Should I buy a $4000 espresso machine?

[Moontrane]

A friend of mine runs a micro roastery.  He suggested that I buy a Rancilio Sylvia espresso machine.  Just as important is a good grinder, because beans from one source can be different from others, so that extra degree of grinder adjustment can make or break your shots.  I got the Rancilio Rocky grinder.

These are sturdy, well-built machines, and have served me well for nearly 11 years.

If I lost them in a flood, earthquake, or fire, I’d buy them all over again.  I would not lose them from theft, because they’re too heavy!

[Teutonic Knight 1]

Why Africa don't make coffee machinery ..............

[Tapeworm]

I use a Lelit Kate with the built in grinder. Then i paid the guy who makes my coffee at the local cafe to come over and show me what to do.

Spent around 1,500 2 months ago and it's one of thr best purchases i have made.

I buy my beans from the local cafe. My coffee gives a pretty wicked buzz on a double shot whereas most places don't give me the buzz.

Right on. Glad to hear you like the brand and haven't had any remorse. Lelit seem well regarded all around.

[SOMEPARTS]

A friend of mine runs a micro roastery. 

Outed.

[Tapeworm]

A friend of mine runs a micro roastery.  He suggested that I buy a Rancilio Sylvia espresso machine.  Just as important is a good grinder, because beans from one source can be different from others, so that extra degree of grinder adjustment can make or break your shots.  I got the Rancilio Rocky grinder.

These are sturdy, well-built machines, and have served me well for nearly 11 years.

If I lost them in a flood, earthquake, or fire, I’d buy them all over again.  I would not lose them from theft, because they’re too heavy!

Sweet. I'm leaning toward a flat burr grinder as well. Not to be Captain Science but I'm still digging for screening data on flat vs conical. Seen a lot of claims repeated online but nothing in the way of test results, so trying to sort fact from forum lore.

[Moontrane]

Outed.

 

[Moontrane]

Sweet. I'm leaning toward a flat burr grinder as well. Not to be Captain Science but I'm still digging for screening data on flat vs conical. Seen a lot of claims repeated online but nothing in the way of test results, so trying to sort fact from forum lore.

My micro friend told me to get the Rocky, so that’s my recommendation.  However, I don’t think flat burr grinders were quite as well know ten years ago, and I like what I just read about them.

I have a $100 Capresso burr grinder dedicated to my French press, and the Rocky is dedicated to my espresso making.  The Capresso’s grind is woefully uneven and sucks for espresso.  The Rocky’s 55 settings put out perfectly uniform grounds.

I don’t think you can go wrong, my friend.  Enjoy and post some pix!

[Tapeworm]

Cheers bro. With you and May owning these setups I'm feeling way less enshamed and muchly more validified.

[Mayday]

Right on. Glad to hear you like the brand and haven't had any remorse. Lelit seem well regarded all around.

I have a Macap grinder but i decided tp get it all built in one unit to make life easier.

For the money and how i make it, it's better coffee than 80% of cafes i go to. The key tell that it's good enough is i don't have that craving to go to a cafe. When i tried a french press i thought that might have been enough but nope, i always ended up at the cafe.

After getting this machine, i have bought 3 coffees in the last 2 months. I even bought takeaway cups and i'll make it before we head out the door.

[Tapeworm]

https://auctions.com.au/auctions/2020/11/24/catering-hospitality-equipment-online-auction#catalogue-22

Here's a Macap I've got my eye on but having trouble identifying the model. Not so keen on the doser style but confident I could remove that and work straight into a portafilter.

 Will likely miss out tho since, with these issues, and Moontrane's recommendation being only $450 brand new, I wouldn't wager more than $250 including fees, which is like a $220 bid.

[Mayday]

https://auctions.com.au/auctions/2020/11/24/catering-hospitality-equipment-online-auction#catalogue-22

Here's a Macap I've got my eye on but having trouble identifying the model. Not so keen on the doser style but confident I could remove that and work straight into a portafilter.

 Will likely miss out tho since, with these issues, and Moontrane's recommendation being only $450 brand new, I wouldn't wager more than $250 including fees, which is like a $220 bid.

I know they say it's all about the grinder but there is a happy medium. A family member was a barista and has $$$$ everything and my coffees are better than his - in my wife's and my opinion.

I have the macap M2M but i will sell it as the built in grinder is fine on my machine.

For me i am trying to learn to do milk correctly. I am getting better.but need more practice.

What machine will you use?

[Methyl m1ke]

If you will get satisfaction from the machine and can sell it for the same or more than what you spent I say go for it.

[harmankardon1]

This thread is gayer than one of those weird thinly veiled Army of One threads.....

[Moontrane]

I know they say it's all about the grinder but there is a happy medium. A family member was a barista and has $$$$ everything and my coffees are better than his - in my wife's and my opinion.

I have the macap M2M but i will sell it as the built in grinder is fine on my machine.

For me i am trying to learn to do milk correctly. I am getting better.but need more practice.

What machine will you use?

harmankardon1's branding me a faery for this but I gotta state that the difference between settings on my Rocky grinder means bliss or piss for a shot.

[sync pulse]

No.

[Grape Ape]

As I sip my $0.28 per coffee pod and read this thread, there has to be either a happy medium, or some diminishing returns on investment at some point.

Believe me, I know there is a science to anything - you can fall down a rabbit hole easily from everything to pistols, flashlights, coffee, etc.

So I need to ask the OP the subtle differences between the 4k machine, maybe the $500 machine, and the lowly french press.

What do you get for the extra $?

[Tapeworm]

I know they say it's all about the grinder but there is a happy medium. A family member was a barista and has $$$$ everything and my coffees are better than his - in my wife's and my opinion.

I have the macap M2M but i will sell it as the built in grinder is fine on my machine.

For me i am trying to learn to do milk correctly. I am getting better.but need more practice.

What machine will you use?

I'm pretty sold on that Lelit Bianca but I'm not in a crazy rush either. My Smeg tastes pretty good. (man, I wish they named it something else) but it's definitely not cafe quality.

The other possibility is I get a screaming deal on a multi head machine at a restaurant auction, harvest its organs, and build it in to my kitchen cabinets. I got mad skillz, yo.

[Tapeworm]

This thread is gayer than one of those weird thinly veiled Army of One threads.....

Getbig is my safe space! Please don't judge me!

If you will get satisfaction from the machine and can sell it for the same or more than what you spent I say go for it.

Yep, bet there's plenty of dudes here with a $4000 rifle who feel totally satisfied with their purchase while others say they're nuts. It's just a question of what you're into.

[Tapeworm]

As I sip my $0.28 per coffee pod and read this thread, there has to be either a happy medium, or some diminishing returns on investment at some point.

Believe me, I know there is a science to anything - you can fall down a rabbit hole easily from everything to pistols, flashlights, coffee, etc.

So I need to ask the OP the subtle differences between the 4k machine, maybe the $500 machine, and the lowly french press.

What do you get for the extra $?

I'd love to give you a comprehensive answer but I'm not an expert and have never owned one, so these advantages are just my best guess.

Access. Double boiler setups give you immediate access to water at the temperatures you set for espresso and steam.

Control. You set the temperature. You control the duration of the extraction. My machine of choice lets you control and vary the pressure of the extraction. This all adds up to handling any bean, since different beans have different requirements. Light roasts, for instance, need a longer pre-soak and a longer extraction, as well as an extra degree or two of heat. Dark roasts will give up their goods more quickly and at a lower temperature, and would be too bitter with the light roast settings.

The machine I'm considering is actually low-mid price in domestic double boiler world. I'm interested in that world only because I don't want to yearn for an upgrade later. Sometimes I'm a cheap bastard but other times I'm content to buy once cry once. I'm going to use it every day so figure I'll go for The Tits.

But yeah, the coffee rabbit hole brings out the autist in me.

[BB]

I'd love to give you a comprehensive answer but I'm not an expert and have never owned one, so these advantages are just my best guess.

Access. Double boiler setups give you immediate access to water at the temperatures you set for espresso and steam.

Control. You set the temperature. You control the duration of the extraction. My machine of choice lets you control and vary the pressure of the extraction. This all adds up to handling any bean, since different beans have different requirements. Light roasts, for instance, need a longer pre-soak and a longer extraction, as well as an extra degree or two of heat. Dark roasts will give up their goods more quickly and at a lower temperature, and would be too bitter with the light roast settings.

The machine I'm considering is actually low-mid price in domestic double boiler world. I'm interested in that world only because I don't want to yearn for an upgrade later. Sometimes I'm a cheap bastard but other times I'm content to buy once cry once. I'm going to use it every day so figure I'll go for The Tits.

But yeah, the coffee rabbit hole brings out the autist in me.

I'm guessing you've been into coffee for years? If so, just buy the $4,000 one. The other side to the rabbit hole / middle of the road argument is that you keep chasing the idea of doing something cheaper, when you could of bought once, and been done.

Maybe put the idea aside for a few months, and then come back to it and see if you're still smittened by it. That's what I do sometimes.

[Walter Sobchak]

As I sip my $0.28 per coffee pod and read this thread, there has to be either a happy medium, or some diminishing returns on investment at some point.

Believe me, I know there is a science to anything - you can fall down a rabbit hole easily from everything to pistols, flashlights, coffee, etc.

So I need to ask the OP the subtle differences between the 4k machine, maybe the $500 machine, and the lowly french press.

What do you get for the extra $?

What is the difference between a $20/day escort and a $2,000/day escort?

It is your money my small peckered friend and we don’t begrudge how you spend it.

Some guys yearn for a $4,000 coffee machine and Goodrum lives in a $1,600 home, yet both seem happy and you barely even notice their blissful ignorance.

[Grape Ape]

What is the difference between a $20/day escort and a $2,000/day escort?

It is your money my small peckered friend and we don’t begrudge how you spend it.

Some guys yearn for a $4,000 coffee machine and Goodrum lives in a $1,600 home, yet both seem happy and you barely even notice their blissful ignorance.

I understand your point completely and agree.

I'm in the middle of the flashlight bullshit I mentioned myself.

But, was legit curious as to just how much shit you can do to affect the taste of a coffee bean.  Like I said, a science to everything, but I would think there are limits as to what can be done, no matter what the cost.

[Tapeworm]

I'm guessing you've been into coffee for years? If so, just buy the $4,000 one. The other side to the rabbit hole / middle of the road argument is that you keep chasing the idea of doing something cheaper, when you could of bought once, and been done.

Maybe put the idea aside for a few months, and then come back to it and see if you're still smittened by it. That's what I do sometimes.

Honestly, only kinda. I definitely notice when it's bad, and it usually is. There's quite a few cafes I avoid. One with an Indian woman whose only mission seems to be to make sure it's lava hot, even if i tastes like charcoal. Another with an old Italian woman who handed me a coffee made from secondhand grounds. I once used used grounds at home when we ran out. Same vile flavor. I honestly wonder if hers wasn't thirdhand.

There's a lot I like about Perth but the hospitality industry in general just sucks. Like egg noodles and ketchup level suckery. Idk if a roo hopped off with their taste buds or what but every non-asian restaurant I've been to here over the course of 20 years, with the exception of 2, would be straight into bankruptcy in Jersey. I've given up on them all. I know I sound like like I'm just too picky, but no it really is that bad.

It's going to be pretty funny if I buy all this shit then it all just tastes like the same coffee my $450 building site unit puts out.

[Tapeworm]

What is the difference between a $20/day escort and a $2,000/day escort?

It is your money my small peckered friend and we don’t begrudge how you spend it.

Some guys yearn for a $4,000 coffee machine and Goodrum lives in a $1,600 home, yet both seem happy and you barely even notice their blissful ignorance.

Fair point. I could get a lot  of cocksucking for $4000.

I understand your point completely and agree.

I'm in the middle of the flashlight bullshit I mentioned myself.

But, was legit curious as to just how much shit you can do to affect the taste of a coffee bean.  Like I said, a science to everything, but I would think there are limits as to what can be done, no matter what the cost.

So what's the deal with flashlights? I have a headlamp on a few hours every day. Think they're Energizer Pro model. Broad field is more useful for me than spotlight. Are Surefire a good upgrade? I'd spend top dollar for something durable, comfortable, LEDs that don't get tired, and makes efficient use of batteries. What's the top of the range?

Also interested in IR. My digital nighvision will allegedly pick up 1000+nm. Any recommendations?

[Grape Ape]

Fair point. I could get a lot  of cocksucking for $4000.


So what's the deal with flashlights? I have a headlamp on a few hours every day. Think they're Energizer Pro model. Broad field is more useful for me than spotlight. Are Surefire a good upgrade? I'd spend top dollar for something durable, comfortable, LEDs that don't get tired, and makes efficient use of batteries. What's the top of the range?

Also interested in IR. My digital nighvision will allegedly pick up 1000+nm. Any recommendations?

Surefire gets good reviews, American made, but expensive - double the price.

The chinese companies light O-Light, Fenix and Nitecore, etc are super popular due to marketing and such, and apparently make very good stuff.

I was looking for two - an EDC to carry in my ruck, at about 1000 lumens, and 2000 lumen beast just for shining in the woods at night and looking at animals.

Not sure about headlamps...I have one by Black Diamond that's been really good.

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