Alyce Senior Member Joined: 3 Nov 2004 Posts: 19 Location: CT Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Jura impressa E8 Drip: Capresso Roaster: Poppery II
Posted Wed Nov 3, 2004, 10:33am Subject: Did I Screw Up Purchasing a Capresso E8 for Regular Cup 'o Joe?
Hello, All... Hind sight is always 20/20... Before finding this wonderful site, I just purchased, awaiting arrival of (eBayed) a Capresso E8 ($1499 value / paid $899). I thought I did my homework as I desire to have a GREAT CUP OF REGULAR BLACK COFFEE at home. "I Live for Coffee"! I've been through numerous machines (Capresso grind/brew, etc) but I've never been completely satisfied with the taste. Sooooo, I decided to invest in a good machine hoping this will be the cure/fix for my quest.
I'm not an espresso, latte, capacc?? drinker (maybe I'll turn into one after the arrival of my machine) I just love a great cup of BLACK coffee from freshly ground beans (still trying to find the best beans).
Did I screw up by purchasing the E8 to make REGULAR COFFEE? Anyone out there making regular coffee with a machine designed for espresso? Thanks so much and if you know of the best beans to buy, let me know. I haven't had the pleasure of a great cup of coffee since drinking Alto Grande on the beach in Puerto Rico... Don't know if it was the beach or the coffee but I still have fond memories of that great tasting coffee. Purchased 8 oz of Alto Grande and put it in my drip machine and it just didn't taste the same. That's why I think I need a super machine....am I nuts?? Should I have gotten a different machine? Please recommend.
Posted Wed Nov 3, 2004, 3:05pm Subject: Re: Did I Screw Up Purchasing a Capresso E8 for Regular Cup 'o Joe?
There are not many on this site that will tell you that you made a wise choice in picking a super auto. Most feel that for espresso there a far better options. And for straight coffee, there are far more cost effective options that make great coffee.
Posted Wed Nov 3, 2004, 3:11pm Subject: Re: Did I Screw Up Purchasing a Capresso E8 for Regular Cup 'o Joe?
Alyce,
Using "20/20", it may have been better to have come here, share your needs and ask for advice before buying a machine. Even then, you might have fallen into "machine analysis paralysis". I don't own an E8, but I figure someone here will have some feedback.
Did you waste your money...well that's going to be up to you. I can make very good cup of coffee using products that are less than $50, but it doesn't equal what can be done on a semi-auto pump espresso machine. If you prefer the convenience of a superauto, then maybe you'll find nirvana making "Americanos" on your E8.
Yes, I'd predict that (with experience) you'll find the E8 can produce drinks that leave your average cup-a-joe behind. Will they equal your memories on the beach? That depends upon how that drink was prepared. If it was done by a skilled barista with a professional grade espresso machine, the E8 won't be able to match it.
Are you nuts? Far be it from many of us in CoffeeGeek-land to pass judgement on that one :^)
fiend Senior Member Joined: 13 Oct 2004 Posts: 54 Location: the Van City
Posted Wed Nov 3, 2004, 3:49pm Subject: Re: Did I Screw Up Purchasing a Capresso E8 for Regular Cup 'o Joe?
If you have a way to unload the Capresso E8 without losing any money then you may want to do that and look into buying a grinder and presspot. You should be able to produce excellent black coffee with those two. Hell, if you're using a drip machine then even pre-ground beans in a presspot would probably be a step up.
Otherwise, I'd begin experimenting with espresso and cafè crème. As was said above, you may find you enjoy these more.
Hehe, hindsight can be a bitch, huh? Look at it this way, at least you didn't buy something really low quality and immediately become unsatisfied because you have to upgrade already. =)
Alyce Senior Member Joined: 3 Nov 2004 Posts: 19 Location: CT Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Jura impressa E8 Drip: Capresso Roaster: Poppery II
Posted Wed Nov 3, 2004, 4:47pm Subject: Re: Did I Screw Up Purchasing a Capresso E8 for Regular Cup 'o Joe?
Dear Rick, Bob & =).....
Thank you, thank you, thank you for the fast response. I feel much better and I'm looking forward to experimenting. Machine arrives tomorrow.
=) I have a presspot but I'm very lazy, especially in the morning.....mainly, I don't want to wait on the water to boil and/or clean up the grinds and presspot....yikes didn't realize how lazy I've become until presspot was mentioned.....Thought coffee gives you energy? Obviously the only energy I want from the delicious brew is not for cleaning :-)..... So, my presspot remains underneath the cabinet for special occasions when I want to impress a "drip machine person".....hehehehe I used to belong to that group.
Anywho, what I've noticed on good ole eBay is folks are buying the Capresso's like crazy. So, worst case, I could resale and probably recoup my $$'s but according to your response, I should be pleased with the machine.
Rick, you're probably right about the skilled barista in PR....I haven't had a cup of coffee like that since and its been over 10years ago. I didn't even want to see the sites in PR just wanted to sit on the beach and drink pots of the Alto Grande. How does one become a skilled BARISTA? Is there a college for this profession or just experience? The love I have for coffee, I would be willing to take courses to become BARISTA ALYCE or would it be ALYCE BARISTA??
Again, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.... Boy, I've fallen in Love with this SITE. Are there in-person seminars/gatherings of CoffeeGeek members.....hope so what a great vacation to be surrounded by true coffee lovers and experts. PEACE & HAPPY SIPPING.... Alyce
Posted Wed Nov 3, 2004, 11:39pm Subject: Re: Did I Screw Up Purchasing a Capresso E8 for Regular Cup 'o Joe?
Alyce Said:
yikes didn't realize how lazy I've become until presspot was mentioned.....
I didn't even want to see the sites in PR just wanted to sit on the beach and drink pots of the Alto Grande. How does one become a skilled BARISTA? Is there a college for this profession or just experience? The love I have for coffee, I would be willing to take courses to become BARISTA ALYCE or would it be ALYCE BARISTA??
You have hit upon an important point. In my view, you are not going to save effort!!!! You have just substituted doing a little bit, more often for doing more, less often. Those superautos don't fill and clean themselves. And they are mechanically complex. Think grinder grafted on to espresso brewer and throw in an auto doser as well. Forget learning anything about being a Barista with one of these, it isn't going to happen.
When it breaks, and it will, you will be out of luck for an extended period. (Think weeks.) OTHOH, most of the Autos and Semi-Autos can be fixed at home in days.
Out of warranty repairs? Super autos $$$$. Autos $$. Semi Autos $. Makes sense dosn't it? The simpler something is mechanically, the fewer parts to go wrong and the easier it is to fix. And most Autos and Semis use a small class of parts, that is to say you can always find parts to repair them. Super autos? Highly evolved creations with a unique parts list. (This is one time being unique isn't better.)
You have one foot on each of two divirging paths. Better coffee and increased barista skills to the west and so-so coffee with a short learning curve but with no way to improve to the east. Go west, Alyce, go west! ;o)
By the way, what did we say to make you feel better about buying the Super Auto? 'Cause we have got to stop saying it! You did understand that we were advising against it didn't you? '-))
Alyce Senior Member Joined: 3 Nov 2004 Posts: 19 Location: CT Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Jura impressa E8 Drip: Capresso Roaster: Poppery II
Posted Thu Nov 4, 2004, 5:26am Subject: Re: Did I Screw Up Purchasing a Capresso E8 for Regular Cup 'o Joe?
Ok, Ok.... Bob, it was Rick's comment "the E8 will make a better regular cup of coffee" than the normal drip machines that made me feel better about the purchase. This is what my quest is all about.
Your reply warned me against the expensive machine however, you did not recommend a machine (to replace the E8) that will give me a great cup of coffee. This is what I'm looking for "great coffee at home that tastes like coffee shop coffee". Presently with my drip machine, coffee is so-so. I've tried everything (expensive beans, etc) to improve the drip machine but nada.
My understanding on brewing a good cup of regular (not espresso) joe, is based on #1. Fresh beans #2 Grind consistency and #3 most important.. water temperature. Water temp going through a drip machine (I feel) is the culprit on not getting the full flavor out of the beans. This is the main reason why I chose the E8 when I read about the ThermoBlock and wattage.
So, Bob.... what is your recommendation on an "automatic" machine (that produces high water temp, & grinds beans) that will greatly improve my cup-o-joe over the $200.00 drip machine (capresso) that I currently have? As I mentioned, I will probably be able to recoup my $$'s spent on the E8 due to the demand I see on eBay.
Posted Thu Nov 4, 2004, 6:46am Subject: Re: Did I Screw Up Purchasing a Capresso E8 for Regular Cup 'o Joe?
Alyce,
I can't advise you on a coffee maker with a built in grinder. I did a lot of research on Superautos when I was considering going that way, but I took the other path and promptly stopped reading about them. Seems like you have researched the subject a bit yourself and know what you will be getting. So, good luck with the new machine and give us a report when you've tried it out.
Posted Thu Nov 4, 2004, 7:07am Subject: Re: Did I Screw Up Purchasing a Capresso E8 for Regular Cup 'o Joe?
Alyce Said:
what is your recommendation on an "automatic" machine (that produces high water temp, & grinds beans) that will greatly improve my cup-o-joe over the $200.00 drip machine (capresso) that I currently have?
I must say that I generally agree about super-auto espresso machines but I still believe with some care that such a machine can be used to brew a decent cup. If it were in my kitchen though, I would be spending a lot more effort than you'd think ti obtain that decent cup.
There are a couple of really good drip makers out there. The Technivorm machines do the job very well but are kinda expensive if you ask me. CLICK HERE to see the Melitta Carity coffee machine. It looks like a winner to me.
IMHO you get more value when the grinder is a separate machine. There are some very reasonable ones for drip and French Press usage. Of course by "reasonable" I mean less than $200 for the grinder, but it does seem like you already know the importance of a good grinder so hopefully that's not too shocking.
The LUX grinder is available HERE and HERE for $169 delivered. I have a PGC Grinder with the same mechanism and I like it quite well. If you want to spend more on the grinder there are many options over $200 on up to $600 and beyond...
I hope that's helpful information. For myself, I don't have any problem boiling water in a kettle and using a Melitta pourover cone on a thermal carafe. I use a good grinder and home-roasted beans so my drip coffee is of reasonable quality.
Alyce Senior Member Joined: 3 Nov 2004 Posts: 19 Location: CT Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Jura impressa E8 Drip: Capresso Roaster: Poppery II
Posted Thu Nov 4, 2004, 8:21am Subject: Re: Did I Screw Up Purchasing a Capresso E8 for Regular Cup 'o Joe?
Hello, Bob & Advisor of Technivorm & Melitta Carity:
Thanks again for the prompt response in my hour (literally since the machine will arrive anytime now) of anxiety concerning did I do the right thing with the expense of the E8 Capresso.
I will check out the Technivorm..... the Melitta however appears to be similar to what I have, Capresso Grind&Brew. I really don't need a separate grinder as I have an expensive VitaMix that I love for grinding..... But due to my laziness along with impatience with grinding, boiling water, then waiting for the water to filter or press, I have (maybe had) hope to find this all-in-one machine that offered some perfection. I'm discouraged by your comment Bob about "giving up" on looking for an automatic.
Well, maybe I'm not a true "I live for coffee" geek like I thought since I don't want to give up the laziness, and patience to brew the perfect cup. I now recognize in this forum if you're a true lover of java, you'll go the extra mile to achieve the best brew ever..... I need to adjust my mindset.
Again, thank you and I'll keep you posted on my venture seeking the at home cup-o-joe that will make my taste buds leap for joy.
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