wkc Senior Member Joined: 5 Jun 2005 Posts: 57 Location: New York Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Expobar Office Control Grinder: Mazzer Mini Electronic Mod B Roaster: Poppery II
Posted Sun Jun 5, 2005, 10:13pm Subject: I'm in BIG trouble!
Since I got some AE points to redeem for some free gift, I was just thinking if I should get my wife a KitchenAid or a Krups. Then I saw some "unknown" brands like Saeco and DeLonghi in their list. So I search around and found this site. I read some review, did some price search, looked into ebay, came back here to read more review and forum posts. A few cycles of this reading and searching later, the names progress from Krups to DeLonghi which I could get for free using the AE points. Then change again from using free AE points to real money to get the Gaggia, then change again to a FF X3, then to a Solis SL-70 or the Rancillo Silvia.
Instead of a Solis Maestro that I could get for free to a Rocky, then a Mazzer Mini, then a bloody pricy Mazzer Mini Electronic. See what you guys did to me!! Just don't tell my wife I'm going to spend over a thousand dollars to get her some "potentially" good cup of espresso.
I'm thinking why bother the upgrades. I doubt my wife would let me spend more money on it later anyway. Just get supposingly the best (and less than or just about $1000). With the Silvia and Mazzer Mini E, I hope I'm not going way over my head as our first set of machines...
BenB Senior Member Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 466 Location: Perth, Australia Expertise: Professional
Espresso: 2 x 2grp LM Grinder: 2 Swifts, Mazzer Robur
Posted Sun Jun 5, 2005, 10:19pm Subject: Re: I'm in BIG trouble!
:)
Welcome to CoffeeGeek Wes!
This situation happens to the best of us. My Boss used to be a school teacher for 12 years before he stumbled on this site and caught the fever. He quit his job and now runs an espresso bar so he can make coffee all day long. :)
I'm sure you'll have great fun experimenting with your (and wife's) new equipment.
Posted Sun Jun 5, 2005, 10:33pm Subject: Re: I'm in BIG trouble!
Hi Wes, and welcome to coffeegeek! Also welcome to the club...
Great move going for a great grinder! Just remember these things:
Silvia is a "high maintenance" mistress and the learning curve can be steep, so please don't be too disappointed when you find out it can be tougher than it looks.
You'll need very fresh and properly roasted coffeebeans to make good espresso
We can help you find the beans if you like, Starbux won't cut it.
If you're going to try to avoid upgrade fever then maybe you would be willing to consider an HX machine (like the Expobar Pulsar or an on-sale Isomac). Right now you could likely manage a deal for a Mazzer and an HX that will have you in the same neighborhood for cost. By substituting the regular mini you could "free up" enough budget for the HX and avoid many of the Silvia learning curve woes, and thye bonus is you could make a pair of latte drinks for you and your wife quick enough that you could enjoythem together.
Often times we discover that once you're making the "real deal" drinks the SO can be more forgiving (especially if she's a coffee lover as well).
wkc Senior Member Joined: 5 Jun 2005 Posts: 57 Location: New York Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Expobar Office Control Grinder: Mazzer Mini Electronic Mod B Roaster: Poppery II
Posted Sun Jun 5, 2005, 10:37pm Subject: Re: I'm in BIG trouble!
AE points are like frequent flying miles that you get but from an American Express card. Each dollar I spent I got a point towards some gifts. My AE is a corporate card. I rang up at least a few thousands points every month from the business expenses.
Thanks for a lot of people's comments from here. I knew I need to spent more money on the grinder. :)
JonR10 Said:
Silvia is a "high maintenance" mistress and the learning curve can be steep, so please don't be too disappointed when you find out it can be tougher than it looks.
Well then, maybe read up about "prosumer" machines. They have a much easier learning curve. The only machines that are easier to use thyan prosumers are double-boilers (starting at $1500) and true commercial machines.
For me, I love using my machine. Having an HX (heat exchanger) means being able to steam and pull shots at the same time. It also means more steam power (usually).
wkc Senior Member Joined: 5 Jun 2005 Posts: 57 Location: New York Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Expobar Office Control Grinder: Mazzer Mini Electronic Mod B Roaster: Poppery II
Posted Sun Jun 5, 2005, 10:53pm Subject: Re: I'm in BIG trouble!
JonR10 Said:
Well then, maybe read up about "prosumer" machines. They have a much easier learning curve. The only machines that are easier to use thyan prosumers are double-boilers (starting at $1500) and true commercial machines.
Try calling Chris at ChrisCoffee and ask what kind of deal you can get on an HX with Mini for around $1000. You could also call WLL and EPNW and see if they have any good deals going.
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