Author Topic: Espresso Lovers (Read 14236 times)

canehdianJ · « **on:** November 04, 2009, 02:24:23 pm »

Hey,

I am just curious how many of you are Espresso lovers like myself. Im in the market for a new machine and grinder and curious if anyone here has one and their thoughts on it.

oshiboshi · « **Reply #1 on:** November 04, 2009, 03:00:39 pm »

I got my rancilio and compaq k3 from zcafe.ca or com for $999 with free shipping in January .
It's a great machine but it is only a single boiler type machine so it cannot brew and steam at the same time. Great machine for having one or two cappucinos but not suited for party atmospheres. Check out coffeegeek as well there is tons of info on there as well.

gd8 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 04, 2009, 03:26:23 pm »

I do the K-cup thing. I like expresso but found the K-cup is fast and mininal cleaning. I can also treat my guess with different types of coffee.

Claw · « **Reply #3 on:** November 04, 2009, 03:39:37 pm »

Starbucks had a sale on their Delonghi machines, but it ended not too long ago..

Flex · « **Reply #4 on:** November 04, 2009, 06:08:26 pm »

Come see Jenn at the store, she can hook you up with a real good grinder. I'll give you a good deal. Also for a machine let me know and I can get prices from our suppliers if you want a little more higher end machine. We deal with a guy in town that is very fair with his pricing.

canehdianJ · « **Reply #5 on:** November 04, 2009, 10:29:29 pm »

what store? im looking at a combination of rancillio Silvia V3 and the rancillio doserless grinder

oshiboshi · « **Reply #6 on:** November 05, 2009, 07:15:55 am »

http://www.zcafe.ca/site/Product.aspx?ID=382

canehdianJ · « **Reply #7 on:** November 05, 2009, 08:35:54 am »

We have a local place in edmonton called cafe tech, and they have it for $ 1,222.20 and that includes tax. No shipping since they have a store in the city. Ide love to know what you can get it for Flex.

Jitenshakun · « **Reply #8 on:** November 05, 2009, 08:46:33 am »

Go check out Williams & Sonoma. I took their advice on my machine and grinder and have been really happy.

canehdianJ · « **Reply #9 on:** November 05, 2009, 08:51:14 am »

what did you end up getting jitenshakun

Jitenshakun · « **Reply #10 on:** November 05, 2009, 09:17:10 am »

A Breville machine and a grinder.

I went through a few $100-$150 machines and 4 or 5 $50-$70 grinders and I can say the Breville is well worth the money. W&S had $1000+ machines but they said they had much better luck with the Brevilles (no returns, no complaints).

If you're really crazy about coffee you should check out the place on 111 st and 85th Ave in Edmonton. They have c-r-a-z-y machines.

Flex · « **Reply #11 on:** November 05, 2009, 10:15:07 am »

Quote from: canehdianJ on November 05, 2009, 08:35:54 am

We have a local place in edmonton called cafe tech, and they have it for $ 1,222.20 and that includes tax. No shipping since they have a store in the city. Ide love to know what you can get it for Flex.

We are at Whiteoaks Second Cup 12204 -137 ave. One thing is you need to remember is if your going to get a higher end machine you want someone in town that services it. Last thing you want is to buy it and have to send it out everytime you need a repair. The places we get ours from service everything on site, or at worse case take it back to their shop.

Sideoiler · « **Reply #12 on:** November 05, 2009, 10:21:08 am »

I bought a Andreja Premium by Quick Mill from Cafe Tech, which sounds like the address Kevin refered to above. Ranchillo was the only other choice for me. They also have a repair shop in the basement should you ever need any work done. On campus east of the hospital...parking sucks.

My machine only sees Second Cup Espresso Forte which I get ground in the store on a #1, as fine as it gets.

Flex · « **Reply #13 on:** November 05, 2009, 10:32:03 am »

Quote from: Sideoiler on November 05, 2009, 10:21:08 am

My machine only sees Second Cup Espresso Forte which I get ground in the store on a #1, as fine as it gets.

Good man........

canehdianJ · « **Reply #14 on:** November 05, 2009, 02:08:09 pm »

illy beans for me, and since i am buying a grinder, it will be trail and error until i get a 25 second pull with good crema.

Ill most likely suck it up and buy from cafe tech. I dont mind getting it locally, in fact. For this much money, i much prefer a local repair place. Although i hear the silvia is Real easy to repair.

Jitenshakun · « **Reply #15 on:** November 05, 2009, 02:19:48 pm »

I bought mine based on the store's experience of them not needing repair. I may have sacrificed some quality, but I'm still content with my machine.

I also have a wicked collection of eclectic espresso cups from all over Europe.

canehdianJ · « **Reply #16 on:** November 05, 2009, 02:52:12 pm »

ever consider buying green beens and a roaster?

Flex · « **Reply #17 on:** November 05, 2009, 04:06:39 pm »

Quote from: canehdianJ on November 05, 2009, 02:52:12 pm

ever consider buying green beens and a roaster?

you don't want green beans....those are not ripe yet and will be very very bitter

canehdianJ · « **Reply #18 on:** November 05, 2009, 05:34:44 pm »

you wouldnt roast your own beans?

JimmEh · « **Reply #19 on:** November 05, 2009, 05:41:05 pm »

i think what he is saying is that beans that are green pre-roasting are not ripe yet.

canehdianJ · « **Reply #20 on:** November 05, 2009, 06:05:51 pm »

ah I see. i am considering a roaster as well

Flex · « **Reply #21 on:** November 05, 2009, 10:19:46 pm »

Quote from: JimmEh on November 05, 2009, 05:41:05 pm

i think what he is saying is that beans that are green pre-roasting are not ripe yet.

Yes...thats what i am saying. (I am talking before roasting) Beans should be red when ripe and ready for roasting.....the green beans and not rip yet and are terribly bitter when roasted. I have been to a coffee plantation in costa rica and tasted green roasted beans....wow was it bad.

Here are coffee beans right on the plant (thats my wifes hand picking them) you want the nice red ones not the green one shown at the bottom...they throw those away.

Flex · « **Reply #22 on:** November 05, 2009, 10:28:29 pm »

Heres me picking coffee beans

We picked beans for about an hour and heres me getting paid for the beans I picked. You get paid by the load. (And they make you pick the green ones out) I think I made about $8 US for an hours work. The workers there can pick enough and make about $40 or so an hour. The big fat guy i the owner of the LaManita coffee plantation

snackers · « **Reply #23 on:** November 05, 2009, 10:31:35 pm »

Flex, what is the optimal bean that you guys sell for espresso (and more, for making all the lattes and cappucinos)?

I've got a machine on the way to me, and I want to start out with the same kind of stuff you guys use, since my preferred coffee is from second cup.

canehdianJ · « **Reply #24 on:** November 05, 2009, 10:44:28 pm »

very cool flex

thanks for all the help. I suppose ill have to visit for some beans.