Post a pic of your home espresso setup... - Page 12

[specv68]

Hello to all. I have been lurking on the board as a bystander for about 3 weeks now and have enjoyed reading all of the tips and wisdom that you all possess. I already had a Technivorm brewer and a Rancilio Rocky grinder, but had never purchased an espresso machine. Recently, the Wife and I purchased our first unit - the newly redesigned Saeco Aroma black model. While not anywhere near the caliber of machine that many of you own, I figured it would give me a chance to get my feet wet and learn how to assemble some espresso-based drinks. Last weekend we purchased a cheap cart to get our equipment off of the kitchen counters and in a central location together. I really wasn't happy with the overall height, so we made a trip to our local home improvement store, purchased some lumber and other odds and ends and set out to modify the existing cart. I built a riser off of the base cart and we tiled the top of it with some linoleum tile. I also attached a power strip and hung a dustbuster off the side of it to quickly capture any errant grinds. Total cost for the entire project was under $100.00, which I was pretty happy with. Eventually, I hope to further hone my skills by purchasing a machine without a pressurized portafilter. Originally, I had dreams of adding a Silvia, which is why I bought her match in the grinder but after reading more, I think I would rather save a little while longer and purchase a QuickMill Anita, or possibly the Alexia with the PID installed. In the meantime, I may order the non-pressurized portafilter for the Saeco. Thank you to all of you for the education and opinions. I have really enjoyed the site. I have attached a picture of my setup to date.

[networkcrasher]

Lookin good! The fact that TV carafe won't fit under the filter basket is the bane of my existence!

[specv68]

Yeah, the Technivorm carafe is kind of a pain with the lid on. I guess I could have added a custom platform for the brewer so that the carafe would fit. Might be a modification I have to do this weekend........thanks for getting the gears turning! I still have some wood left over........

[DigMe]

How does that toaster figure in to your coffee routine?

brad

[cannonfodder]

That is the new high tech double origin coffee roaster.

[specv68]

Actually, we cut the end of pop-tarts off, squeeze out the filling, then replace it with coffee beans! Roast 'em and toast 'em!

[Bex]

My new setup:

[cannonfodder]

Looks good, but where is the portafilter?

[Bex]

Looks good, but where is the portafilter?

I keep them in that drawer when the machine is off, since the handles stick out farther than the drip tray.

[cpet]

Here is my set-up on the Boat. At home I have a Nuova Simonelli Oscar and the boat I have a Victoria Arduino Venus. Notice the brass clips at the bottom keep it in place while underway. Still working on upgrading my home grinder to place the old Grinta on the boat.

[cannonfodder]

Nice little setup. I have always like that hammered brass old world appearance. I think the Victoria Arduino Venus class and the Elektra Mini Vertical and Belle Epoque class are some of the nicest looking machines out there.

[zin1953]

I keep them in that drawer when the machine is off, since the handles stick out farther than the drip tray.

Then how do you get them up to temperature?

[ordo.dk]

Then how do you get them up to temperature?

Why would he get them up to temperature when the machine is off? I'm sure he pulls'em out when he turns on the machine ;P

[Bex]

Indeed.

Though I sometimes switch between the double and single PF several times in an hour, so there are times it just isn't realistic to have them both fully heated.

Related to my set up - I asked the nice folks at CCC for one of their Toscano labels (because they are very chic) and they sent me a little bunch of labels, which I used to dress up my DS Lite.

[zin1953]

Indeed.

My bad . . .

I usually leave one in overnight, and my machine is on a timer. That way, when I come downstairs, the machine is already up to temp, as is the pf.

Cheers,
Jason

[shadowfax]

Got Vetrano last week or so... pulling some great shots with Zoka's Paladino and Vivace's Dolce and Vita. The Dolce is giving me some trouble being sour, I am tempted to up the boiler stat setting for it...

Anyway, the rest is on my Flickr set...

[Bex]

Nice! New machine looks gorgeous.

How quickly does Vivace arrive to you (days after roast date)?

[shadowfax]

How quickly does Vivace arrive to you (days after roast date)?

I was impressed. It was roasted 3/21 (Friday) and got here 3/24 (Monday), halfway across the country (Seattle->Oklahoma). I think Vivace guarantees arrival within four days of roasting.

[Fr. John]

Just a quick shot to join the thread:

[Marshall]

Just a quick shot to join the thread:

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Hmmmm. Bet you don't get much criticism of your espresso.