TRF ~ Coffee Lovers Thread!

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by Hungry Eyes

Thanks Albert. Have just started lurking in a few of such forums, and bingeing on YouTube reviews, but could you recommend any particularly good forums? Haven’t found any outstanding coffee mavens yet, but someone mentioned James Hoffman to me today, who I’ll check out.

It’s kind of like researching a watch, isn’t it — quite fun in itself.

I don’t expect to have to make too many coffees at once, but that’d be good to be able to do, esp as I don’t want to buy another machine after this one.

Thanks again
Matt

James makes great video's, definitely a good channel to check out if you're starting out with 'higher end' coffee.

[Chewbacca]

I’m trying Maxwell House instant decaf to ease off the caffeine.

[White Collar Boy]

Thanks Matt, Albert and Bas! Will definitely check all of that out, and won’t scrimp on a grinder either, so appreciate the Kafatek recommendation (a bit like you were, Matt, I’m currently biding my time with a Lido 2 (not 3 though) for pourovers and the very occasional Aeropress).

When I’m working in the city, I spend $10 a day on good cafe coffee, in addition to my morning home pourover, so I think a dual boiler and nice grinder is justifiable.

Cheers
Matt

[-dustin]

my personal opinion....HX machines are compromises. i knew i'd regret not getting a dual boiler.

however, that's not what pushed me over the edge.

it was the rotary pump that sealed the deal and got me into a dual boiler. rotary pumps are unbelievably quiet. if you live with someone else, or dogs, or in an apartment with paper thin walls....man, rotary pumps are invaluable. and none of the machines on my short list were HX and rotary pumps.

this is the machine i ended up with and i have zero ragerts. it was, and still is, the most expensive housewares item i own, but has paid for itself:

https://clivecoffee.com/products/luc...-by-quick-mill

[albertf]

Does anyone have an opinion on lever v. DB?

I recently saw a video posted by the creator of Decent Espresso saying how the ability to scale back pressure during the shot greatly improves the flavor.

I've never had a lever created shot.

[yachty 1]

Originally Posted by Hungry Eyes

Has anyone here had a heat exchange (HX) machine like an ECM Rocket Giotto and moved up to a double/dual boiler? I know some of the HX ones have PIDs now that helps stabilise the temp during a shot, so maybe that’s a good in-between place for me to land. Plan to eventually have it plumbed-in with a water softener. Just want to buy one and be done, not buy another in five or ten years. Know what I’m doing in making it, as it used to be my job at different specialty coffee cafes, but know bugger all about today’s domestic machines.

Any recommendations welcome.

Really like the ECM range, including Synchronika, which I would rather than a Linea Mini if I even had the money for the LM... Fishing for ideas. Thanks in advance, but also appreciate it’s a niche question.

Ecm is an amazing machine..I went with a profitic both splitting hairs as far as which one is better.

[Apflorio1]

Just started messing around with these beans and getting good results.



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[Rock]

It's not necessary to buy a more expensive dual boiler just because you occasionally make several coffees at the same time. A good HX , plumbable with a Rotary pump, shot-timer and PID - like the Rocket Mozzafiato Cronometro Evoluzione R, will be quite adequate for the job and a fair bit cheaper. You can buy a top quality grinder - like a Mazzer Mini - for the difference. (All the better manual machines - from single boilers up - have an E61 Group so you don't need to worry about that.)
If $$$ are no object then get a double-boiler, but if like me, you are always focused on 'fit-for-purpose' then a good HX will be just fine.

[White Collar Boy]

Dustin, that LUCCA looks the business. Yachty, I will have a good look at Profitec too, thanks. And Rock, thanks for your insights. I had wondered if a great HX with a PID would get me the results I want, so it’s good to know you are happy and recommend that particular Rocket.

Thanks all.

Albert, I’m also keen to see any opinions on lever vs dual boiler. Are you talking about flow rate? I know the La Marzocco Linea Mini only looks like it can do flow profiling with that paddle it has, but it’s purely for looks. But this Lelit Biancha looks good: https://clivecoffee.com/products/lel...presso-machine

[White Collar Boy]

Apflorio1, that’s cool. And from Seattle no less, the heartland! Australian coffee is so influenced by the USA. What are some of the better cafes there nowadays? When I was over, way back in 2011, I remember visiting Stumptown in Portland, and Blue Bottle in Williamsburg, and was blown away. Coffee (made, not grown) in Australia has gotten a lot better in the last ten years.

[uscmatt99]

Originally Posted by albertf

Does anyone have an opinion on lever v. DB?

I recently saw a video posted by the creator of Decent Espresso saying how the ability to scale back pressure during the shot greatly improves the flavor.

I've never had a lever created shot.

I find the Decent Espresso machine to be very intriguing. It's an enthusiast's dream machine at a reasonable price point. The idea that you can control several variables, generate a shot that is to your liking with a particular bean and roast, and save those settings for the future is amazing. It's pretty much doing what a manual lever machine can do, but with precision and repeatability.

I've never used a manual lever. I'm not sure how pre-infusion works with one, but when you pull the shot, the downward pressure you exert on the coffee puck with the lever is completely under your control, as well as the overall timing of the shot pull. Many of them are somewhat limited by smaller shot volumes.

On my spring lever, when the lever is pulled down, it cocks a large internal spring, and opens up the puck to water line (or boiler level in the case of a reservoir supply) pressure. This is the preinfusion pressure, which I have set to around 1.1 bar. The water fills the chamber of the grouphead. The temperature is regulated via a thermosiphon. When I release the lever upwards, the spring begins relaxing and pushes the water through the puck. There is a declining pressure profile, so there's more pressure at the beginning of the shot than the end. This is what gives lever shots a characteristic flavor that will be different from a pump in most HX and DB machines which work at a fixed pressure (to my knowledge at least).

The spring lever machines are actually very forgiving. Manual lever machines are trickier and take more time to master, but give the barista more control over the final output. Machines like the Decent Espresso, Vesuvius, and Slayer offer even more control throughout the shot pull. This is through variable preinfusion time, preinfusion pressure, temperature, and pump pressure throughout the shot.

[BreguetRolex]

Originally Posted by uscmatt99

I find the Decent Espresso machine to be very intriguing. It's an enthusiast's dream machine at a reasonable price point. The idea that you can control several variables, generate a shot that is to your liking with a particular bean and roast, and save those settings for the future is amazing. It's pretty much doing what a manual lever machine can do, but with precision and repeatability.

I've never used a manual lever. I'm not sure how pre-infusion works with one, but when you pull the shot, the downward pressure you exert on the coffee puck with the lever is completely under your control, as well as the overall timing of the shot pull. Many of them are somewhat limited by smaller shot volumes.

On my spring lever, when the lever is pulled down, it cocks a large internal spring, and opens up the puck to water line (or boiler level in the case of a reservoir supply) pressure. This is the preinfusion pressure, which I have set to around 1.1 bar. The water fills the chamber of the grouphead. The temperature is regulated via a thermosiphon. When I release the lever upwards, the spring begins relaxing and pushes the water through the puck. There is a declining pressure profile, so there's more pressure at the beginning of the shot than the end. This is what gives lever shots a characteristic flavor that will be different from a pump in most HX and DB machines which work at a fixed pressure (to my knowledge at least).

The spring lever machines are actually very forgiving. Manual lever machines are trickier and take more time to master, but give the barista more control over the final output. Machines like the Decent Espresso, Vesuvius, and Slayer offer even more control throughout the shot pull. This is through variable preinfusion time, preinfusion pressure, temperature, and pump pressure throughout the shot.

I am really really getting the "ITCH" to buy me a nice machine and grinder as you guys keep bringing me back to this thread and makes my want even more.. Thanks for your nice write up..

[uscmatt99]

Originally Posted by BreguetRolex

I am really really getting the "ITCH" to buy me a nice machine and grinder as you guys keep bringing me back to this thread and makes my want even more.. Thanks for your nice write up..

I love geeking out on this stuff. The thing with espresso equipment, the best and most expensive items are really tailored for folks who know how to use them, and can be frustrating for a beginner. Based on your other purchases(and presumed budget) and experience level, I'd recommend a La Marzocco Linea Mini and a Kafatek Monolith Flat Max grinder. Not too many variables, excellent build and aesthetics, pretty fool-proof usage.

[Apflorio1]

Originally Posted by Hungry Eyes

Apflorio1, that’s cool. And from Seattle no less, the heartland! Australian coffee is so influenced by the USA. What are some of the better cafes there nowadays? When I was over, way back in 2011, I remember visiting Stumptown in Portland, and Blue Bottle in Williamsburg, and was blown away. Coffee (made, not grown) in Australia has gotten a lot better in the last ten years.

Since I purchased my Mina I have been trying to dial in some single origin light roasts from Black and White that have been delicious. They are based in North Carolina and supplies are always updated.

I have been experimenting with a bunch of roasters and that’s been the fun part to me.

I’m new to the coffee world but like most things in my life I jumped right in.





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[Apflorio1]

Originally Posted by uscmatt99

I love geeking out on this stuff. The thing with espresso equipment, the best and most expensive items are really tailored for folks who know how to use them, and can be frustrating for a beginner. Based on your other purchases(and presumed budget) and experience level, I'd recommend a La Marzocco Linea Mini and a Kafatek Monolith Flat Max grinder. Not too many variables, excellent build and aesthetics, pretty fool-proof usage.

I totally agree as a beginner flow profiling led to some frustration but for me I have overall really enjoyed the journey. Your mileage may vary but I love adjusting parameters and seeing what the outcome is.

Occasionally those adjustments result in my desired results which is always a win.

Andre


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[BreguetRolex]

Originally Posted by uscmatt99

I love geeking out on this stuff. The thing with espresso equipment, the best and most expensive items are really tailored for folks who know how to use them, and can be frustrating for a beginner. Based on your other purchases(and presumed budget) and experience level, I'd recommend a La Marzocco Linea Mini and a Kafatek Monolith Flat Max grinder. Not too many variables, excellent build and aesthetics, pretty fool-proof usage.

I really have not yet decided as I been on the fence for about 2 months now "BREWING" over it. Well HAH you know me quite well I see and yes I buy many a things I am totally clueless at like a Leica M10 Rangefinder with a Leica Noctilux 50mm f/0.95 I honestly think I can get the hang of a Expresso machine before that Rangefinder..

I am looking to spend about $1500.00 for a really nice grinder and if I buy a expresso grinder can i also grind regular beans in it too..?.. I have a machine I am also lusting over that really tickles my fancy and seems to be top shelf for a single head...

[BreguetRolex]

Originally Posted by uscmatt99

I love geeking out on this stuff. The thing with espresso equipment, the best and most expensive items are really tailored for folks who know how to use them, and can be frustrating for a beginner. Based on your other purchases(and presumed budget) and experience level, I'd recommend a La Marzocco Linea Mini and a Kafatek Monolith Flat Max grinder. Not too many variables, excellent build and aesthetics, pretty fool-proof usage.

So what would be considered a dream expresso machine for home use..? also what would be considered a high top end grinder..?

[uscmatt99]

Originally Posted by BreguetRolex

I really have not yet decided as I been on the fence for about 2 months now "BREWING" over it. Well HAH you know me quite well I see and yes I buy many a things I am totally clueless at like a Leica M10 Rangefinder with a Leica Noctilux 50mm f/0.95 I honestly think I can get the hang of a Expresso machine before that Rangefinder..

I am looking to spend about $1500.00 for a really nice grinder and if I buy a expresso grinder can i also grind regular beans in it too..?.. I have a machine I am also lusting over that really tickles my fancy and seems to be top shelf for a single head...

Like the M10, espresso can be finicky.

In your case I'd really consider upping your grinder budget. Not necessary, but as someone who enjoys the finer mechanical things in life, I think it would be worth it for you. The Kafatek Flat Max is pretty much an end-game grinder. You can use it for anything from Turkish to French press, but many folks who are into coffee have a couple of grinders, one for espresso, one for pour-over and drip. The adjustments are so fine on espresso grinders that it can be frustrating switching back and forth to pour-over settings.

I have a Baratza Vario-W grinder for drip/pour-over that my wife and I love. It grinds a specified number of grams of coffee depending on how much you want to brew. So I made settings for 4-cup, 6-cup, and 8-cup pots. Adjustments are very easy. Servicing it is pretty easy too with the help of YouTube. It runs about $560.

My end-game setup would be a Slayer Single Group espresso machine and the Kafatek Monolith Flat Max. But I'm very happy with my Londinium L1 lever machine and Kafatek Monolith Conical and will probably stick with them for at least another 10 years.

[-dustin]

Originally Posted by uscmatt99

The thing with espresso equipment, the best and most expensive items are really tailored for folks who know how to use them, and can be frustrating for a beginner.

I don't think this can be stressed enough.

Coming from a Baratza Vario and Gaggia Classic, to my Lucca M58 and Eureka Atom, it took months....and months...to get my technique, grind, tamp, and dose dialed.

[uscmatt99]

Originally Posted by Apflorio1

I totally agree as a beginner flow profiling led to some frustration but for me I have overall really enjoyed the journey. Your mileage may vary but I love adjusting parameters and seeing what the outcome is.

Occasionally those adjustments result in my desired results which is always a win.

Andre


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Andre your latte art vastly exceeds my capabilities It's a fun hobby. My wife has watched me struggle over the years and ordered me a custom latte cup so I can work on my art, right now the only designs I can make are galaxy and nebula. I just dump the milk right in

[uscmatt99]

Originally Posted by -dustin

I don't think this can be stressed enough.

Coming from a Baratza Vario and Gaggia Classic, to my Lucca M58 and Eureka Atom, it took months....and months...to get my technique, grind, tamp, and dose dialed.

It's lifelong learning apparently. I had my wife's cousin try out my machine, and she's an experienced barista. As I was walking her through it, I got my first side-squirter in months, missing the cup and hitting the back of the machine. Must've done a crappy job on the tamp. The joys of the naked portafilter

[Apflorio1]

Originally Posted by uscmatt99

Andre your latte art vastly exceeds my capabilities It's a fun hobby. My wife has watched me struggle over the years and ordered me a custom latte cup so I can work on my art, right now the only designs I can make are galaxy and nebula. I just dump the milk right in

Don’t let that pic fool you I have many more that didn’t hit the mark lol.

I have an understanding wife as well and she is very supportive since this is the only obsession she gets any benefit from.

Check out jibbijug to see some really good tips.


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[BNA/LION]

Wife bought this on Friday and returned it on Sunday! This thing is a joke! The coffee is terrible!

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by uscmatt99

Andre your latte art vastly exceeds my capabilities It's a fun hobby. My wife has watched me struggle over the years and ordered me a custom latte cup so I can work on my art, right now the only designs I can make are galaxy and nebula. I just dump the milk right in

Galaxy & nebula

[junamuan]

Here's mine and my ill-conceived attempt to be a Barista.

[Hard_Six]

Time to caffeinate!






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[FLGatorM5]

Originally Posted by Hard_Six

Time to caffeinate!






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The espresso maker is nice, but that’s a beautiful kitchen. (Don’t mind me, home shopping all weekend.)

Is that a grinder next to it?

[Hard_Six]

Originally Posted by FLGatorM5

The espresso maker is nice, but that’s a beautiful kitchen. (Don’t mind me, home shopping all weekend.)

Is that a grinder next to it?

Thanks. Remodeled the kitchen earlier this year. Yes, that's a monolith grinder.

[uscmatt99]

Originally Posted by Hard_Six

Time to caffeinate!




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Killer setup!!!!

[GB-man]

Gorgeous remodel! Can’t go wrong with white and marble.