Espresso at Home

Mister Moo · 10-24-2008, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

Been using Silvia for like 10 years... Not as stable temps as I would like, but no complaints on the espresso. Replaced a few parts and is still going strong.

I do see a replacement on the horizon, distant horizon. Or as my girlfriend says "Put on the list..."

The Rancilio Silvia was the grail for home espresso for many years. As bigger, heavier, fancier-schmancier more temp. stable machines started getting attention for home use (at half-again or more the price of a Silvia) some of the gloss fell off "old reliable."

Then the smart coffee-dweeb boys starting putting PID (Proportional Integral Derivative) controllers on their Silvias for much less than the price of a fancy-schmancy new brewer and claimed results equal to perfection. What's not to like about perfection? Add $300 to a very good machine and have a perfect machine.

I have considered putting a PID unit on my Oscar now that some pioneers have shown the same results can get had with PID'd heat-exchanger espresso brewers, too. The coffee has been fine but, again, what's so wrong with perfection?

TOB9595 · 10-26-2008, 11:54 PM

I am a newb pilgrim on the path of COFFEE.
I will shelve the idea of espresso...
Grinder and Moka POT? Huh?

Off to read about Mokas and grinders.
later
Tom

Mister Moo · 10-27-2008, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TOB9595

I am a newb pilgrim on the path of COFFEE.
I will shelve the idea of espresso...
Grinder and Moka POT? Huh?

Off to read about Mokas and grinders.
later
Tom

Just grinders, Tom. Nothing to read about mokapots; just get a 1-3 cupper Bialetti Express or Brikka (if you're the lazy, non- mechanical hands-on fidget type).

mosesbotbol · 10-28-2008, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

The Rancilio Silvia was the grail for home espresso for many years. As bigger, heavier, fancier-schmancier more temp. stable machines started getting attention for home use (at half-again or more the price of a Silvia) some of the gloss fell off "old reliable."

Then the smart coffee-dweeb boys starting putting PID (Proportional Integral Derivative) controllers on their Silvias for much less than the price of a fancy-schmancy new brewer and claimed results equal to perfection. What's not to like about perfection? Add $300 to a very good machine and have a perfect machine.

I have considered putting a PID unit on my Oscar now that some pioneers have shown the same results can get had with PID'd heat-exchanger espresso brewers, too. The coffee has been fine but, again, what's so wrong with perfection?

Just started reading on this. Heard about it for years, now I am curious! On the fense whether to try this or sell my grinder/machine set and just go new. The upgrade I would want is around $3K...

Mister Moo · 11-16-2008, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

Just started reading on this. Heard about it for years, now I am curious! On the fense whether to try this or sell my grinder/machine set and just go new. The upgrade I would want is around $3K...

I have veered away from alt.coffee but that's where the real technicians are, guys who were PID'ing everything (esp. the Rancilio Silvia) with excellent results. At least one man even PID'd an Oscar (HX machine) with similarly good results.

I don't know if your Silvia will provide the steam or recovery time you'd like, but it can deliver perfect water temp with a little help from the sidehack module.

Bigwaved · 11-16-2008, 09:34 AM

I make my own. I roast my own. I am too lazy to blend my own. I do it 99% of the time now. It has made a dent in my regular coffee roasting/drinking. My wife looks at me cross eyed if she doesn't have her own every day. She cannot stand Starbucks anymore. My job is done with the exception of my art still being horribly abstract.

11-25-2008, 04:58 PM

Well, I'm getting better.....as compared to being a total retard, I'm now just a partial retard....

First pull when I got home tonight from work....(I KNOW I need improvement, but I'm working on it!!!)

And NO, that is NOT Guinness!!

Mister Moo · 11-25-2008, 07:01 PM

Well, it LOOKS like Guinness.

ghostrider · 11-25-2008, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tobii3

First pull when I got home tonight from work...

So what kinda machine you using?

11-27-2008, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostrider

So what kinda machine you using?

The one I was using during my last tour in Iraq (07-08)....and the tour before that (04-05)....

Mister Moo · 11-27-2008, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostrider

So what kinda machine you using?

He does not surrender his secrets easily.

Pretty sure he got that pour from a Guinness bottle...

10-26-2008, 11:54 PM	#2
TOB9595 Managing the UnManageable Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tom Location: Central NJ Posts: 452 Trading: (12)	Re: Espresso at Home I am a newb pilgrim on the path of COFFEE. I will shelve the idea of espresso... Grinder and Moka POT? Huh? Off to read about Mokas and grinders. later Tom

11-16-2008, 09:34 AM	#6
Bigwaved 99 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Lilliput Posts: 812 Trading: (3)	Re: Espresso at Home I make my own. I roast my own. I am too lazy to blend my own. I do it 99% of the time now. It has made a dent in my regular coffee roasting/drinking. My wife looks at me cross eyed if she doesn't have her own every day. She cannot stand Starbucks anymore. My job is done with the exception of my art still being horribly abstract.

11-25-2008, 04:58 PM	#7
tobii3 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Espresso at Home Well, I'm getting better.....as compared to being a total retard, I'm now just a partial retard.... First pull when I got home tonight from work....(I KNOW I need improvement, but I'm working on it!!!) And NO, that is NOT Guinness!!

11-25-2008, 07:01 PM	#8
Mister Moo I barely grok the obvious Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dan Location: Lizard Lick, NC Posts: 1,417 Trading: (3)	Re: Espresso at Home Well, it LOOKS like Guinness. __________________ "I hope you had the time of your life."