Interesting comment...
Why do you feel that the fact that the machine is a heat exchange machine effects the quality of your coffee?
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Espresso Enthusiasts
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Interesting comment...
Why do you feel that the fact that the machine is a heat exchange machine effects the quality of your coffee?
Shrink, why is it that every time I see this thread pop up, it's always your name right underneath it?
...do you like coffee or something?
...do you like coffee or something?
Ooh...that is a bit embarrassing.
Oh, hell...I did it again!
Haha, I just calculated that a full 12% of your total forum posts are in this thread alone. Also, of this thread, 32% of the posts are also yours. But no, you don't like coffee.
Nah...just an attention whore!
I knew it! o
Though this thread makes me want to consider trying out this whole coffee thing. I've never been a huge fan of the stuff. Thought it was alright, but not anything I'd go head over heels for. But considering the length of the thread, and all the people who regularly post in it, it makes me think I might be missing out on something good.
What would you recommend for a newbie to the coffee scene?
Not the heat exchange itself perhaps.
I was just describing my machine, not assigning the fault to the HX type.
I do want a double boiler PID machine next though.
I don't like the "temp guessing" rituals.
I knew it! o
Though this thread makes me want to consider trying out this whole coffee thing. I've never been a huge fan of the stuff. Thought it was alright, but not anything I'd go head over heels for. But considering the length of the thread, and all the people who regularly post in it, it makes me think I might be missing out on something good.
What would you recommend for a newbie to the coffee scene?
Keep it simple and go for a French Press, as good a grinder as you can comfortably afford...and the very best beans.
The absolutely most important, the non plus ultra, of your coffee setup, irrespective of the production method, are THE BEANS! The most expensive equipment can't fix bad beans. It's a pure matter of GIGO.
Then, for the best coffee possible a BURR grinder is a must. For anything other than espresso, a modestly price grinder is adequate. Although there is some disagreement here about using an inexpensive grinder, I am of the feeling that although a more expensive grinder is best...one can get by with an inexpensive one for all production methods except espresso.
This is a very popular press among the denizens on this thread...and this is a smaller one that is also good.
There are other methods...pour over (e.g. Chemex), drip machine, and espresso...but I think a press will give you great coffee, and with a bit of instruction on water temp and brewing time...it's easy to use and makes great coffee (with the right BEANS)!
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Since I think I am the "some," (grin) I'll just throw out my view.
1. I agree with Shrink that a high end grinder is necessary only for espresso.
2. For automatic drip, nearly anything with decent burrs that is not junk will work.
3. I think where Shrink and I disagree slightly (and respectfully) is that what I will call "higher end" pour over and the like (Chemex, AP, vac brewer, etc.) benefits from a grinder that can be between #1 and #2 in quality (and cost). FP, not so much. Same grinder as #2 is fine.
I drink (well, I used to drink) a fair amount of Chemex, AP and vac brewer and I am absolutely convinced that something like a Mazzer Mini benefits those coffees as opposed to a grinder described in #2 above. With a FP or automatic drip machine, very precise and highly consistent particle size is not so much an issue. With Chemex, AP, etc., I think it is.
But, all of us agree (I think) on the importance of the grinder. Everything else being equal, most of us can pull a (much) better shot with a $200 espresso machine and an $800 grinder than with a $20 grinder and $7000 espresso machine.
Take a look at the Rocky. Highly regarded entry level for both bucket #1 and bucket #3.
On #3 I defer to Kurwenal completely. My knowledge of pour over is trumped by many orders of magnitude by my friend. If he says that pour over needs a high quality grinder...then I would never disagree.
The man knows...
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1. Find a roastery near your house that offers a wide variety of preparation methods and fresh roasted coffees.
2. Go in sometime when it is not busy (Sunday night typically is great in this respect). Tell the barista you want to taste and learn. If the barista is a jerk, try a different time or location.
3. Figure out what you like. In general, with respect to preparation method, you want to try and distinguish among four methods: espresso, drip, some version of pour over, and a big robust chewy FP. To start, drink and distinguish between an African blend and an Indonesian blend. Add in others later.
3.1 Don't put sugar or flavorings or milk/cream in any of them.
4. Take notes on what you like and what you don't like. Tell the barista what you liked and ask him or her why it tastes as it does.
5. Come back and post what you like. Then this thread can answer your question.
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Most kind. /bow
You know, at some point we really all need to get together and have a coffee or twelve.
I missed this. Awesome!
It appears Shrink limits himself to one thread post per 100 Londinium espressos.....admirable self-control, really.
Yes indeed. I agree and would hope that someday, our dear friend Scepticalscribe would pay us a visit to the United States too.
Yes indeed. I agree and would hope that someday, our dear friend Scepticalscribe would pay us a visit to the United States too.
This bunch of loonies, all in one place, would either be an incredible hoot...or a criminal act punishable by imprisonment!
...or both...
This bunch of loonies, all in one place, would either be an incredible hoot...or a criminal act punishable by imprisonment!
...or both...
You know.....we could pick a SB somewhere central, which including SS means France or New York.....and then show up and have some "fun." "I'm sorry, can you please tamp that first." /blank stare
Ouch. They are an ominously revealing set of statistics
Actually, while other threads are peered at, contributed to, leapt into, armed for combat, or ignored at will, this one resembles a nice gathering of like-minded welcoming friends, where one drops in (almost daily) simply to offer a friendly greeting ...
Haha, I just calculated that a full 12% of your total forum posts are in this thread alone. Also, of this thread, 32% of the posts are also yours. But no, you don't like coffee.
Someone else who finds statistics both interesting and - clearly - a rich source of .thought-provoking data...
A new - and fascinating - parameter for the calculation of posts ...
Yes indeed. I agree and would hope that someday, our dear friend Scepticalscribe would pay us a visit to the United States too.
Thank you for your most kind suggestion; indeed, for all of my many travels, strange to relate, it is one place I have yet to visit ..I must give the matter some thought ...
That sounds like a wonderful way in which to spend an afternoon or evening; actually, it sounds simply hilarious ..
I'm sure this is covered somewhere in this thread, but what is the consensus on the Technivorms?
http://www.amazon.com/Technivorm-Mo...Thermo/dp/B002S4DI2S/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
http://www.amazon.com/Technivorm-Mo...Thermo/dp/B002S4DI2S/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
Considering I'm in the experimentation stage, I don't think I'll go all out and grab the best of the best just yet. If I end up enjoying the merely decent, I can move up from there. But for now, I'll play the cautious route.
But I've taken both yours and Kernewal's advice to heart (even made a quick print of your posts to use as a mini-guide), and I'm gonna try it out here in the next few.
Let's see how this goes.
Considering I'm in the experimentation stage, I don't think I'll go all out and grab the best of the best just yet. If I end up enjoying the merely decent, I can move up from there. But for now, I'll play the cautious route.
But I've taken both yours and Kernewal's advice to heart (even made a quick print of your posts to use as a mini-guide), and I'm gonna try it out here in the next few.
Let's see how this goes.
Just a tiny argument...if you are new to coffee in general, drinking coffee made from mediocre beans will not give you any idea what good coffee tastes like. You might use mediocre beans, find the drink wanting, and bail without knowing what good coffee is all about. It's not really being "cautious", it's depriving yourself of a real test of what the drink might have to offer. That may turn out not to be you cup of...well, I don't mention that stuff here...but only good beans give you a real test of whether coffee is for you.
Any way you decide to go...please feel free to ask any questions . We all really enjoy helping folks to get the best out of a drink we all love.
Considering I'm in the experimentation stage, I don't think I'll go all out and grab the best of the best just yet. If I end up enjoying the merely decent, I can move up from there. But for now, I'll play the cautious route.
But I've taken both yours and Kernewal's advice to heart (even made a quick print of your posts to use as a mini-guide), and I'm gonna try it out here in the next few.
Let's see how this goes.
I agree with Shrink. One reason I suggested spending some time at a roastery is so you get the freshest beans BEFORE you start buying equipment. Figure out what you like, based on the best beans, and then you won't waste money on the wrong equipment.
I own one, it is sitting somewhere in my coffee equipment closet. For a true drip machine, I have never seen (or recall reading about) a better option. It focuses intently on maintaining the proper brew temp throughout the entire process, which is huge. They also have a pretty fancy spray head that does a much better job on the water/coffee contact front than any other auto drip brewer I have ever seen. There are a lot of different models out there, I believe, so be sure you get the one you really want.
Thanks. I haven't completely ruled out the Technivorm, but the price / performance curve has currently brought me to these options:
1. Bonavita BV1800
2. Cuisinart DCC 1200
3. Bunn NHB