Another one of my hobbies that started off as a way to save money. LOL
- Thread starter Parker
- Start date
Nice setup, Parker.
What are you going to save money on next? Home brewing?
(I've got two home lever espresso machines at home)
What are you going to save money on next? Home brewing?
(I've got two home lever espresso machines at home)
I've spent maybe $1,500 for espresso equipment (not counting the prior steam toys) including my Silvia, Rocky, PID and Super Jolly. That doesn't even take into account the proceeds from selling my Rocky. I should disclose that my Super Jolly was acquired from a company liquidating retired Starbucks equipment years ago and it only cost me ~$120. While the capital outlay was quite a bit it has saved me in the long run versus 2 lattes out at coffee shops each day.
~$6/day = $2,190/year = $19,710 over the past 9 years (my Silvia is that old).
Even factoring in the cost of reverse osmosis water, organic milk, sweetener, beans, etc it's still a significant net savings for me. As such, there's no sticker shock over spending ~$2,500 to upgrade to one of the dual boilers I'm considering. Just not sure where that money's coming from at the moment...
Even if I wasn't saving money the significant improvement over the majority of coffee shops around here would make it worth it in my opinion. It has only been in the past 6 years or so that a truly good one opened up near me. Of course, that has bitten more into what I have been "saving" versus going out than I'd care to admit.
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Everytime I see pics like this...I want to buy an espresso machine and grinder...my little pour over and french press just don't have the sex appeal...
Whenever I think about the economics of producing a great cup of coffee at home, and consider the inexpensive cost of brewing a great french press, drip/pour-over, aeropress, moka, etc, I question why is all this expensive espresso gear needed? After all, these other more simplistic methods can produce a great cup of coffee that is hard to beat. But later, if only occasionally, I will get the most amazing Espresso/Americano ever and stop questioning those that pursue the ultimate Espresso.
I get a great cup from either my Cuisinart Brewcentral, or my french press. The trick is using good water, and beans, and then decanting into a thermal carafe after brewing.
Clayton
Clayton
+1Everytime I see pics like this...I want to buy an espresso machine and grinder...my little pour over and french press just don't have the sex appeal...
I guess I'm a little more frugal with my Gaggia classic and MDF grinder. I can definately get a good shot of espresso out of it. Its not quite as sexy though. I think of it as kind of the difference between a gillette redtip and president. Both get the job done but one with a little more PANACHE. Congrats nice setup there. Thats a double boiler not a heat exchanger correct?
Aaron
Aaron
Yes, it's a double boiler. When you get upgraditis, I'd suggest upgrading the grinder first. It'll make the biggest difference for the dollar. By the way, I started with almost exactly the same pairing. Gaggia Coffee with MDF.
VERY VERY Nice..
I have a QuickMill Anita Heat Exchanger:
Along with an MCAP M4 Stepless..
Wait till you get into Home Roasting.. I also have a HOTTOP roaster, fresh espresso beans every 10 days !!!... it's NICEEEE !!
I have a QuickMill Anita Heat Exchanger:
Along with an MCAP M4 Stepless..
Wait till you get into Home Roasting.. I also have a HOTTOP roaster, fresh espresso beans every 10 days !!!... it's NICEEEE !!
congrats on the set up. I wish I could taste what a good home brewed cup taste like. More often than not I rn into bitter/burnt coffee at starbucks than I'd like. I try desperatly to find independents and find their coffees are better but more expensive. Your set up is what I eventually would like to arrive at. I've been hinting as such to my wife. Maybe Christmas I'll get one. Again, beautiful set up! Bravo!
Man, I must be in the minority here! Still chugging along with Old Faithful, the little Braun machine that we've had for something like 18 years now. I long ago lost track of how many thousands of shots that little guy has made. We had to replace the carafe after dropping something on it (DOH!) and bought a spare when I found a cheap one. The turbo frother (? - don't know the proper name) actually does a surprisingly good job of frothing milk, too.
