Espresso Enthusiasts

[SHNXX]

How much are de longhis?
Cheapest gaggias ive seen were 200 and I don't think going below will be a good idea.
It would be better to buy used at that point.

 

[Shrink]

How much are de longhis?
Cheapest gaggias ive seen were 200 and I don't think going below will be a good idea.
It would be better to buy used at that point.

This is a De long that I used for about a year or a bit more before upgrading to a Gaggia Baby Class.

With a decent grinder, I found it to be more that adequate for a starter, since the grinder, imo, is more important than the machine.

Buying used is an excellent alternative to a very inexpensive machine.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

How much are de longhis?
Cheapest gaggias ive seen were 200 and I don't think going below will be a good idea.
It would be better to buy used at that point.

I was about to write that the cheapest Gaggia models (for espresso) that I have seen are priced at just around [symbol absent] 150, when I realised (mea culpa) that this is actually €150 and not $150.

Ahem. Oooops. I was thinking in Euros, not Dollars. My mistake. You are absolutely correct; the Gaggias seem to come in at around $200 for the cheapest ones…..

 

[SHNXX]

Espresso Enthusiasts

My first espresso machine was a used gaggia for 70 US dollars.

Then a pro install a real steam wand on it for free + cost of steam wand 10 bucks.

For 80 bucks I had a great bargain of an espresso machine
Can't beat that!

My next upgrade was to a heat exchange machine but honestly I don't think it was 20 times better.
I'm sure when I get a La Marzocco GS3, it won't be 100 times better.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

This is a De long that I used for about a year or a bit more before upgrading to a Gaggia Baby Class.

With a decent grinder, I found it to be more that adequate for a starter, since the grinder, imo, is more important than the machine.

Buying used is an excellent alternative to a very inexpensive machine.

How did you find the Gaggia Baby Class? I am pretty certain that this is the one my Italian colleague has, as the footprint is impressively small. (The same colleague with whom I watched 'The Life of Brian' and to whom I introduced the movie; then again, he instead that I catch 'The Great Beauty'…..)

Agree re the possibility of buying used. Amazon appear to have some pretty decent deals….

 

[Shrink]

My first espresso machine was a used gaggia for 70 US dollars.

Then a pro install a real steam wand on it for free + cost of steam wand 10 bucks.

For 80 bucks I had a great bargain of an espresso machine
Can't beat that!

My next upgrade was to a heat exchange machine but honestly I don't think it was 20 times better.
I'm sure when I get a La Marzocco GS3, it won't be 100 times better.

No question that the used Gaggia that you had was a big step up from a De Loghi! $80 bucks is certainly a great price for a good quality starter machine.

How did you find the Gaggia Baby Class? I am pretty certain that this is the one my Italian colleague has, as the footprint is impressively small. (The same colleague with whom I watched 'The Life of Brian' and to whom I introduced the movie; then again, he instead that I catch 'The Great Beauty'…..)

Agree re the possibility of buying used. Amazon appear to have some pretty decent deals….

I liked the Gaggia...it was my first upgrade. As a starter machine, it has many nice features and good materials and construction. SBG has one, and I believe he is pleased with it. I'm sure he'll be along to comment on it. I used it for quite a period of time until my next upgrade, and felt is was a very consumer friendly machine.

 

[mobilehaathi]

Dios mío, all this talk of new gear has frightened my wallet, who now cowers in a dusty corner under my bed.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Dios mío, all this talk of new gear has frightened my wallet, who now cowers in a dusty corner under my bed.

Well, it may have to be coaxed out ever so gently, then……you know; soft words, pleaded entreaties, sworn oaths,……followed, inevitably, by…..broken promises……that sort of thing…..

 

[twietee]

OMG!

Double Secret Probation.

I sure hope this is OK...

Image



BWAHAHAHA...Terrifying, isn't it!

That reminds me.....

....,like it should do every single day....

....but doesn't because it naturally became part of my daily routine.....

.....and will stay that way until the very end...

.....to endlessly thank you for insisting on not settling with a grinder like that!!! Praising my burr grinder every single day! I'm not even lying.

----------

You're the reason I have two grinders at home, Shrink. One in the kitchen and one, well, I have no clue!

 

[Shrink]

That reminds me.....

....,like it should do every single day....

....but doesn't because it naturally became part of my daily routine.....

.....and will stay that way until the very end...

.....to endlessly thank you for insisting on not settling with a grinder like that!!! Praising my burr grinder every single day!

Thanks...that's great to hear.

Enjoy the coffee your nifty grinder helps you to produce!

 

[twietee]

Thanks...that's great to hear.

Enjoy the coffee your nifty grinder helps you to produce!

No, really I have to thank you. I wasn't even exaggerating.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

It will be weeks and weeks yet before I get home to my Le Creuset French press, or my Bialetti espresso pot……..(and I really love these pots, they produce lovely coffee).

But now, it seems, that the long considered purchase of a grinder (since everyone here swears that grinders are more important than coffee machines) may yet be on the cards; and it will probably be one of those wildly extravagant, not-at-all-wilful, utterly enjoyed, vaguely rash and not remotely impulsive purchases………..

When that time comes, I shall, of course, seek enlightened guidance on the subject matter…….

 

[Shrink]

It will be weeks and weeks yet before I get home to my Le Creuset French press, or my Bialetti espresso pot……..(and I really love these pots, they produce lovely coffee).

But now, it seems, that the long considered purchase of a grinder (since everyone here swears that grinders are more important than coffee machines) may yet be on the cards; and it will probably be one of those wildly extravagant, not-at-all-wilful, utterly enjoyed, vaguely rash and not remotely impulsive purchases………..

When that time comes, I shall, of course, seek enlightened guidance on the subject matter…….

I think you came to the right place!

I'm sure lots of folks will be more than happy to weigh in with suggestions.

Also more than happy to spend your money!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I think you came to the right place!

I'm sure lots of folks will be more than happy to weigh in with suggestions.

Also more than happy to spend your money!

In due course, I daresay both observations will be a source of equal pleasure to me……I look forward to it…..you have no idea how enjoyable it is to spend my own money…..(actually, you probably do…..as I suspect our tastes are rather similar in that regard...

 

[turtle777]

Just my take on it...I liked my De Longhi, as a starter.

LOL, my starter machine was a DeLonghi as well.

It was all downhill from there, at least as far as my wallet and wife is concerned

-t

 

[Kurwenal]

But, this is different. Really different.

I got a shipping notice, so these are shipping. Won't have a chance to try it for a while.

I'm sorry, someone snet me a PM recently but I think I deleted it by accident. If it was one of you, I am sorry. Well, even if it wasn't one of you I am still sorry.

 

[Shrink]

I got a shipping notice, so these are shipping. Won't have a chance to try it for a while.

I'm sorry, someone snet me a PM recently but I think I deleted it by accident. If it was one of you, I am sorry. Well, even if it wasn't one of you I am still sorry.

When you are able to use the hand grinder, I will be very interested in your impressions. As a hand grinder fan, I'm really interested in those who choose to use them, and whether, like me, they really enjoy the more manual method of production.

The Lido Two is certainly less expensive than mine, but seems, from the article, to be well constructed and effective. Perhaps more folks will take a chance on hand grinders if they are really well made, grind well, and are at an attractive price point.

I really enjoy going as "manual" as I can in espresso production.

 

[Kurwenal]

We will see. I am interested in using it to replace the Porlex in my travel kit. Doubt I will be interested in using it in place of Mazzers at home.

Apparently Mrs. Kurwenal purchased me a La Marzocco GS/3 as a get well from treatment prsent, although though I have not seen it yet.

 

[Shrink]

We will see. I am interested in using it to replace the Porlex in my travel kit. Doubt I will be interested in using it in place of Mazzers at home.

Apparently Mrs. Kurwenal purchased me a La Marzocco GS/3 as a get well from treatment prsent, although though I have not seen it yet.

Whoa!

Nice get well gift!

There's a small bit of motivation to get well quick...as if you needed any.

I can't get you a nifty espresso machine p), just offer you my best wishes for a very speedy and complete recovery...so you can make some extra fine coffee soon!

 

[Kurwenal]

Whoa!

Nice get well gift!

There's a small bit of motivation to get well quick...as if you needed any.

I can't get you a nifty espresso machine p), just offer you my best wishes for a very speedy and complete recovery...so you can make some extra fine coffee soon!

Thank you very much friend. I have one more round of treatment and then a break. So no posts for a couple of weeks then should be back to try the new toys. See you in a while.

 

[S.B.G]

We will see. I am interested in using it to replace the Porlex in my travel kit. Doubt I will be interested in using it in place of Mazzers at home.

Apparently Mrs. Kurwenal purchased me a La Marzocco GS/3 as a get well from treatment prsent, although though I have not seen it yet.

Wow! That's a nice machine! What a gift.

I still have you in my thoughts and prayers for a good and speedy recovery.

 

[Kurwenal]

Merci beaucoup, ami.

 

[mobilehaathi]

We will see. I am interested in using it to replace the Porlex in my travel kit. Doubt I will be interested in using it in place of Mazzers at home.

Apparently Mrs. Kurwenal purchased me a La Marzocco GS/3 as a get well from treatment prsent, although though I have not seen it yet.

Oh ho! But surely she'll have also provided some killer beans. Maybe a Starbucks Vienna roast?

 

[Kurwenal]

Step right up MH.

But some individuals will consider buying one for home. So who, in my opinion, should consider buying a GS3 for their home?

I figure there are probably two groups of home users who should consider the GS3. The first group is the seriously obsessive home espresso freaks. By this I mean the people out there who have already paid Schomer for his training course and consider the money well-spent. I mean the people who plan family vacations around espresso. I mean the people who have extensive cupping logs. If you are the kind of person who is passionate about coffee and wants to truly understand espresso as best you can - cost be damned - then the GS3 is your dream machine. And if you can afford it, you should buy it. It will free you to truly explore the boundaries of your abilities and your understanding. The second group are those who have more than ample funds, love coffee and simply want a very, very good cup of espresso every morning without too much muss or fuss. These are people who are going to find a local roaster whose espresso they like and stick with it. If there were semi-auto machines that produced great quality drinks, they would own one. They're willing to get barista training - if it means that their espresso is better and easier each and every day. For this group, the ease of use of this machine is going to be an eye-opener.

At the risk of insulting people, I'll also point out a couple of groups who should not consider the GS3. First and foremost are those who think that the machine should do the work for them. While the GS3 is incredibly easy to use, you still have to have a great deal of skill as a barista if you want to make great espresso. An unskilled barista using the GS3 is unlikely to produce good coffee. Ever. As with any other espresso machine, the GS3 is a tool for the barista. If you don't know how to use it... you're going to be out of luck. For these people, it is going to be exceedingly frustrating to spend this much money and not have great coffee. You would be far better off buying an Expobar Brewtus or the like and spending the difference going to Seattle for Schomer's training course. The second group are what I would describe as the passionate engineers (also known as tinkerers). For these folks, the process of modifying and improving the espresso machine is at least as enjoyable as drinking the coffee made from it. The GS3 is going to be a mistake for these individuals for a couple of reasons. I used to own a sporty little roadster - the Honda S2000. This car had a mixed reputation. Amongst sports car and roadster enthusiasts and people who liked to take their car on the track, it was considered a great bang for the buck option. The trouble was that it was the most sporty and highest horsepower Honda. As a result, the Honda "boy racer" community was also attracted to it. The trouble was that the car was already tuned to near its maximum (drivable) potential. Getting additional performance out of the car was incredibly expensive for very small results. Amongst the "boy racer" community, as a result, the S2000 developed a reputation for being a very poor "bang for the buck" option (as compared, for example, to a Civic). This analogy is directly applicable to the GS3. Turning a Rancilio Silvia into a machine capable of creating very good espresso is more a matter of time and effort than money. Improving on the performance of the GS3, on the other hand, is likely to be frustrating, time consuming, produce limited results and be very expensive.

Good lord. I knew I should never have started those cupping logs. It's just coffee.......I still have that Starbucks metal gold card thingy laying around somewhere. Have to go pick up some Morning Blend Burnt Crap soon.

 

[mobilehaathi]

Step right up MH.



Good lord. I knew I should never have started those cupping logs. It's just coffee.......I still have that Starbucks metal gold card thingy laying around somewhere. Have to go pick up some Morning Blend Burnt Crap soon.

Ahhh, my friend you are most likely the perfect person for the machine. The only thing I ask is that you take some seriously explicit videos of your new toy in action (preferably in slow-motion).

As for my own espresso adventures...one day....perhaps....maybe...


Baby steps.