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 fishnbanjo |
Espresso.............. |
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Posts: 5651 09/30/2008 14:22 the Canefather |
Awhile back I bought a Gaggia Espresso Deluxe and have been using it but only had a regular blade coffee grinder which really doesn't do well. I finally
got a Rancilio Rocky Grinder and was amazed as to what a shot looks like now, not saying it's perfect but this is a 26 second 2 shot pull..............
banjo
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spruce grouse |
#1 | |||
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Posts: 1113 09/30/2008 15:44 |
Banjo, looks downright Guinness-esque. I'll be over with some cannolis.
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riverfloggin |
#2 | |||
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Posts: 54 09/30/2008 16:12 |
Brewed in a Bialetti?
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asullivangarner |
#3 | |||
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Posts: 530 09/30/2008 23:20 |
I had to see what it was, and what it cost  ...
Is it really 37 times better than my Krups burr grinder? I am very much a coffee snob, but no so much espresso... Educate me please. Later, Andrew 
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fishnbanjo |
#4 | |||
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Posts: 5652 10/01/2008 07:44 the Canefather |
Andrew,
To answer your question simply if you only use your Krups burr grinder to make coffee and the coffee you make is enjoyable to your palate the short answer is no, it's not worth 37 times more. If you make Moka, French Press, Drip, percolated, Espresso and many of the espresso based drinks then the answer is maybe. If you change beans for the various types of coffee making and even go so far as to buy green beans and roast them yourself the answer becomes yes, it is. The Rocky you posted a photo of is a doserless version, i.e. the grounds go directly into the vessel you plan on using them in, mine has a doser which allows you to measure a dose of grounds (there are pros and cons to both types). I purchased mine used from a seller who changed the burrs and found it no longer was capable of grinding his beans fine enough for his espresso and admittedly he wasn't sure he was able to dial the unit back to zero after replacing the burrs, I found directions on how to do this manually and being very mechanically inclined thought it was worth the effort given the price so I bought it and was able to rezero the unit back to factory specifications and am now pulling shots in 23 seconds that are wonderful. The beauty of a grinder like the Rocky is when you grind many types of beans for a variety of coffee based drinks the regulator is so good that simply numbering in the setting for each type of bean or grind will duplicate the experience you hope to achieve but as I said in the beginning if your Krups does this for what you make then be happy with that, if you want to try making good espresso only your palate will tell you if you, your espresso macine and your grinder are up to the challenge. Regards..... banjo
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pvansch1 |
#5 | |||
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Posts: 3986 10/01/2008 07:50 Moderator |
I'm twitching from the caffeine buzz just looking at that espresso.
Pete
Fishing in the rain! |
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asullivangarner |
#6 | |||
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Posts: 531 10/01/2008 12:43 |
fishnbanjo wrote: Thanks for the info. I buy locally roasted beans, and have ordered from Matt, grind daily and drip through a Melitta cone or a Chemex. I roasted beans back in college, when I could get a pound of green beans for under $3/lb and the saving was worth it. I have a Bialetti Mukka Express; she likes if for cappuccinos and lattes. I think it does not brew fast enough, leading to bitterness, thus the reason the for all that sugar... I will say that your picture made my mouth water... 
Later, Andrew
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seattlesetters |
#7 | |||
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Posts: 366 10/01/2008 13:56 |
I have a little espresso bar of my own: 
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fishnbanjo |
#8 | |||
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Posts: 5655 10/01/2008 14:08 the Canefather |
Now that right there is some serious espresso Jones equipment.....
banjo
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seattlesetters |
#9 | |||
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Posts: 367 10/01/2008 14:13 |
fishnbanjo wrote: Yep. Two double ristrettos for me along with a Seattle-style latte' (a wet cappuccino, actually) for the wife, every morning. We have plenty of opportunities for good, fresh beans around here, too. |
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fishnbanjo |
#10 | |||
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Posts: 5656 10/01/2008 14:23 the Canefather |
seattlesetters wrote:Yessir, and that nekkid portafilter gives you your Barista satisfaction viewing fix as well, nice rig. banjo
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seattlesetters |
#11 | |||
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Posts: 368 10/01/2008 15:09 |
It is fun (and informative) to watch each pull. Inside the naked portafilter is an 18g Synesso basket I use for ristrettos of 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 oz.
"triple" shots.
If you look closely...under the portafilter spout on the machine, in the lower left corner of the machine's face, you'll see a tiny bit of the PID controller. |
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fishnbanjo |
#12 | |||
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Posts: 5657 10/01/2008 15:24 the Canefather |
I saw the PID and have contemplated about modifying my Gaggia with one I haven't come to a conclusion as yet but do think about it often.
banjo
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thegubster |
#13 | |||
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Posts: 1384 10/01/2008 21:29 |
Kinda wish I'd never opened this thread. I have the wants but I'm afraid I'm way behind you boys with this stuff. That picture you posted Banjo
makes me drool. And SeattleSetters machine is unreal.
That picture....it's better'n some single malts shots I've seen. Yum!! You do seem to live rather well, ol' chap!
Jeremy...who loves good coffee. |
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fishnbanjo |
I knew this was going to be a good day! | #14 | ||
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Posts: 5665 10/11/2008 10:52 the Canefather |
Found a penny face up this morning when I went for coffee at oh dark thirty (4:30 a.m.) and that's always a good start.... We went to the farmers market in
NH and got some free range pork bacon done the old fashioned dry method which he puts up in vacuum packs then back to ME for the local farmers market where we
picked up a dozen free range eggs, celery, brussel sprouts and walked my Weimaraner Levi. As we were leaving my wife said she wanted to show me the gardens at
Stonewall Kitchen so we took a few minutes to look them over and saw a sign for an employees yard sale so we stopped to check things out.
I spent $9.00 at the yard sale and came away with an Emeril Square Cast Iron Grill Pan which will be great for searing and cooking this winter and a Grimac Baby Grace Expressione Espresso Machine BNIB with 3 baskets, a single, a restricted single and double, 2 porta filters, a measuring scoop, tamper and double spout assembly. After washing it out and preheating the machine and running a few clear shots to preheat the porta filter I pulled my first shot using Illy Beans and it was nice. Let the machine sit for 30 minutes and ground up some Carpe Diem Foggy Morning Beans and pulled my second shot which was pure heaven, I think my Gaggia will be retired! 
banjo
Last Edited By: fishnbanjo 10/11/2008 15:38.
Edited 1 time.
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tiptop |
Viva Bustelo! | #15 | ||
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Posts: 359 10/12/2008 11:37 |
This may be the Montague of expresso makers but it's cheap, reliable, and decidedly low tech. My son's Cuban roommate down in south Florida got my
wife and I started on this brew several years ago. Bustelo is now available in our local grocery store and makes very nice expresso or latte.
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 creakycane |
#16 | |||
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Posts: 1856 10/13/2008 16:56 |
Tiptop - you've got the purist's version of an elegant espresso maker - the "fine bamboo rod" equivalent of coffeemakers, compared to those
high tech, cutting-edge graphite-like automatic contraptions. For 40.00, you can go in and buy one like yours by Bialeti in any Wms Sonoma, get a bag of
Bustelo or can of Pilon - and you'll have a fantastic cup of European-style coffee, like what you find in Spain, France or Italy. Try a litle cinnamon in
with the Bustelo...... Also, rub a bit of Bustelo on your next steak you grill along with salt pepper cumin. Great and cheap pleasure.
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tiptop |
#17 | |||
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Posts: 360 10/14/2008 22:32 |
Creaky -- I'll give those cooking tips a try -- both the coffee and the steak. I'd try the cinnamon in the coffee now but I'd still be awake at 3AM
from the buzz. I'll wait until the AM. Thanks!
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lstshkr |
#18 | |||
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Posts: 207 11/16/2008 00:46 |
I've got no beans to grind on this thread - I just felt bad for it since it has languished for so long without a response. I drink/enjoy espresso, but I
don't have the patience to make it - so, alas, I'm relegated to the coffee shops for my little jolt. I will say that my favorite espresso experience
was at a little sidewalk cafe in Sorrento, Italy - coffee and vanilla gelato on a sunny, pleasant Mediterranean afternoon! I couldn't have manufactured
that in my kitchen.
Interesting thread, guys. Dean D
"I used to be clueless, but I've turned that situation around 360 degrees."
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Boris |
Stream side coffee | #19 | ||
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Posts: 6 07/14/2009 00:02 |
Hardly fancy but the quality of the coffee makes this setup for Turkish coffee surperb almost anywhere, especially right by the stream after several hours
fishing!
Finely milled like flour I can put the required amount of coffee into the heated the water turn off the flame and let it infuse with a light stir. 
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Aransas |
#20 | |||
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Posts: 264 07/14/2009 00:17 |
Boris wrote:This Texas boy can relate to that, Boris. When it comes to coffee, Banjo and Seattle are on an ethereal plane I can't even begin to comprehend. 
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