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  • KelB
    replied
    Thanks for your replies (I'm not too confused yet)...but will this be OK?
    Gets me a machine and grinder for not too much money.
    https://www.espresso.co.nz/home-coff...h-accessories/
    At the moment using my Gaggia Cadorna Plus, I leave it switched on all the time. After use it goes to sleep (after 15 minutes). Want another coffee couple of hours later and no problems...it takes about 1 minute to 'wake up' and start dealing out the hot brew.
    Can the more fancy machines do this? Reading the spec sheets seems that you make a coffee and turn the machine 'OFF'. Then when you want another coffee you turn 'ON' the machine and wait for about 20 minutes while it warms up.
    Is that right? Is that normal?
    Can't I leave a machine switched on and it will 'go to sleep' until I need another coffee?
    The Gaggia is on 24/7...no switching off needed and it wakes up quickly.
    Last edited by KelB; 21 September 2022, 02:35 PM.

    Leave a comment:


  • LeroyC
    replied
    Originally posted by KelB View Post
    LeroyC I see you live in Woodend.
    Small world...I grew up in Woodend, my folks lived in Woodend, I married a Woodend girl, and we bought up our 2 kids in Woodend.
    How long you been there?
    Indeed!! We've lived in Woodend just over 7 years, with 3 years in Kaiapoi before that. The timing of our move out of Christchurch probably gives you a hint as to the reason.

    Leave a comment:


  • KelB
    replied
    LeroyC I see you live in Woodend.
    Small world...I grew up in Woodend, my folks lived in Woodend, I married a Woodend girl, and we bought up our 2 kids in Woodend.
    How long you been there?

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  • KelB
    replied
    Originally posted by Blues1143 View Post

    Please explain this further? It is a special NZ instant?
    No, sadly it's just plain old Moccona.

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  • LeroyC
    replied
    Originally posted by KelB View Post
    Budget? Maybe $3000. I prefer a milk based coffee, but have had the odd black coffee ('cos I ran out of milk). Yeah, I'd try an espresso. Might develop a taste for that. I do have a Moka, but Missus seems to always find 'someplace' to hide it. Oh, other requirement is...the smaller the better. No space for a fat machine. Svelte (like me) would be good.
    Hi Kel. Are you in Richmond? Have you been to have a look at The Coffee Company or Sublime in Nelson? I think they both have VBM machines and a VBM Domobar Jnr could fit your size requirements. In regards to your other queries The Espresso Company probably has the biggest range of any independent supplier here in NZ as they're the importer for a few brands as well (eg. Lelit). Their prices are on the high side though and if I'm being honest the owners are a little odd to deal with and their customer service can be a bit lacking. I've only bought parts off them, but any time I needed to communicate with them via phone or email it wasn't the easiest process. Do you ever travel to Wellington or down here to Christchurch? There's some good suppliers in both places including service agents that sell used machines like Espresso Ninja, Espresso Tools and Caffeine Fix. There's also the likes of C4, TFE and Aitkens in Chch that all have a great range between them. I would avoid buying a used machine off Trade Me unless it's a service tech selling it as it's a real minefield. There really are a lot of muppets on Trade Me. The guys at Caffeine Fix are really nice and often have a few used machines for sale instore so they're worth visiting if you do get to Chch at all. And as others have said definitely get a grinder as well. Preground coffee will only be good for a day or two when used with an espresso machine so a grinder is a must. I've bought and sold lots of machines and grinders over the years and am happy to help with local knowledge so feel free to send me a private message if you like.

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  • Blues1143
    replied
    Originally posted by KelB View Post
    (Missus likes Instant!)
    Please explain this further? It is a special NZ instant?

    Leave a comment:


  • KelB
    replied
    Budget? Maybe $3000.
    I prefer a milk based coffee, but have had the odd black coffee ('cos I ran out of milk).
    Yeah, I'd try an espresso. Might develop a taste for that.
    I do have a Moka, but Missus seems to always find 'someplace' to hide it.
    Oh, other requirement is...the smaller the better. No space for a fat machine. Svelte (like me) would be good.

    Leave a comment:


  • tompoland
    replied
    Welcome Kel, I'm a Kiwi living in Australia, but don't tell anyone here that.

    "What he said" (re beans going off) so a grinder is a MUST and IMHO is should be the first thing to figure out, then get the machine. A machine without the right grinder will never fulfil it's potential.

    If you want to post your total budget and your preferred style of coffee e.g. milk based or espresso, then you'll receive some pointers for the right direction.

    Had a laugh at you writing about machines outlasting you. I had a similar response to someone who questioned the longevity of the Decent espresso machine. it'll be still ticking away long after mine has stopped.

    Leave a comment:


  • WhatEverBeansNecessary
    replied
    Welcome Kel!
    Firstly yes roasted beans go off - usual wisdom is they go off within a couple of months after roast. And by go off I mean they are safe to drink, but they lose their flavour and will taste a bit like instant!
    This is significantly worse when you get them to grind them for you. They will go off within a day, maybe even less. So if you want good coffee I would suggest buying freshly roasted whole beans within a couple of weeks of roast date and then you have a few weeks to use them before they lose their flavour.
    So I would say a grinder is an absolute must have!

    Normally those machines with inbuilt grinders aren't fabulous, even the good brands like a lelit. So I would recommend a separate grinder. You might have some luck looking out on TradeMe for a second hand grinder like a Mazzer Mini which would suit you very well and you could probably pick up for around $500 or even less for a good deal. But given you are in Richmond the choices might be slim so maybe look at picking up from Wellington, CHCH or posted down from Auckland?

    The Lelit Mara X has a very good reputation.
    LELIT PL92T ELIZABETH Double Boiler PID - has all the bells and whistles which might be overkill for your needs.
    Rancilio Silvia Pro also have a good reputation.

    Leave a comment:


  • KelB
    started a topic Need help to choose...

    Need help to choose...

    Folks, I've kinda fallen out with my Gaggia Cadorna Plus.
    I'd like something 'better'.
    Currently looking at...LELIT PL62X MARA X L58E 1.8L Espresso Coffee Machine - V2.
    Or maybe... LELIT PL42EMI-NZ Anita Single Boiler 250 mL Vibration Pump Tank Espresso Coffee Machine with built-in Burr Grinder (but single boiler).
    Or... LELIT PL92T ELIZABETH Double Boiler PID Espresso Coffee Machine - V2.
    Or... Rancilio Silvia Pro.
    I think I'd like a dual boiler setup this time (maybe?).
    May take some work to sort out the actual coffee beans/grind and manually place that into the machine though (?)
    Which makes the LELIT PL42EMI-NZ easier for me to learn (but am I loosing something in the process with that)?
    All the above are here in NZ, and all about the same price (high end of $2700+).
    Would this be better?
    https://www.espresso.co.nz/home-coffee-equipment/ecm-mechanika-v-slim-e61-2-2l-espresso-coffee-machine/
    I have no knowledge of these various machines so your input is most welcome.

    I'm the only real coffee person in the house (Missus likes Instant!). So I don't really need all the bells and whistles.
    I don't have a grinder either. But is it OK to get local roaster to grind the beans for me?
    Or do beans 'go off' if ground and left in the bag for a couple of weeks while I work my way through them?
    Thanks.
    ps. I'm 75 so I'm fairly sure a good machine may possibly (just) outlast me on this planet.
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