The question below prompted this poll. To keep results consistent, assume the espresso machine is preheated, you're preparing two double-espresso milk-based drinks of your choice (OK, espresso purists should assume two double espressos), and include clean up.

spud72 wrote:I loved the speed of the Superauto machines for lattes (what we usually drink). Foam some milk, push a button for a few shots. Done! Fairly quick and painless. Now, I am not under the impression that any "prosumer" machine will likely be as speedy as a superauto - but how long (after warm up, of course) would it realistically take to make 2 double lattes?

With an A3, most definitely less than 10 minutes, including clean-up. However, total time spent on making a milk-based drink is not something I worry about. It's more about making sure everything is the right temperature, consistency, etc. I've had espresso from a super-automatic twice (2 different machines) and was not impressed with the taste. The lack of control over the extraction is not something I would sacrifice for time.

Tim

I chose 10-15, although I think I could have just as easily chosen below 10. In my routine, I make a double-straight for myself, and a double Americano for the wife. Unless I have a meeting to get to, I usually take my time in the morning. When I have to rush out the door, I can get both drinks done in 5 minutes (rushing is by far the exception, not the rule).

The vast majority of beans I use these days are origins I have roasted at home, so I've always got two or three different beans at various stages of "aging". I quite often muck around with blends on the fly, as a result my morning routine is not short. If I had to, I could knock out a couple of doubles with milk and then backflush in under 7 minutes, but blending, building and pouring shots is something I enjoy and so usually allow myself about 30 minutes.

Wow, I'm pretty surprised at some of the quick routines. I've just parked the lever (whilst I decide on what future if any it has with me) in favour of an Expobar Brewtus II which has blown my socks off. The temperature control/stability means preparing and making my drinks is fast than ever, however is anyone including clean up time in their responses? Alas, not even my new toy can help with the clean up of the machine, wand, water-check and refill, grinder, tamper et al and kitchen surfaces. I tend to make one drink and enjoy it whilst prepping the second and cleaning up so I can then sit down with the second. I've never enjoyed coffee so much though and I can finally see myself taking to espresso and macchiato rather than my usual capp diet.

Using my Rossi/Expobar, I can get my espresso and my wife's americano or latte out in about 10 minutes including clean-up. Count the time to turn on the machine and sweep the grinds of the table, make it 10+. That is including a sink shot.

It really does not take much time at all, and after buying a real tamper, my time was cut by a third and the espresso improved fourfold. I would think with a new Mazzer (which is a little cleaner than my Rossi is now) I could probably take the time down farther than that...well under 10.

Matt

another_jim wrote:... what the heck are you slowpokes doing?

Install the portafilter.
Hit the power switch.
Remove the reservoir, fill the reservoir, replace the reservoir.
Grab a cup/saucer from the china cabinet.
Let the dog out.
for (i = 0;i < 3;i++)
{

Hit the timer on the grinder.
Put the cup under the pf.
Hit the pump switch to heat the pf and cup.
Grab the milk.
Stick the big pitcher under the steam wand.
Hit the pump switch off.
Loosen the pf to drain in the cup.
Grab a paper towel.
Remove the cup.
Remove the pf.
Wipe the pf dry.
Put the yogurt cup in the pf.
Dump the grind into the pf.
"Weiss"ly stir the grounds.
Tamp.
if (i == 0) let the dog in.
Insert pf.
Place cup under pf.
Hit pump switch.
Hit timer switch.
Pour milk in small pitcher.
Slew PID setting to 257f.
Hit pump switch off.
Silence timer.
Hit "enter" on PID controller.
Remove cup.
Loosen pf partially. //no 3-way valve
Put the milk away.
At 245f, start bleeding off water.
Steam milk.
Wipe and burp steam wand.
Slew PID back to 214F and hit "enter".
Pound, swirl and pour steamed milk.
Dump pf.
Rinse pf.
Install pf.
Drink delicious latte.

}
Power off.
Remove pf.
Rinse pf.
Wipe pf.
Dump drip tray.

Except for the "Drink" operation, this takes me 10 minutes (assuming the dog cooperates).

I've come to the conclusion that either:
- you fast baristas are simply more experienced and that folks like myself will catch up (I'm only on day 4 of a new machine & new routine), or
- us slow baristas are a lot more bleary eyed and perhaps brain-dead from the work routines which leaves very little of us in our kitchens.
I am really looking forward to spending more time on the coffee after a typical corporate year-end is out of the way in a week's time.

There is another answer, the quality and whole experience has certainly taken me back so much that I'm almost grinning watching shots and the ease of steaming such that I spend more time taking it in than perhaps others do.