Bigal wrote:
....I've used about 10-15 different makes of espresso machine (used to sell used machines); none made coffee of this standard; highly recommended. Others had told me not to get a better machine; get a better grinder. Am glad I made this decision instead, however, if your grinder is below EM440 I would not bother.
Hi there, glad you are happy with your purchase. Just noting the quoted passage. a) Depends on the type and age, not to mention the individual condition of the "used machines"...Some people think they will get great coffee from worn out used commercial (cafe) machines, just because they are ...a) "commercial" and b) "large or full size"...but that is not so. When machines are removed from the commercial situation, it is sually because they have done their time and are worn out for want of a better term. There are lots of coffee burners and coffee destroyers out there, not to memntion that a lot depends on the skill/knowledge base of the operator in being able to deal with that 😉 b) there are lots of people reading and regurgitating stuff from the www such as "get a better grinder rather than a better machine", but the comment really is a gross generalisation requiring a bunch of caveats for any given situation. For example, throwing an expensive (usually cafe type) grinder onto the bench next to a used, unknown condition thermoblock domestic appliance really isn't going to do anything of significance.... The machine needs to be of a certain "standard" first... Just to confuse the issue, while a certain level of basic grinder will do the job well enough when mated with whatever individual machine and model in terms of end cup quality, there is the overall "operator satisfaction factor" where a "better grinder" is delivering a better overall standard of operation/use and management feel, while an individual may not be able to discern a significant difference in the cup. . There is more to a grinder than the ability to deliver a consistent grind, and so much is dependent on the individual owner, his ability to manage the equipment, not to mention his palate. We are not all created equal ! As a point of interest, what are the department stores charging for your Sunbeam?
