Thanks gents. Just ordered the virtuoso I feel like I have graduated from mediocrity. I will report back when I get to use it later this week / next week
Guys I just made my first batch in the French press using the Virtuoso and I cannot believe how much of a difference it makes. 27 setting using a good medium roast beans from the coffee shop down the street Was so damn hard previously to get the acidity right without making it gritty and bitter. Nailed it on the first try with the grinder upgrade.
about to speak some heresy wife's aunt in NOLA sent us some christmas-y flavored coffees from PJ's. I wasn't excited about the prospect, but just tried them. for flavored coffee, they are surprisingly decent. especially with rum. I made some Coquito and used that as a creamer and it was spectacular.
Someone point me in a cheap, but efficient direction so I can make an Americano at home. Tired of spending the $4 at Starbucks.
Define cheap. Super cheap? Moka pot or aeropress. You could get an espresso attachment for the aeropress for not much more. Or are you looking for the cheap end of real espresso? That's a different ballgame
pratyk I pulled the trigger on a dual boiler today. After a lot of research, I went with the Quick Mill Vetrano 2B EVO. I got the e61 flow control attachment too. https://www.chriscoffee.com/collect...resso-machines/products/quick-mill-vetrano-2b
Man! Have fun with the flow control shenanigans. That machine's a tank. I'm hoping I can upgrade to a machine that can do flow control later this year.
That's a beautiful machine. Would be whipping up espressos any time friends came over purely for the pageantry.
Thank you. Volume was one of the reasons I wanted a dual boiler. My HX machine could not keep up when I had guests over.
I’m getting my first espresso machine very soon. The more research I do the more lost I get. What machine is the HX? How did you like it?
I had the Quick Mill Anita. I loved it. Very little maintenance needed the entire decade I owned it. I highly recommend ordering through Chris’ Coffee if they have the machine you want. They walked me through every issue I encountered along the way. They’re so knowledgeable. As someone who’s not mechanically inclined, it works perfectly.
Warning: I’m like 60% coffee snob. Looking at grinders after my old one died (see photo attached). Had a cheap Cuisinart thing. I use it mostly for French press since I’m still a Bustelo espresso guy so I don’t need to grind my espresso grounds. You can take the Cuban out of Miami...but... Anywho, any suggestions on a new grinder. I’m not looking to spend a few hundred bucks on a grinder but I don’t “need” to go for the $50 one like I did last time. If there’s something that will improve the taste, I’m down for it.
Hahaha that's the same one I have. I bought it from the neighbors for $5. It was a big step up from my Capresso blade grinder that broke.
Great deal on Lavazza Super Crema 3 2.2lb for $33 free shipping. be sure to add 3 to cart to get free shipping Lavazza Super Crema Whole Bean Coffee Blend, Medium Espresso Roast, 2.2 Pound (Pack of 1) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000SDKDM4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_a82dGbSNT8T2B?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 unsure why link is broken. But it’s on amazon
Not sure if this thread looks down on this but do y’all have a favorite decaf bean? Sometimes I like to have a cup right before bed or maybe an extra cup in the morning if I feel like I want more coffee but without time traveling from all the caffeine. There’s a roaster near me that has a lot of good beans but the decaf ones feel like they’re all very acidic instead of that darker nuttier type flavor I like in my regular coffee.
The real sweet spot is a half and half of regular plus decaf beans. I had reached out to Happy Mug about doing a half caff combo ala Onyx Powernap and they had responded with this - Mokka Java half-caf espresso: 1/2 Decaf Sumatra + 1/2 Ethiopia Natural is pretty good as espresso (dark chocolate and berries) 100% Guatemala half-caf espresso: 1/2 Decaf Guatemala + 1/2 Renegade Guatemala is pretty good too (hint of fruit + chocolate)
Coffee shop down the street had a Chemex 8 cup on sale for $35. Looks like I will be making the switch to pour over
Love it. Started with that and later added the v60, wave 155, wave 185, aeropress, french press, and an SCAA certified drip. Probably use the clever 75-80% of the time
I use French press right now, but considered clever for the filtration aspect. I probably prefer the steeping method to get a more full bodied cup. Seems super easy to clean too. The French press can occasionally be a pain.
It's absolutely easier to clean - just a rinse of water. The seals start to leak after 2-3 years, so I'm on my 3rd after getting into the game in 2013 or so. If you get it, check out james hoffman's youtube on his method. It's eliminated the only real hassle - a slow drawdown
For those that do pour over, what’s everyone’s coffee to water ratio? Going to do an 18 grind on the virtuoso. First crack at pour over tomorrow morning
Pretty solid cup. Used Stumptown holler mountain beans ground to an 18. A little on the weak side as I went over the 1/17 ratio due to not paying attention. So it’s more like 1/18 but still good. I’ll probably go 1/17 with a 16 grind tomorrow
Best electric grinder in the $200 range for espresso? Or will I have to step it up to something like Rancilio Rocky Doserless or Baratza Sette 270?
anyone have any experience with Smeg products? Finally going to purchase an espresso machine and I love the retro look of Smeg products. I don't have the palate to justify a $800+ machine, but I'd be willing to spend in the $400's for this one because of the look as long as it makes a fine espresso.
For that price, I'd be looking at Breville infuser or Gaggia. It'd be a waste of money to go for Smeg just for the looks.
Quick question - had the Baratza Encore for years, love it. Why do some beans make a fucking mess (just grinds everywhere when removing the holder), and some beans are nice and neat and drop cleanly into the holder?
I’ve always found that the darker the roast, the more static-y and messy the grounds get. I’ve never read anything about it but that’s just my take.
This. Just use a drop or two of water in the chute before grinding it and your problem should be solved.
Not a snob by any means but want something better then a keurig and allows me to start buying whole beans from some local roasters around town. Is the Ninja Hot and Cold Brew System () worth the money if I want something that’s easy and convenient enough for my wife to make while also still making a good (decent by this thread standards) cup of coffee? Was also planning to get a Baratza Encore grinder. Is that overkill for this machine?
Going from pods to freshly ground coffee is always an upgrade. Not sure you need an expensive grinder, though, unless you plan on trying to make your own pour over in the future
No...the encore is seen as the gold standard entrance for electric grinders. I think that would be a good buy.