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Not me. Certainly would be an interesting item to have in the home! You thinking of pulling the trigger are you?
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Casually perusing. But not that! To me that's fugly! Contemplating a fully automatic of some sort though...Originally posted by Thebigsmoke View Post.--
I think I may finally have this CAD under control...Comment
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What about the opposite.... Manual lever espresso machine? Really good coffee and they have a certain charm about them Screenshot_20220123_092604.jpgComment
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I love my Rok and it’s a beautiful piece of design for the kitchenOriginally posted by Thebigsmoke View Post
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A friend recommended something like this
Got all the right gadgets built in. One machine to do it all, and even do the grinding. 🧙♂️
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I think I may finally have this CAD under control...Comment
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That's an interesting machine. Haven't come across it before but I've seen Lelits other models like that Mara X (heat exchanger), Elizabeth (dual boiler) and Bianca (top end with all the trimmings).
With the Kate, having looked at the specs and seen a few videos, it certainly has some interesting features. With the built in grinder I feel its comparable to the Sage barista express line but has some pros which make it a more appealing machine to own. I've put down some thoughts below in the hope that you may find them useful if you're going to be making a decision soon.
I like the fact that it has a standard 58mm filter holder as that means getting accessories will be easier (the sage has a more unusual 54mm filter holder). I also like the fact that it has the electronic Lelit Control Centre which allows you to tweak brewing temperature for both the brew and steam functions so that you have consistent temperatures when brewing as opposed to just pressing the brew button and hoping that the boiler is at the right temp. The lelit marketing video suggests its also has pre infusion function which is another useful feature.
It is a single boiler machine so that means you cannot brew espresso and steam milk at the same time but for me (single coffee drinker in the house brewing one or two coffees at a time) that isn't really an issue and it works well for my situation. If you're planning on having a group of friends/family over and making coffee for everyone that may prove challenging, however. A simple cafetiere may do the trick in such scenarios.
I am put off by the built in grinder, however, for a number of reasons including whether the grinder will retain a large amount of ground coffee within the burr/grind chamber - the coffee will go stale and will be pushed out when you next brew a coffee. If you adjust your grind setting, unless you purge some coffee, you will affectively get grinds of varying sizes in your filter basket which may result in you constantly tinkering with the setting to get the desired output of espresso you want. The grinder, being incorporated within the machine, may also be affected by temperature fluctuations as the machine warms up and this may also need to be factored in when adjusting the grind setting.
For these reasons, people often have separate espresso grinders which are designed for 'single dosing' in that the aim is for you to get as much of the coffee beans you put in to the grinder out as ground coffee in the basket with minimal retention in the grinder and minimal exchange with older grounds sitting in the grinding chamber.
With all of that being said, I have got friends who perhaps aren't as fussed as about hitting the right brew parameters everytime they make a coffee and simply want some espresso/espresso based milk drinks and are pleased with their built in grinders and so I don't want you to be put off by what may not be as important to you as it may be to me/others.
Not sure where you are based ha_banos but you are more than welcome to come around to mine and have a go at making coffee with the machines and grinders I have to perhaps get an idea of whats involved and what could work for you.
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Whoah. Lot more there than I expected. Thanks! Will mull over and watch some videos. I'm in North London..--
I think I may finally have this CAD under control...Comment
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Sorry if that was more overwhelming than useful! You're not too far from me it would seem so feel free to give me a shout if you ever wanted to try your hand at making espresso before you buy any machine the offer is there.Comment
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Recovered from Covid and touch wood, my sense of taste and smell is still there!
It’s not all bad turning the big six zero soon - a surprise early gift from MLW and she also treated me to a coffee subscription from Pact - Their Bourbon Cream Expresso is lush!
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Love my morning coffee and couldn't live without it although I don't tend to drink any after lunchtime. Almost always use a stove top pot unless I'm on the road or, pre-covid, in the office then I use an Aeropress.
Been using Rave coffee for around 4 or 5 years now, love some of their blends and single origins. i signed up to their Roastery Choice subscription where they just basically send you a 250g bag of the latest beans they've received, great way to try different types from around the world. By doing this I've narrowed down that my favourite region is Central and South America, love the acidic, almost citrus like flavours that the beans from this region give out.
Loving seeing everyone's set ups and different preferences!Comment
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Glad to hear you've recovered, without any lingering effects, Vitola and congratulations on your new machine. That looks amazing! Look forward to seeing some proper latte art pics very soon!Comment
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I've not used a mokapot before but am interested in trying it out, especially after having viewed Hoffman's recent mini series on it! Love the aeropress and always take it with me on my travels along with my trusty hand grinder.Originally posted by Pedropete View Post
Love Central and south American coffees too. Recently had a really nice and funky Costa Rican Black Honey Gesha from Taylors Discovery (a small micro roastery linked with the bigger commercial brand) that was so full of flavour!Comment
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I'll need to look out for that coffee, most Costa Rican coffees I've tried are great (even ones you get in the likes of Aldi, Lidl etc.!).Originally posted by Thebigsmoke View PostComment
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I've just been watching him on YouTube and he's changed the way I drink coffee, I used to rate Nespresso (and still do to be honest) as great espresso for cost and convenience, but I drink a lot more Cafitere coffee now as I spend a lot of a day sitting at a desk in my home office (no cigars, the missus would Lynch me).Originally posted by Thebigsmoke View Post
His video on how to make the most of it really did make a massive difference.
Current set up is an insulated Bodum Cafitere, it's not the most advanced set up but it does make enjoyable coffee!
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I like his French press/cafetiere recipe. Very similar to the method used when 'cupping' coffees by tasters/buyers/roasters. I don't own a cafetiere but easy enough to replicate that recipe in any suitable vessel as the recipe renders the actual 'press' redundant.
Can't say I've enjoyed coffee from nespresoo pods but there are specialty pods that can be used in those machines. moteyi how you getting on with the ones you got from Grind?Comment
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