New espresso setup decided. Any 2nd guesses? - Page 2

[k7qz]

However, we have granite countertops and slate backsplashes.

OK, getting off topic here a bit but-

Me too and I was instructed by the master of the kitchen that no holes in that precious Italian Marble/Granite or Cherry cabinetry would be allowed. So, what I did was to place my A3 on one of the "arms" of our U-shaped kitchen counter tops (having no way to easily get lines to one of the kitchen counter "islands") and then ran my 3/8" water line along the inside of the cabinets to a point directly beneath my machine and drilled one small hole above the Cherry panels through the counter bracing ("See Honey, I didn't have to drill through any of your expensive materials") for the braided line to run up to my machine. Everything all neat and tidy with keepers and small ties.

Down side is I have a little bundle of lines (water feed/drain and power) visible behind my machine as they drop beneath my counter edge. Upside is, no holes drilled in said "rock" and the beautiful Elektra eagle on the machine back is there for all the world to admire!

I haven't seen your kitchen but.... if there is any way you can get direct feed/drain, it is SO worth it!

[Psyd]

If you've got the cash, you might want a "real" tamper to play with in addition to the clicky tamp.

The Espro is a 'real' tamper. I got it because I didn't want to lug a danged bathroom scale around with me on the road, and calibration tends to be an issue with me. Rounded off nuts and twisted off bolts to prove it, too! The Espro stays with Silvia, since she's really picky about tamp pressures, and I get to use her often enough to keep calibrated. It has all of the features of a 'real' tamper, with the small addition of a slight, unobtrusive 'give' to tell you when you've gone far enough.
Even without that feature, the Espro is a danged fine tamper. It's balanced well, it's weighty enough, it feels great in my hands, and it looks clean even if I ignore it. If it starts to look unkempt, a swipe with a towel is enough to bring it back to new looking. I've been using mine for two years, and I'm still happy enough with it to give it the preceding glowing review even though I'm not being paid or sponsored by anyone involved in it's manufacture or sale, nor am I being compensated for this view in any way.
It's time we started looking at it as and added attraction, like power windows or something, instead of like cheating, or training wheels.
Yeah, I can find thirty pounds with any of my other tampers. With the Espro, there's no doubt.

Edit: Jes, this isn't pointed at you, I guess you were just closest when it went off...

[jesawdy]

The Espro is a 'real' tamper. ...

Edit: Jes, this isn't pointed at you, I guess you were just closest when it went off...

No offense taken.... I still think he should get the Espro... I think it is a great tool, even though I haven't used one day to day, just played with one at a class.

You are right to point out that the Espro is a real tamper. I do not think it a cheat or beneath me.

How many tampers do you have? It is like all things espresso (for us at least), it is a disease . I was suggesting (while spending someone else's money, which is SO fun) that he might enjoy a second tamper.

I am also curious to see the EPNW Clicker when I (finally) get the RS.

[Psyd]

No offense taken....
I am also curious to see the EPNW Clicker when I (finally) get the RS.

Yeah, I got what you meant, and I have three, with designs on two more as we speak...
I realized that you weren't making the Espro out to be a 'less than' when I saw that you had put 'real' betwixt apostrophe's, but it reminded me of the large group of high priests that look at it as a training tool. The Clicker, OTOH, seems to be just that (see my take on it back to back to the Espro in the RS. See if you can get your hands on an Espro to compare the two side by each.

[jmatt]

I was suggesting (while spending someone else's money, which is SO fun) that he might enjoy a second tamper.

I am also curious to see the EPNW Clicker when I (finally) get the RS.

You're right. I don't even have the Espro yet, and now I'm thinking the HB logo'd Reg Barber would be a nice addition, too!! I need to win a discount from ChrisCoffee. Then I'm pulling the trigger on the Andreja and the Macap MC4.

Chris - are you listening? Wanna make me a deal now, or do I have to keep trying to win the coupon?

[HB]

Chris - are you listening? Wanna make me a deal now, or do I have to keep trying to win the coupon?

You may want to call him. He's great at matching the right equipment to your needs, and if you're serious about a purchase, make an offer. The worse he can do is laugh.

[jmatt]

. . . and if you're serious about a purchase, make an offer. The worse he can do is laugh.

Serious?!?! Heck yes, I'm serious. I probably won't purchase until after I get back from Thanksgiving travel, but I fully expect to spend several LARGE with Chris in the next 10 days.

Now - If I could get more than three chances every 12 hours.......

[miKe mcKoffee]

You may want to call him. He's great at matching the right equipment to your needs, and if you're serious about a purchase, make an offer. The worse he can do is laugh.

And the best he'll do is make you a great deal! Definitely give him a call. Most certainly glad I did 'bout this time last year.

[Martin]

The Espro is a 'real' tamper.

With my (now departed) Isomac Tea, I used the Espro almost exclusively. I say almost, because I'd do an initial tamp with it, clear the sides, and polish with my convex super-heavy "professional" model from EPNW. Espro was flat. It was a routine that worked well. For my LaSpaz, I was able to buy a new 53 mm bottom to screw onto my EPNW. No such luck with the Espro--can't be re-fitted.

I finally settled on a tamp that was somewhat less than 30 lbs, but it was nice to calibrate my pressure from time to time. This did not have to be done on the basket. Table top would do.

BTW, that Espro is for sale on the CG forum.
Martin

[jmatt]

Thanks to everyone for their guidance in the past month.

I ordered an Alex by Izzo and a Macap MC4 stepless with doser from Chriscoffee.com.
I should have it by Friday. I should be an expert Barista by December 25th........of 2016.

Seriously - thanks to everyone for their input.