Oberon Senior Member Joined: 23 Apr 2009 Posts: 7 Location: Idaho Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sat Oct 27, 2012, 7:46am Subject: Best machine feature taxonomy?
I've been cruising around looking for summaries of machine features with explanations of their differences to inform my next purchase...recommendations for something a step beyond the CG guide to semi-autos?
JasonBrandtLewis Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 6,098 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 Sat Oct 27, 2012, 10:59am Subject: Re: Best machine feature taxonomy?
OK . . . have fun. I don't really know of anything like that in one place, but . . . if you find one, let us know.
In the meantime, if you want to ask us for advise/suggestions, feel free.
JasonBrandtLewis Said:
OK, let's take it from the top . . .
Standard Questions: 1) What kind of drinks do you like/want to make? (This will tell us what you need in terms of a machine's capabilities.) 2) How many drinks, on average, do you see yourself needing to make at ay one time? (This will tell us what you need in terms of a machine's ability to work continuously.) 3) How many drinks, on average, do you see yourself making in any given week? (This will tell us what you need in terms of a machine's durability.) 4) Can you plumb a machine directly into the water supply, or do you want/need a pourover machine with its own reservoir? 5) Do you have a 20-amp circuit available, or only a (standard) 15-amp circuit? 6) What is your budget for a new machine? Does that also include a grinder? If not, what is your budget for a grinder?
Oberon Senior Member Joined: 23 Apr 2009 Posts: 7 Location: Idaho Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sun Oct 28, 2012, 11:49am Subject: Re: Best machine feature taxonomy?
Your great questions point up the need for a more thorough guide - which might provide a better basis for answering them (i.e. what the options are and what the implications are of going with one versus another)...
JasonBrandtLewis Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 6,098 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 28, 2012, 4:39pm Subject: Re: Best machine feature taxonomy?
I'm not sure how great they are, but a) they are the standard questions which we'e been asking for 5+years; b) I noticed you didn't answer any of them; and c) you appear to be looking for objective answers, and there really aren't any.
In other words, while you can compile a spreadsheet that lists feature after feature, it isn't going to tell you which is the "best" machine. There is no such thing. There is only the best machine for you . . . and with the exact same features, what's best for you may not be the best for me, or for "John" or "Marsha" or "Bob" or "Carol" or "Ted" or "Alice" . . .
Posted Sun Oct 28, 2012, 5:51pm Subject: Re: Best machine feature taxonomy?
In terms of espresso machines, good luck! For example, I can offer a machine up that has virtually every high-end specifications possible, and has some features not found in any other machine, and it is the least expensive, but made by a company having one of the very worst reputations in terms of dependability, customer service, and efficient repair. Barbie cute and dumb as a brick.
There are machines with excellent specifications which have proven themselves over time to not only perform dependably but also to meet their specifications and produce great espresso. But some say they look boxy and are too big on the counter and are ugly. Horse-face ugly, but a great cook and lover.
We often hear things like, "I love machine XX, and I can afford it, but it doesn't fit on my counter," or, "My spouse said if that thing comes in the front door, I'm going out the back." So, are you ready to move cabinets and do you have an alternate spouse lined up?
Beyond that, let's put the cart after the horse. 1 - What is your total budget? 2 - What grinder are you going to get? 3 - Then we can talk about an espresso machine. A - What do you drink mostly? B - Do you entertain? How many drinks a day usually? C - and about fifty other questions we can ask.
And if that order of things (1, 2, 3) doesn't sound right to you, then you need to do some more reading.
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