Coffee: we drink it or we get angry.

Discussion in 'Food and Drink' started by Jeb, Jan 16, 2016.

  1. nishan99

    nishan99 Friend

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    It's not about the Turkish coffee strength, the expressos I drink are stronger, it's that painful burnt bitterness taste, it's not for me is the nicest way to say it.

    I dismissed the the aeropress because of that paper filter and the coffee does not look heavy enough because of that. I may adventure to those lighter drinks later but for now I am still in the espresso/lungo weight class.
     
  2. thegunner100

    thegunner100 Hentai Master Chief

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    The Bialetti Brikka does a decent job if you're looking to make americanos or milk based drinks. There's also the 9barista.

    https://9barista.com/
     
  3. Woland

    Woland Friend

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    I use a metal filter when I aeropress, but 100% back @thegunner100 's suggestion of a Bialetti Brikka:

     
  4. DigMe

    DigMe Friend

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    I would also recommend the Aeropress with metal filter or a moka pot.
    Another cheaper espresso option is the Flair espresso maker.
     
  5. sphinxvc

    sphinxvc Gear Master (retired)

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    How is the Flair? Has anyone here tried it?

    I had a special use case for an espresso machine this summer. I've been traveling, and have more or less brought all my pared-down belongings with me.

    Anyway, I started this trip with a french press, but after having some insanely delicious Nespresso-based capuccinos @ my brother-in-law's, I decided to try espresso again.

    I used to have an espresso machine from Breville that one of my coffee-enthused friends gave me. This was a few years ago and I just could never pull a good shot on the thing. I just concluded that I sucked and I didn't have the patience/interest to dial in all the variables.

    So I was pretty skeptical when I ordered the Wacaco Nanopresso three weeks ago. But it turns out that they've simplified just enough of the process to give you some really delicious coffee on the go.

    I've been using it twice a day and there was definitely a learning curve. For example--and I ran into Hoffman's unfavorable review of this thing after I bought it--I only had that leaking pressure issue he complained about during my first few "pulls." But then dialing in the timing, tamping and cleaning starting giving me great, repeatable results. And I've just been getting beans ground in bags at local cafes in whatever city I'm in.

    If this sounds like some contrived stealth shill, lol, it's not. I don't actually recommend this thing for most people. Its best feature is that it packs down into about the size of a beer can. Apart from that, the pumping is quite ridiculous and the learning curve is kind of steep to get into a flow-like state and to be able to go from grounds to coffee in your cup in under 2 minutes. Also, I make milk-added drinks so maybe my "chain" isn't resolving enough to tell if the Nanopresso is a Wavedream or a Bifrost 2, who knows.

    Anyway, I'm kind of curious how this compares to the Flair. The Flair seems to come with a carrying case? So I guess that suggests it is transportable. Also it has the advantage that you don't have to pump, but is one continuous motion which is nice when you've just woken up in the morning.

    PS - I didn't consider the Aeropress because I didn't know it could pull espresso-like shots when I ordered this.
     
  6. Woland

    Woland Friend

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    It doesn't. The makers claim that it does is completely misleading.
     
  7. DigMe

    DigMe Friend

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    I agree, Aeropress doesn’t make espresso at all. Just a denser, more concentrated coffee that I thought you might prefer over pourover. My friend has a Flair and I haven’t tried it but he likes it a lot. He is an espresso fan who used to own a pretty good coffee shop. He got the Pro model secondhand.
     
  8. fastfwd

    fastfwd Friend

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    FWIW, the quick fix for that problem is to use Breville's pressurized dual-wall filters. The coffee won't be quite as good as the very best shots you can pull with the single-wall filters, but it'll be close -- and way better than all the mediocre single-wall shots.

    I put the double-wall basket in so a visiting teenage niece could make coffee for herself, but then I just left it in after she departed. I put so much sweetener in my coffee that I can't really taste the difference anyway, and the convenience and consistency is REALLY nice.
     
  9. randytsuch

    randytsuch Friend

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    I've thought about getting a flair or robot so I could play with a lever, but haven't pulled the trigger yet.
    A flair and a manual grinder seems to be the lower cost way to get "real" espresso.
    Aeropress and moka pots make strong coffee, IMHO.

    Flair is more work to make espresso, you would need to preheat it before pulling a shot, but its supposed to be a capable little machine. I kind of remember there is more work to clean up after a shot too.

    Randy
     
  10. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    I used to use a 2-cup Bialetti basket in a 1-cup pot to make a reasonable facsimile of an espresso for a pseudo-latte at work. I switched to an Aeropress (paper filter) and can get something equally strong, but lacking the zing of an espresso that the Bialetti was able to provide, but the taste is OK overall (12g beans + 50g water = 35g coffee).

    Change of topic ...

    I was searching for something and came across the new inclined Eureka Mignon grinder.

    1631620351155.jpg
    https://news.eureka.co.it/mignon-single-dose-en/

    It hasn't even started shipping yet, and someone has 3D hacked it for existing Mignons.

    [​IMG]
    https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4941256

    I don't have access to a 3D printer, so used some adhesive backed rubber sheets I acquired for modding my HD800.

    1631620353035.jpg

    If I put 20g into the grinder when clean, I usually 18g out. Inclined, I get a little over 18.3g.
     
  11. DigMe

    DigMe Friend

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    As someone who is a big fan of funky, fruity natural Ethiopians, Yemenis, etc.. this Guatemalan coffee is really special. I discovered it through my subscription at drinktrade.com but here’s the link to the roaster in Redding, CA.

    https://www.feastcoffee.com


    [​IMG]
     
  12. Tchoupitoulas

    Tchoupitoulas Friend

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    Hi everyone, I'd be most grateful for some recommendations, please. My wife would like us to get a coffee machine now that she's going to be working from home for the foreseeable future. I've been a lurker on this thread for a while and made a note of earlier recommendations for the Gaggia Classic Pro Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine, which sells for $450. Is this still something that you'd recommend, or have other makes or models come along that would be worth considering instead?

    Our needs are fairly modest and straightforward. We're looking for something relatively convenient and easy to use and maintain. The machine wouldn't get particularly heavy use, perhaps an espresso or two a day for five days a week. We'd like one with a steam wand, although we'd be happy getting a separate device for that, if necessary.

    My preference is to invest in something solid and reliable that would last us a decent amount of time. Our budget is up to $450, although it would be nice to spend less, if possible. My wife liked the look of a De'Longhi EC680M machine at $300 but I received another, cheaper De'Longhi many years ago as a gift that crapped out far too quickly. I'm skeptical of that brand.

    Any advice and recommendations would be very much appreciated - thank you in advance!
     
  13. DigMe

    DigMe Friend

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    I absolutely do not recommend De’Longhi. Gaggia is always a good budget machine. Breville has some good budget machines too.
     
  14. randytsuch

    randytsuch Friend

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    Do you have a grinder, or budget for a grinder? You need a good grinder to make espresso, its an expensive hobby.
    A manual grinder saves some money if you and/or your wife are willing to crank a grinder for a minute or two.
    I have a Kinu Phoenix which works well for espresso, but I should admit sometimes I get a little tired. And making multi shots at a time is no fun.

    Randy
     
  15. Tchoupitoulas

    Tchoupitoulas Friend

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    Thank you for the reply and for the advice, Randy, I very much appreciate it.

    We have a pretty lame blade grinder - I can't remember the make or model off the top of my head - so, yes, we're looking to get either a Baratza Encore burr grinder (perhaps a refurbished one, if available), or a manual one. (I saw the Baratza recommended above).

    We hadn't figured out what options there are for manual grinders, though, so thank you very much for recommending the Kinu Phoenix.
     
  16. Metro

    Metro Friend

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    How much have you spent on coffee equipment, vs audio? :p

    I hesitated to spend $150 for a manual grinder (1Zpresso) until I tried to think of what audio I own that costs less. I already spend almost that much each year on Qobuz alone.
     
  17. DigMe

    DigMe Friend

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    Good to hear that you realize you need a better grinder. I bought a Baratza Vario from their refurb stock many years ago and it’s still kicking. At one point after the warranty was well past I started having problems and they sent me a new set of metal gears to replace the plastic gears free of charge. They purposefully make the parts easily user-replaceable.
     
  18. Woland

    Woland Friend

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    The messiness of having to preheat and move boiling water is a big obstacle to everyday use, and to the quality of what it produces. I wouldn't use a robot or flair unless portability was essential.

    For that budget, I'd recommend you look at a second hand La Pavoni manual machine, or similar. These have a steep learning curve and that means there are a lot of frustrated purchasers selling machines in excellent condition. They've been manufactured for decades and the design is tested and maintenance, parts and accessories are abundant.

    Once you know how to work a La Pavoni you can make an excellent espresso quickly. It also has basic milk steaming. I used mine for around 5 years, and other family have used it for another 5.

    I have lab grade equipment now which delivers much greater consistency and higher throughput. Using most lower end equipment is frustrating in comparison.. but the La Pavoni is something I still enjoy because of the engagement with the manual lever process.
     
  19. randytsuch

    randytsuch Friend

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    A Baratza Encore isn't going to work for espresso. Will do drip fine, but its not an espresso grinder. I have the Baratza Virtuoso, which is a step up from the encore, and it won't do espresso either.
    For espresso, you need to be able to make VERY small adjustments to the grind setting, and neither of these will do it.
    I was just looking at the Baratza info on the encore, and they claim it can do espresso. Don't trust them, you will be in for a lot of frustration.
    A vario will work, but for a lot more money.

    I think there are some options out there for a powered grinder that are less than a vario, but it will still cost some $.

    @Woland
    Thanks for the advice. I decided to skip either for now, sticking with my HX, it does fine.
     
  20. famish99

    famish99 Friend

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    A Vario can grind espresso fine, but it's still not great at this range. It'll work ok for a classic 9-bar shot with limited adjustability, but forget being able to do anything with pre-infusion or lower pressure.
     

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