Instant Starbucks

[flyfisher11]

Mike what is your opinion on Saeco machines? My father in law gave me a Saeco Magic Deluxe that he had on his boat (sold the boat and already had one in his house). I used and abused the hell out of that machine and it made pretty good coffee. We had a house fire in December and it got totalled so I upgraded to the Saeco Royal Coffee Bar since insurance was paying for it. I like it thus far. Just curious if you have an opinion on these.

Cheers,

Mike

 

[Mike_Rupp]

Mike, I really don't have any worthwhile experience with espresso machines. I had a Krups POS back in college that made the absolute worst tasting stuff on the planet. I'm sure that I didn't help things either.

Saeco has a decent reputation. I think Alton Brown used one on his espresso show on Good Eats. Everything I've read about making good espresso states that the grinder is that absolute most critical piece of equipment. Most people usually go the other way and buy a really nice espresso machine and then cheap out on the grinder.

The issue for me is that while I really like espresso, its not something that I'd drink on a daily basis. It's more of a special occasion drink or something that I slam down and be on my way. That along with the fact that within 15 minutes of my house, I can get an espresso that would be superior to anything that I could ever hope to make at home makes it tough to fork over $2,000 or so for a nice grinder and machine.

 

[MUSKYMAN]

I had a saeco for 15 years then Starbucks bought the rights to it and started calling it the Barista...LOL

was a great unit till the crappy water at my house did it in a few years ago...it made what I would call great espresso...but then again thats just my opinion.

 

[pclawson]

for camping/traveling, the aeropress is hard to beat. http://www.aerobie.com/Products/aeropress_story.htm In fact, I haven't used my drip pot in over a year. If I'm not using my expresso machine, I'm using the aeropress. It makes awesome americanos. I agree on SB: over roasted beans. Intelligentsia's black cat expresso blend is really good. I usually order my beans from counter culture coffee in Durham NC. I have them shipped standard ground and get them the day after they are roasted; looks like honey coming out of the porta filter.