Siliconslave's how to make espresso thread

Jonny69 said:
DF64 is definitely the grinder to have at the moment. My only comment/concern is that there have been a number of machines like that which have come onto the market and then disappear. Some of them have had teething problems and longevity issues. I think treat the DF54/DF64 just as that - it’s a potentially one-off machine, it grinds well now but might not last long and in a few years time there’s a good chance it won’t exist and the company making it will be long gone.
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Jupiter said:
I'd save the time searching and go for it at that price.
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Thanks both for your replies and input. Ended up just purchasing now (UK company) roll on next week and the arrival! On the longevity, worst case if something does go wrong an easy reason to upgrade in a few years :)
 
7g pods are a traditional single espresso but I think the reality is it makes them appear ‘cheap’ per pod.

Grinder - df54 is hard to beat as an entry level. About £250 new.
 
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AndyCr15 said:
Given I prefer to buy from John Lewis, what are thoughts on the Dualit Burr Coffee Grinder?
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Grinders at that price point can’t make a good job of grinding the coffee and you’ll be wasting your money. You’ll have no advantage over pre-ground and the grinder will make a mess (waste) out of any expensive coffee you buy. Realistically, the lowest priced capable entry level grinder is the Sage Smart Grinder Pro, in my opinion. The DF54 is around the same price point and currently gets better reviews, but you can get the Sage in John Lewis and it has the advantage of being bomb proof.
 
I have a milestone birthday approaching and have been asked about getting a new coffee machine. I currently have a 8 year old Delonghi ECAM23, which does work but has a small water leak and the water spout/milk thing doesn’t work.

I have 1-2 coffee every morning and I would want to be able to make coffee quickly without having to dial in. I currently mostly drink white americano, but that may be due to necessity rather than preference as I would usually have cappuccino out of the house. Budget is £5-600.

Any recommendations? I did look at Sage, but the automated impress machine for milk would be more like 1000 unless I went for refurbished from EBay, which I feel a bit uncomfortable about.
 
I thought from your original thread a hand grinder was not off the cards ie. tiemore chestnut & co ?

[knockbox - as I've posted before frankly more vesatile to cut the top of an appropriate heavy duty polythene container - I used a kirkwood syrup bottle -
and put poly bags in it, to be able to empty it cleanly - you can the wack the pf rim as hard as you like holding the container with other hand ...
scales maybe ? - but my kitchen ones are good enough and I checked calibration with coins ]
 
jpaul said:
I thought from your original thread a hand grinder was not off the cards ie. tiemore chestnut & co ?
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I don't think I've said they are off the table. Mind you, even these manual ones look quite expensive. Maybe better to spend a little more on something automatic? I am after simple and tidy after all.
 
AndyCr15 said:
I don't think I've said they are off the table. Mind you, even these manual ones look quite expensive. Maybe better to spend a little more on something automatic? I am after simple and tidy after all.
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I have had a 1expresso hand grinder in my Aliexpress basket for about 2 months, it yo-yo between £65 to £80 and one time hit its lowest point and I still didn't get it. My justification is have it as a travel grinder....then I ask myself, if I don't get it, I would have a reason to experience coffee shops around the world!

Plus..I ways thought about getting a flat burr grinder instead for pour over for home, keep thinking getting the Fellow Ode Gen 2, especially when it goes on sale at around £280 twice a year.
 
AndyCr15 said:
Okay, so this is what I'm considering. Can someone confirm I've lined up the right things.

Sage Grinder
IMS Basket - H22
Dedica Bottomless Portafilter
Tamper

All together, it will come to about £220, but then I think I have everything, right? (Beans aside...)
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Honestly, I'd stay away from the Sage grinder. It's an OK grinder and if you are set on it then it will serve you well. However, the portfilter might not fit in the cradle due to being a different size and the burrs are very 'meh'.

It is probably worth taking a look at the Follow Opus, Baratza Encore ESP, or if your budget will stretch, the DF54.

I'm not saying that the Sage is a bad grinder, it's decent, but I see a lot of reports of them breaking down/jamming.
 
I think the amount you have to invest in the beans themselves is as much part of the quality of drink outcome ... I know those £8-10 bags are nicer,
for which I'd be spending £250/year more (probably peanuts if you drink out in pubs / starbucks 'coffee' shop these days)
 
Yeah, I'm assuming it's like most things where there's a minimum point for something good, then it's diminishing returns? (Like how it is for my most expensive hobby, cycling)
 
Work gave me a kilo of "arabica" beans that they sell because the warehouse accidentally teared the bag. I thought i can drink anything but it's not a nice flavour to the point i am considering just freeze it all until the weather gets hot and just have it as cold brew. In a warm cup it is not nice at all.....I couldn't finish it without sugar and milk.

I was so happy when i got some nicer coffee for my birthday lol
 
LOL
Date 09/27/2015

1x Colombian Suarez - 1kg / Whole Bean for £13.00 each
1x The Italian Job Blend - 1kg / Whole Bean for £9.50 each
1x Signature Blend - 1kg / Whole Bean for £12.95 each


Discount (code: BFRIDAY20): £-7.09 GBP
Subtotal : £28.36 GBP
Shipping : £0.00 GBP
Total : £28.36 GBP
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LuckyBenski said:
Might be worth getting a knock box and a mat. I've never had either but often make a mess bashing the **** out of my bin with the portafilter
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Nothing like dropping the portafilter in the bin or knocking the basket out and having to rummage through crap first thing in the morning. After doing that a couple times I got a knock box. :cry:
 
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