Foo - Espresso machines...

Hey, who has them?

I love mine. It's nothing fancy, just a basic Saeco/Starbucks Barista, but I love the hell out of it.

It's starting to become a repository of my bike stickers...

Raises hand.

Mine is made my Krups.

I don't yet. I was looking at them a year or so ago and was recommended the Rancilio Silvia from Santiago (fellow coffee loving BF member)

KT, don't you have some sort of vaccuum system coffee maker?

KT, don't you have some sort of vaccuum system coffee maker?

Yes, I have a vac pot. I haven't been using it much lately though. I should get it back out. :)

I have a stovetop Moka pot. Fast, easy, delicious.

You'd probably laugh....I have just about every coffee making device EXCEPT espresso maker (not moka pot either).

I have french press (3 actually), vacuum pot, Ibrik (Turkish), Drip Filter (Vietnamese), Tea/Coffee press Cup, Funnel/Manual Drip system.....that's all I can think of, but I'm probably forgetting one or two things.

So which one makes the best coffee?

So which one makes the best coffee?

They are very different styles, so that's hard to answer. They are all very good if that's what you are in the mood for.

Vac pot would be regular coffee, but very good. I find it a bit hard to get it right though.

Turkish coffee just has a delicious flavor..almost like a dessert. Especially if you stick to tradition and splash a touch of cardamom into the coffee.

The Vietnamese one is a very good rich cup. I typically do it Vietnamese Iced Coffee style with sweetened condensed milk.

Ya, Turkish is good although it has been quite some time since I have had any

Ahh yeah I have an Ibrik as well. I love it for sure. Before I had my espresso machine, I was drinking that almost every morning.

Fun fact: The Turks brought their style of coffee to the Balkans, and I was in Bosnia last year and ordered a Turkish coffee in BCS and the waitress replied very angrily that they only have Bosniak coffee. It was pretty funny because it was the same damn thing!

Ahh yeah I have an Ibrik as well. I love it for sure. Before I had my espresso machine, I was drinking that almost every morning.

Fun fact: The Turks brought their style of coffee to the Balkans, and I was in Bosnia last year and ordered a Turkish coffee in BCS and the waitress replied very angrily that they only have Bosniak coffee. It was pretty funny because it was the same damn thing!

Same thing if you try to order "Turkish coffee" in a Greek restaurant. Be prepared for a tongue lashing.

I want one, but it costs a ton of money to get one that can actually make a good shot of espresso. The moka pot and aero press can make something just good enough to go into a mocha, but not a shot of espresso. You need the pressure.

You'd probably laugh....I have just about every coffee making device EXCEPT espresso maker (not moka pot either).

I have french press (3 actually), vacuum pot, Ibrik (Turkish), Drip Filter (Vietnamese), Tea/Coffee press Cup, Funnel/Manual Drip system.....that's all I can think of, but I'm probably forgetting one or two things.


I use the funnel/manual drip at work since they took out the real coffee machines. Its not bad, but wish the drip hole was a little smaller for a slower drip. That would result in a more robust cup of coffee. But its cheaper and better than the cafeteria downstairs so it works for now.

I want one, but it costs a ton of money to get one that can actually make a good shot of espresso. The moka pot and aero press can make something just good enough to go into a mocha, but not a shot of espresso. You need the pressure.

Hey Falkon....did you ever get that beautiful manual grinder you posted a pic of months ago? I think that was you, wasn't it?

I use the funnel/manual drip at work since they took out the real coffee machines. Its not bad, but wish the drip hole was a little smaller for a slower drip. That would result in a more robust cup of coffee. But its cheaper and better than the cafeteria downstairs so it works for now.
You could use a filter (or two) inside the funnel to slow it down.

I use a metal filter inside the funnel, but you could add a second paper filter below that.

I want one, but it costs a ton of money to get one that can actually make a good shot of espresso. The moka pot and aero press can make something just good enough to go into a mocha, but not a shot of espresso. You need the pressure. I got mine for about $200 new. You can find Starbucks employees who want to get rid of them because they get them on discount as such. Even a used one is worth it because you can find ALL of the parts online separately.

IMHO it was totally worth it because going to the barista once a day adds up quickly.


I use the funnel/manual drip at work since they took out the real coffee machines. Its not bad, but wish the drip hole was a little smaller for a slower drip. That would result in a more robust cup of coffee. But its cheaper and better than the cafeteria downstairs so it works for now. I lived in Brazil for a while and this is pretty much how everyone brews it at home. It's pretty delicious. They'd use a very fine grind though.

Hey Falkon....did you ever get that beautiful manual grinder you posted a pic of months ago? I think that was you, wasn't it?

I didn't get a Peugeot grinder, but I did end up with a super nice Zassenhaus like this one.

http://www.sweetmarias.com/zassenhaus/zass.156.kneemills.jpg

I didn't get a Peugeot grinder, but I did end up with a super nice Zassenhaus like this one.

http://www.sweetmarias.com/zassenhaus/zass.156.kneemills.jpg

Sweet....how's the range of grind sizes?

It does everything from a fine espresso to a nice coarse grind for french press. I have it set JUST where I like it for the french press. It takes noticeably longer to grind for a drip cup of coffee.

I have a Mr. Coffee that I use to make a hot black liguid using small dark particles from a bag that says Safeway Select Kona Blend on it.

It does everything from a fine espresso to a nice coarse grind for french press. I have it set JUST where I like it for the french press. It takes noticeably longer to grind for a drip cup of coffee.

Can it go down to Turkish (powder)? I'll bet that would take a while.

I have a Mr. Coffee that I use to make a hot black liguid using small dark particles from a bag that says Safeway Select Kona Blend on it.

At least you didn't drop the F-bomb on us!!!! (Folgers)

We have a 100 dollar krups, it has been great. Makes a nice cup of coffee and for about 5 years now it has made at least 5 cups every day. It did have a switch go, but 3 dollars later, we were back in business.

Wish I had a good source for Jamaican Blue Mountain.

Finally got a decent hand me down Saeco that make good espresso. That paired with our Cuisinart bur grinder, we're set. It was a hand me down when Julie/Fiance's sister got one of these (http://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-ESAM3300-Esclusivo-Magnifica-Super-Automatic/dp/B000N2YKQ0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1220990929&sr=1-1) as a present :eek: Their parents have one of these (http://www.amazon.com/KitchenAid-KPES100NP-Espresso-Maker-Nickel/dp/B000JLBKP4/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1220990741&sr=8-1) :cry:

I'm not jealous :twitchy:

Can it go down to Turkish (powder)? I'll bet that would take a while.

Haven't tried, honestly. I don't own an ibrik, and I'd like to try Turkish coffee somewhere before I buy one.

Haven't tried, honestly. I don't own an ibrik, and I'd like to try Turkish coffee somewhere before I buy one.

Good thinking....turkish is often something you like or you don't. It's kind of like (at least I think of it as) the Middle Eastern culture's answer to espresso.

Go to a Greek or Middle Eastern restaurant. They usually serve them there.

The way its made you would think it would be super strong/harsh, but its surprisingly smooth.

Here's the thing. I like espresso. I like coffee. I can drink espresso by itself, but I can't drink coffee black. There's something about it. I wonder if anywhere around here makes it.

Here's the thing. I like espresso. I like coffee. I can drink espresso by itself, but I can't drink coffee black. There's something about it. I wonder if anywhere around here makes it.

Don't feel bad. After all these years I still sweeten my coffee a little. I can't quite take it black either. Just a little sweetener, no cream. Cream is only a "kill the taste" item for bad coffees (which I usually just avoid altogether).

Like I said, your best bet is a Greek restaurant, surely you have one in your town. Just be aware they may just call it "Greek Coffee", and not "Turkish".

Well the guy I know who owns a Mediterranean restaurant is named Muhammad, so it's hard to say what he'd call it.

Well the guy I know who owns a Mediterranean restaurant is named Muhammad, so it's hard to say what he'd call it.

They would probably have it. Look on menu and if you aren't sure ask if they have Turkish coffee or anything similar. They'll probably say something like they have Middle Eastern Coffee which is similar but even better (meaning its the same thing).

I may go there when I get outta here. I could use feeling my teeth wiggling.

Finally got a decent hand me down Saeco that make good espresso. That paired with our Cuisinart bur grinder, we're set. It was a hand me down when Julie/Fiance's sister got one of these (http://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-ESAM3300-Esclusivo-Magnifica-Super-Automatic/dp/B000N2YKQ0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1220990929&sr=1-1) as a present :eek: Their parents have one of these (http://www.amazon.com/KitchenAid-KPES100NP-Espresso-Maker-Nickel/dp/B000JLBKP4/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1220990741&sr=8-1) :cry:

I'm not jealous :twitchy:


I'd be visiting for dinner often, to BOTH places!

Nespresso.

Mine....Bellmann 3-6-9
http://www.terracaf.ca/images/produits/1250_b.jpg
I've tried almost every style of 'Spro maker over the last 20 years....This is the Best one I have ever had! I have yet to find ANY Electric model that can can foam milk as well as this one!!! With a bit of practice its easy to get the foam nearly the consistency of Whipped Cream

I have a Rancilio Silvia espresso machine and Rocky grinder. Both work very well, but there is a bit of an art in making a really good shot.

Wish I had a good source for Jamaican Blue Mountain.

Coffee bean direct has Jamaican Blue Mountain from the Wallingford or Mavis Bank estates. It's not cheap - $40/pound or $178 / 5 pounds.

I have the Solis Master 5000 (http://www.sweetmarias.com/prod.solis-espresso.shtml) (although the price on that page is far above what I paid for mine).

The combination of lack of consciousness in the morning and sheer laziness... that machine is the result. I'm pretty happy with it, even if I do feel a bit guilty for having a machine do all the work for me. I do also have an Aeropress and a hand grinder, so even if I lose power I can still make coffee (for a while, anyway, until I run out of beans).

For my espresso, I have a Pasquini Livia 90 manual and a Rancilio Rocky grinder. I have various other grinders, press pots and a Capresso MT500 for my other forms of coffee.

Good times. I woke up late and I'm drinking McCoffee...ugghh. I can't believe some people in the office actually go out of their way for this stuff.

Crap, I can't believe I didn't see this thread when I started mine. My bad!

Yummmie..... :) (http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e346/DannoXYZ/Cooking/EspressoPorn.jpg)

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e346/DannoXYZ/Cooking/EspressoPorn.jpg

That is an amazing photo. Espresso pr0n is right. What machine is that?

Wow! I'm drooling right now. Cyclokitty wants espresso!

I have the good fortune of working in the coffee industry. Myself and a co-worker support and repair machines for the company and various wholesale accounts. We are dealers for several manufacturers, our favorite being http://www.keesvanderwesten.com Some days i get silly on shots and ride home fast. I will post some more pics tomorrow from work, but here are a few to tide you over.

I don't recognize the machine, but that bottomless portafilter has a Rancilio logo.

I have the good fortune of working in the coffee industry. Myself and a co-worker support and repair machines for the company and various wholesale accounts. We are dealers for several manufacturers, our favorite being http://www.keesvanderwesten.com Some days i get silly on shots and ride home fast. I will post some more pics tomorrow from work, but here are a few to tide you over.

Can you get me a sweet deal on a used/refurb silvia?

Here is my set up.

It's always good to know I can tell my friends to go to hell when they think my espresso machine is too high end.