Espresso: Latte Art and Etching Good looking coffee's with cheap machines! LavAzza Espresso Machines Awesome capsule espresso machines. Perfect for home, office and restaurant applications. www.espressozone.com   Not Logged in: log in updated topics   new posts   new unanswered   search   faq   sign up   Discussions > Espresso > Latte Art > Good looking...   view previous topic | view next topic | view all topics showing page 1 of 2 last page next page Author Messages Beangod Senior Member Joined: 27 Mar 2012 Posts: 2 Location: 40,000BC Australia Expertise: Pro Barista Posted Tue Mar 27, 2012, 6:15pm Subject: Good looking coffee's with cheap machines!   DeLonghi ECO310 Initially when I got this thing I didn't think it was possible to get the milk right, plus theres some sort of fake-crema device which gives a fairly solid top for the shot. I had to play with it a fair bit but I finally managed to make a decent looking coffee. Anyway this thread's for those of you that manage to do something with lower end machines(bad/weak steamwands, dodgy shots)! (Click for larger image) back to top CuppJ Senior Member Joined: 19 Apr 2012 Posts: 1 Location: Malaysia Expertise: I love coffee Posted Thu Apr 19, 2012, 2:48am Subject: Re: Good looking coffee's with cheap machines!   Hi BeanGod, I recently bought an ECO310.B, I'm having difficult times making microfoam... It seems that u got the microfoam right to make an decent art. May I ask what milk do you use and how did you manage to make microfoam with this machine?? CJ =] back to top jmrmotorhead Senior Member Joined: 27 Jan 2012 Posts: 33 Location: nh Expertise: I love coffee Espresso: Delognhi ec310 Grinder: Baratza Preciso Roaster: Popery 2 Posted Sun Apr 22, 2012, 3:04pm Subject: Re: Good looking coffee's with cheap machines!   Bean- Great looking cup! I too have the eco310 and honestly, paired with a good grinder you can get great espresso out of this. I have a baratza preciso, and after depressurizing the portafilter I get good shots on a consistent basis. Frothing was MUCH more difficult to learn on this machine than on my old "steam toy". I have found that removing the outer sleeve on the nozzle is the only way to get good results like yours. With the portafilter depressurized, the crema is much thicker and more stable, and pours are much easier. I have posted my journey on my blog here Matt back to top bittersweet101 Senior Member Joined: 14 Apr 2012 Posts: 35 Location: Philippines Expertise: I like coffee Posted Sun May 13, 2012, 3:49am Subject: Re: Good looking coffee's with cheap machines!   Good for you. It’s really a great deal if something inexpensive does what you don’t expect it to do…  back to top epengr Senior Member Joined: 1 Apr 2012 Posts: 46 Location: Saskatoon Expertise: Just starting Espresso: NS Oscar Grinder: Baratza Vario Posted Tue May 15, 2012, 11:24am Subject: Re: Good looking coffee's with cheap machines!   Okay, I'll bite.   I just reached the point where I can get latte art quality textured out of my modified BAR32 a couple of weeks ago, and I'm obviously still learning to pour, but I have had some reasonable successes.   Consistently great espresso is still eluding me, but I've decided not to put any effort into fine tuning that until my NS Oscar arrives,  since I'd be starting over anyways. Keep in mind, these are little tiny (proper) 6oz double cappuccinos, which I think makes the art pretty tricky since the pour happens FAST.  I decided early on that I would only pour what I (or someone) would drink, and not waste anything for the sake of practice.  Cap's what I drink so cap's what I pour... :) This is the first cup I ever saw any contrast in, and my GF decided to etch it :): (Click for larger image) back to top epengr Senior Member Joined: 1 Apr 2012 Posts: 46 Location: Saskatoon Expertise: Just starting Espresso: NS Oscar Grinder: Baratza Vario Posted Tue May 15, 2012, 11:24am Subject: Re: Good looking coffee's with cheap machines!   And... (Click for larger image) back to top epengr Senior Member Joined: 1 Apr 2012 Posts: 46 Location: Saskatoon Expertise: Just starting Espresso: NS Oscar Grinder: Baratza Vario Posted Tue May 15, 2012, 11:28am Subject: Re: Good looking coffee's with cheap machines!   And finally, (Click for larger image) back to top danozdirect Senior Member Joined: 24 May 2012 Posts: 3 Location: Australia Expertise: Pro Barista Posted Fri May 25, 2012, 12:04am Subject: Re: Good looking coffee's with cheap machines!   Love it! I've been using cheap machines all my life, and there is no reason why you can't produce some decent art :D back to top microb Senior Member Joined: 13 May 2010 Posts: 30 Location: canada Expertise: I live coffee Espresso: Saeco Aroma w/ Naked... Grinder: Baratza Vario Roaster: Behmor 1600 Posted Thu May 31, 2012, 8:05am Subject: Re: Good looking coffee's with cheap machines!   Hi! I'm struggling making a good-looking shot with my Saeco Aroma. Getting the milk right is part of the problem; frothing is difficult. I've read somewhere that removing the 3-holed cap would help, but I couldn't make it work... It looks like it's not powerful enough - anyone can comment? I also know that my grinder is not good enough; I have a Breville and at the smallest grind it still is to coarse... Shots go through in less than 20 seconds - they pale in the first 10 seconds. But they still produce crema even though I removed the pressure gadget in the PF (BTW, this makes a huge difference in the taste and texture - positively). If I ever manage to pull a good-looking one with these tools, I'll let you know! (I can't affort a better grinder/machine these days). If anyone has hints because they think it's possible, please contribute :) Michel back to top jakeapeters Senior Member Joined: 3 May 2012 Posts: 5 Location: Cambridge, UK Expertise: I live coffee Espresso: Rancilio Silvia v3 Grinder: Mahlkonig Vario Vac Pot: Aerobie Aeropress Posted Mon Jun 11, 2012, 1:28pm Subject: Re: Good looking coffee's with cheap machines!   I've got the DeLonghi ECO310.R, and struggled at first to get decent foam etc. I stripped out the pressurisation in the basket, which improved shots. Also, experimented with extraction by making a naked portafilter, with which I can make a much more full-bodied and richer shot. I can actually make acceptable microfoam now even with the panarello, but have better results by using my altered panarello which I've hollowed out and blocked up the air inductor at the top. Steam power is definitely limited like this, but I can get a better quality foam eventually that way (taking care not to burn up my boiler). I've got details of my mods here I think it just takes a lot of patience to get it right! As it happens, I've got good enough at making shots with it now that I've gotten bored and now upgrading to a Silvia/Vario combo which will arrive this week. PS: this is my first post, I hope I haven't broken any of the rules :/ back to top showing page 1 of 2 last page next page view previous topic | view next topic | view all topics Discussions > Espresso > Latte Art > Good looking...   updated topics   new posts   new unanswered     search   faq   sign up   Not Logged in: log in Discussions Quick Jump: Select Espresso Discussions --Espresso Machines --Lever Espresso Machines --Grinders - Espresso --Espresso Mods and Restorations --Espresso Blends --Questions and Answers --Latte Art and Etching --Barista Jams Around the World --General Discussion Coffee Discussions --Machines and Brewing Methods --Home Roasting Talk --Questions and Answers --General Discussion Columns, How-Tos, and Reviews --Holiday Gift List Feedback --CoffeeGeek Columnist Feedback --Detailed Review Feedback --Products First Look Feedback --Quickshot Review Feedback --Guide Article Feedback --How-To Article Feedback --CoffeeGeek Podcast Feedback Members Forum --Bug Reports and Suggestions --Buy, Sell and Trade --Retail Coffee Jobs Offered / Wanted Ads --Coffee Recipes --Cafe and Bean Reviews --CoffeeGeek Site Info and News --General Off Topics World Regional --United States West --United States Central --United States East --Western Canada --Eastern Canada --United Kingdom --Western Europe --Eastern Europe, Nordic Countries, and Russia --Central and South America --Australia, New Zealand and Asia Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit      = No New Posts since last visit     = Newest post Forum Rules: No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards. No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum. No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum. Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards. Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics. Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies. Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies. Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts. Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings. Coffee Shop on a Bicycle Discover BikeCaffe. The most unique and affordable way to expand your retail coffee business. www.bikecaffe.com

Home | Opinions | Consumer Reviews | Guides & How Tos | CoffeeGeek Reviews | Resources | Forums | Contact Us CoffeeGeek.com, CoffeeGeek, and Coffee Geek, along with all associated content & images are copyright ©2000-2013 by Mark Prince, all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated. Content, code, and images may not be reused without permission. Usage of this website signifies agreement with our Terms and Conditions. (0.254416942596) Privacy Policy | Copyright Info | Terms and Conditions | CoffeeGeek Advertisers | RSS | Find us on Google+