Siliconslave's how to make espresso thread

I'd go with Dave's recommendation as they're in Coventry. I've ordered a few bits from myespresso online and although I wouldn't say that the chap that runs it is the friendliest person I've ever spoken to on the phone, I've read that a few people have visited and have been satisfied. I believe their showroom opening hours are quite limited so phone and check.
 
If you're ever in East Suffolk, on the A12 north east of Ipswich folks , a nice independent coffee shop in Woodbridge called Honey & Harvey. Its the only coffee shop on my round that serves and sells Hasbean Coffee. They do their own blend & it varies according to what they order from Hasbean. But its pretty good nonetheless. Loyalty card scheme in place too so that's me sold! :D
 
Yet another good cafe opened where I live, with experienced baristas and Hasbean coffee. It's gotten ridiculous, Leeds has gone from a total coffee desert to having like 7 decent places in 3 years, which for a town this size is amazing!
 
Can anyone assist me with a brief list of what I'd need to pick-up were I to get something like a Gaggia Classic? I've had a cursory browse through the thread, but the information is a little overwhelming in its comprehensiveness!

I'm assuming I'd need some, or all of the following?

Grinder (anything more cost-effective than the Iberital MC2?)
Tamper, milk jug, knock box, etc (Motta?)
Non-pressurised basket (directly from Phillips?)
Beans (Hasbean starter pack?)
Other stuff?

I've got shot glasses and cups galore, but it's the rest I'm trying to price up to see if it's an affordable luxury item for the kitchen.
 
glitch said:
Can anyone assist me with a brief list of what I'd need to pick-up were I to get something like a Gaggia Classic? I've had a cursory browse through the thread, but the information is a little overwhelming in its comprehensiveness!

I'm assuming I'd need some, or all of the following?

Grinder (anything more cost-effective than the Iberital MC2?)
Tamper, milk jug, knock box, etc (Motta?)
Non-pressurised basket (directly from Phillips?)
Beans (Hasbean starter pack?)
Other stuff?

I've got shot glasses and cups galore, but it's the rest I'm trying to price up to see if it's an affordable luxury item for the kitchen.
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Good list! You've covered most stuff.

The IC2 comes highly recommended as a first purchase if you're sticking to espresso based drinks.

The Motta bits, I'd pick up from creamsupplies who tend to be the cheapest:

http://www.creamsupplies.co.uk/coffee-barista/cat_250.html

From there I'd recommend a grouphead brush for cleaning. You'll also need some cleaning products such as Puly Caff and at some point descaler.

I also got a Motta milk thermometer from there which isn't expensive and is quite helpful when starting off steaming milk.

I'd also get a set of scales for weighing beans. Not much more than £5 from ebay. Some sort of shot timing device is also handy but you can use your watch or phone.

You may also want to consider upgrading the steam wand at some stage to the Silvia wand:

http://www.myespresso.co.uk/product...ggia-classic/c52a00e5e3ee2f1d65966cd65f84c0fa
 
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gEd said:
I am drinking Costa Rica Finca De Licho 2012 as I type this, freshly ground into a single mug drip filter. I really like it. It makes an excellent espresso in my Silva as well.
It was part of my monthly coffee subscription that my wife bought for me last xmas. I really like getting a different coffee every month. superb present.

I had one coffee delivered from HB a couple of months ago that was from somewhere unusual like cuba. the notes said "I normally run a mile from coffee from this region". He should have done so in this instance as well, it was rank although it actually turned quite drinkable (if odd) after sitting around in its bag for 10 days.
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I left the bag I had for a couple of weeks and gave it another go. Whilst it's still not the best coffee it was drinkable. I'd also call it odd, or if feeling generous "interesting". All in all though I'm glad I didn't just bin it :)
 
Hamster said:
Good list! You've covered most stuff.
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Cheers - I nicked most of the recommendations from your good self!

Hamster said:
The IC2 comes highly recommended as a first purchase if you're sticking to espresso based drinks.
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Er, okay, being stupid now - what would a non-expresso based drink be?

Are we talking grinding for other coffee-making devices?

Hamster said:
The Motta bits, I'd pick up from creamsupplies who tend to be the cheapest:

From there I'd recommend a grouphead brush for cleaning. You'll also need some cleaning products such as Puly Caff and at some point descaler.

I also got a Motta milk thermometer from there which isn't expensive and is quite helpful when starting off steaming milk.
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Did you ever find out what size Europa to go for in the end? I saw you ask the question, but couldn't see the answer.

And what size tamper are we talking here? 58mm?

Hamster said:
I'd also get a set of scales for weighing beans. Not much more than £5 from ebay. Some sort of shot timing device is also handy but you can use your watch or phone.
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Both sorted - have various types of scales for cooking already and plenty of timers.

Hamster said:
You may also want to consider upgrading the steam wand at some stage to the Silvia wand:
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Worth doing from the outset, or waiting and seeing how you fare with the default one?
 
glitch said:
Er, okay, being stupid now - what would a non-expresso based drink be?

Are we talking grinding for other coffee-making devices?
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Yes, such as coarser grinds needed for Aeropress, french press, V60 etc. It's not that the IC2 can't grind coarsely, it's that it's a pain going back and forth between fine grinding for espresso and coarser grinding for brew methods.

glitch said:
Did you ever find out what size Europa to go for in the end? I saw you ask the question, but couldn't see the answer.
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I went for the 500ml Europa in the end. More than adequate to make a 12oz cappucino but falls a little short if trying to make two 8oz drinks. The boiler in the Classic isn't large and I was advised not to go for anything much bigger.

glitch said:
And what size tamper are we talking here? 58mm?
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Yes, 58mm is what you'll need. I went for the flat based tamper but some people prefer a curved base or even a rippled base.

glitch said:
Worth doing from the outset, or waiting and seeing how you fare with the default one?
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Most people seem to upgrade to the Silvia arm eventually. I changed mine before turning my machine on for the first time so I've not used the stock arm. It's a very simple upgrade though. Once you have a wrench handy, it takes a couple of minutes with minimal effort.
 
I've found that the maximum amount of milk that the classic can reliably steam is only about 300-315g. *I run everything by weight rather than ml*

Please don't buy a rippled base tamper. They're only good for making patterns on the top of the coffee.
 
Flibster said:
I've found that the maximum amount of milk that the classic can reliably steam is only about 300-315g. *I run everything by weight rather than ml*
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Now, if I've made sense of what I've read, I believe you should only really fill a jug to the base of the spout.

And as 300-315g of milk is likely to be the same as it would be in millilitres, give or take, I'm guessing that makes a 500ml jug the ideal size?

Flibster said:
Please don't buy a rippled base tamper. They're only good for making patterns on the top of the coffee.
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Absolutely no intention to - but why would you want one with a curved base?

Is it personal preference or is it designed for a specific application?
 
glitch said:
Now, if I've made sense of what I've read, I believe you should only really fill a jug to the base of the spout.

And as 300-315g of milk is likely to be the same as it would be in millilitres, give or take, I'm guessing that makes a 500ml jug the ideal size?
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I've just filled my 500ml Europa up to the level about 1cm before the spout starts (which is the maximum I fill to when steaming) and the weight of milk is 225g.


glitch said:
Absolutely no intention to - but why would you want one with a curved base?

Is it personal preference or is it designed for a specific application?
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Some people say that a curved base gives a better seal but I've not tried one as I'm happy with the flat Motta tamper base that I have. I think it does, as you say, come down to personal preference.
 
OMG, i got some "Southern Pecan" from the states.

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They are amazing !!!!!!!
 
Guys I currently have a gaggia baby and a porlex grinder. I've never got on with the baby, in fact I think it's broken. Should I get a refurbished gaggia classic or get myself an iberital mc2?
 
fus said:
Guys I currently have a gaggia baby and a porlex grinder. I've never got on with the baby, in fact I think it's broken. Should I get a refurbished gaggia classic or get myself an iberital mc2?
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Both - It's my combo and have had it now for about 5 years. Makes brilliant brilliant espressos.
 
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