The [coffee snobs'] espresso thread

Another Johnson said:
People really like the automatic Swiss made Jura models too.

www.seattlecoffeegear.com

Jura J8 Superautomatic Espresso Machine

Sip on something sweet with the Jura J8 Superautomatic Espresso Machine. A unique addition to Jura's product lineup, the J8 offers the ability to instantly flavor your steamed milk with your favorite flavored syrups.
www.seattlecoffeegear.com www.seattlecoffeegear.com

But the Silvia has a very strong following. It would please most people who want to make milk drinks.

www.ranciliogroup.com

Silvia Pro X: dual boiler espresso machine for home - Rancilio

Silvia Pro X is the single group dual boiler espresso machine designed for home. Enjoy the pleasure of an espresso whenever you want. Discover Silvia Pro X!
www.ranciliogroup.com www.ranciliogroup.com

www.chriscoffee.com

Silvia Pro X (Showroom)

The Rancilio Silvia Pro Espresso Machine provides unmatched Precision and Control. Perfect for Home Use. Get it now on sale at the Best Price. Shop now!
www.chriscoffee.com www.chriscoffee.com

Be sure to read the size specs on any of these machines. Many brands are quite tall, so not readily well-suited to under cabinet countertops. You can buy a countertop appliance slider to make moving it for cleaning or water filling easier.

Regarding the double boiler recommendation, it is a good one for a person who wants milk drinks… but it does add cost.

This one has an Italian name, but it’s made in China. It is modestly priced for a two boiler unit, but it is VERY large.
espressooutlet.com

Turin™ Capriccio™ Espresso Machine Turin

Introducing the Turin Capriccio espresso machine for coffee enthusiasts who demand performance at an affordable price. – The Capriccio is a Dual Boiler espresso machine. Key Features: Dual boilers: Not many machines have a dual boiler at this price point. This dual boiler ensures you can brew...
espressooutlet.com espressooutlet.com

People like this grinder too.
www.1stincoffee.com

Baratza Vario + Coffee Grinder

The Baratza Vario grinder (Improved 2022 version) is a commercial grade coffee grinder for home or commercial use. Perfect for grinding for any type of coffee preparation. The Baratza Vario grinder has 3 user programmable grind/dosing buttons. It features top quality Swiss 54mm ceramic burrs and...
www.1stincoffee.com www.1stincoffee.com
Click to expand...
Analogue all the way
www.olympia-express.ch

Olympia Express - Cremina

Over 40 years of perfection. The Cremina is a classic lever-operated espresso machine; no ifs, no buts. Classical Swiss Design. Only premium materials.
www.olympia-express.ch www.olympia-express.ch
 
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After 10 years with a semi-automatic machine, I bought a La Marzocco Linea Mini two years ago and have never looked back.
 

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Another Johnson said:
Wasabi and soy … I dunno… to my palate, wasabi dominates and hides the subtleties. Soy, can highlight, but it’s also somewhat obscuring.
Click to expand...
I have wasabi with bad sushi, not with good sushi.
 
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Note I did not say I might not order … I said I don’t eat. Of all the things to leave on the plate, bad sushi is #1 with a bullet.
 
I have now gone both digital and analog in my coffee setups. At my primary home, i have the San Remo YOU which I love. If you can think of it, the machine can do it. In the mountains and at the other end of the spectrum, I have the Olympia Cremina SL. I love the contrast between the two experiences and can highly recommend both machines. I thought really really hard about the Decent, but just didn’t want that much software interaction every time I pulled a shot (I would go too far down that rabbit hole on a daily basis). I have at least as much, if not more, fun with my coffee rigs as my audio rig at a much lower price point!
 
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pjwd said:
Analogue all the way
www.olympia-express.ch

Olympia Express - Cremina

Over 40 years of perfection. The Cremina is a classic lever-operated espresso machine; no ifs, no buts. Classical Swiss Design. Only premium materials.
www.olympia-express.ch www.olympia-express.ch
Click to expand...
Now, after looking at complicated all in one machines, I’m pondering a dedicated manual device (like the Forge) (or the Streitman with boiler), a nice grinder and a dedicated steamer.

I want simplicity, beauty and good repeatable results.
Suggestions welcome!
 
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wil said:
Now, after looking at complicated all in one machines, I’m pondering a dedicated manual device (like the Forge) (or the Streitman with boiler), a nice grinder and a dedicated steamer.

I want simplicity, beauty and good repeatable results.
Suggestions welcome!
Click to expand...
Will
Although expensive, the olympia is a single boiler unit that steams perfectly and makes a cracking coffee.. it takes a while to get the " feel" but when you do the coffee is as good as any super high end machine and better than many.
We just bought a second one for our holiday place. You change gaskets every 10 years or so and that's it!
I also got a coffee tech DF64 2 grinder which is supposed to be better than the mazza super jolly we have now so we will see
The matching olymia grinder is supposedly not that great .. they would look nice together tho

Phil
 
Agree with pjwd, strongly. The Cremina will last a life time and makes great coffee. Grinders are like power chords though - way more important than most people realize.
 
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Does anyone know of a good quality standalone milk steamer?
 
To be honest, the grinder is even more important than the machine. I have 3 single dose grinder from 800 up to 4K and two machines. One LA Marzocco GS3 with an upgrade on the Pump to control the pressure during the work (pressure profiling) and one simple Elektra Verve. Using the Verve with the best grinder gives much better results than the cheap 800$ grinder with the GS3.
 
my Diva Bugatti coffee machine is certainly not among the most advanced, but at least it's sexy as hell. And it makes excellent coffee.Then if you combine the right blend with a good dose of arabica at your dealer/roastery, as soon as you wake up in the morning you can daydream about your favorite belly dancer
IMG_0169.png
 
Kafatek arguably makes the best home grinders:


Weber is up there too:

weberworkshops.com

The EG-1

From espresso to pour-over coffee preparation, the EG-1 is Weber Workshops's 80mm premier flat burr grinder for specialty coffee, now upgraded to the Mk.3 edition. The EG-1 Mk.3 ships standard with Weber Workshops's magnetically mounted CORE burr set, designed to be used for everything from...
weberworkshops.com weberworkshops.com

Mahlkoenig EK43 is the granddaddy, overkill for home use though, it's designed for a coffee shop or supermarket. As it's popularity grew in the coffee-nerd community, Mahlkoenig had no idea what they had and it was set to be discontinued, but increased interest and sales kept it from getting the ax. They even made a shorter EK43-S that more easily fits in homes.

www.mahlkoenig.us

EK43 S

The EK43 S provides the powerful performance of Mahlkonig's famous EK43 within a space-saving body, that finally brings premium coffee grinding to the smaller coffee bars, too. The EK43 rules the international coffee specialty industry as the undisputed queen of coffee grinders - with high...
www.mahlkoenig.us www.mahlkoenig.us

There's a lot of new grinders in the <$1k range that are really good now too.
 
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DaveC said:
Kafatek arguably makes the best home grinders:


Weber is up there too:

weberworkshops.com

The EG-1

From espresso to pour-over coffee preparation, the EG-1 is Weber Workshops's 80mm premier flat burr grinder for specialty coffee, now upgraded to the Mk.3 edition. The EG-1 Mk.3 ships standard with Weber Workshops's magnetically mounted CORE burr set, designed to be used for everything from...
weberworkshops.com weberworkshops.com

Mahlkoenig EK43 is the granddaddy, overkill for home use though, it's designed for a coffee shop or supermarket. As it's popularity grew in the coffee-nerd community, Mahlkoenig had no idea what they had and it was set to be discontinued, but increased interest and sales kept it from getting the ax. They even made a shorter EK43-S that more easily fits in homes.

www.mahlkoenig.us

EK43 S

The EK43 S provides the powerful performance of Mahlkonig's famous EK43 within a space-saving body, that finally brings premium coffee grinding to the smaller coffee bars, too. The EK43 rules the international coffee specialty industry as the undisputed queen of coffee grinders - with high...
www.mahlkoenig.us www.mahlkoenig.us

There's a lot of new grinders in the <$1k range that are really good now too.
Click to expand...
I like the look of the weber unifilter .. has anyone had experience with it
 
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