This is a multi-part message in MIME format. Just wanted to get some input on some of the low end machines. I had = intented to purchase a silvia/rocky combo but have had some unexpected = expenses have come up. With this new developement in mind, I am looking = for something in the low end that will make decent/good espresso. I = have a Bodum Antigua grinder that I use for press coffee but still plan = on getting the rocky. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Brian |
Check out the Gaggias that Tom offers on Sweet Maria's... They are good values for the money! Brett On 3/2/07, Brian Fowler wrote: <Snip> -- Cheers, Bretthttp://homeroast.freeservers.com |
I was thinking about the Gaggia Espresso as one option. Anyone have any experience with this machine? Brian |
This is exactly what I did. I just got the Gaggia Espresso and the Rocky grinder (this week). Definitely recommend this combination. The only negative to it at all is the short wand you end up with on the Gaggia (no one recommends using their frother to make microfoam). You just need to use a 12oz. frothing pitcher and all is well. My other grinder was the Bodum Antigua and I ended up having to use it for 2 days (the espresso machine arrived but the grinder was 2 days later). It simply was not up to the task. The Rocky grinder came this morning and it was a revelation. Worked like a dream. You will love them! Takes some playing around to get the feel of the Gaggia but I think that's true of all espresso machines. i am very much a novice but still my early shots taste as good – no make that better than – most, if not all, of the coffee shops around. It's great fun and you're in for a treat. Now, if only I could get some sleep :) What do they say ... sleep is overrated anyway! Carole On 3/2/07, Brian Fowler wrote: <Snip> g <Snip> a <Snip> ribes) go tohttp://sweetmarias.com/maillistinfo.html#personalsettings<Snip> |
I have the Gaggia Espresso http://www.sweetmarias.com/prod.gaggia.shtml)It's a great machine, I'd recommend it to anyone! My fav parts are: - Produces great espresso - Warms up quickly - Makes a nice foam for caps - Powerful steamer (it's very comparible to the professional machine I used to use in a coffee shop.) - The portafilter mechanism is solid and heafty -- I like that. - The water resivior is big..I never run out. My least fav parts: - The foaming wand is a littleshort (I don't have the plastic thingey attached) - After pulling a shot, I have to wait a little while for the steamer to heat up enough to steam milk for a latte/cap -- it's not long and doesn't bother. But you should be aware of it. A couple of things...I don't use the extra gizmo that's supposed to help with crema and get plenty. I also don't use the extra addition that's supposed to help foam the milk - don't need it. I also never use the single shot portafilter...The double is perfect for everythign I do (it probably doesn't help that I don't seem to get as good of a shot from the single one.) If you've used a store-bought home-style machine you'll e overwhelmed by the amount and power of the steam this baby gives out.... If you have any questions about the machine I'd love to answer what I can, feel free to drop me a note (teejtc). Grace and Peace, `tim -- The content of this e-mail may be private or of confidential nature. Do not forward without permission of the original author. -- Rev. Tim TenClay, IAPC, NATA #253 Dunningville Reformed Church (www.dunningville.org) Personal Blog:http://www.tenclay.org/blog |
"I have a Bodum Antigua grinder..." Hang on to the grinder, Brian. The ONLY DIFFERENCE between the Solis Maestro and the Bodum Antigua is in the spelling of their names. They both look like ducks and sound like ducks. I have had them both, and Completely (as in, Totally) dismantled the Solis Maestro.I didn't do an autopsy on the Bodum, but from the minor physical exam I did on it, they're both ducks! If you have already suffered financial woes, plug the hole Now. You have an ideal coffee setup as it is. You can tune it to peak performance with a new set of burrs for the Bodum. I wouldn't fritter away any money until you can plan on getting the best grinder you can find. After you possess your Ace of Spades grinder, then you can enjoy the Great Leap Forward in flavor of your favorite brewing methods and beans. Tom doesn't sell Low End Beans. You think you roast them well now --- They'll really whistle Dixie and you'll discover unimaginable flavors if you are very careful how you grind them. Don't mistreat the Best Beans on the Planet with any kind of Low End process! The grinder is both the Gateway and the bottleneck to further brewing methods. If you couple Low End grinder with Low End brewing, the best your coffee is going to be is Low End... starting with a finite supply of the Best Beans. Cheers -RayO, aka Opa! How to apportion the planet's Best Beans to Low End Coffee - by plan... |
The Gaggia Espresso and a quality grinder can make incredible espresso. And occasionally you can find them very cheap. Years ago I found three of them at a Big Lots store selling for $99 !!! I considered buying all three, but only got one. It worked good, but I really didn't have a good grinder. I upgraded to a single group commercial machine and a commercial grinder and the Gaggia went into the basement. One day I took it out, cleaned it up and pulled some shots using my commercial grinder. I was amazed at how wonderful the shots were. The machine performed like a champ with a quality grinder. ********************* Ed Needham® "to absurdity and beyond!"http://www.homeroaster.com(include [FRIEND] in subject line to get through my SPAM filters) ********************* |
Brian, Just to echo the sentiments of the others, I have a Mazzer Mini for the grinder and a Gaggia Carezza (same as espresso) and it is quite the capable setup. Of course, I have noticed that the quality of the espresso is highly dependent on the loose nut behind the portafilter handle. Eddie -- Docendo Discimus My Home Coffee Roasting Blog and Profiles for the Gene Cafehttp://themeyers.org/HomeRoast/On 3/2/07, Brian Fowler wrote:">http://southcoastcoffeeroaster.blogspot.com/Sweet Maria's List - Searchable Archiveshttp://themeyers.org/HomeRoast/On 3/2/07, Brian Fowler wrote: <Snip> |
As a grinder note: I have a hand-grinder (Zass) and would recommend it to someone with a limited budget. It creates an incredible grind for a much lower price than the good electric ones and doesn't take any time at all to grind enough for a shot of espresso (or a batch of drip, for that matter). Grace and Peace, `tim On 3/2/07, Tim TenClay wrote: <Snip> -- The content of this e-mail may be private or of confidential nature. Do not forward without permission of the original author. -- Rev. Tim TenClay, IAPC, NATA #253 Dunningville Reformed Church (www.dunningville.org) Personal Blog:http://www.tenclay.org/blog |
I love my Zass - only I want to mention, if someone has arthritis, bursitis, or any similar - it can get painful after awhile. I didn't mind it at all during the first few months (and it does make such a fine cuppa!) - perhaps it's just that I'm worse during the winter. At any rate, I'm thinking of putting mine on eBay because of this. Lynne On 3/3/07, Tim TenClay wrote: <Snip> |
This is a multi-part message in MIME format. If you do decide to sell please let me know I would be interested in it. = I've not gotten arthritis, in my hands/arms yet anyway. |
AFAIK they were all made to be functional. If you do get one that was used for decoration then the burrs should be in good condition. --MikeW On 3/3/07, Jim Carter wrote: <Snip> -- "In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable." --Dwight D. Eisenhower |
Seems like there have been plenty of replies to this already, but I want to second the Gaggia Espresso. I used it for well over six months and it was a great learning experience along with my Zass grinder. It worked better for me to cut the portafilter bottomless instead of using the plastic pour spouts. The machine was an excellent trainer on technique and I've had some really great shots from it. Having just received my new Quickmill Alexia and Mazzer Mini grinder, my Gaggia will now be passed down to my parents. I'm glad I went with the Gaggia first but I knew I would upgrade eventually, I just didn't know it would be so soon! I also knew how good the Monkey Blend was with the Gaggia, but I had no idea it was as good as it is now with the Alexia!!! Branden On 3/2/07, Brian Fowler wrote: <Snip> |
Mine didn't have plastic pour spouts. Must be a recent change. ********************* Ed Needham® "to absurdity and beyond!"http://www.homeroaster.com(include [FRIEND] in subject line to get through my SPAM filters) ********************* |
Are you guys really getting espresso that good from the Gaggias? I have a classic I picked up on eBay, but even after dozens of shots with (and lots of wasted coffee) I never got decent shots. It was hard to stick with since my Europiccola was sitting beside it, and I knew what I could get with it. I haven't plugged the Classic in for quite a while now. There's nothing wrong with my machine; we just don't seem to get along. --Derek On 3/3/07, Ed Needham wrote: <Snip> -- http://www.novernae.comHome of the Wandering Sloth |
Read carefully. It's not the fault of the espresso machine that you can't get dynamite shots- or superlative drinks with any other coffee brew method= . [Note to Self- Why do folks disbelieve that the Grinder Is The Prime Factor?] My honey even agreed to our getting a Mahlkönig ($4Big) after sh= e saw the grounds with just a 10X inspection loupe! "But we'll have to hang o= n to the Bronco..." miKe commented on some Mazzers on he saw on eBay, and saved me from the Guns/ Butter quandary. Guess what? The eagle flew off, so I still have the damn Bronco. The Mazzer with a new set of burrs has opened up a whole new world of flavor I would never have believed could exist in that little seed= . I kinda thought things would improve when the grounds no longer looked like I ground them with a hammer under 100X magnification. Flavor failures and disappointments can't be blamed on the origin, roast or brewing method so much as the pinko grinder. The coffees that tasted good when I first starte= d roasting now taste Fabulous, and the flavors and aroma just don't quit. If you have the wherewithal to upgrade, absolutely nothing will give as muc= h increase as the grinder. You'll wonder what in the world possessed you to throw away all the endless flavor before. Cheers -RayO, aka Opa! If you don't have enough leg room, you're sitting in the wrong pew... If you're learning the piano, please get it tuned and regulated first, and keep it in tune. On 3/4/07, Derek Bradford wrote: <Snip> p <Snip> -- "When the theme hits the bass, I dance the Jig!" - -Virgil Fox at the Might= y Wichita (ex- NYC Paramount) WurliTzer- 1976 |
The thing that made all the difference was using a quality grinder. ********************* Ed Needham® "to absurdity and beyond!"http://www.homeroaster.com(include [FRIEND] in subject line to get through my SPAM filters) ********************* |
On 3/4/07, Ed Needham wrote: <Snip> With my very limited experience – I sure second that! I had to use my new Gaggia Espresso for two days with my old Bodum Antigua grinder as I was waiting for the Rocky to arrive. Shots were only drinkable. One main problem was that it's fine was not fine enough and I'm sure it doesn't grind very evenly. The first shot using the Rocky (which came on Friday) was immensely better. And I hadn't started any fine-tuning yet. They've only gotten better since then. I'm waiting until the better tamper I ordered comes (due tomorrow) before I do too much more tinkering. I'm using the plastic tamper that came with the Gaggia and it's not so good (understatement). |
(In response to both Ray and Ed) You guys are right. My grinder's a Pavoni PGC. It works for espresso; in fact, it works quite well. But it is what it is, and I was aware of that when I bought it, and I'm still aware of that now. But since I use the Europiccola, I can make adjustments during my pull that I'm sure I'm now unaware of. I've never bought a better grinder because they're too heavy to lug around, and the voltages are different. Shipping on one is $100+, plus a step-up transformer at $50 (for an ok one), and if I'm lucky I won't get nailed at customs (for another 100). That puts my cost beyond what I'm prepared to pay for a $400 grinder, so I'm waiting till I get home. I figured since I was getting good quality from my current grinder with my lever that I'd get the same from the Gaggia. Looking back, I can see how that was flawed; my Elektra lever at home is spring-assist, and the PGC makes lousy espresso with it. It's clearly the grinder. For anyone following this thread and pondering the Gaggias, ignore my comments, or take them in their entirety. My grinder's not up to snuff, and that's almost certainly the culprit. Cheers, --Derek On 3/5/07, Ed Needham wrote: <Snip> -- http://www.novernae.comHome of the Wandering Sloth |
Thanks Derek for clarifying! Every post of yours is highly valued here. You're serving in another country, helping them succeed in an international marketplace, and at significant cost to your own family. Very highly esteemed and respected in my book! Brett RWA On 3/4/07, Derek Bradford wrote: <Snip> -- Cheers, Bretthttp://homeroast.freeservers.com |
Yup! Derek Rocks! On 3/4/07, Brett Mason wrote: <Snip> |
I got an espresso brewer from the army / navy surplus store. it's a little aluminum pot with a strainer basket and a spout / faucet on it. you put the water in the bottom, put the basket in, put coffee in, screw down the lid and put it on a stove, camp fire etc and it makes wonderful espresso!! It cost me $9.97 so there.... you can't get any tighter than that Aaron |
Plus, Koreans absolutely love coffee- I'd swear I smelled it roasting in Osan, Taegu and other Asian cities almost 40 years ago. It was a Disneyland of smells in Bangkok, Quezon City and Saigon- some of them may have come from roasting coffee. I hope they did- I lived a few hundred feet from downtown Angeles City in the Philippines. Cheers -RayO, aka Opa! On 3/4/07, Eddie Dove wrote: <Snip> -- "When the theme hits the bass, I dance the Jig!" - -Virgil Fox at the Mighty Wichita (ex- NYC Paramount) WurliTzer- 1976 |
Sadly, they were sold on instant coffee during the 80s and now drink it almost exclusively, along with the rest of this part of Asia. There's a resurgence of interest in quality coffee, though, and there are roasters popping up around Seoul here and there...more people looking for quality than there have been in recent years. Also driving the change is the people returning from their time abroad and demanding the coffee they had grown used to having. There are shops I can go to where quality coffee has been roasted, in-house, within the past few days, and they are very popular. --Derek On 3/5/07, raymanowen wrote: <Snip> -- http://www.novernae.comHome of the Wandering Sloth |
The Philippines is at least a Disneyland of Smells! Talagan Masarap na Ayow... Brett RWA On 3/4/07, raymanowen wrote: <Snip> -- Cheers, Bretthttp://homeroast.freeservers.com |