How to better my set up

Darrenon91

I have a sage bambino, great machine and have used it non stop with no issues for two years or so. I still use the pressurized basket in the portafilter. I also have a cheap electric grinder but have learned to get decent expresso from this set up. Could I upgrade this set up or would it be more costly than buying a new set up? Would a new non pressurized make the expresso better and then would I need a significantly better grinder?

Any advise is appreciated.

Hodors Appletart

when you say cheap, do you mean a blade grinder, or is it a burr grinder?

How are you grinding fine enough to espresso with a cheap grinder?

if it's a blade grinder, you would absolutely see improvements with a burr grinder.

What's your budget

mossie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058256005/how-to-better-my-set-up

I have the same machine. Would definitely suggest getting a decent grinder and un-pressurised baskets. A good grinder will give you a finer and more regular grind. I am (fairly) regularly getting decent shots with this compared to using the pressurised baskets and coarser ground coffee.

Darrenon91

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119388403#Comment_119388403

Its a blade grinder but grinds fine enough for espresso especially with the pressurized basket. Id be happy to spend 200/250 euro upgrading what I have, anything more id be better off selling my own and getting a better machine.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119390163#Comment_119390163

Which grinder do you have/suggest, I wouldnt have much knowledge here.

Something like this? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sage-BCG600SIL-Control-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B00VVHHPGS/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=sage+grinder&qid=1658922982&sprefix=sage+grinder%2Caps%2C46&sr=8-2

Will purchase a unpressurized basket and try it out, nothing to lose. the grinder I have goes very fine but obviously it could be different every time as I have to press the button.

mossie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119393820#Comment_119393820

I have a similar grinder, also sage, but it's not on amazon - this is it on Velo Coffee where I bought it. It's grand for my needs but a lot of real coffee aficionados would go even more expensive. A blade grinder will never really go fine enough for espresso there will always be coarser particles that affect the extraction and taste. I'm no expert but I can get a decent espresso with the grinder and coffee maker I have.

EDIT: Same grinder on Amazon Germany but a lot cheaper.

Hodors Appletart

yeah get a decent Sage grinder.

much prefer to have 2 appliances than one combo as well