machine and Grinder, what Accessories am I likely to need consider, in addition to those already mentioned: tamper, milk thermometer, milk jug, ...?

                  I will continue to purchase my favorite roasted beans in small allotments to ensure they are reasonable fresh. It will be interesting whether a real machine opens up other flavours and I go back to trying different brands of beans again. It seems there is much to this hobby as for wines, etc.
                  Hi Colin

                  As stated above, the grinder is way more important than the machine. I would get a Mahlkonig Vario gen2 (Baratza in the US if you want to see a few reviews: around $650 / $700 in Oz) and then go for whatever machine takes your heart. The only major machine "gotcha" worth noting: Single boiler machines will not froth & do the espresso at the same time. If you aspire to your own latte art, they are "off the list".

                  FWIW, I recommended this setup for a friend on a similar budget a few months back:

                  Vario : $675 (they shopped around in bricks & mortar)
                  Pullman 316 / Premium Tamper matched to a full set of VST ridgeless baskets from things coffee (site sponsor w outstanding service). Getting them matched will save you a lot of long term grief. Around $400.

                  Then I sent them off to check a few machines ranging from the Sunbeam 7000 & Breville 920 to the Exobars and the (way over budget) LM GS3. You need to figure out your own trade off between ease of use, size on bench, wiring / plumbing needs, performance and cost (and perhaps even styling, if that is your thing). Basically, any of those will do the job for a while, whilst the circa $3,500 GS3 will be difficult to upgrade until a few new ideas come through the pipeline.

                  Hope this helps


                  TampIt

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Well this has been quite educational. I never would have guessed to start off with the grinder and then look at machines!

                    I better do some homework this week...

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by daledugahole View Post
                      I bought a VBM junior and Anfim best grinder from a place in Sydney, and whilst the service and delivery was great, I do wish I had access to support and advice pre and post purchase.
                      I have purchased most of my coffee gear through CS sponsors whilst living in regional NSW. I can honestly say I have never felt an absence of support and advice before or after purchase. For example, recently I consulted Talk Coffee on a matter related to the Giotto which he supplied me with back in 2009. The reply was immediate, pertinent to the issues raised, and offered graciously and helpfully. The machine is now well out of warranty, but the service and support remains excellent. I hope and expect that other CS sponsors would act similarly. Now that I live in Brisbane where CS sponsors seem as rare as hen's teeth, but espresso machine suppliers are readily accessible, I would have no hesitation purchasing from a sponsor online. Honestly I can't imagine better service.

                      Best wishes, Russell

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        G'day Colin...

                        And welcome to CoffeeSnobs - The best coffee enthusiasts site in Oz...

                        You will get all sorts of recommendations for equipment from individuals who love the equipment that they personally own, and of course, that's fair enough.

                        Best thing though, is to visit a specialist coffee hardware retailer (like the one in your own area, mentioned above) or contact one or more of our very own Site Sponsors. As a CoffeeSnob, they will look after you particularly well. If you get the right gear at the start, the feared and dreaded slippery slope of Upgradeitis won't be likely to strike for many, many years...

                        Enjoy the journey, it's a lot of fun...

                        Mal.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Hi Guys,

                          My wife doesn't drink coffee but supports me on my endeavours if I've done my homework, so I'm taking all this on board. Actually it's our 25th anniversary this year so this is likely my pressie, not that we need excuses as we get older

                          It was great to find another local (Link) on here, and yes the guys at Peak are great to deal with; I just didn't think to consult them on machines so will look into that.

                          Cheers, Colin

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Hi Colin,

                            The coffee machine can steam milk for hot choc as well to keep your better half happy, then start introducing her to mocha, then latte then cappa and then macchiato and then espresso and then there will be two coffee drinkers at your household

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              You be surprised after making better coffee you might be able to convert your wife.
                              My GF always hated coffee before as she always associated instant coffee as " coffee ". Now she wants her daily fix each morning

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