I grind with a huge, heavy Anfim that has a doser. It lists for a high price, but I got it used from 1st-line for $200 many years ago, where it was a demo. Some plastic was broken off, but not enough to affect the grind. I usually make one or two shots, so a doser is not necessary, but I got used to using a brush, so I brush it out completely and don't leave any grinds in the doser.
I also got an unusual deal for my HX machine, a Magister, made in the same factory as Rancilio, but branded differently by a member of the Rancilio family. It lists for over 2K, but I paid $800, including shipping. I've had it for 9 years already. My secret for the longevity is to keep it clean and not spill water when I pour it in the tank (the electric relay is below the water tank on my early model!). I also use only distilled water, so I don't have to deal with calcification or use a salt-based filter. I got the Magister on Ebay and no one else bid for it, so I got it at the starting price.
If you wonder how I got good deals on both grinder and HX machine, the answer is time. While looking for these machines, I became addicted to looking at internet deals for the best stuff at low prices. Don't expect immediate success in finding great bargains. (The same applies to razors, etc.) Eventually, something comes along. You have to actually enjoy hunting for new websites, private sales, demos, and deals.
I also roast my own and mostly use a corn popper that I got at a thrift shop for around $5, then modified to give me switchable cold fan and hot fan, to control the temp, instead of on and off.
I also got an unusual deal for my HX machine, a Magister, made in the same factory as Rancilio, but branded differently by a member of the Rancilio family. It lists for over 2K, but I paid $800, including shipping. I've had it for 9 years already. My secret for the longevity is to keep it clean and not spill water when I pour it in the tank (the electric relay is below the water tank on my early model!). I also use only distilled water, so I don't have to deal with calcification or use a salt-based filter. I got the Magister on Ebay and no one else bid for it, so I got it at the starting price.
If you wonder how I got good deals on both grinder and HX machine, the answer is time. While looking for these machines, I became addicted to looking at internet deals for the best stuff at low prices. Don't expect immediate success in finding great bargains. (The same applies to razors, etc.) Eventually, something comes along. You have to actually enjoy hunting for new websites, private sales, demos, and deals.
I also roast my own and mostly use a corn popper that I got at a thrift shop for around $5, then modified to give me switchable cold fan and hot fan, to control the temp, instead of on and off.