The perfect Espresso

[Bruno]

A day is not complete without a good cup of espresso, so in pursuit of perfection I have decided to look into the "uptown" options. As with most things in life the best ain't cheap... so the considerations are - single group vs. two group, (anything more than 2 group is way too large), traditional or semi-automatic, and brand.

I have a couple contenders in mind;
single group -
http://www.rancilio.com/images/caffespresso/tradizionali/s24eng.htm

two group -
http://www.cimbali.com/en/view_prdct-b.asp?prod=m32class&lang=ENG#

any opinions?

Bruno.

 

[Ho]

i'd go with the 2 group. in case i go visit you, i dont' want to be waiting for my espresso.

 

[Bruno]

" i dont' want to be waiting for my espresso."

Well Ho... fear not, even with the single group "guests of honor" are always served first.

Now if both you and JL showed up... well...

Bruno.

 

[Dan Ratcliffe]

Single works best for me

 

[Jaime]

Single works best for me

The advantage of that pot is it works while taking a break on a wheeling trip. It's always with us on Pine Barrens night runs.

For home use I have a $200 Krups. Its not bad, but if I grind the coffee too fine, or put too much in, the seal around the handle thing doesn't hold, and weak coffee leaks out the side

So a high end espresso maker would definitely be worth the expense.

My favorite espresso coffee is a cuban style espresso by Mayorga.

http://www.jrcigars.com/index.cfm?page=coffee_mayorga&details_view=1&mayo_item=MYGCCC

 

[Bruno]

Here is a nice start to the pursuit of perfection, reasonably priced, fully automatic, and a good step above the more commonly seen household units.

Bruno.

 

[Dan Ratcliffe]

The advantage of that pot is it works while taking a break on a wheeling trip. It's always with us on Pine Barrens night runs.

It is usually the thing I do right after I unfold my chair on my trips. African or indonesian coffees, depending on my mood are my favorites. They have to be served black though. Can't stand smothering the bean.

 

[Andrew Homan]

Go with the 2 group. remember good espresso is not made its created with love and dedication. or is that marriage?

 

[Mike_Rupp]

I've had my eye on the La Pavoni for a long time, but it seems like Rover stuff gets priority.

 

[dent]

a friend has a resturant type expresso machine which is great similar to the ones you're looking at.. the thing he bitchs about constantly is the need for it to be on all the time to keep the water heated. one thing he's done is to boil up some water and then dump it in before he uses it which speeds up the warming of the water time
good luck
sam
he's got a gaggia if that helps at all

 

[QCNR]

Bialetti best there is for making espresso
Save your money and let the stockbrokers buy these fancy machines to go with
their Elle Decoration kitchens that dont get used.
So save your money and get good coffee...

 

[Bruno]

So save your money and get good coffee...

Good point Quentin... a good brew starts with a quality bean.

Bruno.

 

[KEJ]

I love it when you boys show your softer sides.......

KJ

 

[Jamooche]

My uncle has dozens of espresso machines. He currently uses a model made by the company Eli. The key factor is the pumping power. You want a strong pump to get the water through the grounds as fast as possible.

My mother has one of the Pavoni hand pump models. I have the Starbucks Barrista model which I got on sale. I think it works really well and was cheap compared to the Italian models.

 

[Bruno]

I have the Starbucks Barrista model which I got on sale. I think it works really well and was cheap compared to the Italian models.

Ah yes... good choice Jamil, it's actually a Saeco made for Starbucks.

Bruno.

 

[JSQ]

Bruno,

You're not the type to mess around when it comes to serious business such as this.

We recently entertained a lengthy discussion on my birdhunting/shotgun bbs on this very topic with many learned and well qualified preferences submitted. Among the opinions voiced that I value the most is that of Wayne Nish the head chef of March in NYC and the first American challenger on Iron Chef (he lost to Sakai-san in the apple battle, no shame there). Mr. Nish's impeccable taste in shotguns matches his culinary expertise. Wayne and those who know agree:

http://www.illyusa.com/AB1666000/showdetl.cfm?Product_ID=813

A stovetop pot if well managed just might match the modern machinery but if consistent perfection is your aim accept no substitute.

 

[D Chapman]

You people crack me up....You can't beat the 7-11 coffee. I get one every morning on the way to the office, mainly just to talk with the "regulars" that seem to hang out at the 7-11 at 7:30 in the morning. There's nothing like a large cup of 7-11 coffee before I head off to the Toto to relax and read a bit of LRM.

 

[Bruno]

Jack,

I knew it was only a matter of time and your good taste would show up here in this thread, the Pasquini Livia 90, a long time favorite of mine, self-priming, elegant stainless
case... nice, not a comercial, but waaay up there.

Bruno.

 

[Jaime]

You people crack me up....You can't beat the 7-11 coffee. I get one every morning on the way to the office, mainly just to talk with the "regulars" that seem to hang out at the 7-11 at 7:30 in the morning. There's nothing like a large cup of 7-11 coffee before I head off to the Toto to relax and read a bit of LRM.

Dan..Dan...Dan....

Remind me the next time I see you to give you a cup of cuban cofee.....you'll probably curse me out 'cause you'll never be satisfied by anything else.

 

[D Chapman]

Dan..Dan...Dan....

Remind me the next time I see you to give you a cup of cuban cofee.....you'll probably curse me out 'cause you'll never be satisfied by anything else.

When I worked in Atlanta, I had a friend from Bosnia. I don't know what type of coffee it was, but they served it in little cups, almost like a kids tea set size cup. It was loaded with sugar, but it was damn good. I drunk about 4 of those and we went to "Mommas Country Showcase", a bar off I-285 on the out skirts of Atlanta. Even after being up and working all day, and hanging out at Mommas till 3am, I still could not sleep that night.