Best Home Coffee maker

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I have the custom wenge portafilter and tamper from Clive. The wood panel Alex is cool too.

Here is what I have been fantasizing about of late:

Torrefattore-FZ-94-White.jpg
 
powermd said:
I have the custom wenge portafilter and tamper from Clive. The wood panel Alex is cool too.

Here is what I have been fantasizing about of late:

Torrefattore-FZ-94-White.jpg
Click to expand...

Dang...bro... can that thing fashion some sausage links as well?
 
The Hottop works well for a $1k roaster. I'm hoping to do even better with a switch to more manual control with better bean temp monitoring.

When I bought the Hottop I was also offered a Quest M3 that I should have taken. Both were offered for about half of retail. Shucks.
 
NICE

I've been using a Compak K10 WBC for the past few years. I think the E10 has the same burrset. Hopefully it will be your endpoint for grinder upgraditis.

If you own an Aeropress, the funnel that comes with it is the perfect size for sticking in the top for a low-profile low-volume hopper. The commercial hopper is just too tall.
 
Thanks!

I can't say it was easy parting with that much coin for a freakin' coffee grinder, but given the sunk cost on the espresso machine it would be a shame not to go all the way. I get some very nice pulls from my Mazzer mini now, but I have a feeling I'm going to really like the added complexity that comes from a conical.

After reviewing the extensive discussions on the various coffee forums it seems the dilemma of what to pick in this price range is a common one. Price is not really much of an object, but titans like the Robur and Ek43 are just too damn big! Too bad they don't make a miniature Ek43. That grinder is really cool. I considered the Mahlkonig K30, the Mazzer Kony, the Compak K10, E10, and F10. As cool as the K30 looks, flat burrs would always leave me wondering what I'm missing out on. Plus people say it's not the best for single dosing. I roast my own and change beans often, so I needed a unit that works well for single shot grinds. The Mazzer Kony is a bit too big, as is the F10. Add to that I switch between espresso and drip grind settings, and the F10 is not designed for quick changes like that. So it came down the the K10 vs E10. I don't really need a doser, so the only real use I'd have for it would be to break up clumps- and I can do that with a spoon. So the E10 it is. I got the small "single dose" cup to use in place of the hopper. My cabinets are 18.5", so no matter what I'm going to need to remove something in order to store it. My only regret is that I would have preferred the aluminum exterior, but I guess I could always get this thing custom powder coated if I don't like black 😉

The wife doesn't know yet.. heh heh.
 
Did you just drop 2k on a grinder? :whoa:

Wow... You are not making this easy. What do you look for in a grinder? Is there a perceivable difference between a conical and flat plate burr grinder for home use?
 
I should also add that it is quite timely, as I have been tying to figure out a home espresso set up. I value my counter space quite a bit, and dont like spending a long time making coffee with the little kids around all the time, so am in the superauto camp. Trying out the Jura Ena Micro 9 right now from a friend, but I dont like it, the espresso is mediocre, you cant separately steam milk, and there just arent that many options for customizing drinks.
That said, it is <3 minutes from power on to drinking, and has been very low maintenance.
 
pjl said:
I should also add that it is quite timely, as I have been tying to figure out a home espresso set up. I value my counter space quite a bit, and dont like spending a long time making coffee with the little kids around all the time, so am in the superauto camp. Trying out the Jura Ena Micro 9 right now from a friend, but I dont like it, the espresso is mediocre, you cant separately steam milk, and there just arent that many options for customizing drinks.
That said, it is <3 minutes from power on to drinking, and has been very low maintenance.
Click to expand...

Yeah... that's why I thought the Gaggia Academia was a good buy in the super automatic arena. You can steam your milk separately if you wish. The more I read this thread though, the more I want a semi-automatic. What is holding me back is counter space and the fact that you need to wait for them to warm up... or you need to have them on a timer, which then corners you to having your coffee at the same time everyday (at least this is the way I understand it).
If quality of the final product is paramount, it seems like semi-automatics are the way to go. That being said, I have little experience and have not compared supers to semi's in person.
 
pjl said:
This thread is a good one for those worried about the economics of anesthesia to read. Life will not be that bad after your training. When the bottom falls out, you may have to compromise and only get a $1500 grinder though.
Click to expand...

I grind my beans where I buy them and my espresso machine is only $650. It's tough out there. 😢 +pity+😢
 
sevoflurane said:
Did you just drop 2k on a grinder? :whoa:

Wow... You are not making this easy. What do you look for in a grinder? Is there a perceivable difference between a conical and flat plate burr grinder for home use?
Click to expand...

ha ha ha... the grinder is what makes the shot!

Flats, they say, tend to provide a good balance of flavors with more muted fruity notes, whereas conicals will "separate" the flavor profile better. Bigger burrs are generally considered superior to smaller. I haven't done a head to head comparison, but I will in a few days! The first consideration is budget. Size obviously matters, even the Mazzer mini will seem big to to the uninitiated. The conicals are built for commercial use where cabinet height is not a consideration. The next consideration is how you plan to use the grinder. Are you going to dump a bag of beans in the hopper and call it a day? Or do you frequently change up your beans and grind single does only? Do you grind only for espresso, or also for other methods? All of these factors go into picking a grinder.

Having said all of that, the budget option of choice is the Rancilio Rocky, next up are the Mazzer Mini and Baratza Vario (debatable which is better). There are a range of good choices from $800-1600. Over that and you get into conicals, and choice among those comes down to issues other than quality of espresso.

For me this has become a bit of an obsession, but you have to realize I am a perfectionist when it comes to the craft of food and drink. I'll attach a photo of the control box I'm building for my garage brewery.

I heard of a local guy who just dropped $40k on installation of a commercial pizza oven inside his home.
 

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This is the best drip coffee maker out there. Period.

technivorm_kbt741_brewer_silver_2.jpg
 
powermd said:
Thanks!

I can't say it was easy parting with that much coin for a freakin' coffee grinder, but given the sunk cost on the espresso machine it would be a shame not to go all the way. I get some very nice pulls from my Mazzer mini now, but I have a feeling I'm going to really like the added complexity that comes from a conical.

After reviewing the extensive discussions on the various coffee forums it seems the dilemma of what to pick in this price range is a common one. Price is not really much of an object, but titans like the Robur and Ek43 are just too damn big! Too bad they don't make a miniature Ek43. That grinder is really cool. I considered the Mahlkonig K30, the Mazzer Kony, the Compak K10, E10, and F10. As cool as the K30 looks, flat burrs would always leave me wondering what I'm missing out on. Plus people say it's not the best for single dosing. I roast my own and change beans often, so I needed a unit that works well for single shot grinds. The Mazzer Kony is a bit too big, as is the F10. Add to that I switch between espresso and drip grind settings, and the F10 is not designed for quick changes like that. So it came down the the K10 vs E10. I don't really need a doser, so the only real use I'd have for it would be to break up clumps- and I can do that with a spoon. So the E10 it is. I got the small "single dose" cup to use in place of the hopper. My cabinets are 18.5", so no matter what I'm going to need to remove something in order to store it. My only regret is that I would have preferred the aluminum exterior, but I guess I could always get this thing custom powder coated if I don't like black 😉

The wife doesn't know yet.. heh heh.
Click to expand...

How is the new Grinder treating you powermd?

Still deciding... Geeeeesus... I just need to pull the trigger.

K30 Grinder (17 1/2 with the short hopper)... fits under the cabinets. Love the looks. But coinical grinding is well talked about in the million forums I've read.

Mahlkonig-K30-Vario-single-espresso-grinder-3-635x954.jpg


That is a sexy looking grinder.

Stuck on these....

Profitec pro 700

Quick Mill M58

Alex duetto

Funny thing is that you can't even get the Breville Oracle except at amazon for $200 MORE than retail. Makes me wonder just a tiny little bit.
 
BTW... I've heard that keeping the semiautomatics on at all times may actually be better for longevity than putting them on a timer in order to get them up to temperature several times a day. The expansion and contraction of the conductive elements while turning them on and off may decrease the life of the machines. Not sure how much truth there is to this however. Apparently it costs around $150 a year to keep them on 24/7.
 
I'm more of a drip guy than an espresso guy. I was pretty set on my next machine being a Technivorm until I saw this:

image.jpg


Old fashioned vacuum pot supposed to make a damn fine cup of coffee. Plus it looks pretty cool. Any thoughts from you coffee nerds out there?
 
ImageUploadedBySDN Mobile1453410945.020566.jpg

I got this Ninja Coffee Bar for Xmas. I've been happy with it so far. I don't think it brews as well as a traditional espresso machine but it's extremely versatile.
 
So thanks to this thread and some espresso connoisseurs around town, I put together my espresso station.
I luv, luv, love it.
I use it every single day before work. For Xmas, my wife hooked me up with a yearly bean subscription. I get different beans throughout the country that are freshly roasted (within one week) and delivered to my door every 2 weeks. Kinda nice to get beans from Seattle, Oakland, NY, etc. I'm def. enjoying that as I develop my personal preference for an espresso roast.

Here is my setup:

IMG_3972%201_zps73mxajwf.jpg


Still working on the latte art... :bookworm:

IMG_3971_zpske7x0ndt.jpg


Juan Valdez would be proud.
 
SaltyDog said:
I'm more of a drip guy than an espresso guy. I was pretty set on my next machine being a Technivorm until I saw this:

View attachment 199754

Old fashioned vacuum pot supposed to make a damn fine cup of coffee. Plus it looks pretty cool. Any thoughts from you coffee nerds out there?
Click to expand...

I like siphon coffee better than drip. Vacuum pots are more trouble to clean though. Automatic vacuum brewers have existed for decades but probably never caught on for that reason.

Vacuum pots are also not ideal for making small portions as some water will always be retained on the lower level, and with a small portion made with a large pot, that could dilute your coffee too much. This is why traditional models come in various sizes.

No experience with the Kitchenaid specifically.
 
sevoflurane said:
So thanks to this thread and some espresso connoisseurs around town, I put together my espresso station.
I luv, luv, love it.
I use it every single day before work. For Xmas, my wife hooked me up with a yearly bean subscription. I get different beans throughout the country that are freshly roasted (within one week) and delivered to my door every 2 weeks. Kinda nice to get beans from Seattle, Oakland, NY, etc. I'm def. enjoying that as I develop my personal preference for an espresso roast.

Here is my setup:

IMG_3972%201_zps73mxajwf.jpg


Still working on the latte art... :bookworm:

IMG_3971_zpske7x0ndt.jpg


Juan Valdez would be proud.
Click to expand...

Baller Sevo. I'll keep using my Nespresso but some day I'll be in the big leagues.
 
sevoflurane said:
So thanks to this thread and some espresso connoisseurs around town, I put together my espresso station.
I luv, luv, love it.
I use it every single day before work. For Xmas, my wife hooked me up with a yearly bean subscription. I get different beans throughout the country that are freshly roasted (within one week) and delivered to my door every 2 weeks. Kinda nice to get beans from Seattle, Oakland, NY, etc. I'm def. enjoying that as I develop my personal preference for an espresso roast.

Here is my setup:

IMG_3972%201_zps73mxajwf.jpg


Still working on the latte art... :bookworm:

IMG_3971_zpske7x0ndt.jpg


Juan Valdez would be proud.
Click to expand...

I like your countertop and window view.
 
I owe the OP immense gratitude as discovering this thread last year has triggered a complete obsession into the world of coffee making. I ultimately purchased an aeropress, along with a technivorm moccamaster and a high-grade manual burr grinder. I have also been obsessed finding good beans in the local joints around my town. I even did a lot of research into finding the best thermos and bought a zojirushi model that is hands-down amazing.

Amazon product ASIN B004LP0DYS
 
codeb1ue said:
I owe the OP immense gratitude as discovering this thread last year has triggered a complete obsession into the world of coffee making. I ultimately purchased an aeropress, along with a technivorm moccamaster and a high-grade manual burr grinder. I have also been obsessed finding good beans in the local joints around my town. I even did a lot of research into finding the best thermos and bought a zojirushi model that is hands-down amazing.

Amazon product ASIN B004LP0DYS
Click to expand...

Your next step is roasting your own. I am very hit or miss on this.
 
Props to Sevo... sweet sweet sweet setup!

Consider getting joystick steam and water valves. Definitely easier to use than the standard knobs.

After 6 months using my Compak conical grinder, I can't say it's definitely better than my Mazzer mini. Both do a very good job IF YOU FILL THE HOPPER. The key to good grinds on both machines is weight pushing the beans through the burrs. The Compak is more consistent, quicker, and easier to use. The next step for me is plumbing in the espresso machine. That gives you the option of "pre-infusion" of the espresso puck. This helps improve shot consistency and minimize issues with channeling. I still get annoying channels from time to time and it ruins a shot (by preventing proper extraction). We're redoing the kitchen this year, so plumbing in the espresso machine is definitely on the table.

Sevo, have you tried Stumptown beans? I picked up a bag of Hair Bender while visiting NYC and it made some incredible espresso.
 
dr doze said:
Your next step is roasting your own. I am very hit or miss on this.
Click to expand...

What are you roasting with?

For a long time I thought my roasting skills were the major problem until I happened upon these unbelievably good Ethiopian Guji beans from Sweet Maria's. Unfortunately I only bought 5 lbs of beans, and they're no longer available. Pretty much no matter what I do, the outcome is perfect espresso. All other beans I have ever obtained from SM pale in comparison to this one lot. I get pretty good results with Ethiopia Agarro, and their New Classic Espresso Blend, but nothing that makes me swoon.

As for the roasting process itself, the greatest improvement I saw came with effort to slow down the roast through the end of 1C and into 2C- trying to stretch this "development" phase out to 20-30% of the total roasting time. I think there's an article about that floating around online.
 
powermd said:
What are you roasting with?

For a long time I thought my roasting skills were the major problem until I happened upon these unbelievably good Ethiopian Guji beans from Sweet Maria's. Unfortunately I only at roaster do yobought 5 lbs of beans, and they're no longer available. Pretty much no matter what I do, the outcome is perfect espresso. All other beans I have ever obtained from SM pale in comparison to this one lot. I get pretty good results with Ethiopia Agarro, and their New Classic Espresso Blend, but nothing that makes me swoon.

As for the roasting process itself, the greatest improvement I saw came with effort to slow down the roast through the end of 1C and into 2C- trying to stretch this "development" phase out to 20-30% of the total roasting time. I think there's an article about that floating around online.
Click to expand...

Sumatra beans. Fresh Roast SR 700

What roaster so you use?
 
powermd said:
Props to Sevo... sweet sweet sweet setup!

Consider getting joystick steam and water valves. Definitely easier to use than the standard knobs.

After 6 months using my Compak conical grinder, I can't say it's definitely better than my Mazzer mini. Both do a very good job IF YOU FILL THE HOPPER. The key to good grinds on both machines is weight pushing the beans through the burrs. The Compak is more consistent, quicker, and easier to use. The next step for me is plumbing in the espresso machine. That gives you the option of "pre-infusion" of the espresso puck. This helps improve shot consistency and minimize issues with channeling. I still get annoying channels from time to time and it ruins a shot (by preventing proper extraction). We're redoing the kitchen this year, so plumbing in the espresso machine is definitely on the table.

Sevo, have you tried Stumptown beans? I picked up a bag of Hair Bender while visiting NYC and it made some incredible espresso.
Click to expand...

Nice. Haven't had the pleasure of those beans. Will check them out.

Plumbed machine and joystick steam are on the to do list. 👍
 
I actually chew a piece of gum between each sip of coffee. I get tons of compliments on my breath!
 
My next project is cold brew. So, for all you cold brewers out there: what's your recipe/process and what are you making it in?
 
SaltyDog said:
My next project is cold brew. So, for all you cold brewers out there: what's your recipe/process and what are you making it in?
Click to expand...

Cold brew is easy. Just play with the ratio of coffee:water and the steep time to adjust to your taste. It requires a lot more coffee by weight than hot brewing, but I think it's worth it. I just don't buy the ultra high specialty beans for cold brew. I find decent bulk beans from whole foods or the like work fine. I don't weigh my beans anymore. I just kind of eyeball it in my grinder now. I think I settled somewhere between 1:6-8 ratio of coffee to water (grams). Many of the online guides say 1:4, but I found that I didn't really get that much more mileage out of the extra coffee. I then put it in a closed container and let it steep on the counter for about 24 hours. I use cheese cloth in a funnel to filter it.

The new hotness is nitro cold brew. I was skeptical, but I had some from a coffee shop last summer and it was pretty delicious. I was thinking of getting a nitrogen tank and putting some of my idle kegs and my homemade kegerator to good use this summer. We'll see...I'll probably have to endure some eye rolls from my wonderful spouse. Although, having delicious iced coffee on tap might make it all ok.
 
GravelRider said:
Cold brew is easy. Just play with the ratio of coffee:water and the steep time to adjust to your taste. It requires a lot more coffee by weight than hot brewing, but I think it's worth it. I just don't buy the ultra high specialty beans for cold brew. I find decent bulk beans from whole foods or the like work fine. I don't weigh my beans anymore. I just kind of eyeball it in my grinder now. I think I settled somewhere between 1:6-8 ratio of coffee to water (grams). Many of the online guides say 1:4, but I found that I didn't really get that much more mileage out of the extra coffee. I then put it in a closed container and let it steep on the counter for about 24 hours. I use cheese cloth in a funnel to filter it.

The new hotness is nitro cold brew. I was skeptical, but I had some from a coffee shop last summer and it was pretty delicious. I was thinking of getting a nitrogen tank and putting some of my idle kegs and my homemade kegerator to good use this summer. We'll see...I'll probably have to endure some eye rolls from my wonderful spouse. Although, having delicious iced coffee on tap might make it all ok.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I tried the nitro cold brew at Starbucks. Pretty damn cool. Tastes like it's got cream in it already and has the mouthfeel of a Guinness.
 
Since we resurrected this thread... I do want to comment on @gasspasser 's recently locked up thread:

Since I am a daily coffee drinker, I am curious as to the statements about coffee being linked to better overall health. Fact or fiction?
I want to dig in on this topic a bit.
Obviously if you are getting palpitations and PVC's, you are probably overdoing it. However, it is a diuretic and as such does kinda act like lasix. One of our cardiac surgeons and I were talking abut this recently. We probably were just trying to feel better by saying that drinking coffee is good for your health therefore we are healthier
Anyone out there with some real beef behind that statement? Thanks.
 
sevoflurane said:
Since we resurrected this thread... I do want to comment on @gasspasser 's recently locked up thread:

Since I am a daily coffee drinker, I am curious as to the statements about coffee being linked to better overall health. Fact or fiction?
I want to dig in on this topic a bit.
Obviously if you are getting palpitations and PVC's, you are probably overdoing it. However, it is a diuretic and as such does kinda act like lasix. One of our cardiac surgeons and I were talking abut this recently. We probably were just trying to feel better by saying that drinking coffee is good for your health therefore we are healthier
Anyone out there with some real beef behind that statement? Thanks.
Click to expand...

I take the approach that there are no free rides. Everything has pros and cons. I don't doubt that coffee has some minor health benefits, but I am sure it has plenty of downsides as well...especially when used in extreme quantities. Caffeine is an addictive drug, after all.

I think as a rule of thumb, it is important to take all dietary claims with a grain of salt. Who is funding these studies? Look at the mess the sugar and processed food industry created all those decades ago. I read something recently that many of those studies claiming benefit of moderate alcohol intake were actually funded by the alcohol industry. I bet the same can be said of coffee. Is Starbucks funding some of those studies?

When it comes to diet and such, I think moderation and balance is key. I don't drink coffee because it's going to help me beat cancer. I drink coffee because it is delicious...and I kind of like the caffeine buzz.
 
sevoflurane said:
Since we resurrected this thread... I do want to comment on @gasspasser 's recently locked up thread:

Since I am a daily coffee drinker, I am curious as to the statements about coffee being linked to better overall health. Fact or fiction?
I want to dig in on this topic a bit.
Obviously if you are getting palpitations and PVC's, you are probably overdoing it. However, it is a diuretic and as such does kinda act like lasix. One of our cardiac surgeons and I were talking abut this recently. We probably were just trying to feel better by saying that drinking coffee is good for your health therefore we are healthier
Anyone out there with some real beef behind that statement? Thanks.
Click to expand...

Look at the NEJM article I linked to in my post.
 
SaltyDog said:
My next project is cold brew. So, for all you cold brewers out there: what's your recipe/process and what are you making it in?
Click to expand...

The easiest way to make cold brew is by immersion. If you own a big french press, you can use that in the fridge for 12-24 hours. Bodum sells a big "cold brew" french press that I used for a while.

The alternative is cold drip. It's different from immersion cold brew in a similar way to how French press coffee and drip coffee are different. The budget option is to use a separatory funnel, like in college chemistry lab: Homemade Kyoto Drip Iced Coffee . There's also an inexpensive device called Cold Bruer which should be good enough for anyone. Yama and Hario make devices for cold drip also, which are more attractive and more expensive. I bought an Oji WD-60DX in Japan a few years ago when the yen was weak, but I'd be the first to admit that it is an unnecessary extravagance.

I haven't tried nitro cold brew at home, but this thing exists: Jacked-Up™ Nitro Cold Brew Keg System - Northern Brewer
 
lord_jeebus said:
The easiest way to make cold brew is by immersion. If you own a big french press, you can use that in the fridge for 12-24 hours. Bodum sells a big "cold brew" french press that I used for a while.

The alternative is cold drip. It's different from immersion cold brew in a similar way to how French press coffee and drip coffee are different. The budget option is to use a separatory funnel, like in college chemistry lab: Homemade Kyoto Drip Iced Coffee . There's also an inexpensive device called Cold Bruer which should be good enough for anyone. Yama and Hario make devices for cold drip also, which are more attractive and more expensive. I bought an Oji WD-60DX in Japan a few years ago when the yen was weak, but I'd be the first to admit that it is an unnecessary extravagance.

I haven't tried nitro cold brew at home, but this thing exists: Jacked-Up Nitro Cold Brew Keg System - Northern Brewer
Click to expand...

Those small tanks under pressurize


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Hmmmm, let's see here @sevoflurane: no kids, latte art, and a Gucci'd out Range Rover. . . .

Is there something you haven't admitted to us??

Don't worry, the SDN community will love and respect you no matter what. :smuggrin::poke:
 
I was just looking back on this thread. This thread has been good to me 100%.
Love SDN and the quality peeps that frequent this place with on and off topics.
Thanks for all the contributions. After 10+ years I still keep coming back.
We need a necro @jetproppilot to come on for a second...
I think he's taped out tho. :artist:
 
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