CoffeeHealth Senior Member Joined: 19 Jul 2012 Posts: 11 Location: Indiana Expertise: Just starting
Posted Sun Aug 12, 2012, 11:27am Subject: New Guy FINALLY bought something
Hi Guys and Gals:
Ok, so I read a lot of stuff and was so confused that I didn't buy anything for weeks! I almost pulled the trigger with the Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine and Baratza Vario; but I slept on it and woke up with a self imposed reality check.
I really wanted to buy something to upgrade my Mr Coffee and 1980's Krups Espresso machine. So I know this is far from a Coffee Geeks dream package, but I really LIKE IT, and it sure is an upgrade it quality and taste!
So here is what I bought, (feel free to shake your head and say "hummmm"):
So I brought the new Krups Combo Machine, the Krups Grinder and the Escali Scale; total cost about $300 and it looks great on the counter-top! (taste good too)
emradguy Senior Member Joined: 31 Mar 2011 Posts: 1,725 Location: Houston Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto II Grinder: MacapM4T, Macap M4, OE Lido,... Drip: Espro press; Aeropress Roaster: internet
Posted Mon Aug 13, 2012, 8:10am Subject: Re: New Guy FINALLY bought something
At 98 views and no replies, I guess you've figured out we're all doing just what you suggested...shaking our heads goin' hmmmmn.
Yeah, far from a dream package. We all dream about getting a GS/3 or Speedster and a Mazzer Robur E, well ok, that might be a stretch, but the package you passed on would be considered entry level (except maybe the Vario).
I truly hope you're happy with it, yeah,. really I do. Of course, I'm now wondering how long it's going to be before you rethink your decision to pass on the Silvia/Vario combo. In your reading here, you may have noticed that most of us would recommend a different started machine than the Silvia, but regarding espresso quality, you've basically decided (by your purchase decision) to pass on good and opt for...well, I'd rather not insult your choice. I just hope you like your drinks. I suspect they'll still be much better than *$$. Strong work on the scale though!
Look at sweetmaria's for roaster info. They seem to be the most knowledgeable seller, as it's their main focus.
Posted Mon Aug 13, 2012, 8:58am Subject: Re: New Guy FINALLY bought something
Wow... :-( The grinder got 2½ stars on Amazon - reason enough to have shopped elsewhere. For drip it may be OK. Just. A Combo machine? That's the definition of how to make two kinds of bad coffee. It's a thermoblock machine. :-/ And the scale is only accurate to 1 gram resolution which is inadequate, but with that espresso machine it will matter very little. "Looking great on the counter-top" may be a priority, or even a consideration, but the quality of the food it produces should have come first. Spending all the money on a better grinder and just $25 for an Aeropress would have assured that you would be making better coffee (and more consistently as well) than the outfit you just bought.
Posted Mon Aug 13, 2012, 9:02am Subject: Re: New Guy FINALLY bought something
Good luck with it.
I'm still not sure why you asked for advice here, though, as you ignored or rejected pretty much all of it. Still, it's your wallet and your palate. As I said, good luck.
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,685 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Mon Aug 13, 2012, 10:05am Subject: Re: New Guy FINALLY bought something
There are lots of choices less expensive than Sylvia that would have been a vastly better choice but.... Good luck with what you bought, I really mean that, if you stay with coffee, I think you will feel the need to upgrade sooner rather than later. Regardless though, fresh coffee will help a lot with getting a drinkable ...... drink.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
emradguy Senior Member Joined: 31 Mar 2011 Posts: 1,725 Location: Houston Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto II Grinder: MacapM4T, Macap M4, OE Lido,... Drip: Espro press; Aeropress Roaster: internet
Posted Mon Aug 13, 2012, 12:44pm Subject: Re: New Guy FINALLY bought something
I guess I read the scale specs wrong. I thought it meant 0.1 oz and 0.1 g! Maybe it can be returned or exchanged for a better scale that weighs in 0.1 g resolution?
CoffeeHealth Senior Member Joined: 19 Jul 2012 Posts: 11 Location: Indiana Expertise: Just starting
Posted Mon Aug 13, 2012, 12:47pm Subject: Re: New Guy FINALLY bought something
Hello All !
Thanks for the interesting words and insight. I have started this hobby not even knowing what I don't know! So your words do have a lot of value to me
With that said, I really enjoy my product line "upgrade"; as you know you can always buy better, and for now this is my better. Its probably better than most but far from what true geeks would value. It kinda like my cigar, wine, auto detailing, & astronomy hobby; just somewhere in the middle.
As far as the beans go, I will definately purchase high quality, Geek approved beans!! (I got a coupon for that 8'Oclock Coffee !!)
I look forward to the always fun filled banter...thanks again!
CMIN Senior Member Joined: 14 Jun 2012 Posts: 511 Location: South FL Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Crossland CC1 Grinder: Baratza Preciso
Posted Mon Aug 13, 2012, 12:58pm Subject: Re: New Guy FINALLY bought something
CoffeeHealth Said:
Hello All !
Thanks for the interesting words and insight. I have started this hobby not even knowing what I don't know! So your words do have a lot of value to me
With that said, I really enjoy my product line "upgrade"; as you know you can always buy better, and for now this is my better. Its probably better than most but far from what true geeks would value. It kinda like my cigar, wine, auto detailing, & astronomy hobby; just somewhere in the middle.
As far as the beans go, I will definately purchase high quality, Geek approved beans!! (I got a coupon for that 8'Oclock Coffee !!)
I look forward to the always fun filled banter...thanks again!
I don't think anyone on here will recommend 8'Oclock ;) , unless you want burnt stale beans lol.
Do you drink drip as well? I'm just not sure why you got that combo Krups machine when you could have gotten a decent entry level pump machine for espresso, and a pour over system like the Chemex, that would have been cheaper and better. But it is your choice and as ong as your happy then that's what matters, that grinder though got awful reviews everywhere. Pry should have stepped up to the Breville 450 or Capresso Infinity which are both under 100 but would be better and more reliable then that Krups grinder.
Posted Mon Aug 13, 2012, 1:14pm Subject: Re: New Guy FINALLY bought something
CMIN Said:
I'm just not sure why you got that combo Krups machine when you could have gotten a decent entry level pump machine for espresso, and a pour over system like the Chemex, that would have been cheaper and better...
A $50 grinder and an Aeropress would probably beat the purchased combo. heck... the grinder below in my collection ($20 iirc) and an Aeropress would probably beat it. But there you go. I have been through similar with folks - they ask, you take the time to explain, and they go off and do quite similar to the opposite of what you advised, or at least on a tangent to your advice. You're left shaking your head and walking away.
Anyone ever see the poster that starts out: "Hey Earl. Look at the two......."?
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