iwantcoffee Senior Member Joined: 5 Jun 2012 Posts: 14 Location: Seattle Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Oscar Grinder: MDX Drip: Hario
Posted Sun Jun 24, 2012, 5:51pm Subject: How much of a difference do high end espresso machines taste?
Just wondering how much of a difference would an espresso machine such as a rocket giatto compared to a oscar be when using a commercial grinder like the Simonelli MDX. Any input?
NobbyR Senior Member Joined: 10 Jul 2011 Posts: 1,661 Location: Germany Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Poccino Opus One, Ariete Grinder: Eureka Mignon Istantaneo,... Vac Pot: N/A Drip: Melitta Linea Unica de Luxe Roaster: N/A
Posted Mon Jun 25, 2012, 12:38am Subject: Re: How much of a difference do high end espresso machines taste?
Both machines you mentioned are HXs. The Nuova Simonelli Oscar is usually considered an entry level prosumer machine, whereas the Rocket Espresso Giotto is a higher end prosumer machine. Using a highly capable, commercial grinder a difference in taste might be noticable, but it would be relatively small.
The grinder is more important than the machine. It easier to brew great espresso with a top-notch grinder and an entry level espresso machine than with a crap grinder and a professional machine.
*** "This drink of the Satan is so delicious that it would be a shame to leave it to the infidels." (Pope Clement VIII on coffee)
Posted Wed Sep 26, 2012, 8:43pm Subject: Re: How much of a difference do high end espresso machines taste?
I believe the differences would be marginal as long as the person behind the machine is capable and can replicate the same process (grind, dose, tamp, temp). However, chances are those same processes may be easier to achieve consistently on a better machine (grouphead).
emradguy Senior Member Joined: 31 Mar 2011 Posts: 1,792 Location: Houston Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto II Grinder: MacapM4T, Macap M4, OE Lido,... Drip: Espro press; Aeropress Roaster: internet
Posted Thu Sep 27, 2012, 9:33am Subject: Re: How much of a difference do high end espresso machines taste?
yeah, like Nobby said.
The differences between machines like the ones you mentioned and commercial machines have mostly to do with thermal stability...which helps a skilled person replicate a stable product in the cup, time after time. So, like Nobby said, focus mostly on the best grinder you can afford, fresh beans, and your technique. Machine choice then becomes budget, space and appearance (once you decide DB or HX).
Kristi Senior Member Joined: 6 Oct 2005 Posts: 2,286 Location: Boston Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Evo w silvia wand Grinder: Macap M4 mod to d&s-less Roaster: (Jeff at Redbirdcoffee)
Posted Tue Oct 2, 2012, 9:26pm Subject: Re: How much of a difference do high end espresso machines taste?
fresh beans - I don't mean these artsy beans in vacuum bags that were roasted a week ago, or more. Those are dead before you get a chance to use them. The beans I receive were roasted barely 2 days prior and I freeze them immediately, though I will use them all in a month and 3/4.
You cannot make good espresso w/o fresh beans.
You would likely waste your money if you upgrade from that Oscar. You'll get chrome, but not better espresso. (read my profile for past list of my machines.)
EDIT: If you have to spend money, get a Macap or Mazzer grinder - I have had both and vastly prefer the Macap.
#--> I recommend Eric Svendson's adapter and thermometer for E61s (also Silvia) : easy surfing! # My photo albums have moved to http://picasaweb.google.com/krislema2
jwoodyu Senior Member Joined: 31 Dec 2010 Posts: 705 Location: Michigan Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Allex Duetto II Grinder: Mazzer Major Roaster: Poppery
Posted Wed Oct 3, 2012, 6:28am Subject: Re: How much of a difference do high end espresso machines taste?
Assuming good coffee and great grinder in the first place .................... then repeatability is were it is at. IMO pulling several shots a day vs several shots an hour makes a good stable machine all the more important.
You know those people that want to tell you how to raise your kids but have none of their own? That is how i feel when someone with a kitchen appliance tells me how the merits or dis-merits of my machine or how to use it.
Kristi Senior Member Joined: 6 Oct 2005 Posts: 2,286 Location: Boston Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Evo w silvia wand Grinder: Macap M4 mod to d&s-less Roaster: (Jeff at Redbirdcoffee)
Posted Wed Oct 3, 2012, 9:55am Subject: Re: How much of a difference do high end espresso machines taste?
jwoodyu Said:
Assuming good coffee and great grinder in the first place .................... then repeatability is were it is at. IMO pulling several shots a day vs several shots an hour makes a good stable machine all the more important.
I have to say I'm not into repeatability. Simply a good, tasty brew. Maybe slightly different each time, and that's great. I want YUM. And there are many different versions of YUM! soft, sometimes chocolate, sometimes fruity, but leaves me feeling a bit drunk. Just my 3 cents. :D
#--> I recommend Eric Svendson's adapter and thermometer for E61s (also Silvia) : easy surfing! # My photo albums have moved to http://picasaweb.google.com/krislema2
mthedude Senior Member Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 313 Location: VA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Nuova Simonelli Oscar Grinder: La Spaziale Junior Vac Pot: n/a Drip: Cuisinart Grind & Brew Roaster: n/a
Posted Fri Nov 16, 2012, 8:49am Subject: Re: How much of a difference do high end espresso machines taste?
I think the biggest thing is that the higher end machines give you a better opportunity to nail the perfect parameters on a repeatable basis. I use an Oscar and while not perfect, it gets me way more into the ballpark of correct temp than my Gaggia ever did. So long story short, the upper end machines give you a much better chance of getting good, repeatable results than the lower end models. Like others said though, you have to use fresh beans, a good grinder and your skills are more important than the machine. Kind of like a race car driver...the car isn't as important as the drivers skills.
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,368 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Fri Nov 16, 2012, 10:56am Subject: Re: How much of a difference do high end espresso machines taste?
I use an Oscar also. I have thought about this a lot and don't see enough improvement to tempt me till I get over 3k. That being said, if I won the lotto I probably would spring for a londinium I. Keep Oscar around to cater parties.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit = No New Posts since last visit = Newest post
Forum Rules: No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards. No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum. No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum. Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards. Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics. Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies. Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies. Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts. Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings.
= No New Posts since last visit 