9 replies to this topic

[Gonz]

Christmas present to my wife this year, although I have to admit it's a little bit like Homer buying Marge that bowling ball for her birthday...



Started off needing a new grinder, but then after spending way too much time talking to the guy at the cooking store I realized that buying a grinder without knowing what machine it was grinding for was a little backwards. We were going to need a new machine soon anyways as by my calculations the old machine (Sbux Barista by Saeco) was going on 10,000 shots poured. My wife already had her heart set on the Rocky grinder since her barista friend said it was one of the best, and we decided a super-automatic machine would take all the fun out of pouring shots and steaming our own milk. After getting the Silvia and Rocky, it just made sense to get the base for them both. Only drawback on the base is that it will bring the machine to within an inch or so of the upper cabinets in the kitchen, so I can't store my cups on top of the machine like the picture.

[The Black Cloud]

Nice stuff! I must admit though, when I plan my next machine it will be one of those all-in-one deals like my brother has. I call it HAL. I like the idea of having all my coffee needs in one automated machine. As nice as a separate espresso machine is, it's a one-trick-pony, IMO. But if you take your espresso seriously, and it seems you do, I suppose it's a necessity.

[ChiTown_Huck]

Very nice! It took me a while to pull the trigger on the Capresso grinder and Technovorm coffee maker, let alone a set up like that. Glad we did though. I am sure you will enjoy every cup out of that machine.

[grateful1]

Very nice!


This is bothersome:
"buying a grinder without knowing what machine it was grinding for was a little backwards"

Ummm, the grinder is ADJUSTABLE!

Hook line and sinker, bro!

[Jonesy]

Nice setup!

[Gonz]

Very nice!


This is bothersome:
"buying a grinder without knowing what machine it was grinding for was a little backwards"

Ummm, the grinder is ADJUSTABLE!

Hook line and sinker, bro!

I think what he was saying was that the Rocky grinder just isn't necessary unless you own the above machine, or one other brand, because that grinder can go ultra fine/Turkish with consistency. Otherwise no other machine out there needs that grinder and there's plenty of other really nice ones that do the job.

[grateful1]

Yea..you keep telling yourself that...sucker!

That's how they got ME too!

[Gonz]

The big debate, kind of like cello on or off, seemed to be about doser or doserless grinder. That one was fun to research and see the bickering that ensued.

[emoshun]

It really boils down to what works the best based on your usage patterns, practical needs and don't ignore the what-makes-you-happy-when-you-use-it factor. After all, most of the grinders under discussion are likely to last a decade or more under home use. If the burrs and grinding chamber are comparable, it makes no difference in the cup which one you choose. Neither style can substitute for a well-practiced dose-distribution-tamp when it comes to making great espresso, even if the dose comes from the spout of a doserless grinder.

Don't forget that as pretty as the toys are, it's your skills as a barista that's going to give the espresso you make its soul, its life. Making espresso is like baking good bread. The more love you give it, the more it gives that love back to you.

[Not A Nice Person]

Geeeez . . . and I'm still using a Krups Cafepresso dual-purpose!

Have to admit it works for me, though---I drink fresh ground coffee during the week, and only use the espresso side on weekends; I like a quad venti latte and AFAIK, I'd need a professional dual head machine to make all four shots at once. WAY to expensive for my budget!

~Boar