I got something shinny and Italian

"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland) 05/13/2015 at 09:22 • Filed to: None

5

8

My old machine has been out of service for a couple of years. It was either this or plumbing work on the house. I think I chose wisely.

505Turbeaux > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 05/13/2015 at 09:25

2

it is a great plan. Screw plumbing. Moar caffiene

KirkyV > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 05/13/2015 at 09:27

2

I recently discovered that we’ve had a fully functional Gaggia sitting in the loft for a couple of years, after my mum gave up on it and went back to *shudders* instant . I have now claimed it in the name of not drinking freeze-dried turd juice.

(Not that I was; I’ve been using an Aeropress for years now. But the machine’s going to open up so many possibilities.)

Flat Six > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 05/13/2015 at 09:33

1

Nice choice, nice shots!

twochevrons > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 05/13/2015 at 09:38

1

Lovely!

I miss my ancient Brasilia behemoth. A family friend gave it to me after he was quoted a small fortune to replace a burned out pump. I scavenged one from a cheapo machine that had a dead thermoblock, and had it back in business in no time. Its automatic control never worked right, and it took forever to get up to pressure, but it could brew a lovely cup, and the quality (and quantity) of steam it could produce was utterly unbeatable.

Sadly, it wouldn’t have made sense for me to bring it with me when I moved to the US, so I gave it away. I haven’t even looked at espresso machines since, thinking that I’d never be able to own anything as good as that, but those small Gaggia machines might be worth looking into.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > twochevrons 05/13/2015 at 09:56

1

My first gaggia lasted 7 years, go for it.

nermal > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 05/13/2015 at 09:57

0

I’ve always used one of these, because they’re cheap, and seeing the guy with the sweet mustache flipping me off every morning makes me chuckle.

That said, I’ve often thought of getting a “nice” maker as a personal reward. Do you find that the coffee / espresso is that much better out of a better machine vs the cheap-o methods?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > KirkyV 05/13/2015 at 09:57

0

I have tried Aeropress and was not impressed. Must not be to my liking.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > nermal 05/13/2015 at 13:11

1

Pump machines (like gaggia or Saeco) make real espresso like you get at Pete’s or your local real coffee shop. My latte’s and cappachino’s are very, very good. The cheap no-pump machines like your Capresso’s or pod machines you can buy at Target make cheap coffee and I wouldn’t bother.