Post a pic of your home espresso setup... - Page 11

[DigMe]

<image>
Cart- J.C. Penny
Machine- Vibiemme Domobar Super
Grinder- Rocky (to be replaced very soon)

Thanks for the tip on the cart. My wife and I will probably get one of these when we have the spare cash. They still have it at $200 so hopefully the price will hold because I'm seeing similar sized carts for over $300 everywhere else.

brad

[cannonfodder]

I think I have around $350-400 in my espresso bar. I got the cabinets discounted and installed a permanent solution. If you have the room, it works out nice. Nothing to roll around and it will take more weight than I could put on top of it.

[DigMe]

I think I have around $350-400 in my espresso bar. I got the cabinets discounted and installed a permanent solution. If you have the room, it works out nice. Nothing to roll around and it will take more weight than I could put on top of it.

Yeah, I saw the thread. Nice setup. I think I'll go with the cheaper rolling solution at this time. It's a better fit for the house that I'm in and we'll probably be moving before long anyway.

brad

[Randy G.]

Yeah, I saw the thread. Nice setup. I think I'll go with the cheaper rolling solution at this time. It's a better fit for the house that I'm in and we'll probably be moving before long anyway.

You can set it up without the wheels. If will have a lot of weight on or in it, that is probably the better idea. if you do intend to move it, it would be best to cut a sheet of plywood to reinforce the bottom before installing the wheels. This would raise it up a bit.

I intend to eventually remove the wheels and place the cart on a section of hardwood flooring..
keyword: eventually.

[lud]

[Jacob]

Nice setup lud

I can see you got the new cup holder grill (which I think is better styled), what is the first two digits in the serial number (eg. 14x)?

[lud]

I had my unit delivered last April (2007) and the serial number is in the 30's (ie. 03X).

[Jacob]

Thanks

- I'll give up tracking down the different updates

[T2ellis]

Hello to everyone here!

I'm a brand newbie here, I have been reading and learning a ton from all of you, so many interesting reviews, comments, opinions and very welcomed advice. I'm a mechanical engineer, so I really appreciate all of the in depth and detailed information.

I'm in the process of getting the $$$ together to purchase a high quality.. and very temp stable espresso machine, my eye is on either the Elektra A3, or the new VBM double boiler. I also have some kitchen counter mods and re-arranging before I purchase the machine. Just picked up a used Mazzer grinder, now sitting proudly on the counter, my wife is already giving me the .... Oh well?

Until I get the new machine, I will have to stick with my trusty old Brikka stove top spresso and Boden press. I recently picked up the Mazzer SJ off of Craigslist, it's an older Rio version, but it's in great shape. The original tall hopper was crushed in transit, so I just ordered a short mini hopper for it. Man, what a huge difference from my prior "little cheap grinder", even using the SJ with my Brikka stove top.. I can tell a huge difference in the consistency of grind and taste! I will most likely modify it to a 'doserless' real soon... I've got some good ideas for the mod!

Ok, so my question for "lud" is... where did you get the cool looking lid for the doser on your Kony? It really sets it off and gives it a nice look!

Again, many thanks to all of you, who put so much time and effort into teaching us (me) amateurs... how to pull the better shot!

All the best,

T2

[DigMe]

Lud,

Very nice setup. What do you think about those steaming pitchers as far as steaming and latte art go?

brad

[lud]

... where did you get the cool looking lid for the doser on your Kony? It really sets it off and gives it a nice look! T2

Welcome aboard T2ellis.
I was searching around the house for something that would fit and look good. My wife had purchased the Bodum Press Eileen 12 cup (1.5L or 50.7oz) but I was hardly using it since I mostly serve espresso/espresso based drinks when I have guests over. I noticed that the chrome lid was nearly a perfect fit for the doser. The chrome lid is only a cover for the plastic top of the Bodum so it still functions perfectly once you carefully remove it. Once I had chrome lid removed, I found that the knobs on my kitchen cabinetry was a nice complement. Luckily, I had an extra one so I used that one, cut the fastener (screw) a bit shorter, added a washer and fixed it to the lid. When I compare it to the stock lid, I have to agree that it makes it a LOT nicer. I noticed the 1.5L Eileen is not listed on the bodumusa.com site, and is listed, but currently unavailable on amazon.com. However, it is available here: http://www.greenbeanery.ca/bean/c...2d6a381541b400100b.

It's not an inexpensive item so I wouldn't recommend buying one for the sole purpose of using the chrome lid as a doser mod, although knowing my wife, I bet she paid less than $40 for it using discounts, coupons.

Obviously, I can't use my hopper with where I have my grinder currently placed, but I noticed that one of my pot lids will make a perfect fit if I ever get around to building my espresso station in the kitchen that will accomodate the hopper. The rule of thumb I use is to first look for something around the house that I can reuse. It may not come to you right away, but if you are persistent, you may find a gem in the rough, so to speak.

... Very nice setup. What do you think about those steaming pitchers as far as steaming and latte art go?

Thanks, Brad.
I am by no means an expert at steaming, but I did manage to get one to work this morning. As compared to my traditional steaming pitcher, I find that I have to switch over from surf to stretch a bit earlier. With my old one, I would surf the steam tip until my thermometer (yes, I still need the assistance of a thermometer) read 80F before plunging the wand. With the Toroid, I stop surfing when the temperature reads 60-65F (I use "read" because the actual temperature will vary depending on the type of thermometer you are using, and the power of your steam wand due to lag). When I stretch, I don't plunge as deeply as I would with my old pitcher since there is a dimple at the bottom of the new pitcher to create the toroid effect.
Again, I am still trying to get comfortable with this pitcher so take my experience with a big grain of salt. I have searched for tips on how others are finding this pitcher myself since I "miss" way more often than I "hit" when using the Toroid.

[zin1953]

Not truly a duplicate, as now I have the Cimbali Max Hybrid . . .



(LtoR: Bumper tamper and knockbox; La Valentina Auto [with inox espresso and cappuccino cups on top]; Quick Mill Doserless; La Cimbali Max Hybrid. The electronic seven-day timer is out of sight behind the CMH, and the Bodum Pavina latté cups are behind the QM.)

Hey -- it works for me!

Cheers,
Jason

[T2ellis]

lud,

Thanks a bunch for the info regarding the the Bodum lid for your Kony. The doser diameter of my SJ is also 4 3/4", so I'll keep a look out for a lid that will fit. I have a friend who is a bowl turner, maybe I'll have him make me up two lids (doser and hopper) out of cherry, maple or some exotic wood, could look pretty neat?

Many thanks!

T2

[oofnik]

Alright, I've got a new setup in my dorm. It's pretty compact and portable: Gaggia Factory and a redesigned Trosser hand grinder on steroids (details if interested). I'll use the SM90 monster if I'm feeling lazy and serving more than one person. Usually though it's just sitting there looking scary.


P.S. Nice update to the site, Dan, I like it!

[laservet]

Hurricane Ernesto put four huge trees and 10" of water into our house September 2006, taking it down to the studs. My wife suggested converting an unused part of the kitchen into my coffee bar, partly to get my stuff out of her way. Nearly finished with the rebuilding of the house, here is my man cave.

GS/3, Versalab grinder and packer, Bunn pourover on left to be replaced by plumbed in Bunn, 34" LCD on the right, wine cooler beneath, sound in the ceiling.

[networkcrasher]

Suhweet setup!

Sheerly out of curiousity, what color is your granite called? It looks an awful lot like mine which is Verde Pearl or Green Pearl or something. Looks black at night, but has a green cast during the daylight.

[highstrings]

Hi all,
Just got my Andreja Premium and Macap M4 doserless last Thursday from ChrisCoffee.com A couple of small issues but they have been responsive and will be taking care of me (waiting for the shipment...will update).

I had a Starbucks Buon Caffe 330 for 10 years and then didn't drink espress drinks, because it was a pretty bad machine. Then tried a couple other machines such as a Delonghi for about $400. My last 4 machines in the last year and a half were Breville 800esxl. I don't know why, but various problems.....luckily I got them at Bed Bath and Beyond. Returned the last one and the wife got a new KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer, in tangerine, of course.

The Andreja and Macap reside in the space that used to be a double oven. We removed that old frigidaire double oven, finished it out, changed the 220 volt 30 amp line to a 110 volt 20 amp, added a shelf for the microwave and also a coffe bar.

My father in law built a rectangular cart with a 1/2 inch lip all around and we placed in on bearing slides. So, the cart is pulled back when not it use, and when needed it slides out 12 inches to make units more accessible for grind / brew, etc. etc.

One thing that I installed last night was a "Wok Wand" also known as a "pot filler." You can see it in the upper left corner. The water is off when its 90 degrees off base, or flat against the wall. When I move the wand handle straight forward water comes out. I also hooked this us to the reverse osmosis water filter with 3/8" line. This is how I will be filling the unit....just move the cup holder up a bit, move the wand, wait 30 seconds, move wand back. Anybody else think about doing this, or am I OCD? (or too cheap to get the auto-fill water connect kit?

Let me know what you think...
Darren from Lake Jackson, TX

[HB]

My father in law built a rectangular cart with a 1/2 inch lip all around and we placed in on bearing slides. So, the cart is pulled back when not it use, and when needed it slides out 12 inches to make units more accessible for grind / brew, etc. etc.

Slick idea, the extension would work especially well when steaming milk.

[laservet]

Sheerly out of curiousity, what color is your granite called? It looks an awful lot like mine which is Verde Pearl or Green Pearl or something. Looks black at night, but has a green cast during the daylight.

Small world!! It's Emerald Pearl. When we ordered it at the granite place it looked black with large silver flakes in it. I even asked the guy why it was called Emerald when I couldn't see any green at all. Installed it looks black until we turn the lights on it, then it has a distinct green color. Nice with the cream tile, cherry cabinets, and stainless appliances.

[networkcrasher]

Small world!! It's Emerald Pearl. When we ordered it at the granite place it looked black with large silver flakes in it. I even asked the guy why it was called Emerald when I couldn't see any green at all. Installed it looks black until we turn the lights on it, then it has a distinct green color. Nice with the cream tile, cherry cabinets, and stainless appliances.

Haha, yep! That's the one! Emerald pearl. I thought the same thing when I was out in the granite yard picking out slabs. I didn't see as much of the green, just the blacks, silvers and the pearl. Got a great deal, then saw the green come out at the house.

That's pretty cool