Espresso machines

[flydhest]

Any reason (besides cost) not to get a La Marzocco Mini?

[DerekB]

Only if you would rather get a La Marzocco GS/3!!!
LM makes great espresso machines which can make great espresso.
What grinder will you use? The

[SoCalSteve]

It's all about the grinder...

[kgreene10]

I thought it was all about the grinder, but something is funny in my kitchen.

I upgraded from a bottom-of-the-barrel Breville burr grinder to a Baratza Vario about six weeks ago and my espresso has become very uneven but undrinkable most of the time.

I've tried a variety of excellent (and expensive) beans from Coava, Four Barrel, and Tweed, getting the best results with the latter. Still, however, results are highly uneven. I've got a gram scale and a good Rattleware tamper. I time the shots. The espresso machine is the same crappy Saeco as ever, but the shots were better with the supposedly lousy grinder that I've since given away.

I'm sure I'm hijacking the thread -- sorry about that -- but any thoughts would be appreciated.

[miguel]

According to my experience
You will pay more money and waste more coffee by buying a nice machine and nice grinder than if you went down to the shop and paid $2 every time. On top of that, if your shop is good, they will have their pulls dialed before you enter and you won't have to worry about relative humidity, temperature of the machine/water, and provenance of the beans - that is already taken care of. Stop worrying about status and drink good coffee. Pourover/French press is for the home.

[ripvanrando]

My experience is the opposite. The closest decent coffee shop is 7 miles away and not only is it closed right now but their pulls are $3 and they are not as good as mine. The closest espresso that is better than mine is more like 15 miles away. What is my time worth to drive down there? Cost to operate my vehicle? Convenience of having a good shot when I want it?

I am not sure how you know or why you think the OP is worrying about status.

Originally Posted by miguel

According to my experience
You will pay more money and waste more coffee by buying a nice machine and nice grinder than if you went down to the shop and paid $2 every time. On top of that, if your shop is good, they will have their pulls dialed before you enter and you won't have to worry about relative humidity, temperature of the machine/water, and provenance of the beans - that is already taken care of. Stop worrying about status and drink good coffee. Pourover/French press is for the home.

[Neil]

^I agree, I like turning the machine on then getting the bike ready, nice espresso made in my kitchen and then out on the road.

[oldfatslow]

I don't drive to the ride and I certainly don't drive to get coffee. Mmmmmmm espresso.


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[ptourkin]

Originally Posted by oldfatslow

I don't drive to the ride and I certainly don't drive to get coffee. Mmmmmmm espresso.

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Beautiful shot. My SO is pushing me to get a Rocky. I've seen some negative comments about the Baratzas. How has the Rocky worked out for you?

[texbike]

Originally Posted by oldfatslow

Mmmmm. Pretty.

Texbike

[ripvanrando]

old fat slow.....I have the Expobar, too. I would have bought something with PI control if I could have afforded it at the time but it gets the job done. It is down now and having trouble getting spare parts.

[Clancy]

I would love to make my own expresso at home, but every time I start shopping machines - and grinders - I get so overwhelmed I give up. Uber expensive and highly confusing.

I can't see dropping $2,000 to be able to make expresso at home. And! Then be frustrated I can pull even shots.

Doing research on the web is confusing as hell with all kinds of conflicting info.

Is there a book out there "Expresso Making for Dummies" or a non commercial website where someone breaks it down?

If I could shell out $500 or so, and know I can make a good expresso, I'd jump.

A couple of grand - I'll hit the local

[bcroslin]

Originally Posted by flydhest

Any reason (besides cost) not to get a La Marzocco Mini?

No, none. Get it. Do it. Make sure to spend the money on a proper grinder as well.

Originally Posted by kgreene10

I thought it was all about the grinder, but something is funny in my kitchen.

I just bought a Baratza Precisio and I'm very underwhelmed. It's just OK and not what I had hoped for. There doesn't seem to be a great grinder in the $250-$400 range with maybe the exception of the Rancilio.

In another month or so I'll have access to a La Marzocho 2 head unit and some sort of high-end grinder. Friends of mine are opening a coffee shop. Should be awesome.

[chiasticon]

I have a Nespresso machine. I like it.

[Mzilliox]

Im envious, i'd love a Marzoco mini. they do everything well. Marzoco may not be the best machine your money can buy, but they are awesome values, last forever, and do everything well.

and like others have said, don't skimp on the grinder.

pulling shots isn't so hard. and its really fun to see what variables can do to a shot. I used to sling espresso in a few Portland coffee spots...