What’s on your coffee bench?

floxy1 · #1 10-09-2018, 05:04 PM

I’m a relatively new barista but really enjoying mastering the craft and experimenting. I went back and forth on best ‘budget’ machine and decided on the Rocket Apparento and Eureka Mignon.

kingpin75s · #2 10-09-2018, 05:17 PM

Nice setup.

'budget' in the context of a heat exchange system, which is a big step up ($1K) in cost from a 'budget' single boil unit.

Heat exchange systems are really nice if you need to produce any volume though.

fmradio516 · #3 10-09-2018, 05:21 PM

Moka pot for "espresso" and a V60 pour over for my coffee.

Father in law is from Italy and has tried many machines but really likes this one(not this one exactly but looks just like it):

crankles · #4 10-09-2018, 06:33 PM

I bought this used Diva and Super Jolly back in 1998 (She was built in '92). Been going strong ever since.

floxy1 · #5 10-09-2018, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crankles

I bought this used Diva and Super Jolly back in 1998 (She was built in '92). Been going strong ever since.

Very nice! I particularly like the nook and lighting.

eddief · #6 10-09-2018, 06:42 PM

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

livingminimal · #7 10-09-2018, 06:46 PM

Rocket Apartamento
Rocket Accessories (tamp stand / knock box)
Chris King Mango tamper
Breville Smart Grinder Pro

Currently working through a bag of Irving Farm, "House 71."

Next up is some Highwire, "Conscientious Objector."

Currently on the Trade Coffee (http://www.drinktrade.com) Hookup program, getting a random bag that matches my taste profile every week.

Was in the La Marzocco home program, but wasnt a fan of the customer service and lack of consistency.

auto_rock · #8 10-09-2018, 06:48 PM

A moccamaster and a cuisinart burr grinder that I run the night before because it's too loud for the before coffee time.

I'm a monster.

dddd · #9 01-24-2019, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by auto_rock

A moccamaster and a cuisinart burr grinder that I run the night before because it's too loud for the before coffee time...

I at first was impressed that the Cuisinart was such an inexpensive choice among grinders that could actually achieve an espresso grind.
It's robust, and I even got mine for a dime on the dollar in still-new condition at Goodwill, but dayam(!) the thing is noisy.

With beans being such a variable in terms of finding a proper grind vs. flow rate (thermostat clicking off at 25 seconds), I think that I actually prefer using my very old Krups pump machine with it's fixed pressure and temperature. Sort of like a bike suspension with fewer adjustments to complicate the dialing-in process, simpler is ...simpler.
I can usually come up with a suitable grind and tamp on the second or third shot with each new bag of beans.
Again though, I wasn't really committed to the investment side of becoming a home barista, so found the old (by now 30-y-o!) Krups machine at the thrift store as well. I'm going on 15 years with it and it's needed no service beyond occasionally flushing the water tank and cleaning of the portafilter top screen.

floxy1 · #10 10-09-2018, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by livingminimal

Rocket Apartamento
Rocket Accessories (tamp stand / knock box)
Chris King Mango tamper
Breville Smart Grinder Pro

Currently working through a bag of Irving Farm, "House 71."

Next up is some Highwire, "Conscientious Objector."

Currently on the Trade Coffee (http://www.drinktrade.com) Hookup program, getting a random bag that matches my taste profile every week.

Was in the La Marzocco home program, but wasnt a fan of the customer service and lack of consistency.

I've placed a couple orders from Trade. How do you like the new bag each week? The times I've switched it seems like it takes me 10 shots just to get the grind dialed.

livingminimal · #11 10-09-2018, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floxy1

I've placed a couple orders from Trade. How do you like the new bag each week? The times I've switched it seems like it takes me 10 shots just to get the grind dialed.

The program is new, but Ive been ordering a bag a week lately of randoms b/c of the free shipping. it's a big draw when you're going through a bag of week, generally three doppios a day total between my wife and I.

I am not that fussy on dialing in as I drink through it. I just figure it out as I go, to some degree. Plus I feel like Ive been dialing in long enough it takes a round of shots, maybe two, until I am in pretty good shape.

R3awak3n · #12 10-09-2018, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by livingminimal

Rocket Apartamento
Rocket Accessories (tamp stand / knock box)
Chris King Mango tamper
Breville Smart Grinder Pro

Currently working through a bag of Irving Farm, "House 71."

Next up is some Highwire, "Conscientious Objector."

Currently on the Trade Coffee (http://www.drinktrade.com) Hookup program, getting a random bag that matches my taste profile every week.

Was in the La Marzocco home program, but wasnt a fan of the customer service and lack of consistency.

surprised you don't have a fancier grinder with that machine.

I also have a Breville Smart Grinder Pro and use an Aeropress. Great cup of coffee, better than a lot of "pro" coffees I have drank in NY.

However I want to step it up, xmas times I will be getting a new machine. Was going to get a Silvia but have done my research and will be getting a Crosslands CC1 now.

livingminimal · #13 10-09-2018, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R3awak3n

surprised you don't have a fancier grinder with that machine.

I also have a Breville Smart Grinder Pro

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.

Dino Suegiù · #14 10-10-2018, 01:40 AM

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

rustychisel · #15 10-10-2018, 03:36 AM

coffee stains