A tribute to finca la fany with my afternoon coffee
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A tribute to finca la fany with my afternoon coffee
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What schoolboys we are:D
Forgot to comment on this:
Indeed, but the difference is I had to find out for myself that is was a PoS, rather than being told so by others, or simply snobbishly judging it on its price. And now that I have a reference point, it'll make me appreciate how much better a proper machine is! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by User211
Since you're making the comparison with hi-fi, I'll always go the maximum 'slurp-per-pound' route first, before shelling out big bucks, just in case I can unearth a 'giant-killer'! ;)
The same process will be applied to the £10 grinder from Lidl. If I decide that it's plenty good enough for my needs, that's what I'll be using. Or if it's obvious that it's a PoS, then, just like the coffee machine, I'll fully appreciate the benefits of a better one.
That's just how I do things! :cool:
Marco.
We are just trying to save you hassle/money.
There are a few budget machines that work really well. Don't forget that the grinder is far more important than the machine (people seem to recommend spending twice as much on a grinder as you do on the machine, but if you shop carefully you don't need to) and where the blade grinder will work and you will be able to make reasonable espresso, to extract the full flavour you really need to go with burr grinders. From what I have read, the bigger the burrs, the better.
I have also read that there may be issues with the latest Silvia, which is why I recommend that you talk to or visit a specialist like Bella Barista where you get to play with the machines, as well as sample some coffee made with the machines. You can then tell if it is worth investing more or not.
I don't know if there are any shops near Wrexham that offer the same services. In my opinion there should be.
And it's noted and appreciated, but I'm the type of person who will ultimately always make up my own mind, therefore I need my own reference point from which to judge things against. It's exactly the same with hi-fi :)Quote:
Originally Posted by CageyH
Sure, and that's something I'll definitely be testing, but separately from the machine itself. Firstly, I want to get a machine that ticks these boxes:Quote:
There are a few budget machines that work really well. Don't forget that the grinder is far more important than the machine (people seem to recommend spending twice as much on a grinder as you do on the machine, but if you shop carefully you don't need to) and where the blade grinder will work and you will be able to make reasonable espresso, to extract the full flavour you really need to go with burr grinders. From what I have read, the bigger the burrs, the better.
1) Is well-made/looks good and reliable.
2) Intuitive to use and represents good value for money.
3) Has all the useful features I personally would need.
4) Is compact in size, especially in terms of height.
After which I'd familiarise myself with it for a bit, using the budget grinder. Then when I'm fully au fait with the capabilities of the machine itself and the grinder, I'll start experimenting with better grinders, in order to minimise the variables of what's causing what, in terms of the results obtained.
I'm always methodical about these things, as when I invest in something like this, it's never just on whim, and crucially, it's always with the intention of it being a long-term purchase. Plus it's more fun learning that way, rather than simply jumping in at the 'high-end', and afterwards discovering that the same results could've been achieved for a fraction of the price...
I'll only shell out BIG bucks on a top-of-the-range coffee machine if it's demonstrably proven to me that it does something better with my favourite coffee, which is important to me, than is achievable with 'lesser' machines. I apply the very same principles to hi-fi.
That's something I'll look into (wouldn't just need to be near Wrexham, as I'd be willing to travel within a 100 mile radius for such a service), and thanks for the heads-up on the Silvia :cool:Quote:
I have also read that there may be issues with the latest Silvia, which is why I recommend that you talk to or visit a specialist like Bella Barista where you get to play with the machines, as well as sample some coffee made with the machines. You can then tell if it is worth investing more or not.
I don't know if there are any shops near Wrexham that offer the same services. In my opinion there should be.
Marco.
I can relate to that. My previous machine cost €250, and did a good job.
It didn't look great, and the coffee was ok. When the new grinder arrived, I was getting better coffee.
With the new machine, I am getting the full flavour.
It is like going from a bog standard SL1200, to a fully modified deck. The basic gives you the general flavour, but misses out on the finer subtleties. The fun part is how you go from a to b....
Having just read the instructions, it tells you not to put the bottom in the dishwasher.Quote:
Originally Posted by User211
I have just finished of the beans from this one - helped by a few visitors.Quote:
Originally Posted by CageyH
The postman brought me some IMS filter baskets today, so I can play with the coffee dose. I think that the 18g I use with Illy is too much, so I have a basket that will allow me to dose at 15g.
I have switched to the Illy Guatemalan coffee beans, so more reports to follow tomorrow on these.
To be fair it does but that's only because the frigging coloured coating comes off! For the plain stainless steel ones there's no issue with doing so.Quote:
Originally Posted by CageyH
I own five of them and handwashing is a no no.
Apparently, it switches itself off after 20 minutes - not a big deal but it could be a pain for after dinner coffees.Quote:
Originally Posted by CageyH