larsh Senior Member Joined: 24 Jun 2002 Posts: 33 Location: Malmo (Sweden) Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sun Aug 4, 2002, 2:50pm Subject: Espresso preps
I also like to brush my teeth right after getting out of bed. i.e. before breakfast and coffee. However, I feel that the well known fact that even small amounts of residue toothpaste in the mouth interferes with the taste of several foodstuffs, including coffee and bananas, is somewhat overlooked in the review. A simple tip here to a better tasting espresso is to do a so called clean brush, i.e. using a non tooth-pasted toothbrush. I have found that I get the best results if I always use a dedicated brush for this purpose. In this context my Braun 3D Excel works very well, with its color-coded interchangeable brush system and highly effective performance.
Posted Sun Aug 4, 2002, 5:48pm Subject: Mascot in the making...?
It's seeming more appropriate the more I think of it. Sometimes the search for Espresso Nirvana can feel like being on a hamster wheel. And Connie does look real cute. : )
MarkPrince Moderator Joined: 19 Dec 2001 Posts: 5,462 Location: Vancouver, BC Expertise: Professional
Espresso: KvdW Speedster Grinder: Compak K10 WBC Vac Pot: A bit too many Drip: Clive Coffee Drip Stand Roaster: Hario Glass Retro Roaster
Posted Sun Aug 4, 2002, 8:39pm Subject: No worries
I got instant delete powers. Mwuahahahahahah. No worry though, I never abuse them. Since the launch of this site, I've deleted only a) double posts, and b) 3 "advertisement" posts in these popup comments.
JDenver Senior Member Joined: 19 Dec 2001 Posts: 17 Location: Philadelphia, PA Expertise: Aficionado
Posted Wed Aug 7, 2002, 8:56pm Subject: No Fair
No fair not giving the machine a rating! That's a cop out so that you don't have to admit that on any objective standard, the Elektra, despite its beauty, loses out to more modern designs.
I've seen the Oscar and the Elektra side by side (at Zabar's in NYC). The Elektra is just breathtaking in person. Even your great photos don't do it justice. The Oscar has all the charm of a laser printer. I know which one I would want as a kitchen decoration. But, I also know which one I would want to pull shot after shot consistently, without having to resort to wet washcloths, turning off the power, etc. The lack of a heat exchanger makes these machines fundamentally inferior to more modern ones, esp. if you are pulling more than 2 or 3 shots (and if you are only pulling 2 or 3 shots, it's hardly worth setting up a machine).
MarkPrince Moderator Joined: 19 Dec 2001 Posts: 5,462 Location: Vancouver, BC Expertise: Professional
Espresso: KvdW Speedster Grinder: Compak K10 WBC Vac Pot: A bit too many Drip: Clive Coffee Drip Stand Roaster: Hario Glass Retro Roaster
Posted Wed Aug 7, 2002, 11:33pm Subject: I agree...
I agree with you Jack, which is why I couldn't give it a rating. Either road I took in a rating would be skewed.
I could rate it based on how the machine made me feel, the hands on aspect, etc (and the comparisons ratings do sort of do this), but then it would be skewed towards the experience and not the shot quality or repeatability, or usability even.
Or I could rate it based on those things, and it would score low.
I really mulled what kind of personal rating I would give this product. At one point, I thought I would give it two ratings - one for the technical artist, and one for the artistry, uh, artist. But then I chickened out :)
Posted Sat Aug 10, 2002, 7:43pm Subject: Thank you!
What a terrific (and very thorough!) review. I am lucky enough to be a proud owner of this same machine (albeit in a brass/copper combo, rather than brass/chrome) and I truly love it -- but I'm not yet an expert and your informative review was really helpful to read! I've got a lot of practicing to do, but that's what the experience is all about -- and your thoughtful, detailed information will make the practice that much more fun!
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