Espresso Enthusiasts

[Shrink]

What, not monthly!?

I don't know of I can look up to you anymore...

When you have the right kind of grinder, it only requires major lubing annually. Since complete burr cleaning takes 10 seconds (if you dawdle), the gearbox only requires cleaning and lubing one a year. And since it is totally isolated from any grinds...it was so clean, I could have waited another year.

In short, once a year constitutes compulsive cleanliness!

 

[S.B.G]

What, not monthly!?

I don't know of I can look up to you anymore...

I think he also cleans it after ever use as well. He may still be worthy of admiration yet!

 

[mobilehaathi]

When you have the right kind of grinder, it only requires major lubing annually. Since complete burr cleaning takes 10 seconds (if you dawdle), the gearbox only requires cleaning and lubing one a year. And since it is totally isolated from any grinds...it was so clean, I could have waited another year.

In short, once a year constitutes compulsive cleanliness!

Oh I see how it is. The "right kind of grinder," indeed!

Folks I think we have a coffeelitist among us.

 

[Shrink]

I think he also cleans it after ever use as well. He may still be worthy of admiration yet!

Oh, gosh.

Shucks.

/***Toes the ground with the tip of his shoe and bushes***/

Oh I see how it is. The "right kind of grinder," indeed!

Folks I think we have a coffeelitist among us.

Elitest!?

Moi?

I'm just a humble country coffee freak with astoundingly good taste in espresso equipment.

Gosh and golly...nothing elitest about that...

 

[mwa]

Just curious if it was whole bean or pre-ground?

BTW...Illy whole bean is very good for a packaged coffee, too.

It is pre-ground, unfortunately. I have a grinder (burr grinder, of course), and whilst I am a coffee snob I don't consider myself enough of a snob to only buy whole bean. I do, regularly, just not all the time.

...and being a coffee snob is perfectly fine.

Yes, both Illy and LavAzza are very good for pre-ground coffee; I use both (and count myself lucky that I can actually obtain both) at the moment.

I've had Illy - preground the only variety of that brand I could get, and while it was super smooth I didn't think it had any personality. :/ The Lavazza is just sublime... at least, for what I can get my hands on for a not so steep price. I don't mind paying $10 for 10 or 12oz, but you can find higher grade stuff on The Everything Store for like $20 or 30, and that's too much for me...

 

[S.B.G]

I went to my local store the other day looking for an Irish Coffee Mug and turned up nothing. A Google search led me to Bed Bath & Beyond with a nice looking one available. Though, there isn't one nearby to me, but I have a friend who works at one as a manager. She picked up two for me and brought them with her to church tonight to give to me.

For $3 each, they're rather nice.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

What, not monthly!?

I don't know of I can look up to you anymore...

Yes, if you seek to set standards, then others may expect that you adhere to ever even higher ones yourself.

I think he also cleans it after ever use as well. He may still be worthy of admiration yet!

Ah, now I see how it is….

Oh I see how it is. The "right kind of grinder," indeed!

Folks I think we have a coffeelitist among us.

Nah, I think he is merely a man of exquisite taste, discernment and refinement. Actually, it is a very simple philosophy, really. I know, because, much of the time, I find myself subscribing to something similar. And, it runs somewhat as follows: Only the best will suffice.

I went to my local store the other day looking for an Irish Coffee Mug and turned up nothing. A Google search led me to Bed Bath & Beyond with a nice looking one available. Though, there isn't one nearby to me, but I have a friend who works at one as a manager. She picked up two for me and brought them with her to church tonight to give to me.

For $3 each, they're rather nice.
View attachment 484570

They are rather nice, agreed. And, as I may have mentioned earlier, they are rather good for serving hot whiskeys, or hot ports, too. They look good, and are easy to hold, as the handle will not cause your hand to be burned.

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Oh, gosh.

Shucks.

/***Toes the ground with the tip of his shoe and bushes***/



Elitest!?

Moi?

I'm just a humble country coffee freak with astoundingly good taste in espresso equipment.

Gosh and golly...nothing elitest about that...

An apt summary…..

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Ah, Kurwenal, could you please remind me (again) what the make of that wonderful (espresso) machine that was given to you by Mrs Kurwenal actually is as I am browsing, and wish to drool, and torture myself a little while studying it closely?

(Did I ever mention that I am a big fan of the concept of delayed gratification? Somehow, it makes the final act of acquisition extremely pleasant….)

Or, it could be a last lingering residue of my repressed Catholic childhood…….I'm not quite sure…..

I forgot to write down the make…….and it is not listed on page one of our thread which includes the Wiki section.

 

[S.B.G]

Ah, Kurwenal, could you please remind me (again) what the make of that wonderful (espresso) machine that was given to you by Mrs Kurwenal actually is as I am browsing, and wish to drool, and torture myself a little while studying it closely?

(Did I ever mention that I am a big fan of the concept of delayed gratification? Somehow, it makes the final act of acquisition extremely pleasant….)

Or, it could be a last lingering residue of my repressed Catholic childhood…….I'm not quite sure…..

I forgot to write down the make…….and it is not listed on page one of our thread which includes the Wiki section.

I believe, the machine that Mrs. Kurwenal bought Mr. Kurwenal as a post-treatment gift, was the La Marzocco GS/3, as outlined in this post.



Allow the drooling to commence!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I believe, the machine that Mrs. Kurwenal bought Mr. Kurwenal as a post-treatment gift, was the La Marzocco GS/3, as outlined in this post.

View attachment 484621

Allow the drooling to commence!

My grateful thanks! What a beautiful machine.

I was prowling and trawling the internet trying to track this down, and even I decided to forego backtracking through our wonderful espresso thread to find it. The must go into my diary, and, somewhere in my future, I don't doubt that one awaits me.

Meanwhile, I shall now proceed to salivate to my heart's content…..

 

[S.B.G]

My grateful thanks! What a beautiful machine.

I was prowling and trawling the internet trying to track this down, and even I decided to forego backtracking through our wonderful espresso thread to find it. The must go into my diary, and, somewhere in my future, I don't doubt that one awaits me.

Meanwhile, I shall now proceed to salivate to my heart's content…..

That is a fine machine and quite nice to just look at too. I certainly wouldn't mind having one or two of my own! Perhaps someday...

 

[Kurwenal]

Yes, indeed, the wondrous La Marzocco GS/3.....I apologize for neglecting the thread in respect of this machine, but I have a variety of excuses including having just returned from three weeks of doing really not much more than deciding where on the boat to sit for the next four hours.

I will remedy this neglect shortly.

It really is incredible. Not sure, frankly, if it is $7K incredible, but I guess now I can stop wondering whether I should ever upgrade.

I have never before had such control over a shot.....800 separately controllable parameters according to one site (I have not counted, and I doubt I will ever adjust even 10% of that number), but as I am a never-ending tinkerer this machine is really perfect for me. If my shot sucks, I have no one to blame but the operator.

Here's some GS/3 porn to enjoy.

 

[S.B.G]

Yes, indeed, the wondrous La Marzocco GS/3.....I apologize for neglecting the thread in respect of this machine, but I have a variety of excuses including having just returned from three weeks of doing really not much more than deciding where on the boat to sit for the next four hours.

I will remedy this neglect shortly.

It really is incredible. Not sure, frankly, if it is $7K incredible, but I guess now I can stop wondering whether I should ever upgrade.

I have never before had such control over a shot.....800 separately controllable parameters according to one site (I have not counted, and I doubt I will ever adjust even 10% of that number), but as I am a never-ending tinkerer this machine is really perfect for me. If my shot sucks, I have no one to blame but the operator.

Here's some GS/3 porn to enjoy.

Great video and I also enjoyed the music as well. That sure looks like one fantastic machine!

I'm about to experiment on a version of espresso here soon, as my Gaggia warms up. I'll report back soon...

 

[S.B.G]

Okay I made a Cafeccino, according to the Great Coffee App.

Cafeccino is a Caffe Macchiato with a shot of vanilla, banana, caramel or any other syrup according to taste. A thick layer of syrup is added to a cup and it stays under the layers of milk, espresso and foam.

Most coffee shops label this drink as "Carmel Latte," Banana Latte," etc depending on the type of syrup.

Though the layering in my cup didn't quite turn out as the video in the app showed. It's probably due to the type of syrup I used being not as thick and the milk I used was 2% lactose free.

But it tasted good nonetheless!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Yes, indeed, the wondrous La Marzocco GS/3.....I apologize for neglecting the thread in respect of this machine, but I have a variety of excuses including having just returned from three weeks of doing really not much more than deciding where on the boat to sit for the next four hours.

I will remedy this neglect shortly.

It really is incredible. Not sure, frankly, if it is $7K incredible, but I guess now I can stop wondering whether I should ever upgrade.

I have never before had such control over a shot.....800 separately controllable parameters according to one site (I have not counted, and I doubt I will ever adjust even 10% of that number), but as I am a never-ending tinkerer this machine is really perfect for me. If my shot sucks, I have no one to blame but the operator.

Here's some GS/3 porn to enjoy.

Yes, indeed……..

Thank you for responding to my absurd desire to torture myself with fantasies about acquiring this piece of insane caffeine perfection………You will no doubt sympathise when I write that I spent an embarrassing amount of time searching for this (unsuccessfully) tonight, until SBG, one of nature's consummate gentlemen, put me out of my misery, and posted a link whereby I could indulge my absurd and ludicrous fantasies in this regard. Sigh.

Great video and I also enjoyed the music as well. That sure looks like one fantastic machine!

I'm about to experiment on a version of espresso here soon, as my Gaggia warms up. I'll report back soon...

Yes, I look forward to watching the video, and thanks, too for posting it, Kurwenal; and I also look forward to your report on your Gaggia's offering this evening…..

 

[Shrink]

Okay I made a Cafeccino, according to the Great Coffee App.


Though the layering in my cup didn't quite turn out as the video in the app showed. It's probably due to the type of syrup I used being not as thick and the milk I used was 2% lactose free.

But it tasted good nonetheless!

View attachment 484668

Aah...you wild and crazy experimenter, you!

Enjoy the good looking concoction!

 

[S.B.G]

... and I also look forward to your report on your Gaggia's offering this evening…..

I think I may have posted my experimentation while you were composing your last post.

Aah...you wild and crazy experimenter, you!

Enjoy the good looking concoction!

I am a wild and crazy experimenter! Or not so much.... I try to follow the directions.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Okay I made a Cafeccino, according to the Great Coffee App.


Though the layering in my cup didn't quite turn out as the video in the app showed. It's probably due to the type of syrup I used being not as thick and the milk I used was 2% lactose free.

But it tasted good nonetheless!

View attachment 484668

I think I may have posted my experimentation while you were composing your last post.



I am a wild and crazy experimenter! Or not so much.... I try to follow the directions.Image

Oooooops. My bad. You are quite right, somehow I overlooked that post, along with the fact that it came in its fetching brand new Irish Coffee glass………mea culpa……anyway, I hope you derived considerable enjoyment from it, and thanks for drawing my oversight to my attention…..ooops...

 

[vrDrew]

Here's some GS/3 porn to enjoy.

Yes, indeed.

Not to question, even for a moment, the ethos of a seven thousand dollar coffee machine. I'm quite certain that, given a reasonably competent operator and some properly-roasted beans of reputable terroir, you're highly likely to end up with a decent cup of joe.

My only complaint with the linked video was the execrable quality of the looped music accompanying it. Ella Fitzgerald's rendition of Cole Porter's Night & Day is a shining star in the Great American Songbook. How the producers of that video could desecrate such a priceless artwork with a ham-fisted cut-and-past looping job is quite beyond me. If you are going to make a looped cut of any music - let alone one as recognizable and adored as Ella Fitzgerald - at least learn how to count to sixteen and move your cut-point to eliminate the annoying "pop" audible at the beginning of the phrase.

 

[S.B.G]

Yes, indeed.

Not to question, even for a moment, the ethos of a seven thousand dollar coffee machine. I'm quite certain that, given a reasonably competent operator and some properly-roasted beans of reputable terroir, you're highly likely to end up with a decent cup of joe.

My only complaint with the linked video was the execrable quality of the looped music accompanying it. Ella Fitzgerald's rendition of Cole Porter's Night & Day is a shining star in the Great American Songbook. How the producers of that video could desecrate such a priceless artwork with a ham-fisted cut-and-past looping job is quite beyond me. If you are going to make a looped cut of any music - let alone one as recognizable and adored as Ella Fitzgerald - at least learn how to count to sixteen and move your cut-point to eliminate the annoying "pop" audible at the beginning of the phrase.

I agree with you that the audio cut and loop did leave much to be desired in the quality department. I don't believe that it should have been entirely too difficult to get it right. But, overlooking that, it was a nice video.

 

[Shrink]

Yes, indeed.

Not to question, even for a moment, the ethos of a seven thousand dollar coffee machine. I'm quite certain that, given a reasonably competent operator and some properly-roasted beans of reputable terroir, you're highly likely to end up with a decent cup of joe.

My only complaint with the linked video was the execrable quality of the looped music accompanying it. Ella Fitzgerald's rendition of Cole Porter's Night & Day is a shining star in the Great American Songbook. How the producers of that video could desecrate such a priceless artwork with a ham-fisted cut-and-past looping job is quite beyond me. If you are going to make a looped cut of any music - let alone one as recognizable and adored as Ella Fitzgerald - at least learn how to count to sixteen and move your cut-point to eliminate the annoying "pop" audible at the beginning of the phrase.

I must agree that the butchery of Ella Fitzgerald's classic interpretation of the brilliant Cole Porter tune was disquieting, to say the least.

 

[Kurwenal]

Yes, indeed.

Not to question, even for a moment, the ethos of a seven thousand dollar coffee machine.

Well, to be perfectly precise, that's not the question. The question is the ethos (and usefulness) of a GS/3 over a Rocket R58 v2 at half the price. Or the more important question of when is it ever right to turn down a gift from one's spouse......

I agree with you that the audio cut and loop did leave much to be desired in the quality department. I don't believe that it should have been entirely too difficult to get it right. But, overlooking that, it was a nice video.

I must agree that the butchery of Ella Fitzgerald's classic interpretation of the brilliant Cole Porter tune was disquieting, to say the least.

Lest I leave a sour taste, here's a somewhat sweeter GS/3 snippet.

 

[S.B.G]

Lest I leave a sour taste, here's a somewhat sweeter GS/3 snippet.

That was great! I laughed quite loudly at the end. Especially considering I didn't notice the title of the video until the end. Here I thought it was an all business, totally serious video too. Then, whoosh! A mountain of sugar befalls the little espresso cup!

 

[Kurwenal]

And, just to round out the trio, this has not been posted for a while.

I think last time someone posted this, we agreed by acclimation that The Video must be accompanied by this statement: Warning. Do not watch unless you want to be compelled by a strange force that you cannot resist or understand to stand up and go make an espresso right this very second.

 

[S.B.G]

And, just to round out the trio, this has not been posted for a while.

I think last time someone posted this, we agreed by acclimation that The Video must be accompanied by this statement: Warning. Do not watch unless you want to be compelled by a strange force that you cannot resist or understand to stand up and go make an espresso right this very second.

Ahhh yes; as soon as I started to read your post, and introduction of the video, I instantly knew of which video it was. Yet, I was still compelled to click on it and watch with mesmerizing admiration of the slow-motion video of an espresso shot from, what appears to be, one of the finest espresso machines available. That is such a cool video!

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In case anyone is interested, I just looked at Sweet Maria's page and they did a roast two days ago of the famed Liquid Amber and it's still in stock.