What’s on your coffee bench? - Page 2

jh_on_the_cape · #1 10-10-2018, 10:03 AM

Totally agree! I don't get spending tons of money on a home coffee machine.
I used pre-ground Kimbo that I bring back from Italy in a Capresso EC100 ($100) machine and it makes fantastic espresso. 15 bar pump pressure

But I do enjoy going to my coffee-nerd friend's house for a coffee.

I need to get another espresso machine. What would you say is the best one for under $200?

I think coffee is like beer or wine. You can nerd out and spend tons of money, but in the end it's what you prefer. Some people genuinely like Bud Light and Dunkin Donuts coffee.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dino Suegiù

Bialetti 3 or 6 + Illy.
For the fancy machine it is more fun to go to the bar.

kingpin75s · #2 10-10-2018, 10:20 AM

On my bench this morning. A warm cup of breakfast

SoCalSteve · #3 10-10-2018, 10:27 AM

A few years back I got into the home barista thing pretty heavily. Ended up with an Alex Duetto and a Versalabs M3 for my espresso. Drip is a another story. Bunn Trifecta and Barazta Vario W.

benb · #4 10-10-2018, 10:58 AM

Still sticking with Moka Pot + French Press + Hario V60.

All really simple. Hario hand grinder and I've got a digital scale. The digital scale seems really key for the pourover methods. I was never that happy with pourover till I got the scale.

The Moka pot is dead simple. IMO it has a pretty high tolerance for the range of grind. I have the 3 Cup one. 14-16g of beans, grind them fairly fine, fill water to the line. Put the coffee in the basket, you distribute it with you finger to fill all the spots but don't really pack it in. Stick it on a gas stove on the smallest burner. For me it's the really small simmer burner on about 45% power (gas stove). Turn it off right before the bubbles start coming out.

I often use a little plunger style milk foamer to make a cappucino style moka drink.. plunge for 10-15 seconds and then stick it in the microwave for 30 seconds.. pour the coffee out of the moka pot, add sugar if desired, stir, then pour the hot milk in, then put the foam on top. Works really well if you've got a good dark bean.

Then you take it all apart and clean it in about 1 minute when you're done drinking your coffee.. best part about it.

There are lots of video tutorials on Moka pots on Youtube, often from Italians as they seem to swear by them for home use as opposed to us Americans buying the zillion dollar home espresso makers.. it should not be hard to figure it out watching them.

I would not bother personally to get a real espresso machine unless I got really into drinking straight espresso shots. About half the coffee shots I go in their espresso is no better than what I get out of the Moka pot. Straight espresso shots is just not my thing though.

jh_on_the_cape · #5 10-10-2018, 11:02 AM

Key for Moka
1. Turn off heat before or just when you hear the noise. longer and it gets bitter.
2. don't clean it with soap. if you have a new moka or have not used it for a while, make a coffee and throw it away. it will taste like metal. it should have some brown stuff left i there.
3. it does not taste like an espresso at a bar. it's a different drink.

Quote:

Originally Posted by benb

The Moka pot is dead simple. IMO it has a pretty high tolerance for the range of grind. I have the 3 Cup one. 14-16g of beans, grind them fairly fine, fill water to the line. Put the coffee in the basket, you distribute it with you finger to fill all the spots but don't really pack it in. Stick it on a gas stove on the smallest burner. For me it's the really small simmer burner on about 45% power (gas stove). Turn it off right before the bubbles start coming out.

I often use a little plunger style milk foamer to make a cappucino style moka drink.. plunge for 10-15 seconds and then stick it in the microwave for 30 seconds.. pour the coffee out of the moka pot, add sugar if desired, stir, then pour the hot milk in, then put the foam on top. Works really well if you've got a good dark bean.

Then you take it all apart and clean it in about 1 minute when you're done drinking your coffee.. best part about it.

benb · #6 10-10-2018, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jh_on_the_cape

Key for Moka
1. Turn off heat before or just when you hear the noise. longer and it gets bitter.
2. don't clean it with soap. if you have a new moka or have not used it for a while, make a coffee and throw it away. it will taste like metal. it should have some brown stuff left i there.
3. it does not taste like an espresso at a bar. it's a different drink.

#1 is the trick, that's one worth watching some videos.. lots of people argue for turning it off at different times.

#2 is all over the instructions, everyone should get that

#3 For sure.. but often no 2 shots at a bar taste the same either

sfscott · #7 10-10-2018, 05:51 PM

Lucca (QuickMill) M58 and a Compak M10 conical grinder.

Wife hates the counter space it takes up.

Anyone have any experience with Barattza Sette W? Wanted one of those but got got tired of waiting for them to ship.

For the ballers, here's a good one https://slayerespresso.com

And if these guys can ever get it together....https://decentespresso.com/de1pro

schwa86 · #8 10-10-2018, 06:47 PM

Quickmill silvano and rocky grinder, plus increasingly concerning (to my wife) coffee roasting set up...

R3awak3n · #9 10-10-2018, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by livingminimal

tbh, I am too. I have looked at many grinders, and had many grinders in my cart ready to check out many, many times, but mine is still working great. Kinda see no reason to upgrade.

It is a pretty nice grinder but I am amateur at best. They were getting rid of it at work and I am surprised no one wanted it, I was like, hell yeah I will take that.

ptourkin · #10 10-09-2018, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddief

Is cringing in its non-chromed dish strainer next to a 2 lb bag of pre-ground Costco French roast.

I can make a pretty spectacular cup with my Aeropress. Decent beans ground at the time of use.

My espresso rigs are a hacked Silvia with a pid and a Rocky. I'm waiting for livingminimal to get sick of coffee and hook me up with a Rocket.

livingminimal · #11 10-09-2018, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptourkin

I'm waiting for livingminimal to get sick of coffee and hook me up with a Rocket.

I'll call you when I get my Boxer.

ptourkin · #12 10-09-2018, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by livingminimal

I'll call you when I get my Boxer.

You have the digits.

kingpin75s · #13 10-09-2018, 09:01 PM

Silvia + Mazzer Mini. 10 years so far.

adamhell · #14 10-09-2018, 09:56 PM

https://fellowproducts.com/prismo/

i just picked up this product. i have done two extractions so far, neither of which produced a crema. they were both delicious though. it's an interesting idea...

R3awak3n · #15 10-09-2018, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamhell

https://fellowproducts.com/prismo/

i just picked up this product. i have done two extractions so far, neither of which produced a crema. they were both delicious though. it's an interesting idea...

I about bought that a couple days ago. Neat idea and cool that you don't have to upside down the aeropress but doubt it produces better coffee.