Thread: Espresso Machines

I got Rancilio Silvia, this machine served me pretty well when I combined a good grinder with it.

Since 4 years now my setup is a QuickMill Vetrano with Mazzer mini E grinder. Even after 4 years, upgrade is not something I am thinking about... :-)

Here is a video of an espresso shot:

Vetrano double naked Espresso shot.

#

Again, grinder is as important if not more important than the machine...

Pat.

Cannonfodder clearly has coffee AD....bad..........Can I have an Iced vanilla Latte ??.........Please ?? Love yer set up and that's comin from a french press man.

Originally Posted by pdube1

I got Rancilio Silvia, this machine served me pretty well when I combined a good grinder with it.

Since 4 years now my setup is a QuickMill Vetrano with Mazzer mini E grinder. Even after 4 years, upgrade is not something I am thinking about... :-)


Pat.

I'm with you here, Pat. Started with the Starbucks machine (that Saeco one, can't recall the name), then a Silvia. Now it's a Quickmill Andreja Premium paired with Macap M4 grinder. Also about four years old. Not even tempted to upgrade.

Michel

Into coffee and espresso myself, but, like my shaving, from a more manual approach.





I use a La Pavoni PRH and a Porlex hand grinder (ignore the brown-and-black, antique-looking hand mill). I've also stopped using the glass cups in favor of some ceramic ones.

My particular setup is not a speedy way to make espresso, which kind of defies the purpose, but it sure is tasty.

I used to have one that I picked up at a yard sale for ten buck. It made decent espresso for quite a while and finally died. It never did a great job with the steamed milk though. But maybe I'm too fussy. I like it thick enough to shave with.

I'm very very happy I never got into this espresso thing. I roast my own beans and have a Rocky grinder and a Technovorm drip unit and a Kona Vacum maker and that's it for me.

I have the Sylvia and the Rocky and I am super happy with both. I haven't PID'd my Sylvia yet so I temp surf and I really don't think it's a big deal but it takes a while to get it nailed. The biggest improvement was getting a 21 gram bottomless portafilter. It's a great learning tool and it produces way more tell-tale crema than the original double PF. At this point if I were to make an upgrade it would definitely be the grinder. While the Rocky is a very good grinder it could use a bit more fine adjustment. I use my machine every day and so far after a year it hasn't caused me one bit of grief. It's a terrific machine for the money - about as good as it gets really. It's the law of diminishing returns - to get a better result you have to spend a lot more money - like a Giotto and a Mazzer!

Make sure your beans are absolutely fresh - no machine in the world will extract a good shot from old beans.

Originally Posted by SlowRain

Into coffee and espresso myself, but, like my shaving, from a more manual approach.





I use a La Pavoni PRH and a Porlex hand grinder (ignore the brown-and-black, antique-looking hand mill). I've also stopped using the glass cups in favor of some ceramic ones.

My particular setup is not a speedy way to make espresso, which kind of defies the purpose, but it sure is tasty.

That is one fine looking La Pavoni! I might have to get one of those too one day!

I guess that I'm the last one on to the short bus here. I am now down to a '67 Cremina and Baratza Vario grinder and an Astra Gourmet auto and Mazzer SJ for parties. I do other types of brewing and roast as the fluid moves me.
I do love my caffeine solutions!
~Richard

My wife LOVES her Nespresso..BEST maker out there without going to Europe to buy one!...I looked for the best espresso maker I could find that used capsules (no mess)..this beat em all!..their CS is open 24/7 literally!..great folks and help you with ANY questions regarding ANY of their products and VERY knowledgeable. Ebay bought for $249 with milk frother

(NY no sales tax and FREE ship to California)
...this is our..without the fancy shotglasses..we use big mugs


PcDad