Espresso Enthusiasts

[S.B.G]

Which model did you opt for, General?

I went with the Shrink recommended De'Longhi BAR32 Retro 15 BAR Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker.

I've had it for a couple of months now and I like it. It's not bad for a relatively el'cheap'o model. It has it's little quirks but I've managed to adjust quite well.

 

[twietee]

^nice!

I'm going to shake down the thread, Shrink may look into any other direction now, and confess buying one of these grinders from Bosch for 20€. Since I only have a Bialetti now, I hope it will serve the next year so I can play the lottery to buy a real one (+machine).

 

[Shrink]

^nice!

I'm going to shake down the thread, Shrink may look into any other direction now, and confess buying one of these grinders from Bosch for 20€. Since I only have a Bialetti now, I hope it will serve the next year so I can play the lottery to buy a real one (+machine).

Really, I know I'm a complete lunatic about a lot of stuff, but don't use a chopper grinder unless you really want to ruin the beans. Even if you want an inexpensive grinder, get a cheap burr grinder.

If you are making something other that espresso (drip, press), although you will ruin the beans with the heat generated by this chopper, you can still make the coffee. But if you are using it for espresso, not only will it ruin the beans, but it creates particles of such dramatically different size, you will not get anything like good espresso, not matter how long you chop the beans.

twietee, please understand I am not being critical of you and, believe it or not, I'm not being the lunatic espresso fanatic when I tell you that a chopper like that may be great for chopping herbs, it is really useless for coffee intended for espresso.

Please do not take offense at anything I've said here, and accept my apologies in advance if I have offended you.

Blade choppers are not for espresso coffee...

 

[eric/]

Agreed with Shrink. It's a factual statement.

 

[Shrink]

^nice!

I'm going to shake down the thread, Shrink may look into any other direction now, and confess buying one of these grinders from Bosch for 20€. Since I only have a Bialetti now, I hope it will serve the next year so I can play the lottery to buy a real one (+machine).

I just looked up Bialetti, and it's a press coffee maker. Everything I said was referring to preparing beans for espresso production. The grind will be OK for press

That said, the chopper will cook the oils and produce a very poor taste, even in press production, because of the heat it produces by hitting the beans over and over. Also, controlling the grind in any way is pure guess work with a chopper.

Even the least expensive burr grinder, with just a few adjustments, will give you a better and more controllable grind. You will notice the difference between coffee ground in a burr machine and a chopper

 

[twietee]

blablabla

I know, I know. You've told me before long ago, but of course I highly appreciate your efforts! But, in all honesty, every burr grinder I looked at looks **** (horrible) or is ~300€+. Also your Rocky-xyz (I forgot the real name, the one before you got the HG one) wasn't that beautiful. I must admit, for my cappuccino, it works. (And leaves plenty of room to improve)

I come back to this thread in a year or so..

 

[Shrink]

I know, I know. You've told me before long ago, but, in all honesty, every burr grinder I looked at looks **** (horrible) or is 300€+. Also your Rocky-xyz (I forgot the real name, the one before you got the HG one) wasn't that beautiful. I must admit, for my cappuccino, it works. (And leaves plenty of room to improve)

I come back to this thread in a year or so..

I'm sorry, Mate...I meant no offense.

If you're happy with the chopper...then that's all that matters.

As far as the appearance of the grinders, I have no argument with your feelings about the esthetics...certainly the grinders I've had would not be considered beautiful. For me, they just did the job...

 

[Fed]

I went with the Shrink recommended De'Longhi BAR32 Retro 15 BAR Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker.

I've had it for a couple of months now and I like it. It's not bad for a relatively el'cheap'o model. It has it's little quirks but I've managed to adjust quite well.

Sweet - looks good. I bought one of the full bean to cup De'Longhi models. Works a treat, as expected, but it's hard to feel like a barista after pressing a single button, haha.

 

[Kissaragi]

I know, I know. You've told me before long ago, but of course I highly appreciate your efforts! But, in all honesty, every burr grinder I looked at looks **** (horrible) or is ~300€+. Also your Rocky-xyz (I forgot the real name, the one before you got the HG one) wasn't that beautiful. I must admit, for my cappuccino, it works. (And leaves plenty of room to improve)

I come back to this thread in a year or so..

Theres ugly grinders and more attractive ones at every price level.

These 2 are cheap and look ok.

http://www.heals.co.uk/invt/609696?Source=119_74&gclid=CMPE0oWV5rUCFczHtAodJ3UAqg

http://www.very.co.uk/delonghi-kg79...839e-e5b39b2661fb&istItemId=wippwwqx&istBid=t

 

[twietee]

I'm sorry, Mate...I meant no offense.

If you're happy with the chopper...then that's all that matters.

As far as the appearance of the grinders, I have no argument with your feelings about the esthetics...certainly the grinders I've had would not be considered beautiful. For me, they just did the job...

No, no problem. I'm just half witted since I'm quite busy. .really appreciate it. Also Kissaragi, thanks for the links. I'll have a look at them, but since I spent 60€ on my pepper grinder, which I use much more often than drinking coffee at home, it'll do for the moment.

 

[Kissaragi]

No, no problem. I'm just half witted since I'm quite busy. .really appreciate it. Also Kissaragi, thanks for the links. I'll have a look at them, but since I spent 60€ on my pepper grinder, which I use much more often than drinking coffee at home, it'll do for the moment.

Your whirly blade grinder is still better than buying preground coffee so if your happy with it for now then theres no need to upgrade yet. They were just examples of decent looking low budget grinders for you or anyone else looking.

 

[S.B.G]

It was time to change the filter in my Britta water pitcher. I also decided to descale the espresso machine as well. The Britta goes by about 40 gallons for each filter and though the machine states 200 gallons before descaling, I think I'll just do both together every time the Britta needs changing. I do have somewhat hard water even being on city water.

 

[Shrink]

It was time to change the filter in my Britta water pitcher. I also decided to descale the espresso machine as well. The Britta goes by about 40 gallons for each filter and though the machine states 200 gallons before descaling, I think I'll just do both together every time the Britta needs changing. I do have somewhat hard water even being on city water.

Sounds like a good idea, especially if the water is kind of hard.

I'm sure it's a typo...you wrote "200 gallons", and the Manual says the machine should be de-scaled "after 200 cups". I don't know what you're using for de-scaling, but if you're considering using the vinegar concoction I have seen suggested...I wouldn't. I used Durgol...it's advantage is that it doesn't require the "let it stand 15 minutes" thing, and seemed to work well. Any decent de-scaler should be fine, just not vinegar.

 

[S.B.G]

Sounds like a good idea, especially if the water is kind of hard.

I'm sure it's a typo...you wrote "200 gallons", and the Manual says the machine should be de-scaled "after 200 cups". I don't know what you're using for de-scaling, but if you're considering using the vinegar concoction I have seen suggested...I wouldn't. I used Durgol...it's advantage is that it doesn't require the "let it stand 15 minutes" thing, and seemed to work well. Any decent de-scaler should be fine, just not vinegar.

Haha, yeah, not 200 gallons - 200 coffees is what it reads!

Yeah, I'm using the Durgol that you recommended earlier.

 

[Kissaragi]

Haha, yeah, not 200 gallons - 200 coffees is what it reads!

Yeah, I'm using the Durgol that you recommended earlier.

200 gallons is a week of espresso for shrink!

 

[S.B.G]

200 gallons is a week of espresso for shrink!

Haha, no doubt about it!

 

[Shrink]

200 gallons is a week of espresso for shrink!

Haha, no doubt about it!

That's for a week when I'm busy, and not able to make my usual amount!!

Literally laughed out loud...

 

[Kissaragi]

That's for a week when I'm busy, and not able to make my usual amount!!

Literally laughed out loud...

lol, that will teach me to not underestimate how much coffee you drink in future

 

[twietee]

Your whirly blade grinder is still better than buying preground coffee.

That's all I wanted to hear

Last remark (for the poor pupils also using a whirly grinder - probably needless since they most likely don't visit this thread, but who knows). Do not whirl (lol) until it's completely grounded. Instead it's better to do it for 10s, then pause and repeat for 10s. My coffee this morning was ok btw.

I got myself 1kg Chicco d'Oro btw. good brand, too.

 

[Shrink]

I'm sitting here, looking outside...the wind is blowing 40+ mph, it's snowing like mad, and I'm sipping a delicious espresso.

One of the small pleasures in life.

We all have concerns and issues in our lives, and this was just a wonderful couple of minutes, momentarily devoid of cares.

Just wanted to share it with some nice folks here....



OK, so much for maudlin sentimentality.

 

[Kissaragi]

I'm sitting here, looking outside...the wind is blowing 40+ mph, it's snowing like mad, and I'm sipping a delicious espresso.

One of the small pleasures in life.

We all have concerns and issues in our lives, and this was just a wonderful couple of minutes, momentarily devoid of cares.

Just wanted to share it with some nice folks here....



OK, so much for maudlin sentimentality.

Much better experience than mine which normally revolves around swearing, minor burns, swearing, failing to get good micro foam and swearing.

 

[Shrink]

Much better experience than mine which normally revolves around swearing, minor burns, swearing, failing to get good micro foam and swearing.

I just don't think about the making it part (1/2 hour for a three minutes of sipping), just the drinking part.

BTW; sometimes when one is frustrated, swearing helps...

 

[S.B.G]

I'm sitting here, looking outside...the wind is blowing 40+ mph, it's snowing like mad, and I'm sipping a delicious espresso.

One of the small pleasures in life.

We all have concerns and issues in our lives, and this was just a wonderful couple of minutes, momentarily devoid of cares.

Just wanted to share it with some nice folks here....

OK, so much for maudlin sentimentality.

I had a brief similar moment this morning as well. I woke up to giant snow flakes coming down in a more gentle fashion than you describe, covering the sidewalks and parking lot. I made my espresso latté and sat down on the couch next to the door-wall and watched the snow fly for a little while.

Much better experience than mine which normally revolves around swearing, minor burns, swearing, failing to get good micro foam and swearing.

Oh my! Minor burns indicate that you may be... holding it wrong. lol... sorry, I couldn't resist. I hope they aren't too bad.

I just don't think about the making it part (1/2 hour for a three minutes of sipping), just the drinking part.

BTW; sometimes when one is frustrated, swearing helps...

This is a crazy delight of ours where we spend more time in preparation for the drink than the actual drinking of it. It takes a certain breed of people to do this sort of thing.

 

[Shrink]

I had a brief similar moment this morning as well. I woke up to giant snow flakes coming down in a more gentle fashion than you describe, covering the sidewalks and parking lot. I made my espresso latté and sat down on the couch next to the door-wall and watched the snow fly for a little while.



Oh my! Minor burns indicate that you may be... holding it wrong. lol... sorry, I couldn't resist. I hope they aren't too bad.



This is a crazy delight of ours where we spend more time in preparation for the drink than the actual drinking of it. It takes a certain breed of people to do this sort of thing.

And here's an even crazier delight...I actually enjoy the making of the drink!

There is something calming (for me) about the well practiced movements required in the preparation.

Oh, dear...I do need help...

 

[S.B.G]

And here's an even crazier delight...I actually enjoy the making of the drink!

There is something calming (for me) about the well practiced movements required in the preparation.

Oh, dear...I do need help...

Haha, I do understand that. There is a certain methodical ambiance that goes along with making it. Such as I enjoy opening my "coffee cabinet" and breathing in the aroma of the coffee as I start to pull out all of the "tools' needed to create the tasty brew.