Siliconslave's how to make espresso thread

Begbie · 31 Mar 2020 at 10:48

mid_gen said:
Now I'm looking at Gaggia Classics and justifying this as the only thing I'll be able to enjoy for the next six months

I got one 2nd hand, worthwhile purchase. I am going through coffee like nobodys business right now though!

If it helps, I've spent £600 on an indoor bike because of this! DO IT!

jpaul · 31 Mar 2020 at 11:18

Begbie said:
I am going through coffee like nobodys business right now though!

plagiarised, but ... as long as you can still smell it too

Ayahuasca · 31 Mar 2020 at 15:22

The new version of the Aldi Colombian beans are disgusting

jpaul · 31 Mar 2020 at 22:06

Ayahuasca said:
The new version of the Aldi Colombian beans are disgusting

thanks .. one to cross off the list .... I've taken beans back to supermarkets before now
forgot to look for their coffee section, again, today, trying to beat the checkout queues - Asda columbian+java beans if you can find them, are ok, like m&s italian

mid_gen · 1 Apr 2020 at 09:08

Begbie said:
I got one 2nd hand, worthwhile purchase. I am going through coffee like nobodys business right now though!

If it helps, I've spent £600 on an indoor bike because of this! DO IT!

Just done the deed, ordered a 2019 model Gaggia Classic

Couple weeks lead time at the moment though, so now I need to shop around for a solid grinder to do it justice.

I really want to avoid something with pointless electronic things that can go wrong. I just want a manual machine with an on/off switch and grind adjustment. I like to buy things that have as little to go wrong as possible and are repairable.

Ayahuasca · 1 Apr 2020 at 09:17

Baratza Encore gets solid reviews and isn't break the bank money.

What sort of budget are you talking as I've used a few midrange ones as well.

mid_gen · 1 Apr 2020 at 10:25

Ayahuasca said:
Baratza Encore gets solid reviews and isn't break the bank money.

What sort of budget are you talking as I've used a few midrange ones as well.

Kinda flexible, for good quality kit that will last, preferably not more than 300 though.

Kinda tempted by a refurbed Mahlkonig Vario, although pushing that budget a little. The guy in my local rosterei in Düsseldorf used Mahlkonig grinders and said they were good.

Ayahuasca · 1 Apr 2020 at 10:38

mid_gen said:
Kinda flexible, for good quality kit that will last, preferably not more than 300 though.

Kinda tempted by a refurbed Mahlkonig Vario, although pushing that budget a little. The guy in my local rosterei in Düsseldorf used Mahlkonig grinders and said they were good.

https://coffeehit.co.uk/products/baratza-virtuoso-plus

Get the model up from the one I mentioned above for that

Begbie · 1 Apr 2020 at 10:47

mid_gen said:
Just done the deed, ordered a 2019 model Gaggia Classic Couple weeks lead time at the moment though, so now I need to shop around for a solid grinder to do it justice.

I really want to avoid something with pointless electronic things that can go wrong. I just want a manual machine with an on/off switch and grind adjustment. I like to buy things that have as little to go wrong as possible and are repairable.

NICE!

I love my classic, cost me £90 and I've twice burnt out the pump (yep, idiot) and replaced them for under a tenner!

mid_gen · 1 Apr 2020 at 14:13

Decisions....

Looking at :

Rancilio Rocky (229)

Baratza Virtuoso+ (249)

Mahlkoenig Vario refurb (314)

Gaggia MDF (180)

Eureka Mignon Silenzio (329)

Tbh I'm leaning towards the Eureka, as I like that it's all manual, no displays or any nonsense, and all metal.

jpaul · 1 Apr 2020 at 14:30

... make sure its stepless, or moddable.

I used to recommend the Eureka minion, with its coloured bodies, it's attractive too, no wasted money on electronics either,
but it seemed they redesigned it putting a, filter grind only, machine frst in the range .. if that's the Silenzio, I wouldn't bite.
I have a Rocky(20years), modded for stepless.

Siliconslave · 1 Apr 2020 at 14:44

jpaul said:
....putting a, filter grind only, machine frst in the range .. if that's the Silenzio, I wouldn't bite.

there is a 'Filtro' https://www.eureka.co.it/en/catalogo/prodotti/macinacaffè+istantaneo/1/25.aspx but the Silenzio does Turkish through to filter, espresso included. The 'MANUALE' looks pretty good and comes down to around £230 from the looks of it.

mid_gen · 1 Apr 2020 at 15:16

This is the one I'm looking at https://www.eureka.co.it/en/catalogo/prodotti/macinacaffè+istantaneo/1/19.aspx Mignon Silenzio.

Can't find the Manuale anywhere though, looks like it's a Silenzio minus the timer?

Siliconslave · 1 Apr 2020 at 16:05

think this is the Manuale here: http://www.myespresso.co.uk/product/eureka-grinder-black/ but yes, seems to be the same less the timer

mid_gen · 1 Apr 2020 at 20:13

Gone for the Silenzio, doing my bit for the Italian economy, hah

Will be a few weeks for the Gaggia, so now to wait...

jpaul · 1 Apr 2020 at 20:41

good choice .. what colour ... they were in the market before KitchenAid, joined, producing better half , acceptable, colours.

mid_gen · 1 Apr 2020 at 22:15

Just went for the chrome, neutral and should look smart next to the Gaggia.

Shame the coffee scene scene isn't as good here, I miss the old Rösterei down the road in Düsseldorf I got my coffee from. His Java was great, and the Guatamalen Hacienda Carmina is one of the best espressos I've ever had. Might have to see if he can ship some over once we get over the lockdown.

Siliconslave · 2 Apr 2020 at 09:34

mid_gen said:
Just went for the chrome, neutral and should look smart next to the Gaggia.

Shame the coffee scene scene isn't as good here, I miss the old Rösterei down the road in Düsseldorf I got my coffee from. His Java was great, and the Guatamalen Hacienda Carmina is one of the best espressos I've ever had. Might have to see if he can ship some over once we get over the lockdown.

Nice, will be interested to know how you get on with it - its on my upgrade list if I can't stretch to a niche.
Where abouts are you based? there are some very good online roasters throughout Europe that are still shipping

mid_gen · 2 Apr 2020 at 09:48

Siliconslave said:
Nice, will be interested to know how you get on with it - its on my upgrade list if I can't stretch to a niche.
Where abouts are you based? there are some very good online roasters throughout Europe that are still shipping

In the UK. I've got some Kenyan Blue Mountain and Old Brown Java from coffee direct at the moment. Good, but not as good as the stuff I used to get at https://cafe-nikan.de/ the owner is just a really sound guy and roasts it all himself in the cafe and knows and visits all the growers personally. Think I miss the personal touch

Any roasteries to recommend?

Siliconslave · 2 Apr 2020 at 10:28

the usual suspects that come up here are: squaremile, hasbean & Rave, but there are loads of brilliant ones around & some great local places https://coffeeblog.co.uk/coffee-roasters-uk/