Brikka-by all means. I'll go one even further---cheap 3 cup Bialetti Moka Express pot over $400 Gaggia Classic!! There. I said it. And I finally have regained my self respect. (tongue in cheek-sort of).
Enkerli Senior Member Joined: 1 Aug 2004 Posts: 711 Location: Montreal, Qc Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: (At cafés, not at home) Grinder: Hario hand grinders Vac Pot: (Moka Pot) Bialetti Brikka Drip: Steep and release pour-over Roaster: iRoast-2
Posted Sat Jun 25, 2011, 10:04am Subject: Re: Confessions of a Brikka Lover
Some entry-level espresso machines produce decent coffee, but they're not in the sub-100$ range. And, unless your barista technique is really good and you have excellent control over every factor, chances are that you'll make more enjoyable moka pot coffee than home espresso regardless of machine. I've had really nice shots from a variety of home machines, including some using a pressurized portafilter. But those shots were prepared with great care and, in the case of machines with pressurized portafilters, were an exception to the rule. Still, most of these are in the 250—500$ range. The only sub-100$ “espresso” machines I've seen were using steam, not pressure. I did use a 30$ Braun gadget, a number of years ago. It couldn't produce espresso and even the milk frothing wasn't good, but it was somewhat entertaining.
Posted Sat Jun 25, 2011, 6:23pm Subject: Re: Confessions of a Brikka Lover
frankthecrank Said:
Brikka-by all means. I'll go one even further---cheap 3 cup Bialetti Moka Express pot over $400 Gaggia Classic!! There. I said it. And I finally have regained my self respect. (tongue in cheek-sort of).
Some entry-level espresso machines produce decent coffee, but they're not in the sub-100$ range. And, unless your barista technique is really good and you have excellent control over every factor, chances are that you'll make more enjoyable moka pot coffee than home espresso regardless of machine. I've had really nice shots from a variety of home machines, including some using a pressurized portafilter. But those shots were prepared with great care and, in the case of machines with pressurized portafilters, were an exception to the rule. Still, most of these are in the 250—500$ range. The only sub-100$ “espresso” machines I've seen were using steam, not pressure. I did use a 30$ Braun gadget, a number of years ago. It couldn't produce espresso and even the milk frothing wasn't good, but it was somewhat entertaining.
Yeah. I can only imagine that steam machines aren't gonna be any different from stovetops, only more expensive.
Anyway. I asked because two family members apparently bought a cheap espresso machine and being the only guy in the whole house who knows a thing about coffee, I was immediately dragged along to figure out how to use the bloody thing (They apparently bought it without being given any hint of instruction). Another reason was because I also noticed that the prices of these budget machines are closer to that of classic stovetops now than they did before and I was wondering if the quality of these machines are also being similarly affected. It isn't really affecting my decision to invest in another stovetop though. Portability was the main reason why I made my decision after all so unless they started selling non-pod Handpressos here, I'm still going for the 2-cup brikka.
Just to talk a bit about the machine: It's a complete meh but it seems to be a pump machine, surprisingly. The brand doesn't seem to be well known so I had to dig up info about it and found this Click Here (u.lasoo.com.au) The portafilter isn't pressurized but the baskets it came with are oddly shapped. They almost look like those used for pods but they aren't. This alone isn't the problem but the size of the largest basket. I don't have a proper scale yet but I'm almost convinced that the thing won't be able to store 15g of ground coffee. The steam wand seems to be decent enough since I still managed to do a good job with the milk foam even without the rubber frother installed.
And.....that's about it. If there's anything I could say about all these it would that I absolutely did not expect my espresso journey to start this early and especially not this way. But hey, I guess having experience this early might be a positive thing before I get myself a Silvia or, better yet, a europiccola.
Enkerli Senior Member Joined: 1 Aug 2004 Posts: 711 Location: Montreal, Qc Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: (At cafés, not at home) Grinder: Hario hand grinders Vac Pot: (Moka Pot) Bialetti Brikka Drip: Steep and release pour-over Roaster: iRoast-2
Posted Sat Jun 25, 2011, 7:02pm Subject: Re: Confessions of a Brikka Lover
69AUD for a pump machine with a non-pressurized portafilter? Sounds like something I might like to try. Might be difficult to find a tamper is the portafilter diameter is non-standard, but Reg C. Barber could do a custom one. ;-) It could actually be a decent way to practice your barista skills. Funny you mention the Silvia and EuroPiccola. They're the ones I almost mentioned in my previous message. I actually haven't tried an EuroPiccola myself, but Ken has been using one for quite a while. Silvias are cool, especially since they've been adopted by coffeegeeks. With a PID, it can be especially interesting.
If everything goes according to plan, I should be able to get a decent espresso machine and grinder within the next year. Not that I feel that strong an urge for an espresso setup, but it's an important step, in a coffeegeek's life. What would be even nicer is if I can source Pacific Natural Foods barista series soy blenders.…
Enkerli Senior Member Joined: 1 Aug 2004 Posts: 711 Location: Montreal, Qc Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: (At cafés, not at home) Grinder: Hario hand grinders Vac Pot: (Moka Pot) Bialetti Brikka Drip: Steep and release pour-over Roaster: iRoast-2
Posted Sat Jun 25, 2011, 7:21pm Subject: Re: Confessions of a Brikka Lover
Ha! So this is what you got! Click Here (www.sulit.com.ph) Does look interesting. Just hard to look for it elsewhere, especially for a French-speaker («maison» means “house” or “home”, so it's too common to serve as a keyword). It does come with a little plastic tamper-like thingy, so that might help. Now, 15 bar sounds unlikely and even undesirable, but maybe the pump is capable of delivering the standard 9 bar?
Oh, and by the way… I'm not dogmatic in my stance against cheap espresso machines. Not knocking them before I try them. But what I've had so far from a variety of machines, including some relatively expensive ones (such as Gaggia and Saeco entry-level models) wasn't necessarily that impressive.
Other non-electric espresso devices might also work well. A friend swears by Presso and MyPressi and such. Can't tell if I might enjoy those until I try them. Wouldn't invest in one before having a really nice shot from it.
Posted Sun Jun 26, 2011, 6:27am Subject: Re: Confessions of a Brikka Lover
Enkerli Said:
Funny you mention the Silvia and EuroPiccola. They're the ones I almost mentioned in my previous message. I actually haven't tried an EuroPiccola myself, but Ken has been using one for quite a while.
johnny4lsu Senior Member Joined: 27 May 2011 Posts: 78 Location: The Sticks Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: NS Oscar Grinder: Mazzer Super Jolly Drip: Clever, Chemex Roaster: Behmor 1600
Posted Sun Jun 26, 2011, 9:50pm Subject: Re: Confessions of a Brikka Lover
Need some advice:
I've been thinking about buying an espresso machine for at home. (Silvia with PID) I'm on a budget and it appears to be the most bang for the buck. I noticed that u mentioned earlier that they aren't That great. Thoughts?
I currently own a 2c Brikka, 6 and 3c moka pot, and a hario mini slim.
1 Corinthians 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.
Enkerli Senior Member Joined: 1 Aug 2004 Posts: 711 Location: Montreal, Qc Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: (At cafés, not at home) Grinder: Hario hand grinders Vac Pot: (Moka Pot) Bialetti Brikka Drip: Steep and release pour-over Roaster: iRoast-2
Posted Sun Jun 26, 2011, 10:26pm Subject: Re: Confessions of a Brikka Lover
I don't own a Silvia but I've had excellent shots from at least two of them. Haven't heard anything bad about them. Mark probably meant that he'd prefer an EuroPiccola for the manual aspect. Makes sense. But it's nothing bad about the Silvia itself. Right, Mark?
Have you tried the Presso? Again, a friend swears by it. In fact, he lent me one. But it seems to be leaking. Sounds like there are problems like these with many of them but, when they work, they can produce something really good. Especially if you have a good kettle. (I have a Pino kettle, that I use for “steep-and-release pour-over drip” as well as for gaiwan tea…) Not sure how easy it is to get the Presso. But it's unexpensive and very hands-on. Somewhat more portable than an electric machine, too.
As for the Maison machine, do keep us posted. Are you able to pull 20s shots?
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