The [coffee snobs'] espresso thread

People really like the automatic Swiss made Jura models too.


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



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.

People like this grinder too.
Analogue all the way
 
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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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Wasabi and soy … I dunno… to my palate, wasabi dominates and hides the subtleties. Soy, can highlight, but it’s also somewhat obscuring.
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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Analogue all the way
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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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!
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:


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.


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


Weber is up there too:


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.


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