Duplakave Senior Member Joined: 17 Apr 2011 Posts: 8 Location: Gwynedd Expertise: Just starting
Posted Sun Oct 2, 2011, 8:24pm Subject: $1000 setup
Hi, I need help. I was looking for a new machine and grinder last April, and got some great suggestions from you all. Stuff happened, and I quit the active search. I have not consumed one drop of coffee at my house since then, but had a huge jones tonight, and pulled a double shot... it was disgusting, I threw it out. My poor hubby drinks that rot gut twice a day, I cannot believe I have subjected him to that torture! So my question is, has anything great come out since April? I need to order something in the next few days, I have had it! I need a grinder and machine. Any and all comments will be hugely appreciated. I can spend up to $1000, and a bit more if a few more bucks will get a great bang.
NobbyR Senior Member Joined: 10 Jul 2011 Posts: 1,613 Location: Germany Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Poccino Opus One, Ariete Grinder: Eureka Mignon Istantaneo,... Vac Pot: N/A Drip: Melitta Linea Unica de Luxe Roaster: N/A
Posted Sun Oct 2, 2011, 9:45pm Subject: Re: $1000 setup
First of all, welcome back to CoffeeGeek.
There is, of course, no easy answer to your question, because it depends on a lot of factors.
What kind of coffee drinks do you prefer? How many cups do you usually drink per day?
This guide on How to Buy an Espresso Machine is very helpful. It tells you, for instance, that you should spend around $300 of your designated budget on the grinder. However, it's possible to get a decent grinder and machine for your money.
Tell us what you need, and we'll try to give you good advise. One possible setup, for example, would be a Gaggia Silvia and a Baratza Vario, which is sold at SeattleCoffeeGear for $998.
*** "This drink of the Satan is so delicious that it would be a shame to leave it to the infidels." (Pope Clement VIII on coffee)
Duplakave Senior Member Joined: 17 Apr 2011 Posts: 8 Location: Gwynedd Expertise: Just starting
Posted Sun Oct 2, 2011, 10:10pm Subject: Re: $1000 setup
Thanks so much for answering! My husband is Hungarian, and for many years used a still like contraption that sits on the stove. We do not drink American coffee at all in our house. He drinks 4 shots of espresso every morning with about 1/2 tsp sugar in it. I drink iced and hot lattes mostly, but do espresso occasionally. We would drink more coffee in the evening if we had a good machine. For the past 6 years we have had a La Pavoni lever machine that has been awful for us. My favorite shop in Budapest pulls their shots with ancient lever machines, and I thought I would be clever and get one like that. Problem is, I am NOT a barista, and the coffee is bitter, has no crema, and I hate it. It has never made one single good cup of coffee. I have such a bad attitude about it, even if I get better coffee and a better grinder, ( I only have a Starbucks Barista grinder now) I am afraid my hate attitude with the La Pavoni is too entrenched in my psyche for me to ever think the coffee that spews forth from it will be in any way palatable. Back in April, I read up on the different types of machines, and the more I read, the more I thought I needed every bell and whistle. I got so confused, I just stopped the whole thing and settled for buying my coffee and leaving poor Joe to fend for himself. I was shocked tonight when I made a latte, I actually spit it out it was so horrible. I do have one fabulous function of my La Pavoni. I make artisan breads at home, baguette being my favorite. The bread needs steam in the oven, so I bought a length of silicone tubing, and connected it to my steam wand. I then put the tube in the oven and shut the door. It is the perfect way to turn my oven into a steam oven! Anyway, I am super confused, and any help you can give me is great.
JasonBrandtLewis Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 6,099 Location: Berkeley, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 - La Valentina -... Grinder: Mahlkönig K30 Vario -... Vac Pot: Yama 5-cup Drip: CCD, Chemex Roaster: No, no, not another...
Posted Sun Oct 2, 2011, 10:55pm Subject: Re: $1000 setup
Lynda,
With a total budget of $1000, including grinder, you are firmly in the SBDU* camp. That's fine. I used an SBDU machine for some 25 years, and was quite happy with my results.
From 1st-Line, I would look at something like the Le'Lit PL041 for $429 (I don't think you need a PID), and a Baratza Vario ($449) . . . total $878.
Another option would/could be from Chris' Coffee Service: the new Crossland CC1 for $699. Since the Baratza Vario would put you over the your budget by $148, you could shift to the Baratza Virtuoso Preciso for $299 . . . total purchase price, $998.
Cheers, Jason
* For more on different types of espresso machines, see this post on Espresso Machine Types.
NobbyR Senior Member Joined: 10 Jul 2011 Posts: 1,613 Location: Germany Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Poccino Opus One, Ariete Grinder: Eureka Mignon Istantaneo,... Vac Pot: N/A Drip: Melitta Linea Unica de Luxe Roaster: N/A
Posted Sun Oct 2, 2011, 11:37pm Subject: Re: $1000 setup
I take it that you're located in Wales, so the Baratza Vario would be a Mahlkönig Vario Home (same grinder, different brand in Europe).
Together with the Silvia it's still a good option for you.
Duplakave Said:
...He drinks 4 shots of espresso every morning with about 1/2 tsp sugar in it. I drink iced and hot lattes mostly, but do espresso occasionally. We would drink more coffee in the evening if we had a good machine...
You might, however, consider to advance your budget in order to get a HX machine, which would allow you to pull shots and froth milk for your lattes simultaneously. On an entry level setup like this you'd have to spent around €1,400 (GBP1,200).
*** "This drink of the Satan is so delicious that it would be a shame to leave it to the infidels." (Pope Clement VIII on coffee)
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