Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,320 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Sun Nov 4, 2012, 11:30am Subject: Re: Comparing Gaggia's Yet Again
If you are an OCD type I think temp surfing will make you nuts. (I was sure it was going to make me nuts) Adding a pid to a Silvia or Gaggia will bring you pretty close to the price of a low end HX. If you are getting good Aeropress coffee you might want to stick with that and save up for a more temp stable machine. Look at the CC1 and if you can handle working on stuff a used low end HX. That is what I had to do because my taste did not = my budget. I sent 450 or 475$ on my Oscar. Also we have CC1 come up for sale on the buy/sell/trade board here. I would look there.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
MochaJoe Senior Member Joined: 31 Oct 2012 Posts: 66 Location: Omaha, NE Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Gaggia Classic Grinder: Baratza Preciso
Posted Sun Nov 4, 2012, 1:26pm Subject: Re: Comparing Gaggia's Yet Again
Thanks coffeenoobie, but like I said before I cannot (will not) spend more than ~$500ish on my first set up. I'm too afraid of dumping money into this until I'm sure I will A) Be able to take the time to make great espresso. B) Make sure I enjoy both the process and taste of the coffee I'm making.
I figure that in a few years if im in love with the process and the coffee, and I can always upgrade after college when money is flowing. I wouldnt stick a PID into any machine I get right now no matter how aggravating, because like you said, that much money puts me into a higher caliber of machine all together.
They Aeropress IS good, I use it almost daily, it just takes a lot of beans to get one serving. It also doesnt give me a nifty machine to use lol
I think i'm going to stick with what I've figured out so far, (Gaggia Classic Refurb and Baratza Preciso) talk to some vendors, and hopefully get a good deal as its close to the holidays.
Side note; If anyone can recommend a place in the Omaha/Co Bluff area that actually has machines in store to look at, I'd be most appreciative ;)
qualin Senior Member Joined: 30 Jun 2012 Posts: 464 Location: Calgary, AB Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto 3 Grinder: Mazzer Mini Elect. Type A Vac Pot: Looking to buy Drip: Manual Roaster: Considering?
Posted Sun Nov 4, 2012, 2:04pm Subject: Re: Comparing Gaggia's Yet Again
MochaJoe Said:
I cannot (will not) spend more than ~$500ish on my first set up. I'm too afraid of dumping money into this until I'm sure I will A) Be able to take the time to make great espresso. B) Make sure I enjoy both the process and taste of the coffee I'm making.
You know, that is a fair aspiration. It's too easy to say, "But if I spend $x00 more, I can get this..." I know because I fell into that trap myself! Putting down a hard limit is a good place to start.
Better to walk before you run..
MochaJoe Said:
I think i'm going to stick with what I've figured out so far, (Gaggia Classic Refurb and Baratza Preciso)
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,320 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Sun Nov 4, 2012, 2:50pm Subject: Re: Comparing Gaggia's Yet Again
Personally I am glad I skipped the step you are insisting on starting out at. I was not sure I would like it either, but I hate having to rebuy the same thing in less than a year. If you really committed to that then spend 80-100 on a starbucks machine used on craigslist and get a 40$ hand grinder. Then at least you will have only spend about 150$ on the learning step. And you can probably resell the whole lot for 100$ if and when you upgrade. And a CC1 is 700 new so I would think about 300-350 used. http://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/crossland-coffee-cc1
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
D4F Senior Member Joined: 15 Mar 2012 Posts: 1,198 Location: USA Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic PID Grinder: Preciso
Posted Sun Nov 4, 2012, 3:52pm Subject: Re: Comparing Gaggia's Yet Again
MochaJoe Said:
I think i'm going to stick with what I've figured out so far, (Gaggia Classic Refurb and Baratza Preciso) talk to some vendors, and hopefully get a good deal as its close to the holidays.
You can make this work well. I am very happy with mine and choose not to afford upgraditis, though I have nothing against upgrading. Plan on a learning curve and be patient. See if you can find a CG in your area for help.
dorkroast Senior Member Joined: 3 Oct 2012 Posts: 78 Location: CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic Grinder: Mazzer Mini Roaster: Popcorn Pumper
Posted Sun Nov 4, 2012, 10:45pm Subject: Re: Comparing Gaggia's Yet Again
I'll vote for a Classic refurb and a preciso. I think it's a really good starting point.
One of the guys mentioned a hand grinder. You may actually want to consider that. You can get many really good hand grinders at a comparatively low price (of course they still cost 3x what "normal" people spend on a krups blade grinder). You only grind small amounts for espresso so it would serve you well until you hit the lotto.
I have a Classic and am really enjoying it. On day one I was making drinks better than what I can buy locally. My wife and I both love them. I did splurge on a grinder though- I figured I'd probably replace the Classic at some point, but I didn't ever want to replace the grinder. Besides, I found my dream grinder on super-sale so I couldn't pass it up.
You and I seem to be kindred spirits- we both are looking at the same machines, and we've both spent time in Council Bluffs. Admittedly I was only there for 4 months, but I have yet to forget it. ;P
Keep us informed of what you get. I hope whatever it is, it makes you happy.
MochaJoe Senior Member Joined: 31 Oct 2012 Posts: 66 Location: Omaha, NE Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Gaggia Classic Grinder: Baratza Preciso
Posted Sun Nov 4, 2012, 11:52pm Subject: Re: Comparing Gaggia's Yet Again
Thanks Dorkroast (seriously? Awesome name!) I looked at a few hand grinders, but I know myself....I would get tired of hand grinding very quickly lol.
I think the Preciso will fit me well. If I end up scraping my home barista dreams, I still have my Aeropress that would love a finer grind than my 24.99 walmart blade grinder can do. That and my parents switch up between French Press and drip. And hopefully I become addicted to the hobby, and one day afford a much better setup.
Ah yes, Council Bluffs....I tend to avoid it as much as possible ;p Hopefully you made it to Omaha, and got to check out the largest city in Nebraksa!
toyman Senior Member Joined: 30 Oct 2012 Posts: 25 Location: PA Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Delonghi EC155, Gaggia... Grinder: Baratza Preciso on the way Drip: Cuisinart
Posted Mon Nov 5, 2012, 7:38am Subject: Re: Comparing Gaggia's Yet Again
I've been dialing in my new Gaggia Classic since Thursday. Fantastic results so far. I stopped at my local beanery on Saturday to get an espresso (to check my work) and also get some more beans. The espresso's I'm making are better (to me) than what I got at the cafe. Mine are not bitter, but every bit as creamy/buttery etc, with the same beans. Still a newby, but getting 25 +/- second shots with 16g of fresh espresso beans. Really enjoying the pair.
MochaJoe Senior Member Joined: 31 Oct 2012 Posts: 66 Location: Omaha, NE Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Gaggia Classic Grinder: Baratza Preciso
Posted Mon Nov 5, 2012, 3:28pm Subject: Re: Comparing Gaggia's Yet Again
Well guys, looks like I've got it all settled.
Talked with a sales dude at WLL, and he put together a package including the Refurb Gaggia and New Preciso under my budget, and threw in some grinder cleaning pellets and descaler. Should be here by the end of the week/begining of next.
Now its on to the fun parts! Buying accessories, finding a good beans, and perfecting technique!
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