Recommend A Set-Up, Please

fintan

Hi Everyone

I've been living in Spain for the last 3 months (lucky me) and myself and the missus have become very partial to the Cafe Con Leche our local cafe serves.

I know have to move to the isle of man, so to console ourselves we have agreed to invest in a coffee machine, foamer, grinder etc.

We have approximately a 1k budget and want to get ourselves a complete set-up that will last us for the ages.

The choice of machines is bewildering, what should we be looking for, what would you recommend and any help appreciated.

Cheers
Fintan

fintan

To get the ball rolling, what do people think of this:

http://www.italy-outlet.com/en/i/cat63/product665127.html

To me it looks fantastic, but is it any good? Is there better out there?

Cheers
Fintan

Slaphead07

fintan wrote: »

To get the ball rolling, what do people think of this:

http://www.italy-outlet.com/en/i/cat63/product665127.html

To me it looks fantastic, but is it any good? Is there better out there?

Cheers
Fintan

they're great and that's pretty much the setup I have (but with a smaller version of that coffee machine). The only thing is that it's not for people unused to making coffee.. they are fiddly, difficult and require a lot of maintenance. Getting the grind and tamping right for that machine takes a bit of experience too not to mention learning the knack of 'pulling' a good shot. Get yourself a good grinder (burr, not blades) and a straightforward Gaggia Classic or similar machine.

fintan

Slaphead07 wrote: »

they're great and that's pretty much the setup I have (but with a smaller version of that coffee machine). The only thing is that it's not for people unused to making coffee.. they are fiddly, difficult and require a lot of maintenance. Getting the grind and tamping right for that machine takes a bit of experience too not to mention learning the knack of 'pulling' a good shot. Get yourself a good grinder (burr, not blades) and a straightforward Gaggia Classic or similar machine.

Fair point, I've been reading the review on coffeegeek and it does seem to be an expert only machine. However, they mention thisbad boy quiet alot and it seems to be a more well rounded machine:

http://www.coffeeitalia.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=f-elektra

What do you think? The eagle on top had me at hello!

Slaphead07

fintan wrote: »

What do you think? The eagle on top had me at hello!

It is art. Pure art. It is also the very same system as the first machine with all the same problems. Maybe buy one of those for show and have a Gaggia for coffee?:D

llatsni

You'd get better results in the short to medium term with this:
http://www.coffeeitalia.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=SET-RANCILIO

fintan

Slaphead07 wrote: »

It is art. Pure art. It is also the very same system as the first machine with all the same problems. Maybe buy one of those for show and have a Gaggia for coffee?:D

I dont think our kitchen would be big enough

fintan

llatsni wrote: »

You'd get better results in the short to medium term with this:
http://www.coffeeitalia.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=SET-RANCILIO

Fair point, decent looking machine, I'll google for reviews.

Have you any experience with it?

hshortt

I'm using the Rancilio and it's a great machine. I'm not alone either

donnacha

I'm a rancilio user and the rocky and the silvia will come well in under your budget - with plenty of money to buy some fresh beans

When you to decide of your purchase avoid coffeeitalia.co.uk - I almost bought from them earlier this year but fortunately some fellow boards members warned me off them.

alastair

I'm using a Silvia too - with a PID set-up. The PID removes the need for some of the jiggery-pokery to get accurate temperature cycling etc. Its provided lots of good espressos and cappuccinos (as well as rotten ones - there's a learning curve regardless what machine you opt for) over the last year. I'd endorse this product/newsletter.

Gran Hermano

Another vote for the Silvia
I'm using mine with an Iberital MC2 grinder and am very happy with it.

Kannon

i have the same setup as Gran Hermano. Another happy customer here.
as Alistair says there is a learning curve, and mine has been steep. I haven't invested in a PID yet. Christmas is coming...

donnacha

sorry to jump the thread but would anyone considering offering services to PID my silvia???

fintan

Has anyone had any problems using the silvia making milky coffee?

I've been reading some comments about the single shared boiler and waiting around for the temperature change etc

The comments are on coffeegeeks.com ut a lot of those guys seem pretty hardcore so I dont know how fussy they are or if its a real issue.

Comments appreciated

Cheers
Fintan

alastair

fintan wrote: »

Has anyone had any problems using the silvia making milky coffee?

I've been reading some comments about the single shared boiler and waiting around for the temperature change etc

The comments are on coffeegeeks.com ut a lot of those guys seem pretty hardcore so I dont know how fussy they are or if its a real issue.

Comments appreciated

Cheers
Fintan

No problems with waiting for the steam here - pull the espresso, wash out the portafilter with a bit o hot water, switch to the steamer, get milk from fridge and pour in jug, run off any water to steam at 130 degrees, put milk bottle back in fridge, steam at 140 degrees - no real waiting involved - maybe a minute at most? It might get a bit messier with multiple coffees, but for one or two it's grand.

alastair

donnacha wrote: »

sorry to jump the thread but would anyone considering offering services to PID my silvia???

I've done it on my missus's, and at a pinch would help you out with yours, but finding the time is a problem for the next few weeks. So if you're not in a rush, I could be your man.

fintan

alastair wrote: »

No problems with waiting for the steam here - pull the espresso, wash out the portafilter with a bit o hot water, switch to the steamer, get milk from fridge and pour in jug, run off any water to steam at 130 degrees, put milk bottle back in fridge, steam at 140 degrees - no real waiting involved - maybe a minute at most? It might get a bit messier with multiple coffees, but for one or two it's grand.

Spot on, thanks!

donnacha

Thanks alastair - I'm in no rush at all on this - I appreciate the offer of assistance. Fairly hectic myself with work for now so I'll PM you later in November and hopefully we can arrange something. Cheers