Coffee snobs

Discussion in 'The Mainboard' started by High Cotton, Jun 15, 2009.

  1. Jorts

    Jorts "Ask about my Mortgage Services"
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    This
     
  2. John McGuirk

    John McGuirk member of the blue tiger club
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    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
     
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  3. John McGuirk

    John McGuirk member of the blue tiger club
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    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.
    :bananallama:
     
  4. SpartanGA

    SpartanGA Well-Known Member
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    Really enjoying the new setup. Using lavazza beans. just ordered happy mug beans. 2 varieties
     
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  5. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
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    Took a month but these finally arrived.

     
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  6. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
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    The accuracy of the 270wi is really impressive. Wish I had the balls and cash to buy it

     
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  7. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
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    I'd rather spend that on a nice scale.
     
  8. bryix

    bryix youth pastor at the meat church
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    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.
     
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  9. IowaHuskerFan3

    IowaHuskerFan3 I hardly husk.
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    Someone point me in a cheap, but efficient direction so I can make an Americano at home. Tired of spending the $4 at Starbucks.
     
  10. ned's head

    ned's head Well-Known Member
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    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
     
  11. WillySaliba

    WillySaliba Well-Known Member
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    ANTWONE Here is where you want to ask.
     
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  12. The_Baumer

    The_Baumer Go Mordecai!
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  13. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
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  14. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
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  15. The_Baumer

    The_Baumer Go Mordecai!
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    Flow control was a major draw in upgrading. It should be fun once I get past the learning curve.
     
  16. The_Baumer

    The_Baumer Go Mordecai!
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    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.
     
  17. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
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    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?
     
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  18. The_Baumer

    The_Baumer Go Mordecai!
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    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.
     
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  19. MORBO!

    MORBO! Hello, Tiny Man. I WILL DESTROY YOU!!!!
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    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.
     

    Attached Files:

  20. VaxRule

    VaxRule Mmm ... Coconuts
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    Baratza Encore
     
  21. John McGuirk

    John McGuirk member of the blue tiger club
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  22. MODEVIL

    MODEVIL Well-Known Member
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    I have an Encore. It’s the right answer for you.
     
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  23. FelipeG

    FelipeG Well-Known Member

    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.

    [​IMG]
     
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  24. MORBO!

    MORBO! Hello, Tiny Man. I WILL DESTROY YOU!!!!
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    I’ve had it for like 8 years. It’s gotten the job done at least. Started dying this month.
     
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  25. SpartanGA

    SpartanGA Well-Known Member
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  26. MORBO!

    MORBO! Hello, Tiny Man. I WILL DESTROY YOU!!!!
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    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.
     
  27. REGGNECK

    REGGNECK You wanna know what I been down , DONT BOTHER ME
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  28. MORBO!

    MORBO! Hello, Tiny Man. I WILL DESTROY YOU!!!!
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  29. ned's head

    ned's head Well-Known Member
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    The wife does happymug's decaf and has never mentioned a difference from the regular guys
     
  30. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
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    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)
     
  31. John McGuirk

    John McGuirk member of the blue tiger club
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    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
     
  32. MORBO!

    MORBO! Hello, Tiny Man. I WILL DESTROY YOU!!!!
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    Opinions on Clever Coffee Dripper?
     
  33. ned's head

    ned's head Well-Known Member
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    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
     
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  34. MORBO!

    MORBO! Hello, Tiny Man. I WILL DESTROY YOU!!!!
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    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.
     
  35. ned's head

    ned's head Well-Known Member
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    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
     
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  36. Tro lo lo

    Tro lo lo You kids must be from the suburbs.
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    Just took delivery of my Technivorm Moccamaster KBG 741 Select. :feelsgoodman:
     
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  37. John McGuirk

    John McGuirk member of the blue tiger club
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    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
     
  38. AUShyGuy

    AUShyGuy Unbridled Enthusiasm
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    25/417 g/ml @200F, 15 grind encore
     
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  39. ned's head

    ned's head Well-Known Member
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    Always been a 17:1 guy
     
  40. John McGuirk

    John McGuirk member of the blue tiger club
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    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
     
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  41. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
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    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?
     
  42. BayouMafia

    BayouMafia Thought Leader in Posting
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    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.

     
  43. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
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    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.
     
  44. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    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?
     
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  45. The_Baumer

    The_Baumer Go Mordecai!
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    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.
     
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  46. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
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    This. Just use a drop or two of water in the chute before grinding it and your problem should be solved.
     
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  47. Nelson

    Nelson Can somebody please get Ja Rhule on the phone
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    thats...what she said
     
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  48. kentucky_dawg

    kentucky_dawg Fan of: Georgia
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    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?
     
  49. The B1G Kucktis

    The B1G Kucktis 2 years, VARSITY!!
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    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
     
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  50. ned's head

    ned's head Well-Known Member
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    No...the encore is seen as the gold standard entrance for electric grinders. I think that would be a good buy.
     
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