The never ending upgrade path to coffee nirvana
- Thread starter BilboBaggins
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- coffee espresso grinder single dose
DeadRock
Ideas Guy
Wow...some nice gear herein. My wife and I are coffee drinkers, limited by volume (2 cups each), "style" (a little 5% cream, no sugar) and time of day (early morn). When I moved back from The Wet Coast 12 years ago, after many years of Starbucks brand dark roasts, it took us the better part of a year to settle on an off-the-shelf product we find quaffable and economical. Our SMEG coffee maker's unique feature (other than design), is that it keeps the post drip carafe and contents, quite hot relative to other "big brand" products.
Cheers!
Cheers!
BilboBaggins
Addicted Member
Some really nice setups here on AK. Somehow, I'm not surprised. Making good coffee is as particular as maintaining a record collection. Lots to learn if that is your interest, or you get yourself and your setup to the state that you are content with. I had been content for 15 years, but now I'm back on the roller coaster ride.
Whenever I go to my favourite thrifts, I always look for quality kitchen and coffee gear. I had noticed that my Waring Pro Belgian waffle maker was starting to lose it's no-stickiness. Not a fun situation with Belgian waffles. So I started looking for a replacement. The version I had of the Waring Pro was a steal, I suspect because it had been priced wrong. I got it brand new from the Bay for $25! So I wasn't holding my breath on finding a nice replacement. Wouldn't you know it, I am at my thrift and I look down and there is a Waring Commercial Belgian Waffle maker. I was able to get the thrift to drop the price down to $25, and I bought it. What an awesome machine.
There is also a forum member who got a Rancilio Sylvia with PID at a thrift. Another great score! But those are rare and pure luck when they happen. You are more likely to get a score from FBM when someone gets gear as a wedding gift, and it just isn't their thing.
I once got a Illy Iberespresso pod machine at my local thrift. It was $20 and leaked like a sieve. It was in great cosmetic condition. I brought it to my local espresso repair shop, where they straightened a bent (by freezing) part. Cost was less than $50! But it wasn't my thing, so I sold it.
Whenever I go to my favourite thrifts, I always look for quality kitchen and coffee gear. I had noticed that my Waring Pro Belgian waffle maker was starting to lose it's no-stickiness. Not a fun situation with Belgian waffles. So I started looking for a replacement. The version I had of the Waring Pro was a steal, I suspect because it had been priced wrong. I got it brand new from the Bay for $25! So I wasn't holding my breath on finding a nice replacement. Wouldn't you know it, I am at my thrift and I look down and there is a Waring Commercial Belgian Waffle maker. I was able to get the thrift to drop the price down to $25, and I bought it. What an awesome machine.
There is also a forum member who got a Rancilio Sylvia with PID at a thrift. Another great score! But those are rare and pure luck when they happen. You are more likely to get a score from FBM when someone gets gear as a wedding gift, and it just isn't their thing.
I once got a Illy Iberespresso pod machine at my local thrift. It was $20 and leaked like a sieve. It was in great cosmetic condition. I brought it to my local espresso repair shop, where they straightened a bent (by freezing) part. Cost was less than $50! But it wasn't my thing, so I sold it.
BilboBaggins
Addicted Member
SMEG has really caught on as a brand. My buddy was extolling the virtues of his SMEG Toaster the last time I saw him. Apparently, there is some pretty advanced technology in their products.
DeadRock
Ideas Guy
To be honest...we bought the coffee maker entirely for style. The really hot coffee outcome has been a pleasant bonus!
BilboBaggins
Addicted Member
Time slices, my friend. That's all it takes. Says he who has too many projects.Interesting stuff but with audio, renovations, cycling, gardening, woodworking, another rabbit hole I can do without
I'm pedestrian. I like San Franscico Bay, Fog Chaser.
Every time I've tried an americano coffee, I found it rather strange tasting....
Apparently, your wife enjoys them. I didn't.
BilboBaggins
Addicted Member
I use demerara sugar in my cappuccinos. I love it! If I'm drinking espresso straight, no sugar at all.
Edit: undone
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Bodhi1
Super Member
I use Australian CSR coffee crystals in my latte's which I prefer to sweeter Demerara sugar. CSR also have ACO unrefined Coconut sugar which is a healthier alternative.
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BilboBaggins
Addicted Member
Since my last post here, I received my new grinder and I am getting used to how it works. One complaint I've read about the DF-83 was the noise. It is a little sharper than my Compak K5, but not really louder. I think the differences may be the size of the burrs with the K5 being 64 mm burrs and the DF-83 being 83 mm burrs. The results are fluffy and very even. I do notice a little static, and I may address that by adding a few water drops to the grind as recommended, but I am very happy with how easy it is to adjust the grind. I especially like being able to fine tune it. I have it almost dialed in, but I'm taking my time because of all the new flavours I am getting. Here are a few pictures of the unboxing and my first shot as well as my latest shot.
Attachments
Quadman2
Lunatic Member
Yes coffee making can get quite addictive. Here is my setup. I have an Izzo Alex Duetto MkIII and Macap M4D grinder, with the machine plumbed into a commercial grade Brita undersink water filter
View attachment 3028166
At a loss of words to describe what I see.
Just wish I was there in person...to try it out!
Q
I bought a Breville coffee maker and a grinder at the end of 2020.
www.breville.com
www.breville.com
I was looking for coffee that was on par with the quality one would find at a coffee shop, which I never achieved with inexpensive coffee makers. This combination solved that problem.
But I also found that caffeine and work related stress isn't a good combination, so I have pretty much quit drinking coffee. I still make coffee periodically, but that amounts to once every three or four months.
Breville makes some nice kitchen appliances. I have one of their toasters I like.
Drip Coffee Maker with Thermal Carafe
Experience your favorite coffee at its best. Shop our drip coffee maker that includes a thermal carafe. Get free shipping on orders over $49!
Dose Control Pro - Precision Coffee Grinder
Elevate your coffee experience with the Dose Control Pro precision coffee grinder. Adjust in 1-second increments for the perfect grind every time.
I was looking for coffee that was on par with the quality one would find at a coffee shop, which I never achieved with inexpensive coffee makers. This combination solved that problem.
But I also found that caffeine and work related stress isn't a good combination, so I have pretty much quit drinking coffee. I still make coffee periodically, but that amounts to once every three or four months.
Breville makes some nice kitchen appliances. I have one of their toasters I like.
^^^^^Happy Breville grind and brew owner here as well. I picked mine up before the covid lockdown and I haven't had a desire to go any further with my coffee brewing.
BilboBaggins
Addicted Member
Yes, Breville has come a long way since they first came out with gear. I almost bought one of their better espresso machines about 15 years ago. And a friend of mine bought two so he had a spare when he needed parts. He ended up using all the parts and bought an elektra machine and matching grinder.
elektracoffee.com
Breville has a pretty good double boiler that coffeegeek.com uses to test technique and coffee grinders against.
Micro Casa Semiautomatica
Macchina per Espresso Professionale Semiautomatica Una vera macchina da caffè espresso professionale che ha il pregio di racchiudere in antiche forme l’attuale tecnologia di costruzione, per soddisfare le esigenze di praticità di chi la utilizza. Il vaporizzatore genera un’inesauribile vapore...
elektracoffee.com
Breville has a pretty good double boiler that coffeegeek.com uses to test technique and coffee grinders against.