Woot expresso coffee maker/A good buy?

Also if I got one (I own a Silvia so I won't) I would follow this advice

The biggest being you can't make good espresso without a decent Burr grinder.

Doug

Hey Doug,

What would you consider as a decent burr grinder? I have one made by Krupps that I use to grind beans. For my coffee, I use a Bialetti stove top espresso maker -- old technology that yields good results (although, no creme :( ). I even have an electric version for use in my office.

Tom

I'd do my research up there on Coffee Geek, they are great for all questions such as this. I own Mazzer Mini which is the last grinder I will ever have to buy. But it was $$$.

Doug

Thanks Doug,

I have seen the Coffee Geek site. From time to time, the itch to buy an espresso machine seems to creep over me :blink: . There is also a specialty store not too far from me that specializes in espresso machines :evil: .

Tom

Bill:

Over the past 20 years I've been through several increasingly expensive espresso machines--at least seven of them. I started with a Krups Novo for $100 and went through Saeco, Gaggia (it dripped), Francis Francis!, Expobar (I can't remember the others). I usually managed to sell the old one, so the hit wasn't so bad. Each one was an improvement, but until the Expobar double boiler I didn't really get the real crema. I still have that one packed away in the garage in case the current (and forever) Paquini Livia 90 should conk out some day.

As for grinders, I went through a lot of them too, and found many less expensive ones just don't grind fine enough. Sold those, too, as I tried a new one. I can recommend the Capresso Infinity, which sells for about $100, and the Baratza (didn't get it fine enough for me, but maybe would for you). I have the Mazzer Mini too now, but it's a lot of machine for a kitchen counter. I'm finally satisfied! Never thought I'd see the day.

One tip I picked up, maybe on Coffee Geek, is to use a little whisk on the ground coffee before putting it into the portafilter. It breaks up clumps and really makes a difference in how the water distributes through the grounds while brewing. The guy in the article used a scalpel to attack the clumps, I think, so I tried the whisk instead.

I'm glad (but not surprised) to see so many coffee lovers on this forum. Judy, the grinds-stirring process you refer to is called the Weiss Distribution Technique (WDT), (which I take credit for naming :laugh: ). It involves using a cake tester, or bent paperclip, or pin, etc. to stir the grinds once they are dosed into the portafilter. It really helps to get a proper extraction from the coffee.

Great espresso is truly a labour of love. Without attention to getting fresh beans (roasted no more than 2 weeks prior to consumption), grinding immediately prior to use, and preparing and brewing carefully, the results will never be better than poor. So, I always recommend that if a person is really ready to go for it, then get a good grinder and a machine. If not, though, a better path to great coffee is to get a good grinder, and use a french press or an Aeropress.

As far as good grinders go at reasonable prices, the Ascaso mini, L'Elit, Lux, and Pavoni PGB and PGC are all good choices for quality of grind. A used Mazzer or Macap grinder is also a very good bet.


Mark

Who woulda thought the forum would be a two-fer? Egg AND serious coffee!

There's a marvelous roaster/coffee house here in town so the beans are always great.

For French press, I loved the method from Sweet Maria's website. Very detailed, and I'd have the timer ready for action, and pour the finished coffee into a thermal carafe to last through a long breakfast. You don't want it sitting on those grounds!

"bill' is also a coffee devotee. He gave me wonderful information on roasting beans at home.

Judy
San Diego

You planning on getting rid of your Behmor? I know I guy in edmonton who would take it off your hands... Just sayin'

Doug

This is a complicated thread and if coffee needs to be that complicated I will stick with shots. No grinding needed. :laugh: :P :laugh: :P