Originally posted by Bosco_Lever
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Compact espresso machine and grinder setup
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I agree, Bosco Lever. Despite all the impudent jabs I make re: HB's technical jargon, I've learned a lot from those folk, and have found them all extremely helpful and friendly when it comes to dispensing advice.
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Compact espresso machine and grinder setup
Thank you trentski, and very true.Originally posted by trentski View PostThat's why I specified this forum and excluded grey imports and drop shipper units. Home barista has alot of American members and the espresso machine advice is often not translatable to the Australian machines.
Buy an Australian specification machine from a sponsor and you will get a well set up Hx that doesn't require cooling flushes (which are really only required in the 110v market from what I've seen).
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Hence why when an aspiring home barista contacts us for an advice mentioning 'I've done my research and this is what I came up with..', we firstly ask: 'which web site have you done your research on?' Often we find that people have shifted their focus away from xyz models / technology simply based on overseas reviews not applicable to Australian stock. I'm sure other sponsors will have similar experiences.
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HB is an excellent forum with a wealth of information. There are many topics and discussions that are not relevant, but that is the case with all forums.
Disseminating information can be hard for some.
I gave up on mainstream media years ago, but it seems many here still swear by it, and regularly post (and discuss) click-bait headlines.......
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That's why I specified this forum and excluded grey imports and drop shipper units. Home barista has alot of American members and the espresso machine advice is often not translatable to the Australian machines.Originally posted by BalthazarG View PostNot on this forum I haven't, but I have come across a lot of them on Home Barista.
Buy an Australian specification machine from a sponsor and you will get a well set up Hx that doesn't require cooling flushes (which are really only required in the 110v market from what I've seen).
Still don't see how you can temp surf more than 4kg of thermal mass in the e61 group head but if anyone can the hb guys can. Complete waste of time imho.
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hahaha yeah it was a quick choice because it was the only one that could fit. at a much better price point than i was anticipating as well!
well it is a long term investment so take as long as you need to be comfortable with your choice!
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Any time, Wenzell! I'm just glad you've settled on something you're satisfied with. In any event, you've been on this forum a far shorter time than I, yet you've already nailed your setup. I, on the other hand, am still quibbling over ridiculous things like the taste difference between a flat burr grinder and a conical burr grinder.
ADHD & quick, pragmatic decisions don't mix too well.
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Thanks for your visit to our store Wenzell, we look forward seeing you here for your training [emoji3]Originally posted by Wenzell View PostHi Guys
Thanks for your inputs
I think I will be going with the Expobar Minore/ Mazzer-E combination
Really appreciate the time and assistance to everyone, especially BalthazarG.
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Hi Guys
Thanks for your inputs
I think I will be going with the Expobar Minore/ Mazzer-E combination
Really appreciate the time and assistance to everyone, especially BalthazarG.
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Yeah I think it would be best to go check it out in person. I'll probably head down to a store later to look around.
Originally posted by Brewster View PostHi Wenzell, and welcome.
How's the research going? Pretty sure by now you will have some idea of the many different views and the many directions a thread like this can take
My advice to you now, to ensure you end up with the best machine for you is:
1. If you haven't already done so, have a look at the sponsers buyer's guides suggested in this thread. This will ensure you have an understanding of the different categories of machines and the importance of the grinder in the overall setup.
2. Have a look at the site sponsers. Some have been mentioned in this thread, there are also others quite capable. Pick one or maybe two and give them a call. This will usually cut through the clutter and clear up any questions you may have and address specific requirements all in one conversation. Hopefully by then you will be able to compile a short list.
3. If at all possible, get into your closest site sponser and have a look and demo of some machines on your short list. While they all look great on a web site, best to see them up close and side by side. This is when you will notice the little things that may not be apparrent in the photos.
If a site sponser is not possible, then try to find a specialist retailer nearby. (What area do you live/work?)
4. If you feel the need, seek opinions from members who currently own or have previously owned the machines on your short list about their experiences, what they like or don't like about their machine.
Best of luck, enjoy the search, don't get too hung up the little things that won't make any difference to the quality of the coffee.
Mal
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Not on this forum I haven't, but I have come across a lot of them on Home Barista.Pretty sure you are unlikely to find threads on this forum about needing to temp surf or do cooling flushes on Hx machines. Unless you stumble on someone with a grey import or who purchased from a drop shipper.
I have an Hx and have never done a cooling flush or temp surfed it in my life. Can't imagine how you would temp surf an e61 group head.
Again, my point is that, if you're a newbie, it's often difficult to figure out what's what. One person who has already owned (or already owns) an HX machine is a different story from an individual who has never operated an espresso machine to begin with.
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Brilliant advice, Mal, thank you for thatOriginally posted by Brewster View Post3. If at all possible, get into your closest site sponser and have a look and demo of some machines on your short list. While they all look great on a web site, best to see them up close and side by side. This is when you will notice the little things that may not be apparrent in the photos.
If a site sponser is not possible, then try to find a specialist retailer nearby. (What area do you live/work?)
Mal
If I may add a point here I thought worth mentioning. From experience working with over 10,000 home Baristas over the last 12 years, some people aren't comfortable discussing their needs over the phone. Either from fear of feeling embarrassed of not being proficient with the terminology or from the fear of being pushed and sold to when they don't feel ready to buy. And I understand that very well. No matter how many testimonials sponsors will have here and elsewhere on being friendly, professional and helpful, human's instinctive reaction can be also self preservation and cautiousness rather then face to face or voice to voice engagement.
From that reason, and in order to support and empower any aspiring home barista to conduct their research successfully online with minimum contact (not ideal but a reality that needs addressing), we have taken the insights extracted from a survey conducted among over 4,000 home Baristas in 2014, and designed an online tool that not only takes in consideration most common parameters people base their buying decision on but also whether those parameters stood the test of time, and what has really made a difference (as oppose to what they thought will make a difference) in real life, in people's kitchens, after a year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years and so on. (We have been collecting data in this field since 2005).
Those parameters were integrated into a questionnaire, people like the OP may find beneficial, as comes a point in time, where after reading all buyers guides and forum opinions, one remains as overwhelmed as before and the question that arises is: 'what now? I get all the techy bits and users opinions, but what does it all mean to me?'
And while they may get that answer calling or dropping by a sponsor (which all do a phenomenal job with that, by the way), they may find calling or dropping by inconvenient or intimidating. But that doesn't mean there is no alternative. They can now engage online with this tool that gives us the information needed to design the best tailored solution based on their coffee culture space, as I call it (taste preference, point of experience, location, bench space, consumption pattern, budget, aesthetics preference, environmental awareness and few more..). As a result, they receive an expert customised advise with 2-3 shortlisted models that best suit their needs (now and likely in the future), even if they are not entirely certain what those needs are. From here to a new beauty landing on one's bench, the road is usually short and quick.
My 2 cents. Hope it helps.
Ofra
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Trentski is right on the money, have never had to temp surf or do a cooling flush on my HX machine.Originally posted by trentski View PostPretty sure you are unlikely to find threads on this forum about needing to temp surf or do cooling flushes on Hx machines. Unless you stumble on someone with a grey import or who purchased from a drop shipper.
I have an Hx and have never done a cooling flush or temp surfed it in my life. Can't imagine how you would temp surf an e61 group head.
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Hi Wenzell, and welcome.
How's the research going? Pretty sure by now you will have some idea of the many different views and the many directions a thread like this can take
My advice to you now, to ensure you end up with the best machine for you is:
1. If you haven't already done so, have a look at the sponsers buyer's guides suggested in this thread. This will ensure you have an understanding of the different categories of machines and the importance of the grinder in the overall setup.
2. Have a look at the site sponsers. Some have been mentioned in this thread, there are also others quite capable. Pick one or maybe two and give them a call. This will usually cut through the clutter and clear up any questions you may have and address specific requirements all in one conversation. Hopefully by then you will be able to compile a short list.
3. If at all possible, get into your closest site sponser and have a look and demo of some machines on your short list. While they all look great on a web site, best to see them up close and side by side. This is when you will notice the little things that may not be apparrent in the photos.
If a site sponser is not possible, then try to find a specialist retailer nearby. (What area do you live/work?)
4. If you feel the need, seek opinions from members who currently own or have previously owned the machines on your short list about their experiences, what they like or don't like about their machine.
Best of luck, enjoy the search, don't get too hung up the little things that won't make any difference to the quality of the coffee.
Mal
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Pretty sure you are unlikely to find threads on this forum about needing to temp surf or do cooling flushes on Hx machines. Unless you stumble on someone with a grey import or who purchased from a drop shipper.Originally posted by BalthazarG View Post
Admittedly there are quite a few confusing discussions relating to HX machines (particularly regarding the supposed need to constantly "flush" and "temperature surf"). I'm sure manhandling these creatures in reality is a far less complex and exacting operation, however you wouldn't know it from scouring the various forum threads.
I have an Hx and have never done a cooling flush or temp surfed it in my life. Can't imagine how you would temp surf an e61 group head.
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