Quote:
Originally Posted by David
Anyone want to admit to owning a high dollar (~$2,000) full auto machine and want to let us know how they like it?
I've thought about it since the wife and I spend an inordinate amount of time making coffee with a french press and grinding beans for each batch, but the cost is pretty crazy.
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I think this thread some folks really aren't familiar with what good espresso actually tastes like. That nespresso pod stuff... guys... that isn't espresso either. Sure its a tasty convenient coffee beverage... The starbucks barista machine... pressurized portafilter, you have no control of brew pressure until you try a real espresso grind and find out the machine can't even reach 9 bar.
I would really steer clear of ANY auto machines. First because "full auto" is not to the point of replacing a barista, there's too much variation in beans and grind. And second because all that mechanical automation will not be serviceable by mortals.
I have friends with full auto machines and none make anything I'd call espresso. Yes it makes a small coffee with the push of a button but I'd take simple melitta cone over it any day.
If you really think you want to dip your toes in espresso you should first find a good coffee shop and see if its something you'll pay for. Honestly compare the great shots they pull with the nasty drizzle you get from a jura. Or look at pictures on the interwebs of what good shots look like. Good crema...
There are big parts of the country/world where the knowledge just isn't there, you're SOL to even taste the good stuff. Second, the beans for great espresso are expensive. Probably the best beans cost me $0.50/shot and we probably spend $400/year just on beans. If I lived without access to great beans I'd probably not even use the espresso machine because it makes bad beans taste even worse. Sometimes wife comes home with crap from grocery store and I just go without coffee until I can get more good beans.
I have owned an expobar brewtus 2 for about 15 years now, was $1400 new and I've probably spent $500 on parts during that time, new brew pump, new heating elements, two control boards, some pressure stats, brew screens, etc. This same machine is sold as "Rocket" brand from seattle coffee gear, and might be rebranded elsewhere. Its been "reliable" and easily fixed at home. Its literally just plumbing.
We use it daily. Was a huge life improvement for me - there seems to be something in good espresso that picks me up in a way that drip doesn't - it isn't caffine but some other something. Shrug. I have friends with more expensive machines (GS3) but they don't make better espresso. The grinder is seriously important. With the brewtus we've had a starbucks barista grinder, a Nuovo simonelli grinta, a mazzer super jolly and for past 4 years a mazzer robur. The mazzers were both purchased used and seem to have appreciated in value - they never wear out and are easy to resell. Probably the robur is the best purchase I made since we got the brewtus, very stable, grind very rarely needs adjustment and its quiet and super fast. If you have space and money I highly recommend it.
The espresso is really convenient, I have machine on timer so its ready to go in the morning, steamed milk takes about 2 minutes, shots are about 45 seconds apart, then 5 minutes to clean up. Every weekend I give machine and grinder a more thorough cleaning, takes 45 minutes or so. Otherwise the tar will really load up. Melitta I need to wait for water to reach temp, then brewing takes time and attention.
Honestly for me a great cup of single cone melitta (drip/pourover) is a close second to espresso. I'm not a fan of French press because of the fines in the cup - it tastes great if I drink the coffee right away or filter it after brewing but that is too much trouble. I don't like the taste the fines impart to the cup over time.
I think best approach is to buck up and buy a reasoable grinder (The sette 30 above is reasonable cheap grinder) and get a kettle with digital temp control. Then play around with good beans and temperature and see what that does for your life.