Below is a collection of this forum's most popular topics. To nominate a thread for inclusion in this list, please post a reply to this message. Remember to check the Resources page for other references.
Recently several members have reported too good to be true prices on espresso equipment. The sites I've seen looked like a generic e-commerce package and they sold a range of equipment from consumer espresso machines for a few hundred dollars to multiple-group espresso machines...
Which espresso machine should I buy? What's the best coffee grinder? I have a budget of $500, what is the best espresso machine? This post summarizes my advice in question/answer format.
__________
Q. There are so many choices of espresso equipment. What general advice to you...
I used a Crossland CC1 for a while several years ago. That machine made good coffee but had serious reliability problems. Within a year the steam boiler broke, that was fixed under warranty. A short time later the steam wand started to leak, I had to pay to fix that. Still other...
I'm considering switching to a self-leveling tamper. It seems to help to get an even tamp, also the tamping with the spring looks/sounds very satisfying to me :)
However, I haven't seen a choice I'm completely happy with:
Well, this was a topic that needed to be started some day, so it might as well be by me.
I have a La Spaziale S1 Dream and want to upgrade. Part of it is the impossibility to get it serviced and self servicing a plumbed in machine is not easy. Another part is that I'm having...
I have a QM Carola espresso only machine (850 watts) -- is there any reason I can't use a cheap timer like the one in the picture below (rated 15A - 3 prong with ground) to turn it on before I get up? I would use a similar timer for the Carola steamer as it has a separate cord.
FWIW. I was on online chat checking availability of a machine model I wanted but not all vendors had. They did have it. I thanked the agent--said I'd think it over and get back if interested.
Then, before signing off, the agent offered 10% discount or $300+ off the listed...
