Need Espresso machine recommendations - Page 3

David · David's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by fast_e_man

We put in a built-in Miele machine about 6 years ago during our kitchen remodel. Plumbed in a water supply, dedicated 110VAC circuit. It's really nice. No clue how many cups of coffee we've brewed, so I can't say what the amortized cost is per cup of coffee. It's been trouble free, no issues. My wife takes care of the periodic cleaning, descaling, etc. She loves it, and she's worth it, so everyone's happy!

That's what I was thinking of but the counter model. I have two friends with the built in Miele who like them but I know they've both had to repair/replace over the years.

https://www.amazon.com/Miele-CM6350-Countertop-Machine-Obsidian/dp/B075RN23QM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1534447876&sr=8-3&keywords=miele%2Bcoffee%2Bmachine&dpID=41ZPlc0c%252BqL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch&th=1

But then after reading zakthor's post I think we need to play around with different methods of making coffee to really find out what we like.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 09-08-2018, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMiller

i have one you can have...just pay shipping. i no longer can consume the caffeine so it goes unused.. I really enjoyed it at one time... pm if interested

Mike sent me his a few weeks ago and it's taken me about 2 to figure out how to make a good espresso: Grinds in half way, tamp hard, grinds in to full and go. Definitely a good double shot at 3pm when I need it most.

Thank you Mike, part of what makes this community so great!

pvlmal · 09-08-2018, 02:35 PM

hard to beat the repeatability and consistent quality produced by the Miele coffee machines- either a built in air counter top version producing consisent Creama - everytime - the Germans got it figured out//

Shaun @ Tru6 · 10-17-2018, 10:19 AM

I know this is completely subjective but those of you who have $2K+ machines, or even $1K machines, what does a great espresso mean to you vs. a $500 machine or dedicated coffee house or very high end restaurant?

I've had 5 "professional" espressos at local coffee houses. 4 have been decent, one was just not that great and none have bowled me over. Have experimented with my older Saeco which makes as good or better a cup than any of the coffee houses with $5000 machines.

I cook a lot, French, etc. and have a refined palette. I use a French press to start the day.

I have yet to have an awesome espresso and am dying to have one again.

What are your thoughts?

jhelgesen · 10-17-2018, 10:49 AM

Combination of beans, water, machine, and process.

Took us months to find the beans we liked and that worked well in the machine.

There is no magic answer. Takes time and testing.

gtc · gtc's Garage

My experience with cheaper machines has been that they do not have the pressure or temperature stability to produce a consistently good shot of espresso.
My old inexpensive Saeco could be manipulated in such a way that you could pull a shot with ok crema, but it required running the pump first for just a second, which pumped a little cold water in to the boiler and tricked the thermostat in to turning on the heater sooner.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 10-17-2018, 12:20 PM

I am thinking more and more it's only going to come down to the beans. I have my packing/tamping down. Fill half, tamp hard, fill 3/4, tamp light. That produces a good cup.

the crema the machine puts out is great. I turn the machine on, put the cup in and let it sit for 10 minutes. The coffee it puts out is good, it's just not the flavor I can remember, which I think must be the beans then.

Going to the North End (Italian restaurant nirvana) this weekend, will try at least 2 restaurants.

There is every chance this older Saeco will put out the espresso I want when I find the right beans.

VincentVega · 10-17-2018, 12:24 PM

Beans and grind and tamp and temp and....

Start with beans. I have $$ into my setup, cant belive it really and dont want to think about it. But it makes damn good coffee. When I have fresh beans.

Gogar · 10-17-2018, 12:30 PM

Fresh beans and clean water are a big part.

I think you can get there with great beans and clean water and an -ok machine.

If a more expensive machine is more expenseive because of the guts that’s awesome. If it’s just bells and whistles then .... you know.

A machine with a good pump and a good size boiler and a metal group cup will get you closer. Consistency of temp and pressure through the whole pull. Machines with plastic group cups wil have a hard time.

As mentioned if you do a blank pull before you actually run your shot you will get those water lines and the cup up to temp.

VincentVega · 10-17-2018, 01:20 PM

The nicer stuff is all about consistency. You dont waste (fresh!) beans since its the same grind every time. No dicking with the grinder, if something is off its a minor change or your beans are stale. Same goes for pre infusion, temp... You can pull shots over and over again instead of one at a time and then futzing around between. When the machine is up to temp I just have to keep the reservoir full, dont have a plumbed machine. All adds up to good to great shots every time instead of mostly good shots or let it cool down/heat up then try again.

LWJ · 10-17-2018, 01:21 PM

On topic - can anyone recommend their favorite beans? I recently blended two for a very favorable result. I would prefer to just settle on one bean.

gtc · gtc's Garage

I prefer a blend for espresso, and try to avoid anything too fruity. (I'll save the single origin stuff for pour overs)

I use Stumptown Hair Bender.

varmint · 10-17-2018, 02:30 PM

This showed up on my feed this morning.

varmint · 10-17-2018, 02:43 PM

Maybe I should post this in the cafe racer thread.

kanadary · 10-17-2018, 03:49 PM

I have a seaco XS vapore from Costco. Fully automatic and pulls a decent shot. Agree that beans do make a difference.this is the third machine I have gone thru and before I had a manual machine. It goes on sale at Costco every once in a while. I got my last one two yrs ago at t giving

faverymi · 10-17-2018, 04:21 PM

After reading this slowly and carefully Im wondering if I ever had a really good espresso.

Shawn... Do you have a place you recommend around town?

Shaun @ Tru6 · 10-17-2018, 05:57 PM

Hey Felipe, sadly, no I don't. I'm going to the North End this weekend though as part of the quest. Also a cannoli or 2 and some Regina pizza.

MMiller · 10-17-2018, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

the crema the machine puts out is great.

There is every chance this older Saeco will put out the espresso I want when I find the right beans.

Hi Shaun,

I'm enjoying your search to get a great cup of espresso from that Saeco.

I wish I still had a 911 to send you to restore with your attention to detail!

Best,

VincentVega · 10-18-2018, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LWJ

On topic - can anyone recommend their favorite beans? I recently blended two for a very favorable result. I would prefer to just settle on one bean.

I think its best to get local but I like these.

https://shop.ceremonycoffee.com/products/destroyer

They need to be fresh so check out a local roaster. Vac sealer is worthwhile too so is an airscape canister.

Sarc · 10-18-2018, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LWJ

On topic - can anyone recommend their favorite beans? I recently blended two for a very favorable result. I would prefer to just settle on one bean.

This seems like a perpetual quest of mine, though it's one that I truly enjoy. I usually settle on something fresh and roasted locally, but at one point I fell in love with Caffe Vita from Seattle. Eventually, I couldn't justify the $28 given my consumption rate.

One year my wife gifted me a subscription to Bean Box, which was a great opportunity to sample various offerings from around the country. Again, all part of the fun discovering new tastes.