<Snip> I don't know how it's spelled, I just heard people saying it. I think it is slang. --PR (A week in NYC with only preground coffee, admittedly Sulawesi Celebes from Gillies by way of Fairway Market. May get around to roasting again tonight.) |
I have a little Krups "Espresso" machine. It really doesn't build enough pressure to be classified as a true espresso machine. Does anyone know of a machine that isn't super expensive? I am not sure why there have not been very many posts as of late. I have been busy roasting, and enjoying my coffee. I just roasted up some Uganda Bugeso. I must say, the beans I got from Tom are much better than the ones I got from my friend who is a small roaster, and those are good beans too! We should thank Tom for all of his work in getting us good beans. I have been a home roaster for 15 years. I started with a Sivetz converted popcorn popper. (It is still going strong and works well in the summer as my wife doesn't like chaff all over the house.) I am using a Precision now, and I really like it. I have enjoyed the posts on converted poppers, but why waste the time and money when the Precision works so well? I sure like the Bugeso, and am glad I order 20lbs. The leather that Tom is talking about seems to me better described as a hint of heaviness that is found in the Indonesian coffees. homeroast mailing listhttp://lists.sweetmarias.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast |
On Sat, 10 Feb 2001, "Les and Becky" wrote: <Snip> There's much more chat about espresso machines in alt.coffee. Are you familiar with Usenet? You can start via the Web at www.deja.com/usenet homeroast mailing listhttp://lists.sweetmarias.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast |
If you want to do the research yourself the best place to read reviews of espresso machines is www.coffeekid.com. Since you didn't give me your definition of "super expensive" I can't give you any recommendations off the cuff. Both Gaggia and Rancilio make machines that will make good espresso IF you also have a high qualitiy grinder. Minimum retail price for a good quality espresso grinder would start at around 200 bucks. However , I think people have gotten used commerical grinders for very good prices on ebay. It really depends on how long you want to wait. Sometimes you can pick up good reconditioned espresso machines for under the 300 dollars or so it will probably take to get new machine that will make quality espresso. I have a Rancilio Silvia, and a Mazzer Mini grinder. Total cost about $800.00. I can make better coffee than anyone is town, and I consider it a good investment. :-) Isabel homeroast mailing listhttp://lists.sweetmarias.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast |
Les, I'm sure you will get as many opinions on this as you would on asking what's the best coffee bean. Before I bought my machine I did a ton of research and the Rancilio Silvia was at the top of the list for home espresso machines. While it was not that cheap of a machine, a little less the $400 if I remember right, it did seem to have the most approvals by long time espresso drinkers. It ended up, I didn't by one since I was only looking to make cappuccino and almost never straight espresso, so I opted for a machine with a heat exchanger. Keith Jones Les and Becky wrote: <Snip> homeroast mailing listhttp://lists.sweetmarias.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast |
On 2/10/2001Les and Becky wrote: <Snip> money when the Precision works so well? Mostly because they only seem to last for about 5 months. I went through 3 within the warranty period and now that I'm out of warranty, I'm a bit nervous about my future. If my past luck holds, machine #3 will bite the dust in about 6 more weeks, and it has already started acting funny. It completely skipped a cooldown cycle the other day. homeroast mailing listhttp://lists.sweetmarias.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast |
Hey, let's clarify things a bit cause I just bought a HWP. I'm not sure what you mean, but if the company is honest your warranty is on the last machine not on any one that failed. Rene Bob Norton wrote: <Snip> homeroast mailing listhttp://lists.sweetmarias.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast |
I hope that's true. I know it has not been with many other companies that I've dealt with. I guess I'll find out when and if it crashes. Last night it terminated a cooldown cycle several minutes early. **************************************** On 2/11/2001Rene Garcia wrote: <Snip> homeroast mailing listhttp://lists.sweetmarias.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast |
I just had my HWP replaced under warranty. It came with a new warranty card, meaning that it is good for another year. At 09:22 AM 2/11/01 -0500, you wrote: <Snip> homeroast mailing listhttp://lists.sweetmarias.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast |
None of my replacements came with new warranty cards. **************************************** On 2/11/2001Fookoo Network wrote: <Snip> homeroast mailing listhttp://lists.sweetmarias.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast |
Probably should give Hearthware customer service a call and clarify the matter. Other thing would be to not discard the packing sheet that came with the replacement unit because that would give a date when the "new" unit was received. My replacement unit took about three weeks to get, including the initial mailing of the defective unit. There maybe a difference between this "new" unit and the one that was replaced, but I don't think that it is all that much of a difference when it comes to roasting. My first unit died at around ten months and 364 roasts. It is too early to tell, but in two sessions and 16 roasts, it seems to be OK. At 11:56 AM 2/11/01 -0700, you wrote: <Snip> homeroast mailing listhttp://lists.sweetmarias.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast |
I always gave them my credit card number for security and they would then ship me the new one BEFORE getting the old one back so that I'd only be out of commission for a week. They seem to keep pretty good records of how many you've had and when they were shipped. **************************************** On 2/11/2001Fookoo Network wrote: <Snip> homeroast mailing listhttp://lists.sweetmarias.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast |
Les & Becky, I considered going for an HWP, but I don't have an extra $130 hanging about. My PII cost &17, and it gives me a wide latitude in terms of roast times & temps. It also roasts a bit more than the HWP--2/3 of a cup. I've made no mods to it at this point. The only one I'm considering is an on/off switch for the heating element; being electrically inclined, that will run me about $6 plus 90 minutes or so of my time. Compared to the cost of a Precision....now you understand why some of us stick with the poppers. Enjoy that Ugandan! Man, I went to order some and got the "due in 2/12" message. You are one lucky cat. Cheers, Paul Do You Yahoo!? Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail - only $35 a year! http://lists.sweetmarias.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast">http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/homeroast mailing listhttp://lists.sweetmarias.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast |
Have you been to www.coffeekid.com? Also, alt.coffee could be very helpful to you. There are relatively inexpensive pump driven machines out there, but you'll have to do some searching and the field is littered with garbage that you can accidently spend money on. Unfortunately, with some exceptions, you really do get what you pay for. Also you will have to budget for a good grinder if you want good results. -Greg At 04:20 PM 2/10/2001 -0800, you wrote: <Snip> homeroast mailing listhttp://lists.sweetmarias.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast |
I'm pretty happy with my Krups Novo Compact, which I bought for $30 at ubid.com. I threw away the milk foaming attachment, as I can make foam as good or better without it, and it's mucho easier to clean. The only "problem" I've had is that I have to be careful with my grind -- too fine and it just stops. I wrote a review for it at coffeekid, this was before I figured out I could dispense with the frothing attachment. http://www.coffeekid.com/reviews/reviewlist.asp?ItemID6)=Spencer Greg Scace wrote: <Snip> homeroast mailing listhttp://lists.sweetmarias.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast |
firstly- I apologize for the way my news reprinted article lined up on the page and there really is a University of Munster though at Hallowe'en time it did sound contrived thanks also for the espresso tips I should have been more specific I have to take the Bodum in and a small kettle it will be in a classroom and we will supply dixie cups-i know yuck!!-for the coffee it's just to taste really and sugar in cubes-no milk this time no mess so the demi tasse is what I wanted to say and thank you for putting the words into my e mail and I will try to blend 3 types of beans all roasted dark and I loved your suggestions cheers Susan O -roasting happily still on a hearthware gourmet trouble free after a year and a half yay!! |
Susan, If you use some Africans-some are more suited for roasting dark and on others I would take it easy. If you have more than one French Press-how about brewing coffees unblended and letting people try blending the single origins using different ratios?? G'luck, myron |
Agreed! But I think I am going to enjoy this "plum" roast. Had it at 24 and it was already getting good. Needs to smooth out though. Gin. - I also roasted the wild beans you gave me. Wow. Those too are a little young. I had a vacuum pot with them after 24 hours and it was really neat. I roasted it a hair darker than I should have, but it will likely be very nice as espresso. Done in the Cona it had the most incredible tobacco aroma. Smelled like I just walked into the humidor at the cigar shop. Pretty cool. I think since I don't have that much I will let them sit until tomorrow and give them a spin in the morning. I'll let you know what I think. It was lacking body for sure but I'm not sure if that is because it's wild or not rested enough. Brian gin wrote: <Snip> |
This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
My wife, told me we can't afford one of those fancy espresso machines =
like other folks so she suggested using a toilet plunger on our old dip =
coffee maker......I don't know I have my doubts, but ya never know!
=
Dennis
|
This is a multi-part message in MIME format. I have no doubts it'll be better than Starbucks. ;) My wife, told me we can't afford one of those fancy espresso machines like other folks so she suggested using a toilet plunger on our old dip coffee maker......I don't know I have my doubts, but ya never know! Dennis |
Dennis, the small plungers meant for sinks work well with a 4 cup press pot. You need a really fine screen, and you push the plunger near the bottom put the ground coffee on top, and force the water through it with the rubber plunger. I recommend a few drops of hydrochloric acid to neutralize the flavor of the plunger's rubber. Good luck Dan, ducking and running |
It could be a duel purpose machine! Pull up on the plunger and you would have a Vac Pot!
Les
dennis staab wrote:
My wife, told me we can't afford one of those fancy espresso machines like other folks so she suggested using a toilet plunger on our old dip coffee maker......I don't know I have my doubts, but ya never know!
Dennis
---------------------------------
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It is quite apparent I have some homework to do based on your responses. I do have a good burr grinder, and as far as how much am I willing to spend, .... I was hoping to start out in the less than $200 range for the espresso. |
At 7:39 PM -0600 10/31/04, Tom Starustka wrote: <Snip> In my opinion, the Gaggia pump machines in that price range will provide many years of service and very good espresso. I had one for five or six years and never regretted it. They basically have the same boiler and pump as their middle range machines but have cheaper externals and don't have a 3-way valve (which is nice for maintenance but not essential for making a really nice espresso). I recommend seeing if there is a place in your area that will let you try them out. The manager of the local Peet's was an espresso fanatic and when I first started researching my first real machine (about 17 years ago), he spent the morning with me and we pulled shots from all of the machines that they had for sale, and I could tell that I would be happy with the Gaggia which was at that time just under $200. Just my .02, Edward |
This is a multi-part message in MIME format. i have been very happy w/ my gaggia baby. bought it used for <250. it has the 3 way valve but i have never bothreed to back flush. my sister i law has a gaggia espresso and it is considerably cheaper. makes a great shot and froths reasonably well. my main issue w/ either one is temp control. i let mine heat up for at least 1/2 an hour to ensure the best results. -jeff r austin, tx p.s. is it just me or does it seem like there's a lot of jeffs on this list?? Edward Spiegel wrote: <Snip> |
On Oct 31, 2004, at 8:51 PM, jeff wrote:
<Snip>
I think the jeffs are outnumbered by the jims.
jim
<Snip>
On Oct 31, 2004, at 8:51 PM, jeff wrote:
p.s. is it just me or does it seem like there's a lot of
jeffs on this list??
I think the jeffs are outnumbered by the jims.
jim
|
On Oct 31, 2004, at 9:51pm, jeff wrote: <Snip> This is not atypical. Most espresso machines will need to warm up for at least this long. John Blumel |
The panama 1700 -1800 ft espresso I had at 15:10 today, was very good. The cup is long empty, and I am still tasting how good it is at 15:45. I used the Estro with the original fail safe porta filter, dumped into it about 18 Gr of hand cranked Zass espresso grind, tamped a bit with my thumbs (I know), and let the PF heat up for about 5 minutes in the unit before I turned on the pump. Let the pressure build until the pump slowed then slowly released it into the cup. Drew it into a ss capaccino cup until it was almost full. No cream, no sugar, no steamed milk. Nice bright smooth taste. Sorry, the grind was around for 10 minutes or so before the hot water hit it. Do need more practice with that part. PeterZ Must be doing something right, here in LHC. |
John, (curmudge?) This type of PF requires no tamping. But I can't help myself!!! PeterZ John Abbott wrote: <Snip> |