Building a Home Espresso Bar - Page 2

[stevendouglas]

I'd love to hear how things work out with your new baby.

Unfortunately my hero status may be short lived. Got any ideas on how to sneak a shiny, new Synesso Cyncra 1-group, 220v (including the $7060 receipt) past an observant significant other???

Then again, I could make an impassioned case for the Synesso, and then get all mopey when it gets summarily vetoed by the other half. If I can put on a show of brooding for a few months, I can work in a little sympathetic guilt against the resistance while patiently waiting for the LM GS3 to come to market...and an estimated price that's $2000 less than the Synesso. In fact, it'll look like a bargain!

Here is my strategy:
(1) Talk up the Synesso at $7060.

(2) Then come in with the GS3 at the bargain basement price of $4,500, but this price includes shipping and taxes (probably). Your significant other will UNDOUBTEDLY want a fair comparison of prices. So what's the REAL price?

$4,500*.91 (CA taxes are around 9%) = $4,095 (or roughly $4,000). Knock $250 off that price and you come up with $3,700. So, you're looking at a machine that's less than HALF the price of the one you want. BUT, that's really not what you'll be spending because you'd probably be willing to sell your old machine and pick up at least $1,000 for it. So, now you're down to around $2500.

This is where you have to earn your keep. If you come up with $1,000 of YOUR OWN MONEY, it would only cost the family budget a mere $1,500.

So the family gets arguably the best machine on the market for just $1,500. You'd have to be a fool NOT to buy it for that price!

That would be my strategy...

I'll post pictures of the Elektra A3 when she's happily in her new home! It'll probably be in mid to late February.

[konkers]

yeah. i forget which ones (i have the info at home), but they're pretty bright. the machine makes a nice nightlight for the basement. jay caragay put halogens under his marzocco deck, but i didn't want the added heat and the dazzle of halogens that close to the work would be "too much". i just needed a bit of light to see under the deck. it wasn't cheap, though, as the LEDs were something like $15 each (used four), and i needed a 220v --> 12v transformer. the only think that's not "perfect" is the blue tint to the light; it makes judging shot color tough.

Nichia makes some warm white LEDs which might look better. I've been considering using them to light my espresso setup. Unfortunately they're only orderable in lots of 100. Though 100 for $80 is not much more than 4 for $15.

http://store.nichia.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=3

-Erik

[tampedup]

Hi. I recently built an espresso/liquor bar into my remodeled kitchen with an Elektra T1. Some of the items I added were a dedicated 20 amp line for the machine along with two separate 15 amp circuits, one for my espresso grinder and the other for my drip brewer and decaf/drip grinder. The layout is Elektra and commercial grinder on one side of the sink and drip brewer and grinder on the other side. I placed the upper cabinets at 19" above the counter to give extra room for a taller machine and to give additional clearance for the heat generated by the Elektra. I also insulated my boiler to cut down on the heat as the upper cabinets were getting very warm. I have a small stainless sink with a a traditional faucet and a separate small faucet for filtered and softened water. I use this water for my drip coffee. The Elektra is plumbed into the conditioned water. you could also run a tap to the fridge for your ice maker. I also added a built in soap dispenser by the sink to make cleaning easier. I do not use a built in knock box as the box only requires cleaning every other day or so. I did not cut any holes in the counter but ran the water and drain through a small cutout in the backsplash. The Elektra spews lots of hot water from its tap and I run a quart or so periodically into the drip tray to keep the drain line clear. I have a beverage fridge in the base for milk and beer. The upper cabinets are used for coffee cups, drink glasses and liquor storage. The lower cabinets and drawers are used for coffee, tea, espresso gadgets and other storage. There are open shelves between the upper cabinets for items you want to show off like your espresso cups or liquor collection.

The Elektra is great. Two cautions. The brew head is well above the drip tray and sprays water onto the counter in front of the machine and occasionally onto the floor in front of the counter. This happens when doing a cooling flush or cleaning the brew head with a flush and a brush. You might consider a counter that is deeper than the traditional 24". If you have small kids (yours or visitors) watch they do not pull the levers - both the hot water and steam are extremely forceful on the elektra.

PR

[konkers]

Hi. I recently built an espresso/liquor bar into my remodeled kitchen with an Elektra T1.

Do you have any pictures to show off?

-Erik