Originally posted by Grummer
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Just to return this thread to sanity & answer your questions.
The grinder is far more important than anywhere further down the chain for one simple reason. The maximum quality is "locked in" by each stage, so the next stage is limited by whatever snafu / brilliance has preceded it. Look up the Italian 4 "M"'s. In "chain order" English, where there is an "M" prob:-
1) Dud beans: no hope of a decent cuppa.
2) Dud grinder: no hope of a decent cuppa.
3) Dud machine: can use all manner of devices to get something drinkable, even if it is not an espresso, although a loss of quality may be incurred. Plungers, Ibriks, aeropress etc to the rescue (even saucepans).
4) Dud "barista": probably no hope of a decent cuppa. Even after I ground, dosed and tamped the p/f, my 220V GS3 in the hands of an amiable idiot produced a cuppa inferior to Pablo Instant...
The next question is "How good does each part of the chain have to be in order for the next stage to work properly?". Ongoing debate.
Instead of posting new threads and trying to pick everyone's brains, please do a little basic research:
CoffeeGeek - How to Buy an Espresso Machine
[new members] Recommended reading - Read Me • Home-Barista.com
will save you a lot of flaming. Your first CS threads will always be politely answered, after that: you can see what happens for yourself!
TampIt
PS: The CG guide was updated in 2010, the Vario gen2 is another huge step up for domestic CSrs IMO.



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