What are "must have" accessories for new espresso machine

[drminpa]

I have traveled extensively in Europe over the last 15 years on business and have grown hooked on two things that are fairly commonplace over there but not so common over here (at least where I live) - good espresso and good gelato. Some years ago I bought a Krupps steamer to make espresso at home - an uneducated attempt a satisfying one of my two cravings that turned out to be a waste of time and money. I guess the saving grace was the Krupps only cost around $30 so I didn't waste much. I don't get overseas nowadays like I used to and with the dollar shrinking against the Euro, I decided to get myself educated on the arts and science of espresso and take the plunge before it gets any more expensive than it already is.

After reading most everything I could find on this website and on CG and reading countless machine reviews, I decided to go with a Vetrano (HX, plumbed in, quiet pump, good reviews, reliable vendor) and a Mazzer Mini (works good and built like a tank - I like tanks). Since I don't get to put my hands on them until Christmas, in the mean time I am prepping for the machines. I'm getting my water tested to determine what, if anything, I need to do to treat it. I'm waiting until next week to order some fresh coffee so it will be good at Christmas and I purchased a bottomless PF to see how even my tamping/distribution/etc. is as I start out and progress.

Am I missing anything (other than the 2K from my bank account )?

[cafeIKE]

Since you're starting out, a 0.1g accuracy scale will do wonders to enhance your consistency.
Don't dose more than 15g until you have it wired... say 10 years from now.

<Rant>
Dose properly and you'll never need a bottomless PF.
</Rant>

[RapidCoffee]

A good tamper is essential. If you make cappuccinos, get a milk pitcher for frothing. Some nice cups will enhance the aesthetics. A blind filter is probably included with the Vetrano, but if not, get one for backflushing (and some Cafiza or similar backflush detergent).

Congrats and enjoy!

[DavidMLewis]

One of the Pallo brushes makes cleaning easier, along with some backflush detergent of your choice and some Grindz (not necessary but makes cleaning the grinder easier). I personally find a rubber backflush disk more useful than a blind filter but it's a matter of taste. I have a nice piece of 5/8" wood that lets me set the portafilter holder (bottomless) flat on the counter when tamping. You'll wind up with a bunch of baskets. What you mostly need is a bunch of coffee of a type that will remain fairly consistent for a while, and some time. Enjoy! As we used to say in alt.coffee, "here's your handbasket."

Best,
David

[Coffeecritter]

A substantial knockbox comes in really handy. I like the big Bumper one. I also like the Bumper tamper stand when using a spouted portafilter - and it has that cute tamper holder, too. These and the above suggestions are great stocking stuffers to accompany your new arrivals.

Oh! And don't forget a good stack of cleaning cloths!

Sue

[micki]

A thermometer for the milk pitcher is a good idea until you get "the feeling".

A bathroom scale comes in handy for training your consistent tamp pressure

Kim

[drminpa]

Thanks for all the suggestions folks. Maybe I can get my wife to look at these things as stocking stuffers.

Would probably be an easier sell if she liked coffee

[HB]

I wouldn't call this a "must have", but it's handy. REI sells a cheap mini whisk and dust pan, which works great for sweeping up coffee grounds:

[Randii]

Don't forget a handy dandy brush to clean out your grinder with. Grindz is good for periodic cleaning, but for everyday cleaning, I find a small, cheap, stiff bristled brush essential.

[jesawdy]

I think these were all mentioned, but my list (excerpted from the Alexia Buyer's Guide):

If this is your first espresso machine purchase, I recommend the following accessories:

• Quality 58mm tamper,
• 12 or 20 ounce pitcher for milk steaming,
• Espresso machine cleaner for backflushing,
• Knockbox (yes, the Bumper rocks).

Optionally, I also recommend:

• Bottomless portafilter (the Rancilio commercial "Verna Original" portafilter sold by Chris' Coffee is my personal favorite),
• One or two of the so-called "La Marzocco ridgeless" double baskets,
• Tamping mat (although a bar towel will work just fine. I have the Bumper tampstand, but only ever use it for the single spout),
• Digital 0.1 gram accuracy scale.

These optional items are helpful and useful tools that will get you on the road to pulling great espresso sooner rather than later.

Most people get a thermometer for steaming as well (and I have one), but if you use your hand to stop stretching when the side of the pitcher feels warm, and your ears to stop swirling when the sound becomes a lower growl, you'll probably have good milk. The Pallo Coffeetool also makes an appearance in my kitchen, but not so often that it is a must have. If you wiggle rinse with a blind and water backflush often, things should stay clean.

[cannonfodder]

Lots of coffee, lots of patience, do not get a pound of coffee, get two or three. You will burn through them very quickly when getting everything dialed in.

[jesawdy]

Lots of coffee, lots of patience, do not get a pound of coffee, get two or three. You will burn through them very quickly when getting everything dialed in.

If you don't use at least a 1/2 pound the first day... you didn't try hard enough (seriously)!

[cannonfodder]

And do not get three different one pound blends. Keep it consistent until you have a grasp on the process. Get three pounds of the same blend. About the time you get things set, you run out of what you were using then have to start all over with another blend. If you really want to go high on the hog, get a 5 pound bag, separate it in mason jars or one way valve bags, keep two pounds in the cupboard and freeze the rest. Just make sure you get the frozen batch out of the freezer a day before you plan on using it.

[drminpa]

Ok, I have gone through 3 lbs of coffee with my new equipment and I thought I would follow up with what accessories I found have helped me the most as a beginner- here's the list:

Gotta haves:

-Solid comfortable tamper (you gotta grip and push pretty hard)
-Scale that reads in 0.1 gram increments and stays on for at least a half a minute before going to sleep (after I got a scale I found I was way overdosing with the routine I had developed)
-Yogurt cup and paperclip (for the WDT - very quickly eliminated the squirts!)
-Measuring cup (for measuring flush volume)
-Calibrated shot glass (for measuring shot volume to dial in grinder)
-Stop watch (for measuring shot time to dial in grinder)
-Knock box (a royal pita trying to expel hot stuff into trash without being able to hit something)
-Electrical tape doser mod on mini mazzer grinder (works WAY better)
-Patience (the guy who came up with "if at first you don't succeed, ...." was probably a newbie making espresso)

Nice to haves but could have done without:

-Bottomless pf (it does less for me now but it did help me get the hang of dosing/tamping in the very beginning)
-Thermometer adapter (I have since come to learn that volume/time flushing is pretty darn accurate but it helped me learn that and I like how easy it is to be able to read just one factor to get a repeatable temperature)

Found I didn't use:

-Small brush for grinder (doser on mini mazzer is a pita to clean out and I don't know how you clean out the grinder chute with disassembling the doser - found it way easier to just run a small amount of fresh beans through, empty doser and throw away)
-grouphead cleaning brush - seems like a flush, a dish towel wipe, second flush and second wipe works easier


I haven't played around with frothing milk yet but I assume a pitcher is a must have and thermometer is a nice to have while learning. Gonna have to get me something other than the skim milk in the fridge to work with when I get to this.

[rferoni]

Hey all,

Gonna drop the dime on my first espresso machine....a quickmill Anita. Now I need to know which items I should get. Actually I know what I need, just looking for brand preference I guess.

1. Knockbox...I will make my own

2. Tamper..convex/flat?

3. Bottomless portafilter...does brand/type matter?

4. Cleaning stuff..brushes/cafiza..etc..

5. And of course a few demitasse cups and capp cups/saucers.

If you all can think of anything else I should get/need please let me know. Appreciate all the info I have received here on this site. Thanks again,

Ron

[cafeIKE]

0. grinder ?
1. cool
2. close fitting
3. nah
4. pulycaf cleaner
5. great

a 0.1g accuracy scale is useful to ensure dose is consistent.

pitcher for steaming milk

thermometer for steaming milk

kitchen timer and 60ml graduated container

[HB]

Now I need to know which items I should get.

I merged your topic with another on the same subject. In addition to the items suggested above, see Accessories to Consider from Mark's How to Buy an Espresso Machine.

Actually I know what I need, just looking for brand preference I guess.

1. Knockbox... my favorite is the Bumper knockbox because it's big.

2. Tampers... check out the HB Tamper Roadshow.

3. Bottomless portafilter... the Verna original sold by Chris' Coffee.

4. Cleaning stuff... JoeGlo brush is a must-have.

5. Cups... my latest is the black Nuova Point from Great Infusions. See preferred espresso cups for other suggestions.

[rferoni]

So I posted the above in another forum and it got moved here. Somehow I missed this thread. I guess my questions have been(were)answered before I even asked them!

Man you guys are fast...

Ron

[RegulatorJohnson]

the erics thermocouple adaptor.

jon