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New to coffee - what to get?

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  • don_nairn
    replied
    Re: New to coffee - what to get?

    if you keep an eye in the papers it seems secondhand manual machines are very cheap I got a Gaggia Carezza for $60.

    It seems there are a lot of people who buy a coffee machine and then find it too hard and use it less than 20 times.

    if you are looking for cheap way to make coffee dont ignore a stove top.

    Leave a comment:


  • flynnaus
    replied
    Re: New to coffee - what to get?

    Originally posted by 332821242F38293439400 link=1304067061/7#7 date=1304128856
    So say i spent around $300 on a grinder and then just used that with good beans
    That will still be a big improvement on your current scenario.
    From what others have reported, the Breville is a good buy at that price range and Im sure you wont be disappointed.

    Leave a comment:


  • shadoxity
    replied
    Re: New to coffee - what to get?

    Thanks for the response guys
    So say i spent around $300 on a grinder and then just used that with good beans till sometime next year and then upgrade to a good machine at some time?

    How much difference does a good grinder make to plunger coffee?
    I really dont know cause i have never really had plunger coffee with a good grinder and beans, its really been like plunger with preground or coffee from a decent coffee shop that i have to compare.
    I guess based on that i kinda relate good tasting coffee to come from an espresso machine? (am i off track here?)

    Breville BCG800 was mentioned in a couple post, is this about what i should look for in that price range?

    Or would i be better to go for something like this second hand as posted by snobb
    http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1304066361

    ?

    Thanks for the responses

    Leave a comment:


  • jkarlis
    replied
    Re: New to coffee - what to get?

    Originally posted by 38243C213D3D274E0 link=1304067061/4#4 date=1304077607
    what would you consider an overkill grinder in this case?
    Many on here would ay there is no such thing as overkill when it comes to a grinder.

    For making espresso the cheapest recommended grinder is the Sunbeam EM0450 for around $150. I would not get anything cheaper than this. For $250 you can get yourself the Breville BCG800 which is reported by some to be as good or better than all options below $500. I havent used the Breville so cant say if I agree with that or not, but considering the knowledge of the people making the claims, Id so its an oustanding value grinder.

    for more info and other options try reading:
    http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1163235531
    and
    http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1194680556

    Leave a comment:


  • jkarlis
    replied
    Re: New to coffee - what to get?

    I also agree with Flynn, spend big on a good grinder now.

    I have several thousand dollars with of coffee equipment but often I will drink a pour over using my plastic Melitta which costs around $10. I prefer this to Aeropress and plunger. With good quality and fresh roasted beans (ideally 10-20 days post roasting), water just below boiling (92-93 degrees) and a quality grinder you can make yourself a wonderful brew.

    The Compak K3T is an excellent recommendation.

    If youre stubborn like me and insist on machine + grinder I would no recommend anything within the $600 budget. For around $900 you can get yourself a Lelit PL041 and Breville BCG800. The Lelit PL042 is a around $850 I think and has a reasonable quality grinder built-in.

    Its possible to get an ok coffee out of a cheaper coffee machine like a Sunbeam EM4800 but you would need to modify the baskets so theyre not pressurised or buy some unpressurised baskets. Ive been there and done that...its acceptable but far from ideal IMO.

    As snobb pointed out you could also go second hand.

    Leave a comment:


  • vjrossi
    replied
    Re: New to coffee - what to get?

    Originally posted by 455D475A46414C575A5C350 link=1304067061/3#3 date=1304075123
    Buying an overkill grinder at first will mean less upgrades along your coffee journey, Ive had my own rocky going on 3 years now with no issues
    Hi phrostyboi, what would you consider an overkill grinder in this case?

    Leave a comment:


  • phrostyboi
    replied
    Re: New to coffee - what to get?

    flynn has the right idea

    dont knock plunger, I was grinding purchased beans for well over a year before I got my first machine, its one of the simplest ways to make coffee and also really enjoyable when youve got it mastered

    You could always try the aeropress as well for something a little bit different

    Buying an overkill grinder at first will mean less upgrades along your coffee journey, Ive had my own rocky going on 3 years now with no issues

    Leave a comment:


  • vjrossi
    replied
    Re: New to coffee - what to get?

    Another suggestion is to check the for sale area. I wouldve if Id had more patience I know the following are out of budget, but not by too much if you can haggle down a bit. These are just examples of course, and I dont know your location.

    http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1304066361
    +
    http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1303598859

    You say your budget is $600, so if youre sticking with that, then why wait a few months? Unless youre planning on saving more $$$ in that time, that is.

    Leave a comment:


  • flynnaus
    replied
    Re: New to coffee - what to get?

    Welcome

    My recommendation is to stick with your plunger and spend the $600 budget on a Compak K3 grinder. Then put the change towards a bag of freshly roasted from one of the CoffeeSnobs sponsors.

    Your coffee enjoyment will increase by leaps and bounds.

    Leave a comment:


  • shadoxity
    started a topic New to coffee - what to get?

    New to coffee - what to get?

    Hey Everyone,

    I am fairly new to coffee (only started drinking it 4 months ago) and currently using a plunger and pre ground coffee (which is just crap) and after reading some stuff here i am starting to realise why.

    Well, My room mate and i are keen to get some decent equipment to give us some more enjoyable coffee (i like a good coffee).

    I have read through a few threads on here which has some good info but i am getting so lost in all the information.

    From what i can tell it would be a good step to get a good grinder and grind my own beans and then use the plunger (this would be a good first step without too much $$ outlay) and then a few months down the track go for a coffee machine.

    So i guess,with a $600 budget could we get a decent grinder and coffee machine?

    Our first step is for a grinder, what would be recommended for around $150?
    And then next step, is there a decent machine we could get for $450~

    Thanks in advance.
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