Espresso Enthusiasts

[powerslave12r]

First, my personal experience is with the Rocky...so other comments are just based on reading the Amazon provided information.

You know that I think the Encore is not the greatest choice....so we won't go over that again.

The Precisio looks nice, and maybe others have experience with it and can give you a more useful review. All I can say is that since it is really not that much less expensive than the Rocky...well, you see where I'm going. If others think it is as good, or better, than the Rocky, save the money. Otherwise...

The Breville would be ruled out by two issues...first, I don't like automatic anything (OK, that's just my idiosyncrasy...so not important), and of MUCH more significance is that I strongly recommend a doserless grinder that dispenses directly into the PF...not into a bin. Whatever remains in the bin after dosing will be wasted, as you won't want to use grinds that have been sitting in a bin, and will be tossed. The Rule of 15s says ground coffee goes stale after 15 minutes (and Kurmenal feels it starts going stale after 3 seconds!).

So, unless there are some very high praise for the Precisio...I'm still with the Rocky.

Thanks for that. My only reason to consider the others instead of going straight out for Rocky is I'm wondering whether there will be that much of a difference for drip. I'm sure it's a different story with Espresso.


Random link while googling around: http://blog.seattlecoffeegear.com/2012/08/22/grinder-throwdown-virtuoso-vs-smartgrinder-vs-rocky-2/

 

[Shrink]

Thanks for that. My only reason to consider the others instead of going straight out for Rocky is I'm wondering whether there will be that much of a difference for drip. I'm sure it's a different story with Espresso.


Random link while googling around: http://blog.seattlecoffeegear.com/2012/08/22/grinder-throwdown-virtuoso-vs-smartgrinder-vs-rocky-2/

Interesting link...I believe it real shows the superiority on the Rocky in all parameters.

If you're sure you're NEVER going make anything except electric drip ....EVER...buy the cheapest grinder you can find. If the outside possibility exists that at some future time, you might want to make espresso more than 10% of the time, or make pour over, then my suggestion stands...

Seriously, if you don't want to spend the dough on the Rocky (or whatever)...then you won't. If you want to get a grinder for now and down the road...get the Rocky.

 

[powerslave12r]

Interesting link...I believe it real shows the superiority on the Rocky in all parameters.

If you're sure you're NEVER going make anything except electric drip ....EVER...buy the cheapest grinder you can find. If the outside possibility exists that at some future time, you might want to make espresso more than 10% of the time, or make pour over, then my suggestion stands...

Seriously, if you don't want to spend the dough on the Rocky (or whatever)...then you won't. If you want to get a grinder for now and down the road...get the Rocky.

I'm gonna sleep on it.

To be fair though, I'm convinced by the Virtuoso Preciso. I can always sell it if I decide to upgrade and get a little bit back.

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I'm gonna sleep on it.

To be fair though, I'm convinced by the Virtuoso Preciso. I can always sell it if I decide to upgrade and get a little bit back.

As a thank you for helping me out in this thread, here's a photo from my first attempt at roasting them beans



Sumatra Grade 1 Mandheling by power slave

 

[Shrink]

I'm gonna sleep on it.

To be fair though, I'm convinced by the Virtuoso Preciso. I can always sell it if I decide to upgrade and get a little bit back.

----------



As a thank you for helping me out in this thread, here's a photo from my first attempt at roasting them beans


[url=https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2502/13139149255_8f3cc0a09a_h.jpg]Image[/url]
Sumatra Grade 1 Mandheling by power slave

You're more than welcome. I hope you enjoy whatever choice you make with the grinder.

The beans look lovely...nice light oily sheen! I like it a bit darker, but that's a matter of taste, of course...and I'm roasting for espresso, so that makes a difference too.

Great results for a first try with the beans! ENJOY!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

SM's currently has roasted beans including Liquid Amber available.

Thanks for flagging this; I would have missed it, otherwise. Thus, I have placed another order - my second. I'll have to wait a while, yet….

When I get home - in what I hope will be a few weeks - I imagine many things will be awaiting me…CDs, books, (many, many books), coffee, various other things, letters, and so on…..

….Perhaps, perhaps, a grinder…...

Outstanding. Congratulations, and kudos.



True, true. But, when making a coffee, everything is different, right? There is The Ritual, and there is everything else, the world.

Yes, Kurwenal. I hear you.

But, but, but, seriously, there are places in the world, where - just like those Star Trek 'Alternative Time Zone Episodes' (that I used to love so much - what an amazing idea, I always found it absolutely fascinating, and now, to my surprise, I'm actually living in a Twilight Zone, but one which is taking place in a white hot summer) where time takes on different dimensions, and events, from elections, to meetings, to religious festivals, never, ever, occur when the calendar says they should.

Minutes, hours, days, and occasionally weeks, slip or slide away without notice. Sometimes, months, too. The idea of the difference between seconds being worthy of distinction would have people here howling with helpless laughter. Mind you, there was a time here when years were expendable, and centuries were shrugged off…..

It makes for an interesting, intense, and occasionally surreal experience…..

Interesting link...I believe it real shows the superiority on the Rocky in all parameters.

If you're sure you're NEVER going make anything except electric drip ....EVER...buy the cheapest grinder you can find. If the outside possibility exists that at some future time, you might want to make espresso more than 10% of the time, or make pour over, then my suggestion stands...

Seriously, if you don't want to spend the dough on the Rocky (or whatever)...then you won't. If you want to get a grinder for now and down the road...get the Rocky.

My dear friend, Shrink: I admire your continued and sustained and well argued support for the Rocky.

However, something about the name, (maybe my profound distaste for a clichéd movie franchise from the 1980s with a witless muscle bound moron defending the Values Of The Free World has something to do with it) - and, while I shouldn't be so focussed on a name, well, you know, that old Shakespearean quote 'A rose by any other name would smell as sweet' - I find that I do not, in fact, subscribe to this sentiment, and thus, I cannot take a product which describes itself with the name of 'Rocky' with any degree of…….serious intent.

That handmade piece of solid craftsmanship from a few pages ago, does, however, intrigue me……(the Lido, I think…)

 

[powerslave12r]

You're more than welcome. I hope you enjoy whatever choice you make with the grinder.

The beans look lovely...nice light oily sheen! I like it a bit darker, but that's a matter of taste, of course...and I'm roasting for espresso, so that makes a difference too.

Great results for a first try with the beans! ENJOY!

Thanks! This was quite a few months ago. Roasting skills have progressed quite a bit since. I enjoy everything from Full City to Vienna/Espresso roasts.

This jump in the coffee machine + grinder should open up an even better appreciation for the differences in the roasts.


I might skip on the Rocky after all. My thought process is this, if I am going to go balls out, then I'll do something like the Bartaza Vario-W or something.

That said, just making a payment on the Virtuoso Preciso 586. I can't complain with that price.

 

[Shrink]

Thanks for flagging this; I would have missed it, otherwise. Thus, I have placed another order - my second. I'll have to wait a while, yet….

When I get home - in what I hope will be a few weeks - I imagine many things will be awaiting me…CDs, books, (many, many books), coffee, various other things, letters, and so on…..

….Perhaps, perhaps, a grinder…...




Yes, Kurwenal. I hear you.

But, but, but, seriously, there are places in the world, where - just like those Star Trek 'Alternative Time Zone Episodes' (that I used to love so much - what an amazing idea, I always found it absolutely fascinating, and now, to my surprise, I'm actually living in a Twilight Zone, but one which is taking place in a white hot summer) where time takes on different dimensions, and events never occur when the calendar says they should.

Minutes, hours, days, and occasionally weeks, slip or slide away without notice. Sometimes, months, too. The idea of the difference between seconds being worthy of distinction would have people here howling with helpless laughter. Mind you, there was a time here when years were expendable, and centuries were shrugged off…..

It makes for an interesting, intense, and occasionally surreal experience…..





My dear friend, Shrink: I admire your continued and sustained and well argued support for the Rocky.

However, something about the name, (maybe my profound distaste for a clichéd movie franchise from the 1980s with a witless muscle bound moron defending the Values Of The Free World has something to do with it) - and, while I shouldn't be so focussed on a name, well, you know, that old Shakespearean quote 'A rose by any other name would smell as sweet' - I find that I do not, in fact, subscribe to this sentiment, and thus, I cannot take a product which describes itself with the name of 'Rocky' with any degree of…….serious intent.

That handmade piece of solid craftsmanship from a few pages ago, does, however, intrigue me……(the Lido, I think…)

I would have to check...but I believe the grinder name pre-dated the awful movies of the same name. And I can assure you...I would be amazed that grinder name had any relationship with the movie.

Anyway...just call it a Rancilio...problem solved.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I would have to check...but I believe the grinder name pre-dated the awful movies of the same name. And I can assure you...I would be amazed that grinder name had any relationship with the movie.

Anyway...just call it a Rancilio...problem solved.

Oh, I don't doubt that it does[predate those cinematic horrors], not for one single, solitary, second; however, it is just that the awful coincidence of similarity of names is - I am - perhaps, just a little embarrassed to admit to this - has me breaking out in an allergic reaction.

Yes; Rancilio does sound indeed sound a lot better, and, worse, I am an utter - wilfully blind - sucker for anything sold as possessing Italian design, élan, elegance, taste…..…...

 

[powerslave12r]

Now with the Baratza Virtuoso with Preciso Burrs on its way to me, I'm considering buying a nice weighing scale. Anyone have any favorites?

Looking at this http://www.amazon.com/American-Weig...d_sbs_k_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1KB7Z54P0Y8DA5A2SXR6

 

[Shrink]

Now with the Baratza Virtuoso with Preciso Burrs on its way to me, I'm considering buying a nice weighing scale. Anyone have any favorites?

Looking at this http://www.amazon.com/American-Weig...d_sbs_k_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1KB7Z54P0Y8DA5A2SXR6

Just a suggestion, since the scale I have appears to be unavailable. If you can find a scale with a 0.05gram resolution, rather than a 1.0 gram resolution, that would be better. Remember, with a 1.0 gram resolution, whatever is on the scale might be anywhere from, say, 16.0 grams to 16.99 grams. My scale has a 0.01 gram resolution, but a 0.05 gram resolution is fine...and better than a 1.0 gram.

 

[S.B.G]

Now with the Baratza Virtuoso with Preciso Burrs on its way to me, I'm considering buying a nice weighing scale. Anyone have any favorites?

Looking at this http://www.amazon.com/American-Weig...d_sbs_k_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1KB7Z54P0Y8DA5A2SXR6

Congrats on the new grinder!

I use this scale http://www.amazon.com/EatSmart-Prec...&qid=1403800324&sr=1-2&keywords=kitchen+scale

 

[powerslave12r]

Just a suggestion, since the scale I have appears to be unavailable. If you can find a scale with a 0.05gram resolution, rather than a 1.0 gram resolution, that would be better. Remember, with a 1.0 gram resolution, whatever is on the scale might be anywhere from, say, 16.0 grams to 16.99 grams. My scale has a 0.01 gram resolution, but a 0.05 gram resolution is fine...and better than a 1.0 gram.

Congrats on the new grinder!

I use this scale http://www.amazon.com/EatSmart-Prec...&qid=1403800324&sr=1-2&keywords=kitchen+scale

Thanks for the suggestions!

Shrink, that's a great point! Exactly the kind of info I was hoping to get.



This here has a 0.1g resolution upto 1000gms. http://www.amazon.com/American-Weig...0830&sr=8-9&keywords=weighing+scale+0.01+gram


Or this 2000gms, 0.1gm http://www.amazon.com/Smart-Weigh-D...830&sr=8-16&keywords=weighing+scale+0.01+gram

 

[Scepticalscribe]

This seems to be a "Let Us Pull The Plug, Retrieve The Wallet From Behind The Sofa Where It Is Cowering, Erroneously Believing Itself Well Hidden, Produce Credit Card With A Deft Flourish And Buy A Grinder Evening".

Well, guys, gentlemen all, merely as a matter of imparting some vital information to the group, I decided to invest in, and therefore ordered the charming Lido No 2 (grinder) from OE (Orphan Espresso Design Shop).

As the product has yet to be crafted and constructed, I doubt it will be dispatched anytime before well into July. Never mind. I love the idea of deferred gratification.

And Kurwenal, just now, I took a look at the espresso machine your wife has bought for you as a get well soon gift (the Marzocco GS3). It is simply sublime, what a charming and utterly exquisite gift; not only do I hope you get better soon, but I am also really looking forward to what you have to say about it when you get to try it out…..

 

[S.B.G]

Hey, hey! Two grinder sales in one day! Congrats SS on your new purchase too!

Too bad we don't get a commission on the sale of all this coffee gear.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Hey, hey! Two grinder sales in one day! Congrats SS on your new purchase too!

Too bad we don't get a commission on the sale of all this coffee gear.

Well, as tomorrow is my day off, and I am idling at my computer tonight, I am able to disregard the political stuff I am more usually focussed on.

This will not be the only purchase made tonight.

As for commissions, or sales, consider yourselves rather persuasive……..

Kurwenal's espresso machine looks amazing, but even I, profligate and spendthrift though I am, would have difficulty is justifying the cost of such a purchase. Mind you, my resistance to such sense has been known to crumble embarrassingly rapidly.

For now, though, - when I get home that is - I will focus on making coffee with my Le Creuset French press, and my Bialetti moka will be dusted down for espresso…..

 

[powerslave12r]

This seems to be a "Let Us Pull The Plug, Retrieve The Wallet From Behind The Sofa Where It Is Cowering, Erroneously Believing Itself Well Hidden, Produce Credit Card With A Deft Flourish And Buy A Grinder Evening".

Well, guys, gentlemen all, merely as a matter of imparting some vital information to the group, I decided to invest in, and therefore ordered the charming Lido No 2 (grinder) from OE (Orphan Espresso Design Shop).

As the product has yet to be crafted and constructed, I doubt it will be dispatched anytime before well into July. Never mind. I love the idea of deferred gratification.

And Kurwenal, just now, I took a look at the espresso machine your wife has bought for you as a get well soon gift (the Marzocco GS3). It is simply sublime, what a charming and utterly exquisite gift; not only do I hope you get better soon, but I am also really looking forward to what you have to say about it when you get to try it out…..

Congrats!! I know I will be purchasing one of those in a few months despite resisting it!

Hey, hey! Two grinder sales in one day! Congrats SS on your new purchase too!

Too bad we don't get a commission on the sale of all this coffee gear.

The commission is the satisfaction you get

 

[powerslave12r]

A lighthearted comparo between the Rocky and the Preciso. (Sorry, I mistook as a comparo between Virtuoso)

 

[Shrink]

Hey, hey! Two grinder sales in one day! Congrats SS on your new purchase too!

Too bad we don't get a commission on the sale of all this coffee gear.

Let me add my congratulations to all!

Silly as it sounds, I get jazzed when the nice people who post on this thread, after careful research and consideration, take a shot (!) at some new equipment....knowing that it will increase their pleasure in the drink we all love.

To all...enjoy you're new purchases!

BTW...no commission to SBG, please. I probably shouldn't mention it but he is fabulously wealthy and has no need for your funds.

Really!

No kidding...he's rolling in it!

 

[S.B.G]

BTW...no commission to SBG, please. I probably shouldn't mention it but he is fabulously wealthy and has no need for your funds.

Really!

No kidding...he's rolling in it!

Not only does Shrink love coffee, he also likes to make jokes!

I sure wish I was fabulously wealthy.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Wealth, like time, can be seen in…..what might be described as……somewhat relative terms.

However, what is a constant is that it can be great fun to spend, especially on the good things in life (as defined and refined by self and others, such as the distinguished denizens who inhabit this thread).

Best fun of all, though, as all too many will readily attest here, is spending someone else's money for them, with their full complicity, and occasionally, confused connivance…...

 

[mobilehaathi]

However, what is a constant is that it can be great fun to spend, especially on the good things in life (as defined and refined by self and others, such as the distinguished denizens who inhabit this thread).

For me, the true pleasure isn't in buying the "good things in life" but rather having the opportunity to share them and their experience with others.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

For me, the true pleasure isn't in buying the "good things in life" but rather having the opportunity to share them and their experience with others.

Ah yes, how right you are. That is the voice of sanity, truth and more than a sprinkling of wisdom and balance thrown in.

I will say, however, that in the past year and a half I have developed an almost visceral appreciation for the basic, but good things in life; when I am home on leave, I now take an almost savage delight in the mundane, and joy in small, but charming pleasures. Coffee shops, cinemas, museums, pubs, bookshops……chats with friends, walks by the sea. (And yes, espresso made in a Bialetti moka pot, also with friends….

 

[S.B.G]

For me, the true pleasure isn't in buying the "good things in life" but rather having the opportunity to share them and their experience with others.

Ah yes, how right you are. That is the voice of sanity, truth and more than a sprinkling of wisdom and balance thrown in.

Much agreed all around.

However, being wealthy enough, financially, to not have the stresses associated with barely making enough money to get by, at times, would be most welcome and could only enhance ones life experience.

 

[mobilehaathi]

Much agreed all around.

However, being wealthy enough, financially, to not have the stresses associated with barely making enough money to get by, at times, would be most welcome and could only enhance ones life experience.

You're preaching to the choir, my friend.

 

[Kurwenal]

Congrats SS and 12Slaves on your purchases. SS you will love the Lido 2. I will post a review when I get to it. Grinds like butter, although it is too big to replace the Porlex in my travel kit.

I pulled a total of 6 doubles this morning, over about 90 minutes of tinkering, adjusting, futzing around. None was satisfying. Frustrating.

This.

No matter the quality of your cup, people who love coffee, love it. Coffee is about people, and people are what I’m interested in ultimately.
Brandon Loper, Director