Decisions on new machine and grinder, a newbies experience.

[cheers272]

Well, i have been in the market a few weeks and wasted far to much time trying to learn the art and the extensive range of machines. i thought I new a little about coffee making and did well............now I'm finding myself loitering in a rich wonderful world of information thats going to take me years to catch up!
First, I wanted a quality, value and reliable set up. I wanted a machine to impress my clients and to delight myself.
A friend referred me to a Expobar Office Leva.
I currently use a sunbeam cafe series. Awesome value for money, reliable and a delight after owning several auto machines from Europe, the later also costing to much in repairs. I updated the grinder from a sunbeam cafe series to a Breville at the $250 mark. So it is conical etc. both still perform well and do about 20 kg a year through it.

So i took to the net! What a beautiful machine the Bezzera Domus Galatea is! the Expobar office leva and the Expobar Minore, the Rocket Giotto Plus V3 and the R58 V2.

As I make 20 to 30 double shots a week, I felt the R58 was over kill for my usage.

I settle on a few extra $ over the Leva to end with the double boiler Expobar Minore IV. I felt there was more accuracy and stable water temps for just a few $100 more. ill forget the difference in price quickly.

Now I see that its not just smashing beans but a fine art to grind them. I had no idea to adjust the grinder according to the beans? Beans are those brown things i tip in, and the sugar is kept in the jar. Right?
So this site covers Macap machines alot with quality and value. Thats what tickles me!
I wanted the flash one with a measuring hopper out the front but was convinced that this is old school. Heavens above, i ride a Harley from 1928 on weekends and drive my 1938 Holden/Chev Sloper when i can and anything in a motor vehicle that could be to modern world or have digital is immediately cast aside. For my collections are appreciating assets.

So old school sounds great to me, but then I was told that these are more high volume machines and my grind will go stale. Ok, so currently I grind my coffee at work to take home for the weekend. I hear that has to stop now.
So I was convinced that the Macap M4D was the go. I didn't spend time looking as this site doesn't have bad thoughts on them.

As you can see above, I have enjoyed my hours of research and had some education along the way. This machine will take me into retirement I am sure. Just 20 odd years to go. I will have lots to learn to service and maintain as I have not ever cleaned my current Breville grinder.
I do however always use clean and well filtered water through the dedicated upright drink dispensers. i have cleaned both my Sunbeam cafe series once in about 9 years and nothing came out, no green tinge, no calcification visible. So I continue to use great filtered water with no issues.

Have I missed something in my purchasing decisions, or would my selection be a top office/home combo. ( i did love the site of the Bezzera Domus Galatea)
My first post and i'm excited for my coffee future!

[flynnaus]

Welcome.
The best suggestion is to go along to a specialty shop that sells a good range of coffee equipment and discuss your needs with them. See the list of sponsors near the bottom of the page for example
Consider:
- budget. From what you have described, you will need at least $4K
- types and numbers of coffees made at a time
- ease of use - if it's in an office, you will need to train other users in the proper use and maintenance.
- plumbed-in or tank.

Be aware that a jump in coffee quality might (and does) result in a jump in consumption.

As for grinding for later use, you can get reasonable to good brews from pre-ground coffee but you will get the best coffee from freshly ground

[cheers272]

Thankyou Flynnaus

Welcome.
The best suggestion is to go along to a specialty shop that sells a good range of coffee equipment and discuss your needs with them. See the list of sponsors near the bottom of the page for example
Consider:
- budget. From what you have described, you will need at least $4K
- types and numbers of coffees made at a time
- ease of use - if it's in an office, you will need to train other users in the proper use and maintenance.
- plumbed-in or tank.

Be aware that a jump in coffee quality might (and does) result in a jump in consumption.

As for grinding for later use, you can get reasonable to good brews from pre-ground coffee but you will get the best coffee from freshly ground

Western Riverina unfortunately doesnt have speciality retail shops that I am aware of so with great internet research at the cost of my productive time (grrr) I purchased those items i mentioned.
I enjoy my coffee and cant buy it in the shops for a dislike $4 for a small cup and drink enough through the week. I was fortunate to get a deal @ 75% of the estimation and that helped make a decision knowing both items were great quality.
I expect i will go from 20kg per year to 30kg of coffee at the office and home (home will still have retain a sunbeam cafe series until i get the hang of the new one)
I find it rare that the staff pick up the technique of the existing one and so may not learn to use the Expobar. Unfortunately I am finding most staff I have now prefer tea and little to know coffee???
I never really thought to go plumbed in as it is a further cost to establish and i utilise my free standing "awesome water" filter system.

I think I just wanted to buy and get it over with than wait till my next trip top the big smoke. I will need to check the sponsors out, and was unaware really about this as I have just recently joined. i may have even bought of a sponsor?

I am quite looking forward to my next stage in life with better coffee and learning the art I once thought was unnecessary.

thankyou for your comment. the only negative detail i hear about my choice of expobar is the presentation of its exterior. I will have to learn much more about regular service and back flushing. thankyou