Coffee Appreciation

I'm drinking this right now - quite liking it.

But I don't really need any more.

I tried it as espresso & milk based but it didn't work for me.

I am sure it'll work well as filter or maybe cold brew. I know @Cazakstan likes it.

I'd love this if it's still going? Ta

You can have it - slide in my DMs

Yesh it's good as black V60 and aeropress.

Only just opened the 2nd YB bargain basement coffee, the blend/mix bag... really tasty in the Aeropress - Thanks again @StevePeel

Recommendations needed. My 30th is coming up and can’t think of anything I want / need more than a nice espresso maker (have dipped my toe with a cheap machine we got gifted, am now ready for a proper one).

I’ve been looking at the Sage Barista Express, looks like a decent machine with handy features.

Any other recommendations in the sub £500 category? Could be similar to the sage or just a ‘dumb’ espresso maker, I’m not decided one way or the other yet. Cheers!

Pleased with my Sage Barista Express if you want something decent with minimal fuss.
I'm sure there are better or cheaper out there but this seems to cover pretty good, pretty simple, pretty reasonably priced.

Obligatory lever machine recommendation: https://www.lapavoni.com/en/product/europiccola-en/

Pros:

• Simple, completely mechanical bar a heating element and pressure-stat.
  
• As a result, fewer parts to go wrong and a cheaper machine in the first place.
  
• Servicing means replacing a couple of gaskets and that's it.
  
• No water pump means quiet operation.
  
• Personally, I'm a big fan the aesthetics too.
  
  

Cons:

• The amount of pressure to apply to the lever is another variable to throw into the dialling in process (personally I think that's a factor that's usually blown out of proportion, with lever machines seemingly solely being targeted at 'experienced users'.
  
• If you're wanting to make more than 4 or 5 drinks in quick succession, you'll want the 'Professional' model, with a 1.6L boiler as opposed to the 0.8L one in the model above. I imagine this will come with a longer warm-up time (around 10 minutes for the standard model)
  
• Edit: Very much at the opposite end of the spectrum as the Sage Barista Express, you will need to factor in the cost of a grinder with this as opposed to the Sage.
  

The 9Barista project might be an option if you’re happy with one at a time. I’m looking forward to getting mine in November (ish).

I’ve also just noticed that Gaggia have just updated the ubiquitous ‘Classic’ model this year, the full set with the grinder and knock box is only £100 more than the Sage.. I’m guessing its got a good reputation for a reason, don’t know if the updated model is worth it over the previous model though, or if it’s been out long enough to be well proven.

I’ll have a look at 9barista, re: lever machines - if it were just me I’d consider it for sure, but it’s probably a bit too much aggro / effort for my other half and ideally I’d like her to be able to use whatever we buy as well. That is one thing that drew me toward the sage to start with.

Definitely takes my horse out of the race, two or more people would take too much time and effort.

To be honest I don't see how that 9Barista monstrum would be less of a faff than the Pavoni..

Hm

• space considerations
  
• price
  
• skill
  
• maintenance
  

Hard to go wrong with a Classic tbh.

My only criticism is a very recent one - if I adjust the pressure right down, I’m talking 6 bar or lower, it then doesn’t hold any steam pressure either. So you can’t do any of this current experimental stuff pulling espresso at ultra low pressure if you like steamed milky drinks as well, because it’s one or the other!

Have to disagree with the maintenance point (also I imagine at retail price it could well be more expensive). The 9Barista machine looks great don't get me wrong, but I'd be surprised if it were more reliable than the Europiccola, and that's before getting into availability of spares if required!

Looking forward to hearing about the 9Barista when you get your hands on it. I don't know why, but despite the fact that I only drink espresso from my machine, it doesn't really appeal to me. I think it's the irrational comparison to a Moka pot that I can't get past.

I have no experience with home espresso machines but we regularly hear of maintenance woes on this thread, everything from pressure issues, to nothing coming out, to electrical shorts, or whatever. I imagine maintenance on the 9Barista would be no different to a moka pot.
Hey, and I like moka pot muck!

I was just replying to your post directly above mine, adressing the time and effort aspect.

I love my Classic, did all the usual upgrades and I've gotta say it's still performing really well... Can't remember when I bought it, gotta be at least seven years now...

Maybe buy a separate grinder? That's where you'll really notice the difference... Don't know much about the Gaggia ones, are they any good?

I've got the Gaggia grinder. Seems to work well once you've got them it dialed in.

I've thought of upgrading but then just think 'why'?

Cheap one here...

True, if it works it works... I went all out and got a Mahlkonig Vario as my first grinder, it's fantastic so no need to upgrade!

Same. I got mine off hippy probably 9 years ago, God knows how he had it before me. Despite a couple of seals needing replacing and a fix of the steam valve it is still performing brilliantly.

I’ll be completely honest, I just want a machine that will pull a cracking double shot, I’m probably unlikely to be doing any crazy stuff with if. I mostly drink Americanos, but if I had a proper machine with a steam wand I’d definitely start trying my hand at some milk coffees.

Fuck me, coffee in Brussels- hard Brexit now.