Coffee Appreciation

Sadly I’m not, and the offer expires tomorrow so I’ll most likely bite the bullet and order it anyway, £315 is still a steal.

That you though, assuming you were offering the use of your membership!

Of course,
we're all friends on this forum.

So to complicate matters I’ve just found a pre-2015 Classic 2nd hand, locally to where my parents live, for £70.. it looks in very good nick and is advertised as lightly used. I’d want to do the steam arm upgrade, but that’s not an expensive job.

Call it £100 for the 2nd hand pre-2015 plus the steam arm and some descaled etc to get it all cleaned up vs £315 for the new one... decisions...

I wouldn't buy a new one. But I've been known to pull machines apart and scatter their remnants around the kitchen as offerings for the coffee gods...

Is that based on anything in particular? Assuming the older ones are better made?

I’d be inclined to agree, it’s definitely the case with most things I’ve come across, tools etc.

Nope, no idea what the new ones are like but I can't imagine they've suddenly become bean-brining barista boner beckoners. It's more a case of me preferring to buy used stuff for much less money than new stuff. Do you really want to stick £200 into the pocket of a company when you could use that to nab a good grinder or buy fuckloads of coffee or.. you get the idea.

Yeah fair point well made. 9/10 I’d have made that same decision already - all my bikes are 2nd hand for example.

Was more wondering about any empirical arguments of one machine over the other or any overall reasons to buy a machine new over a used one. Warranty is the main one but they’re so repairable and parts are so readily available it doesn’t seem like such an issue which is unusual for a modern item. Gaggia UK will even do a full service for £85... if I did that I’d still be spending half what the new machine would cost.

Thanks!! Will cycle over this weekend

I think you've answered your own question.

I mean, maybe with a small shove towards the cliff edge... ;)

A used Rancilio Silvia would be an even better idea, not that there’s any on eBay right now, sometimes there’s loads. They’re just really nice quality next to a Gaggia Classic.

I'm on pantoprazole morning and night, mine has improved a bit but that's just down to me managing it ruthlessly... I swig Gaviscon on the regular, my life rules... 😬

I think mine is more stress related than anything else... Had an endoscopy last week, seemed clear so that was reassuring...

Download this...

I'm still coming to terms with the fact that I'm gonna have to give up booze in the near future... That and coffee are the only two things left that cause me problems...

Are they that much better then? I’m really a newb to all this. The classic seems to be the go-to machine as the ideal between pro features, consumer price point and decent build quality, I have seen the Rancilio mentioned but hadn’t really paid it any attention.

I want a decent machine and a decent grinder than can basically grow with me as I improve my brewing skill. I’ve always been a believer in buy the best thing you can afford and buy stuff that’s built to last.

They’re certainly screwed together much better, extraction-wise there might not be much between them but the heavier weight of the Silvia lends itself to better thermal stability which helps consistency. There are a few users here, some may have owned both. I’ll leave them to chime in.

We’re open 27th - 31st Dec then back on 2nd. You’ll be reet.

Thanks mate

I'm still coming to terms with the fact that I'm gonna have to give up booze in the near future...

this, is also my fear - thanks for app linky

Are they that much better then?

Probably not enough to justify the extra outlay compared to the latest Classic, especially now that you don't have to immediately bin and upgrade the Classic steam wand (with a modified Rancilio wand!).

I've the Silvia, have had it for around 10 years at this stage and still going strong. My main complaint would be you can't pour shots back to back consistently. The Classic will have the same problem. I reckon the Sage Dual Boiler will be my next machine but it's quite a bit pricier!

I reckon the Sage Dual Boiler will be my next machine but it's quite a bit pricier!

Have had the Barista Express and it's excellent. Other half has the Barista Pro. Marketing mentions a different way of heating the water that only takes a few seconds, so will be interesting to see if it can keep the temp consistent without two boilers.

Probably a good time to (re)mention I've got a Sage Barista Express for sale. Only selling as two machines seems excessive. £250?

I'm sure this is blasphemy in this thread but can anyone suggest a nice/fancy instant coffee? It's for a present for my housemate who refuses to make proper coffee despite me being more than willing to let him use any of my coffee making stuff.

I'm an 'instant' user. Refill bags of Nescafe ftw. The posh stuff is just as shit but more expensive. https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/nescafe-gold-origins-alta-rica-refill/392782-163946-163947

If you wanna splash out, steal one of those massive office tins from somewhere.

https://www.harrods.com/en-gb/bushido-coffee/24-karat-gold-instant-coffee-100g-p000000000005368195?bcid=F010010070000

Motherfucking GOLD!

Oooft, he's an alright housemate but a bit sloppy on the washing up to justify gold coffee.

Nescafe Gold is still 'gold-ish' :)

It is blasphemy but as it's Christmas...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WuLWwZiIcl0