Time for another upgrade - of the coffee machine type

[SLS]

Nice one, Steven! That's a great deal, and duly Bookmarked

Marco.

Apparently the are the only official distributor in the UK, so their warranty has value

[struth]

Rancilio grinders are good, although the doserless ones are, or can be a bit messy. look cool tho. I hope to stick to my manual

[Marco]

You have space above the wine rack for a grinder, and the coffee machine should fir under the cupboard. Happy days....

Indeed, but don't forget that the Dualit toaster's still to go there, too!

There is (or rather will be after tomorrow) a fairly large granite worktop, situated at the opposite end of the kitchen, some of which could be used for storing the coffee machine itself and/or grinder (or for that matter, toaster and kettle).

However, ours is very much a working kitchen, not like in some houses, simply a 'display area' for poncy gadgets, where almost zero cooking happens, so do bear that in mind

Did you see my comments about the single boiler machines?

No, swing me by them again...

Marco.

[SLS]

You have space above the wine rack for a grinder, and the coffee machine should fir under the cupboard. Happy days....

Did you see my comments about the single boiler machines?

I keep the Rancilio grinder in the cupboard most of the time, grind a batch into a resealable jar that will last me a week or so.

I buy lots of coffees from Monmouth Coffee, but I really like the ground Macchu Pichu Fairtrade coffee. You can get it at Sainsbury and Waitrose.
https://www.ethicalsuperstore.com/pr...SABEgJkPPD_BwE

The grind is not fine enough, so I put it through the Rancilio set at 11 or 12.

I've found most ground coffee is ground to caffetiere fineness, not expresso, which is much finer.

[CageyH]

One downside of the Silvia is the single boiler. You will have to wait between pulling the coffee and steaming the milk. If you want to do another espresso afterwards, you will need to use a cooling flush....
You could avoid this by spending a bit more (actually double) on a dual boiler machine, like a Profitec 300 - https://www.bellabarista.co.uk/profi...al-boiler.html.
Depending on your usage, you really may not need to get a double boiler. Careful planning when making the drinks can solve the issue.

I am too lazy to type it out again.

Ground coffee goes off quickly - if you believe what it says on the internet.
I grind my beans on demand.

[Marco]

One downside of the Silvia is the single boiler. You will have to wait between pulling the coffee and steaming the milk. If you want to do another espresso afterwards, you will need to use a cooling flush....

Cheers, and noted. Hey, I guess there's got to be some form of compromise at that price! Fortunately, I'm never in that much of a hurry...

Marco.

[CageyH]

Yep, there is always a compromise somewhere.
That is why I got a Philips Senseo Twsiter - A milk Frother. No more waiting when someones suddenly asks for a single espresso after you have switched to steam!
All milk is currently frothed steamless, leaving the machine to do just coffee.

[struth]

For me if I cant steam milk then the deal is a bogey I like sweet microfoam

[Marco]

Yep, there is always a compromise somewhere.
That is why I got a Philips Senseo Twsiter - A milk Frother. No more waiting when someones suddenly asks for a single espresso after you have switched to steam!
All milk is currently frothed steamless, leaving the machine to do just coffee.

That's a good shout too Kevin, and a handy gadget to have around regardless. It would also help keep the coffee machine itself cleaner!

Marco.

[User211]

For me if I cant steam milk then the deal is a bogey I like sweet microfoam

Electric milk frothers are good, Grant. At least good ones are, as with anything. They WILL microfoam without diluting your milk with water, which is what a steamer does.

I am just amazed how much Rocket Giottos have gone up looking at Bella Barista. Mine cost me £900 using my Italian contact.