Coffee Appreciation

I don't know if all higher-end machines come with timers. If not, I use one of those plug-in mechanical timers to switch on my espresso machine so it's ready to go when I get up.

I have a Melitta with a timer and thermal jug.
Keeps plenty warm for hours, even after the first pour it's good for a while.
Not heated so it doesn't ruin the coffee
40g in a filter, 1.2ltr water. Tasty tasty.

I use a Moccamaster and Aeropress, alternating between the two depending on whether it is just for me, or just for me and I want a heart attack. The only issue with the Moccamaster is the suggested quantity of coffee required (anywhere between 40-60g per brew) which is costing me a fortune when 500g of coffee cost €26 a pop (here in northern Italy where specialty coffee, like beer, is something quirky and exotic and therefore eye-wateringly expensive).

For an inexpensive grinder, you could try a Wilfa Svart. Hand grinding (in my opinion) is too much effort when you need more than about 20g of ground coffee (although that doesn't stop my mate in the coffee business from trying to sell me a Comandante on a fortnightly basis).

These seem to the go to people for filter machines (i don't own one but have considered it):

https://technivorm.com/

For a decent electric grinder, Wilfa or Baratza (I have one of these)

https://baratza.com/grinder/encore/

Appreciate neither are budget but likely to last well. £40 grinders only last a couple of years IME.

Does the Baratza Encore grind fine enough for espresso?

I've not used it for espresso and tbh probably wouldn't recommend it for that purpose. Depends on how purist you are.

I have a Eureka mignon and that's excellent for the price.

Yeah, I was looking at the basic Wilfa one, and now the Baratza too but neither seem to be up to spec for espresso. I'm probably going to hang on for an Iberital MC2 second hand as it seems to tick the boxes for me, and it's within my tight budget! But now you've thrown the Eureka mignon into contention - love the look of it. And there seems to have been a few on ebay for reasonable cash too.

I feel like I'm reaching that point - the research event horizon - where I'm just going to get completely stuck trying to choose between 15 different things and I'll find myself unable to choose any of them!

I don't have a Wilfa however I bought one for my sister and it's great for grinding nice beans for pour over or cafetiere. The Baratza is similar; it's an upscale version of a £40 Krups grinder that works better and lasts longer (so far anyway!).

Neither are really a proper espresso grinders but the Eureka definitely is - it's quite different to use than either of the others.

Cheers! That's what i suspected. Iberital MC2 VS Eureka Mignon - first one to show up on ebay for cheap wins, lol.

Another vote for the Mignon -- also very compact, which comes in handy if you don't have a lot of free counter top space. You will have to get down with the whole Weissman distributing thing though, because it's a bit of a clump monster.

Weissman distributing thing

Pray tell?

Google wdt and espresso

You stir the ground coffee with a toothpick or something.

So I finally went to buy a Wilfa Svart grinder and they are sold out everywhere. I guess people brewing at home and created a high demand.
I know they arnt sold out everywhere, but I wanted to buy one through a small company I actually like, instead of some big online retailer.

What about pact? They seem to have it in stock, not sure if they're small enough a business though...

They have some models in stock here (prices are ex VAT though): https://www.coffeeomega.co.uk/shop/?s=wilfa

I bought a Comandante from them a month or so ago and their customer service was pretty good.

Quick shout out to @StevePeel- got my YB order today and the Ethiopian is a banger

Ah cheers. Glad you’re enjoying it.

^I am about 6 months into trying different coffees from various roasters after years drinking the odd mediocre brew. I'm Northants based and so I may be biased, but the Hambella from YBCR is/has been the stand out for me, it is absolutely delicious.

Any coffee order discount codes kicking about?

doaskid gets you a discount at yellow bourbon :)

Lolol. Is that @StevePeel 's place?

Used commercial ones off ebay or coffee forums.

Just into my first cup of the Ethiopian. It is very nice and the tasting blurb is bang on. All of your tasting blurbs are pretty bang on - it makes is really easy when selecting beans. Really appreciated.

The Coffee Scene in Bristol is so great, my hometown and also the home to my favourite Roaster ever, Triple Co Roast.

https://www.triplecoroast.com/

(I dont work for him, but do work for a different, London based Roaster...)