(Part 2) Best products from r/espresso

> Yeah I was looking into some machines but I didn't really know any quality ones. One of them was like a keurig machine but the thought of having to buy the little capsules was a turn off. Another one I saw had a milk frother but I'm pretty sure you guys could recommend a better one, I'll link it down below.

Yeah, that sucks. Personally, if you want a pre-arranged system, I'd go for the Illy/Francis Francis pair. But you can get a good pressurized basked machine for, like, 300 or 400 bucks and even use standard pre-ground coffee. It's not gonna be as good as a really good machine, but you might never know if you never get a coffee from a 1000$-machine.

> Also, in terms of the grinder, are beans ever sold already ground? Because I've never really seen people with a grinder usually they just have a coffee machine. Mind you, nobody i've seen is as into coffee as the hobbyists here.

Where I am, they are - at my supermarket, there are some beans you can only get pre-ground.

> http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007K9OIMU?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

I'd say you won't get super happy with that machine.

The reason is that when something is automated in a coffee machine, it will be consistent, but of worse quality then the same with manual control.

That applies both to espresso and the milk. Manual control allows you to make the little teeny tiny steps better, which results in way better quality. Also, I'd never trust an automatic milk frother.

Completely off topic, but I just noticed your username. Do you work in the medical field? I'm a lab tech working nights in a smaller hospital.


The budget is going to get gnarly, especially if you buy things new.

I can tell you that setup I see recommended most often are the Baratza Vario (not W), the Crossland CC1, and a good scale, which is also probably one of the cheapest ways to do it. My wife and I also pretty much only use the same bean over and over again, so tuning it in between batches is pretty simple.

The scale in the grinder is a nifty feature, but it ends up giving your dose +/- .2 grams, whereas if you if you tune it in with a scale and the built in timer, you can get it down to smaller than +/- .1 gram. It may not seem like a big deal either way, but I use the same bean with the same dose over and over and over... So I feel like the added feature kind of goes to waste.

You can try different grinders like the Baratza Sette, which uses conical burrs vs the flat burrs of the Vario, but is new and unproven. There is also the Baratza Forte which is the older brother to the Vario and is supposed to resolve some of the flaws with the Vario. Your other grinder options are stepless (preferably doserless) grinders like the Fiorenzato, [Mazzer Mini]http://www.mazzer.com/en/grinder-dosers/mini/) (La Marzocco sells Mazzers, so there is that) and others that I can't remember at this point.

At the top of the home espresso machine market price wise is La Marzocco. Honestly, I think the only reason to get one of these would be to piss people off. Breville Dual Boiler(BES920XL), Rocket anything I guess, Rancilio Silvia + a PID kit, and others. I think a PID is a must have feature for any espresso machine.

I am by no means an expert in this topic, I'm just in the middle of researching an upgrade. I'm currently considering the Fiorenzato (because the name sounds cool. No really, I don't have a good reason for this. My Vario is more than sufficient, it just annoys me from time to time) and the Breville Dual Boiler (it's chock full of features and it has a bigger portafilter).

Congrats! I have the same machine (w/Sette 270) also bought second hand and it has served me very well. A few things that will help you with getting excellent shots consistently:

-Get a scale (if you don't have one already)! Preferably with .1 gr precision. This cheapo one I have isn't perfect but has worked for me: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073TVC1N8/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

-Practice tamping on a bathroom scale (30lbs) so you can develop a feel for the right amount of pressure

-Grooming devices aren't crucial but I've found one to be helpful with distribution, here's an inexpensive one that's well-made: https://www.amazon.com/Coffee-Distributor-Leveler-tool-Distribution/dp/B077BZ4CV6/ref=sr_1_11_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1538574694&sr=8-11-spons&keywords=espresso+tamper&psc=1

-Use fresh coffee, ideally no more than 2 weeks off roast. The more espresso you make the more you'll see the impact that freshness of the beans has on the resulting appearance, texture and taste.

-If you really want to get nerdy then buy a bottomless portafilter (I found mine cheaper on eBay). They are unforgiving of grinding/tamping issues and will give you an indication when something is off.

Have fun and enjoy the coffee!

No worries! Are you getting the flair or are you weighing options. The flair is definitely nice because you can produce some pretty amazing shots for not an incredible amount of money, but it is definitely a commitment. What budget are you wanting to stick with for a grinder? Scales can be pretty cheap. I will attach the link to a good starter one that is portable and fits under the flair pro.

GDEALER DS1 Digital Pocket Kitchen Multifunction Food Scale for Bake Jewelry Weight, 0.001oz/0.01g 500g, Tare, Stainless Steel, Backlit Display, Silver https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E6RE3A0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Ua8HDbK32A2TD

Yeah I was looking into some machines but I didn't really know any quality ones. One of them was like a keurig machine but the thought of having to buy the little capsules was a turn off. Another one I saw had a milk frother but I'm pretty sure you guys could recommend a better one, I'll link it down below.

Also, in terms of the grinder, are beans ever sold already ground? Because I've never really seen people with a grinder usually they just have a coffee machine. Mind you, nobody i've seen is as into coffee as the hobbyists here.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007K9OIMU?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Congrats. I've had mine for few weeks now after upgrading from Nespresso. It has been quite the journey learning about espresso and pulling decent shots. I have to admit that my first week involved a lot frustration - I couldn't get the grind right leading to sour or bitter shots and a LOT of wasted coffee. I am over the initial learning cliff and able to get decent espresso out of it, but far from getting it right every time.

There are lot of tips on this SR and YouTube, so my advice to you would be to learn everything you can. This is a hobby not an appliance.

Lastly - another redditor posted a link to these washcloths. They match the machine which is really nice and are a perfect fit. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MRR1YNT/

Enjoy!

found these, are these what you recommend? https://www.amazon.com/Duralex-France-Picardie-Tumbler-2-Ounce/dp/B0000DDVG6/ref=pd_cp_79_1/137-2984176-1453857?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0000DDVG6&pd_rd_r=5b4bd97a-d692-4cbb-b355-e75524eacb99&pd_rd_w=pyPJN&pd_rd_wg=QhTnN&pf_rd_p=0e5324e1-c848-4872-bbd5-5be6baedf80e&pf_rd_r=SG4DFKM0YMEEPQZ0EE9C&psc=1&refRID=SG4DFKM0YMEEPQZ0EE9C

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it's weird, i dont love that random curve in the middle, but that seems like the perfect glass for a latte. 105oz is also a great size for this

My current settings (although your will be different, as it varies based on beans and machines, this is just to give you ideas) uses 200Degrees Brazilian Love Affair Beans, 16.8 seconds grind time, on grind size 25 with the Sage (Breville) Smart Grinder Pro, which gives me 18g of ground coffee. I then extract for about 30 seconds giving me 60ml of espresso.

So to answer your questions

1 - Single shot = 7-10g coffee, 25-30ml final shot volume

Double shot = 14-20g coffee, 50-60ml final shot volume

2 - I have a small set of scales for checking the weight of coffee, and a graduated shot pitcher to collect the coffee in, they are VERY useful when getting your shot tuned. I highly recommend getting both.

3 - I personally would get everything else tuned in using the single cup preset, as then you can keep that consistent while tweaking the other variables.

It may be below your budget, but I've been very happy with a Rancilio Rocky for espresso. I love that it can grind a single dose at a time, because I make 2-4 shots total on a typical day.

https://www.amazon.com/Rancilio-HSD-ROC-SD-Espresso-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B00H1OUW24

It's weighty and won't move around, and the grind settings are adequate.

The box angled up on the right is the Auber PID in a 3D printed case. I purchased the PID, SSR, and screw RTD separately from the kit to save some money and then created my own wiring harness. If you're good with detail and are capable of being careful, the kit install is a breeze. There are Youtube videos that show all of the steps involved, so go check some of those out if you're on the fence.

The other device I have on top of the Silvia is a Taylor grill thermometer. I have the probe inside the machine taking a reading of the top of the grouphead. This thermometer is awesome because it allows you to set an alarm for a target temperature, shows the current temperature, and has a stopwatch (all displaying on the screen at once). It alerts me when the machine is up to temp and is my shot timer.

Even a barebones setup that will be frustrating to use is something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Gaggia-14101-Semi-Automatic-Pannarello-Cappuccino/dp/B0001KOA4Q - Gaggia Classic ($400)

https://www.amazon.com/Baratza-Sette-Conical-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B01G82WVZ0 - Sette 270 ($379)

Not exactly your $600 window, but not insanely far off.

While it's a decent first machine... the Gaggia Classic, IMO, is frustrating to use...but can make a good espresso shot here and there, but will, in general, not be able to make shots back to back or steam at the same time as making a shot (and honestly not even for a minute or so after very well) and the steam tip is not great...and the portafilter that comes with it is frustrating.

You can do some modifications to the Gaggia Classic to make it better - the ones that come to mind are the Silvia V1 steam wand, a bottomless pressureless portafilter, and a PID to reduce the temperature surfing. These all require more money, time, and skill on your part to mod your machine into something that is significantly better than the out of the box experience.

There's really no way around it that good espresso requires funding. Your local (good) coffee shop probably has a $1500-2750 grinder (or two) and a $9000-18000 espresso machine.... along with all the water filtration and miscellaneous hardware that goes with it.

You need to find one that matches your machines electrical needs as mentioned above me.

I use the TP-Link Kasa Smart plug (larger variety) that supports 15A - good enough for my Silvia.


Kasa Smart WiFi Plug by TP-Link - Smart Plug, No Hub Required, Works with Alexa and Google (HS100), white, 1 Pack

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0178IC734/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apii.6l2DbE5MFNAD

Yeah I grabbed the funnel of amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01BTR44IQ?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Took a flat head and very carefully tapped in under the handle. Do not pry or it will bend the funnel. The spot welds are weak so hitting the screwdriver with a hammer popped them right off. Then I used masking tape on the grinder and an exacto knife to cut holes where the chute and screwes go. I transfered the tape onto the funnel and used a Dremel with a metal cutting wheel and carefully cut it out. Then I drilled a 1in hole in a peice of wood so I could trace a perfect circle onto the tip of the funnel, and then used the Dremel again. I cleaned everything up with a file and Dremel sanding wheel. Worked perfectly. The base is just a peice of maple with cutting board feet on the bottom. And I replace the switch with a double pole single throw switch rated to the same specs as the original.

The Blue Bottle book is good. Not espresso-specific (and half of it is recipes for food), but there's some good info in there. Looks nice on a coffee table too.

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https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Bottle-Craft-Coffee-Roasting/dp/1607741180

1. weight your beans. start with 18g.
   
2. set grinder to some value.
   
3. level off the grounds and tamp. being consistent and level is key. get a tamper like this so it will always compress your grounds to the same level. you may need to adjust your dose (aka amount of grounds to get a level tamp) https://www.amazon.com/SMKF-Tampresso-Tamper-Espresso-Black/dp/B01LAGBM90
   
4. now your properly tamped. it's time to extract.
   
5. the gaggia does not maintain a consistent temperature and you will need to temperature surf to get the ideal temperature and consistent temperature between shots. here's a simple procedure, there are tons, and without a temp probe PID, it's impossible to say which is right. 1. start with the machine all warmed up. 2. turn on the brew switch until the heating light comes on and turn it off immediately. 3. wait 20 seconds 4. start your extraction (i don't know what temp this will extract at, but if you do this every time, it'll be consistent at least, consistency is key)
   
6. zero your scale underneath your cup and start a timer when you start the pump.
   
7. you want to reach for 25s-30s run time on the pump (extraction time) and have double the weight of the grounds you use. ie 18g in => 36g out. you will need to stop the pump when you are close to the target output.
   
8. if you are reaching your target output too fast (ie before 25s-30s) then grind finer. if it is too slow (then grind coarser). make small adjustments and repeat.
   
9. now once you've found this 25s-30s 1:2 input:output ratio. try it a few times to make sure you can get consistent results.
   
10. once you can get consistent results, then you can taste the espresso and adjust the dose, yield, extraction time based on your taste. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BT7-yOUMDM

>Baratza Sette 270

Was looking into that but felt it was a bit expensive for at-home brewing. I was more leaning for the Breville Dose Control grinder: https://www.amazon.ca/Breville-BCG400SIL-Dose-Control-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B01A6IHXW8/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=dose+control&qid=1574900642&sr=8-1

Do you think that will produce alright results? If not is there any good grinders in the price point?

I picked up one of these to go under my Mignon when I picked it up recently. Fits perfectly understandable it and makes it easier to slide around/clean up.

Well, my DeLonghi was just under $100 on amazon and I got it for "free" with rewards points. Yeah, it's not top of the line... maybe someday I'll graduate to something really expensive. Buying coffee at Starbucks 4-5 days a week wasn't cheap either.

I know OP said they were in Brazil, but I bought this leveler the other day for my duo pro

Coffee Distributor 53mm,Espresso Distribution Tool,Coffee Distributor Tool,Espresso Distributor,Coffee Distributor Leveler https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CPRBS8C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_0iwEDbWH47W64

It’s awesome

I live in NYC. There are many awesome espresso places here and probably more concentration of roasters than in most other parts of the US(?). However I can't find anything smaller than 12 oz bags.

Here is my setup:

• Nuova Simonelli Oscar Pour Over Espresso Coffee Machine
  
• I grind with the Rancilio Rocky
  
• I store my beans in a Coffeevac 1/2 lb

I didn't really follow anything specific. Just removed the doser, and attached the funnel from something like this https://www.amazon.com/MyLifeUNIT-Stainless-Pancake-Batter-Dispenser/dp/B01BTR44IQ. It fits surprising well and only required a few modifications with a drill and a dremel.

I use a iSpring RCC7AK. You can find it on Amazon for about $200: https://www.amazon.com/iSpring-RCC7AK-Capacity-Drinking-Remineralization/dp/B005LJ8EXU

It takes my ~600 TDP softened well water down to 100 TDP and tastes great. I have it direct plumed to my ECM machine and it provides a steady 2 bars of pressure.

I use this measuring cup and this scale. I weigh the beans going into the grinder. I measure the espresso coming out by setting the scale on the drip tray, putting the little plastic cover that came with the scale on top to protect it from spray/overflow, and then put the cup on top of that. With my bottomless portafilter, there's more than enough room.

Thanks! Here you go!

Vario 886 Grinder

Pocket scale

Distributor

Dosing Funnel

Espro calibrated tamper VST 58.35 Flat

Grindenstein Knock box

Presto timer

18g VST portafilter basket

IMS E61 shower screen

E61 thermometer

I am happy with cheap eBay scales and a bit of silicone . The Hario seems good as it has. A timer https://www.amazon.ca/Hario-Coffee-Drip-Scale-Timer/dp/B009GPJMOU?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duc12-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B009GPJMOU . There was. Some water proof scale that looks super slick but it's $200. Totally not worth it.

Yeah I was meaning with the bottomless you have more room under the portafilter to fit a scale. I have this scale and a bottomless on my Gaggia Classic and it fits.

I have had the same setup for about 10 months. Depending on the beans you get, you will experience clumping. Look up the WDT method for clumping.

This tamper works perfectly.

https://www.amazon.com/LuxHaus-53mm-Calibrated-Espresso-Tamper/dp/B01MUXN53U

This distribution tool made my shots improve.

https://www.amazon.com/Coffee-Distributor-Espresso-Distribution-Leveler/dp/B07CPRBS8C

If I could only give you one tip for that machine, it would be to never descale it. The solenoid valves in Breville's machines for whatever reason, after being descaled start rattling, chattering, buzzing. Basically they start to go bad.

What about this combo?



A basic 15-bar DeLonghi:

https://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-EC155M-Espresso-Machine-Cappuccino/dp/B072X2HHQ3?keywords=espresso+machine&qid=1540690929&rnid=1063498&s=Home+%26+Kitchen&sr=1-21&ref=sr_1_21


With a manual burr grinder:

https://www.amazon.com/Mueller-Ultra-Grind-Strongest-Heaviest-Stainless/dp/B076BZYSGF?keywords=burr+grinder&qid=1540691024&sr=8-10&ref=sr_1_10


Since the aero can only get 7-8 bars, and the moka pot doest have any pressure... would this be a better settup?


Right now i'd be using a manual blade grinder with a aero or a moka pot. I know this will be 50-60 bucks more but I'm able to drop an extra few bucks if it means an improvement on quality/taste.

What I use for coffee now is https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Drip-Coffee-Scale-Timer/dp/B009GPJMOU/, has timer for pourover and is accurate to tenth of a gram. Little lag but not enough to make me really want anything else any time soon. I know that price is above what you asked for but wanted you to know the price of one that could very well last quite a while.

The one I used for years making french press with a blade grinder (calm down it's just a spice grinder now), and still use for other kitchen tasks, is https://www.amazon.com/Ozeri-ZK14-S-Digital-Multifunction-Kitchen/dp/B004164SRA/. It's cheap, it works, and mine has lasted I think 5yrs now. It does not read to a tenth of a gram and does not have a timer though. And, it just doesn't look as cool.

This doesn't have a tamp on the other side, but I use this cheaper 53mm distributor with my Breville Barista Express and Niche Zero combo. I just set the depth so it distributes and tamps. I haven't had a bad shot since getting this. Its definitely helped and sped up the process. Now I just need to get a 53mm cup for the niche zero and I'm set.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CPRBS8C/ref=dp_cerb_1

This one is showing in stock with positive reviews for Breville 54mm products! I just ordered one.

Edit: no tamper on this one, but we all have one already...right?

Looks like a variant of this, which is a decent scale but doesn't have a built in timer.

alternative:

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https://www.amazon.com/Espresso-Coffee-Distributor-Leveler-Black/dp/B07S4Q179B

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edit:

an even cheaper one

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CPRBS8C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1