Do you like coffee?

No more Keurig for me. Love my Nespresso machine.

Funnily enough I have always found my old Moka pot to produce really bitter coffee (possibly down to my incompetence) so I rarely used it. I got rid of it as I now have an induction hob and it doesn't work.

Strictly V60 brews for me and I've recently acquired a second hand espresso machine with advice from a very helpful FC forum member. It's taken a while but I've finally dialled in the grind and timing to produce lovely shots

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Bazinga said:

No more Keurig for me. Love my Nespresso machine.

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I bought a Keurig (new) on an Amzn good Friday deal or some such. On the 3rd (!) cup, things went to shit. Returned, and eventually got some cheap 1-cupper from Amzn (which uses the Keurig system, but also allows for the generic-style basket where you can put your own ground coffee in and bypass those plastic pods.

Sometimes, I'll even make 2 (or 3!) cups in a day. But the one-cuppers do the job for me.
Yes, I do realize this is blasphemy for those who have the really nice espresso machines. I like espresso. I just don't like the work that goes into it. 3min or so to a cup of hot coffee is about my patience limit. And I ain't payin' $8 / cup at Sbux (I always request the extra shot, if I'm desperate enough to enter a Starbucks or some such.

Now, tea? I'll actually go to the trouble of using a tea kettle, and using loose-leaf (in a 'baller', as I call it). My DDW was a tea nut, and it transferred to me before she passed. I suppose there are machines for that, too, but the fact that I'm not using the convenient tea bags s/b proof enuf that I at least make some effort, there. (and, yes, there was an obvious (?) joke I could've made there; I declined).

Bakin4Life said:

I bought a Keurig (new) on an Amzn good Friday deal or some such. On the 3rd (!) cup, things went to shit. Returned, and eventually got some cheap 1-cupper from Amzn (which uses the Keurig system, but also allows for the generic-style basket where you can put your own ground coffee in and bypass those plastic pods.

Sometimes, I'll even make 2 (or 3!) cups in a day. But the one-cuppers do the job for me.
Yes, I do realize this is blasphemy for those who have the really nice espresso machines. I like espresso. I just don't like the work that goes into it. 3min or so to a cup of hot coffee is about my patience limit. And I ain't payin' $8 / cup at Sbux (I always request the extra shot, if I'm desperate enough to enter a Starbucks or some such.

Now, tea? I'll actually go to the trouble of using a tea kettle, and using loose-leaf (in a 'baller', as I call it). My DDW was a tea nut, and it transferred to me before she passed. I suppose there are machines for that, too, but the fact that I'm not using the convenient tea bags s/b proof enuf that I at least make some effort, there. (and, yes, there was an obvious (?) joke I could've made there; I declined).

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I never drink espresso. To me it's a waste of time. Now don't go on the attack. Many of my friends enjoy espresso, it's just not for me. Unfortunately, I feel as though I have to defend myself with every post I make to avoid the BS including personal attacks that some people post here( not in this particular thread). My wife doesn't drink coffee so a one cup brewing system works great for me. Easy peasy to use.

Not much of Starbucks fan. Too bitter for me. I am a fan of Dunkin Donuts. Love their coffee.

I dunno if Sbux makes different brews for different areas of the country, but DD does.

At DD, it's all 'regular' (but in the midwest here, it's more acidic than, say, on the east coast. As for the other regional blends, I only know that if you order a 'regular' on the east coast (esp. in the Boston area, where DD is based)... you get a cup with cream / sugar already added in.

(on edit: W/ regard to your other observation... don't sweat it. (and don't mention it here, please) LMAO

Bakin4Life said:

I dunno if Sbux makes different brews for different areas of the country, but DD does.

At DD, it's all 'regular' (but in the midwest here, it's more acidic than, say, on the east coast. As for the other regional blends, I only know that if you order a 'regular' on the east coast (esp. in the Boston area, where DD is based)... you get a cup with cream / sugar already added in.

(on edit: W/ regard to your other observation... don't sweat it. (and don't mention it here, please) LMAO

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I wasn't aware about that DD did this on a regional basis.

wawa hazelnut for my daily driver but do enjoy coffee collective https://coffeecollective.dk/ when the fancy bone tickles me

I'll start off by stating that this is MY opinion and can offer some advice. I have been drinking coffee for a very long time, and Espresso for about 20 years.

The way I see it, Coffee is very much like Cannabis. I started off, 1. trying to save money, and 2. figuring out what were the quickest best tasting options. Most of us are on this site because we realize that combusting is not the healthiest way to consume. We spend a lot of time and money trying the best and healthiest way to consume cannabis. No different with coffee.

Coffee just like cannabis, has varying levels of quality. Also freshness plays a big part. In my years of doing this, I have found out that where you get the beans (freshness, roast levels, where it was grown and how it was dried, is it moldy?) plays a big part. See the connection? So once you figure this out then you pay more attention to what you are putting in your body and what machine/process is best for you.

Espresso (it means fast in Italian) is just a way of extracting the goodness from the beans and my favorite. Kind of like using a TED or preferring to use something else. I use a Kalita drip 155 when I travel to drink coffee since I can't take my heavy machine with me. A grinder is probably one of the most important parts of the process for cannabis, and exactly the same for coffee. I use a good burr grinder both for travel and home use. Did you know that once you grind the coffee, it begins to degrade? Just like cannabis or say an orange. (have you ever cut one open and leave it out exposed to air. what happens? it gets hard). Knowing this I grind right before I brew. Also a good grinder helps extract the coffee properly whether it's using a machine or dripper or mocha pot etc. I would spend as much as possible on this.

Since I don't grow cannabis yet, when I purchase it I check when it was grown and packed. I try to get it as fresh as possible so that I am consuming the best. I also buy organic regeneratively grown (one of the perks of living in CA). No different with coffee. Personally I roast my own now, but before I would go to where it was roasted within the week. Did you know that coffee after it's been roasted, it lasts for about 1 month and then it begins to degrade fast? Also depending on where you get it, coffee is known to have mold. Gross. I would never vape moldy cannabis, the same applies to coffee. One of the reasons I now roast and buy my green coffee from reputable companies. (Sweet Marias is a good option for those wondering).

Now on to extraction. Would you use a plastic device to vape? I know Vapman for example has a POM mouthpiece and I don't use it because it's plastic. Plastic and heat do not mix. Same with espresso/coffee machines. The metal ones are more expensive (just like a titanium Tempest). But they don't have plastic and is one of the reasons you spend more. Plus they last longer and the parts are replaceable. I also stay away from aluminum. I won't go into that but as you can tell, health is something that plays a big part in the process and my life.

If you want to change or look into getting something better, this is my advice. I have never bought any of my machines new. I've had several over the years. They are very expensive and I can't afford them. I have always bought used and fixed them up etc. and then I sell them to upgrade. I have had some amazing machines in my time and have settled with the Cremina Lever which is very expensive new. Mine is a 1988 model and I bought it locally off of craigslist at like 1/4 the price. Well within my price range and I have an all metal machine that I will give to my son when I pass. Seriously they last forever and are simple to work on. Parts are available and not expensive. Especially if you consider the cost of a cup of coffee. Do the math. $5 a day for a year is $1820. A brand new Quickmil Andreja Premium (which I owned one for about 5 years and is an amazing machine) costs $1850 new now. I recently bought a used one that needs work and an older model for $320. I'll probably spend about one to two hundred on parts but now have a machine that will last many years. This one is for my daughter and boyfriend. They realized the Breville they have is full of plastic and wanted a better option. They are selling that machine for more than what the used one costs.

Hope this long post helps someone and please reach out to me if you want some help. Figured this is one of the ways I can pay it forward to those that have helped me out here.

Thanks and sorry for the long post.

good advice and yeah when i want a good cup i'll get fresh beans from producer i like, keep em stored proper, grind amount needed for the french press and enjoy my brew.. i like to keep it simple

Jess said:

Thanks and sorry for the long post.

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I hate you. :: j/k, of course... lol. If that piece of rolling artwork that's your avatar is yours, we would be fast friends.

Why do 'He Hate Me' ? (and I know you're old enuf to remember that)
Because there's SO much good info for someone like me. And now there's gonna be more complexity in my life. Searching equipment, looking for the deal. Then, the beans. SO much to cover... LMAO

I'll share a personal note... when my wife was with us (many years ago, now), she wanted to get a coffeemaker that had a burr grinder built in, and asked my advice about it, given the expense compared to ones without the grinder. Of course, she had done her homework (cause she knew I'd do it for her, by that point, and she knew I was a 'bring me solutions, not problems' person). And at the time, we would hit Starbucks when out / about.

Told her I was going to enjoy the hell out of that coffee when I came over (we maintained separate domiciles). And I sure did. Fresh ground beans? How could I not?

I didn't have it in me to keep the thing when she passed. (no condolences required; TY)

And now you're (collectively) going to make me a coffee nut, all over again.
Damn you all... to HELL! (typed on my knees, looking at my totally non-descript one cupper (that's totally outlasted the Keurig POS)

(on edit: I just reread your post, and you fix & sell these things. I'm in flyover country, but would love to commission you for a machine (at a profit, of course). PM me, as I'll happily pay for you to source / rebuild / ship one to me. Seriously. Thank you again.

LMBO, Bakin4life, now you'e going to hate me even more. It's mine and consider me your friend. It's a 1946 Chevy Fleetmaster Coupe mostly original 6v. If you're in CA ever please reach out. I'd let you drive it.

Thanks for sharing. I can't imagine being without my wife. Sounds like you know what you're doing so yeah, it'll take a bit of research but the deals are out there. I set up alerts on Craigslist for certain machines and it alerts me the minute they come up. Better chance of getting a good deal. feebay even has some good stuff sometimes.

The one cupper is fine. I use one on vacation and love the cup it produces. Coffee beans if you have a Whole Foods nearby, has fresh coffee sometimes. I stopped looking when I began roasting. Actually, let me know when you're ready and I can send you some. I have some great South American and African beans right now.

Yes, I realized after I offered the commish, that I could probably do the same (minus the 'sell' part).
And we have similar habits, wrt our local Craigslist and finding deals on things we want (just did a deal a couple of days ago on something I'd been looking for). So maybe I just need some names from you, not a whole damned machine. And a good parts source or two.

My apologies for the vulgarities in the prior post; I noticed you used 'LMBO', and 'B' ain't for 'balls'. So I'll try and keep that in mind when I have direct comms w/ you.

On further edit: 'Drive'? If you ever want to 'Sell', add me to your potential buyer's list.

if you heard me speak, there's f bombs and other colorful language. I use it cause my family uses it so no problem here.

Good machines to consider or have as alerts (quckmill, rancillio, Olympia, rocket,) espressoparts.com, chriscoffee.com (ny) espressocare.com and checkout home-barista.com, tons of information on every machine and they have a buy/sell section where I've bought lots of things.

Haha, I thought you would like the drive part. hmm, I'll let you know. I would consider it if I came across an old Porsche. I think that's my next car. I can't keep both, wife orders. actually if you find an old Porsche, buy it and we can trade :-)

Perfect_Speed4069 said:

Turns out the Brikka version of the traditional Moka pot is significantly less likely to over extract. Apparently versions of this have been kicking round since the 70s but Bialeti found most Italians had grown to love the taste of overextracted coffees.

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I have had a Venus (4 cups), now have a new Venus (6 cups) and also a moka (10 cups).
The Venus makes excellent coffe. A lot better than the Moka. Maybe because they're stainless steel and have a greater inertia ? I always let the lid open when it's heating and infusing. I only close the lid if we're a few to drink and need to serve several cups.
Also, I always use lightly roasted beans and I grind to the coarser that would be acceptable for an expresso.
And I lightly over fill the water tank. Just at the top part of the pressure valve.

To me the beans make the biggest difference and I don't find my coffee over-extracted. (Except in the moka).

Jess said:

I'll start off by stating that this is MY opinion and can offer some advice. I have been drinking coffee for a very long time, and Espresso for about 20 years.

The way I see it, Coffee is very much like Cannabis. I started off, 1. trying to save money, and 2. figuring out what were the quickest best tasting options. Most of us are on this site because we realize that combusting is not the healthiest way to consume. We spend a lot of time and money trying the best and healthiest way to consume cannabis. No different with coffee.

Coffee just like cannabis, has varying levels of quality. Also freshness plays a big part. In my years of doing this, I have found out that where you get the beans (freshness, roast levels, where it was grown and how it was dried, is it moldy?) plays a big part. See the connection? So once you figure this out then you pay more attention to what you are putting in your body and what machine/process is best for you.

Espresso (it means fast in Italian) is just a way of extracting the goodness from the beans and my favorite. Kind of like using a TED or preferring to use something else. I use a Kalita drip 155 when I travel to drink coffee since I can't take my heavy machine with me. A grinder is probably one of the most important parts of the process for cannabis, and exactly the same for coffee. I use a good burr grinder both for travel and home use. Did you know that once you grind the coffee, it begins to degrade? Just like cannabis or say an orange. (have you ever cut one open and leave it out exposed to air. what happens? it gets hard). Knowing this I grind right before I brew. Also a good grinder helps extract the coffee properly whether it's using a machine or dripper or mocha pot etc. I would spend as much as possible on this.

Since I don't grow cannabis yet, when I purchase it I check when it was grown and packed. I try to get it as fresh as possible so that I am consuming the best. I also buy organic regeneratively grown (one of the perks of living in CA). No different with coffee. Personally I roast my own now, but before I would go to where it was roasted within the week. Did you know that coffee after it's been roasted, it lasts for about 1 month and then it begins to degrade fast? Also depending on where you get it, coffee is known to have mold. Gross. I would never vape moldy cannabis, the same applies to coffee. One of the reasons I now roast and buy my green coffee from reputable companies. (Sweet Marias is a good option for those wondering).

Now on to extraction. Would you use a plastic device to vape? I know Vapman for example has a POM mouthpiece and I don't use it because it's plastic. Plastic and heat do not mix. Same with espresso/coffee machines. The metal ones are more expensive (just like a titanium Tempest). But they don't have plastic and is one of the reasons you spend more. Plus they last longer and the parts are replaceable. I also stay away from aluminum. I won't go into that but as you can tell, health is something that plays a big part in the process and my life.

If you want to change or look into getting something better, this is my advice. I have never bought any of my machines new. I've had several over the years. They are very expensive and I can't afford them. I have always bought used and fixed them up etc. and then I sell them to upgrade. I have had some amazing machines in my time and have settled with the Cremina Lever which is very expensive new. Mine is a 1988 model and I bought it locally off of craigslist at like 1/4 the price. Well within my price range and I have an all metal machine that I will give to my son when I pass. Seriously they last forever and are simple to work on. Parts are available and not expensive. Especially if you consider the cost of a cup of coffee. Do the math. $5 a day for a year is $1820. A brand new Quickmil Andreja Premium (which I owned one for about 5 years and is an amazing machine) costs $1850 new now. I recently bought a used one that needs work and an older model for $320. I'll probably spend about one to two hundred on parts but now have a machine that will last many years. This one is for my daughter and boyfriend. They realized the Breville they have is full of plastic and wanted a better option. They are selling that machine for more than what the used one costs.

Hope this long post helps someone and please reach out to me if you want some help. Figured this is one of the ways I can pay it forward to those that have helped me out here.

Thanks and sorry for the long post.

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Wow. Impressive. Althogh I've never understood the concept of espresso. I know it's the favorite of many. For me, in the morning when reading the newspaper I enjoy a full cup of coffee. Is espresso for a fast pick me up during the day? What would you say is the appeal?