jbr Senior Member Joined: 28 Feb 2007 Posts: 2 Location: Kirkland, WA Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Mon Dec 24, 2007, 1:43am Subject: Dedicated ESE Machine Options
Anyone have any input on ESE machines?
Although I know the best possible shots will not come from an ESE machine, the convenience is a major plus. I've read that although many machines (ie, Francis Francis) will do both ground coffee and ESE pods, the results with the pods are suboptimal. I've also read that there are some machines which are dedicated ESE machines - they won't do ground coffee - and what you get for that lack in versatility is full optimization for ESE and the best possible ESE shots. However, I haven't been able to find those specific machines, even after doing a few google searches.
Also, if anyone has any experience, either using hybrid machines or a dedicated ESE machine, please share - I'm interested if you can get a decent ESE shot and especially how good the crema is assuming you're using decent and fresh ESE pods.
I was surprised that I couldn't find anything in the forums either here or on HomeBarista on ESE pod machines. Was I looking in the wrong place?
Bott Senior Member Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 175 Location: USA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Expobar Athenea Lever
Posted Mon Dec 24, 2007, 3:01am Subject: Re: Dedicated ESE Machine Options
I don't think there are many pod fans in this forum. There are a few of us though...
If your budget allows, I would recommend not getting a machine that limits you to only using pods. Having a machine that gives you the flexibility of using pods yet still allows you to make high quality shots from ground coffee is your best bet. ESE pods are not fresh by CoffeeGeek standards and are going to be weak in the crema department. They are acceptable for lattes, mochas, etc. assuming you have a setup that can get the most of the pod. Your results at home can easily surpass the coffee chains.
Check out my previous posts on pods. I haven't had great luck with pod baskets but would still recommend the pod portafilter I bought from podmerchant. I didn't see it on their website the last time I checked though so I'm not sure where to get one at this point.
thomzilla Senior Member Joined: 24 Sep 2006 Posts: 75 Location: Atlanta, GA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Pasquini Livia 90 Auto,... Grinder: Rocky Doserless and Gaggia... Drip: Presto & french press Roaster: Behmor
Posted Mon Dec 24, 2007, 4:02am Subject: Re: Dedicated ESE Machine Options
Hi Jeremy,
Welcome to CoffeeGeek!
I am a pod user when the need arises. It's not the best solution for the best coffee, but it's a heck of a lot better than stale coffee or no coffee at all. I keep some on hand at the office for the times that I forget to bring in fresh coffee.
I'd recommend getting a machine that will do both pods and fresh coffee so you can have the option of going with fresh when you are ready and not have to buy another machine. I have two FrancisFrancis! machines (X3 and X1) and I'm happy with both of them. Both of them do pods and ground coffee, though the newer Trio models only do pods.
The trick with pods is to get them as fresh as you can. Starbucks carries them and they are among the freshest you'll find in stores. and they are actually pretty good in taste and crema among the pods that I used. Illy pods are readily available, but then they are roasted in Italy before coming here so they can be several months old by the time you get them. You can find lots of pods on ebay or several other internet sites if you have the patience to have them shipped. I found that the ones I ordered were fresher and cheaper and there was a lot more choice of different pods than in any local store.
jbr Senior Member Joined: 28 Feb 2007 Posts: 2 Location: Kirkland, WA Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Tue Dec 25, 2007, 4:16pm Subject: Re: Dedicated ESE Machine Options
Tomm and Bott -
Thanks for your input. I was worried that some the machines such as Francis Francis that did both ground and pods would comprimise on the quality of the shot produced by pods. I read on the ESE web site that the shape of the basket and brew chamber needs to be optimized for pods. Also, I am concerned that pressurized filter baskets wouldn't work as well as a pressurized portafilter.
Anyone know of anywere else other than PodMerchant where one can buy pressurized portafilters for various machines that don't come with them?
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