Coffee machine

[Skylark]

Thanks for the input. I will look around a bit for a used grinder to see what I can find. Any tips on what I should be looking out for?

Just make sure your budget is right, a good 2hnd grinder will easily set you back R2-4k but could last you the rest of your life so still great value.

 

A good manual grinder is going to set you back close to R1k and from my experience I'd rather have week old grinds that were ground by a proper grinder than freshly ground coffee done by a rubbish grinder.

 

There is no free lunch with grinders, you either score a good one 2hnd at a good price or pay the premuim for new, the cheapie manual or electric grinders are not worth the money you pay, they will grind poorly from day one and they will not last, it's like flushing money down the drain.

[ABrooks]

Just make sure your budget is right, a good 2hnd grinder will easily set you back R2-4k but could last you the rest of your life so still great value.

 

A good manual grinder is going to set you back close to R1k and from my experience I'd rather have week old grinds that were ground by a proper grinder than freshly ground coffee done by a rubbish grinder.

 

There is no free lunch with grinders, you either score a good one 2hnd at a good price or pay the premuim for new, the cheapie manual or electric grinders are not worth the money you pay, they will grind poorly from day one and they will not last, it's like flushing money down the drain.

I knew coffee machines and grinders were expensive, I had no idea it was so expensive. For the time being, I am going to continue to buy beans and have it ground by the coffee shop. In the meantime, I am going to save up for a decent second-hand grinder.

[the nerd]

The easiest second hand grinders that can grind a decent espresso are going to be you mazzers and perhaps every now and then a Simonelli at a good price. 

 

I have scored a few mazzer super jollys that need a bit of love but once sorted will last you a lifetime.

 

What espresso machine are you using? 

[ABrooks]

The easiest second hand grinders that can grind a decent espresso are going to be you mazzers and perhaps every now and then a Simonelli at a good price.

 

I have scored a few mazzer super jollys that need a bit of love but once sorted will last you a lifetime.

 

What espresso machine are you using?

I have a kenwood espresso machine. It uses a pressurized portafilter, it is a simmilar machine to a Saeco Poemia. Sometimes I would get a good shot from it depending on the grind of the beans. All coffee shops use a different grind so it is sort of a gamble what I'm going to get if I try out a new shop.

[the nerd]

I have a kenwood espresso machine. It uses a pressurized portafilter, it is a simmilar machine to a Saeco Poemia. Sometimes I would get a good shot from it depending on the grind of the beans. All coffee shops use a different grind so it is sort of a gamble what I'm going to get if I try out a new shop.

 

By using your own grinder you at least you control that variable. 

[ABrooks]

By using your own grinder you at least you control that variable. 

That was my idea, but based on the advice received here I am going to save up a bit and shop around for a better second-hand grinder. Are there coffee specific sites where I can look of perhaps a facebook page I can follow where people buy and sell coffee specific products. 

[V12man]

That was my idea, but based on the advice received here I am going to save up a bit and shop around for a better second-hand grinder. Are there coffee specific sites where I can look of perhaps a facebook page I can follow where people buy and sell coffee specific products. 

Here is my view on a way forward:

 

1- read this whole thread - one of the posters is the owner of a global top 10 coffee shop, and there are several people who are overly competent - lots of good advice and links to read.

 

2 - once you have a reasonable idea of what you are looking for - then search the second hand ads sites - be VERY careful of scammers - and keep searching them daily.

 

3 - you can never have enough coffee equipment - like bikes, n+1 applies

 

4 - I suspect that you would be well advised to find your own grinder first - that Kenwood needs more skill than a good machine does to deliver decent coffee - but the biggest variables you can control is the freshness of your coffee and your grind - so get on top of those 2 first, then move on to a better machine in time.

 

- and finally - owning a decent hand grinder is always a good thing - because as you become more coffee aware, you will eventually develop a travel kit.... and you need a grinder for that - traveling with a an electric grinder is not really an option - unless you are taking a caravan along...

[Help.Me.]

Here is my view on a way forward:

 

1- read this whole thread - one of the posters is the owner of a global top 10 coffee shop, and there are several people who are overly competent - lots of good advice and links to read.

 

2 - once you have a reasonable idea of what you are looking for - then search the second hand ads sites - be VERY careful of scammers - and keep searching them daily.

 

3 - you can never have enough coffee equipment - like bikes, n+1 applies

 

4 - I suspect that you would be well advised to find your own grinder first - that Kenwood needs more skill than a good machine does to deliver decent coffee - but the biggest variables you can control is the freshness of your coffee and your grind - so get on top of those 2 first, then move on to a better machine in time.

 

- and finally - owning a decent hand grinder is always a good thing - because as you become more coffee aware, you will eventually develop a travel kit.... and you need a grinder for that - traveling with a an electric grinder is not really an option - unless you are taking a caravan along...

all of the 309 pages??  

[V12man]

all of the 309 pages??  

Shouldnt take that long....

[Piernas Flacas]

Thank you for bringing this post to the fore, guys. I was lazy to look for it. 

 

I don't want to interrupt your exchange but.... does anyone know where to buy water filters for a Saeco Incanto super automatic? I bought it at Hirsch's but their prices are a bit excessive ... R480 for one filter.

 

The other alternative is just to fill the reservoir with Brita filtered water...

[the nerd]

Thank you for bringing this post to the fore, guys. I was lazy to look for it.

 

I don't want to interrupt your exchange but.... does anyone know where to buy water filters for a Saeco Incanto super automatic? I bought it at Hirsch's but their prices are a bit excessive ... R480 for one filter.

 

The other alternative is just to fill the reservoir with Brita filtered water...

You can buy directly from saeco Phillips in the West rand somewhere. They have a direct counter as far as I know.

 

 

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[V12man]

Thank you for bringing this post to the fore, guys. I was lazy to look for it. 

 

I don't want to interrupt your exchange but.... does anyone know where to buy water filters for a Saeco Incanto super automatic? I bought it at Hirsch's but their prices are a bit excessive ... R480 for one filter.

 

The other alternative is just to fill the reservoir with Brita filtered water...

Or in Jhb - just leave the filter out.... - my Super Auto my wife uses has about 8000 cups through it - no filter ever - but it does get cleaned and descaled as per the machines somewhat feminine wiles...

 

You could also try the Saeco shop in Rosebank - this might actually be in Parktown North - it's on Jan Smuts avenue. http://www.italianlifestyle.co.za/ is their site

[Cafe Racer]

Or in Jhb - just leave the filter out.... - my Super Auto my wife uses has about 8000 cups through it - no filter ever - but it does get cleaned and descaled as per the machines somewhat feminine wiles...

 

You could also try the Saeco shop in Rosebank - this might actually be in Parktown North - it's on Jan Smuts avenue. http://www.italianlifestyle.co.za/ is their site

if you aint drinking filtered water you are the filter

[obree]

Ordered at 11h45,  delivered at a 12h15. Awesome service!!

Will try tomorrow am. 

[obree]

 

I have started a bean supply business, selecting and roasting 100% arabica.

 

South American blend, smooth nutty flavor!

 

This is my first batch!

 

R75 for 250g

R210 per kg

 

Please let me know if you’d like some!

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ordered at 11h45,  delivered at a 12h15. Awesome service!!

Will try tomorrow am. 

[V12man]

if you aint drinking filtered water you are the filter

I drink coffee - not water....