I'm new here...

RichardM

For a similar price you could get the Sunbeam EM0430 burr grinder, which isn't great for espresso (or turkish), but at least it is consistent for the manual methods that you are talking about (filter etc). Would certainly be better than the blade grinder. Let me stress, however, that if you could find an EM0480 or EM0450, you would get a much more consistent grind (bear in mind, I'm giving this advice having owned an EM0480 and currently using a Mazzer Super Jolly (>$1000 grinder), so it's really at the very low end of spectrum for what is the most important part of coffee making. For speed (of making coffee), you could make up a batch of coffee and freeze it into ice cubes 😃 - I do that in summer to make iced coffees. Not sure what it would be like refreshing it in hot water though???? I can think of at least three people I could expect to chirp in as to whether that is a good or bad idea.

Bunghulio

mycuppa wrote:

Warm welcome Bunghulio! and yes that was me (Jeff) - straight onto it like a dog with a bone 😉 Thanks for purchasing the coffee and yes, I am still here roasting tonight right now, some of the beans coming off the roaster about 10pm will be in your packs tomorrow and on their way to you - I will put "wait until" dates on the packs. Learn as much as you can from our talented members and mods - they are all very experienced and willing to help you on the journey. Jeff

Lol 😃 Wow, the rate of reply around here is amazing! Must be all that quality coffee 😉 Hey Jeff ... yeheh mate ... Never have I ever been contacted so quickly. Excellent stuff! ;D You must really enjoy your work ... (and why wouldn't you .... must smell absolutely fantastic around there!) Didn't realize you literally took orders 24/7? Very impressed so far and I can't remember looking forward to taste-testing something as much as I am your coffee. Even if I find another sellers blends to try I can assure you I will be back for more of your product. Will also let others know. Cheers ... and I'll seeya round the joint. 8) Oh and P.s. Just noticed your next reply Richard ... Thanks mate I'll go have a look 🙂 And P.s.s. Someone asked how I found this site ... It was basically through finding MyCuppa first ... and then I googled it to find out more and the 1st click was this site ... and that, as they say ... Is how the cookie crumbled. (do they say that? ... probably not lol)

mycuppa

Bunghulio! wrote:

Lol 😃 Wow, the rate of reply around here is amazing! Must be all that quality coffee 😉 Hey Jeff ... yeheh mate ... Never have I ever been contacted so quickly. Excellent stuff! ;D You must really enjoy your work ... (and why wouldn't you .... must smell absolutely fantastic around there!) Didn't realize you literally took orders 24/7? Very impressed so far and I can't remember looking forward to taste-testing something as much as I am your coffee. Even if I find another sellers blends to try I can assure you I will be back for more of your product. Will also let others know. Cheers ... and I'll seeya round the joint. 8) Oh and P.s. Just noticed your next reply Richard ... Thanks mate I'll go have a look 🙂 And P.s.s. Someone asked how I found this site ... It was basically through finding MyCuppa first ... and then I googled it to find out more and the 1st click was this site ... and that, as they say ... Is how the cookie crumbled. (do they say that? ... probably not lol)

Thanks - yep the online world is a 24/7 beast........besides all the best roasting is done at night and weekends.......quiet as a mouse.........you know what they say - an artist cannot be disrupted or distracted. 😛

UNM

Just off to bed, but thought I'd mention that Breville factory clearance centres have cheap burr grinders (BCG450) that are cheaper than pretty much anywhere else for a new, warrantied product. Obviously only good if you are in a metro area and can get to one. There is also a chance someone near you can help out with a used grinder, so it wouldn't hurt to update your profile. Good to hear you can manage the basics - with serious injuries, full use hands is not a given. I understand though that your 'luck' is relative. Another option is a manual hand grinder. Usually $50-$100. Probably best for you to get electric.pO

AlexT

Morning team, My name is Alex and I enjoy coffee. I make most of my coffee at home on an old Faema Express S87 two group, roast on a KKTO and grind on a Fiorenzato F5 which has been rebadged anumber of different ways and can't see that changing any time soon. I have a number of plungers that I'd like to play more with, along with a Presso that I used almost exclusively before I had room for an espresso machine / grinder and a grindripper that I take for travel because its incredibly light and makes a decent cup. I've recently harvested a crop of cherries from a family friends coffee tree and have them drying out at the moment. Must be almost time to have another Brisbane get together I think.... maybe we can have some home-processed/roasted beans there 😉 Alex

UNM

Welcome Alex, another one processing their own coffee, seems to be getting more common nowadays. I'll be interested to know how it goes and compares to commercially harvested/processed.

admin

welcome guys - at least the newbies: Aktion, Bad Latte & Alex... UNM assume you must have changed password, as we've already exchanged pleasanteries a couple of weeks ago!!

Koffee_Kosmo

Alex welcome to Crema Forum Haven't seen you since the visit for the KKTO upgrade Hows the family ? little one walking by now ? KK

Old_Cromwell

My coffee addiction started through our son who lives in Melbourne. He has a Miss Silvia and starts every day with an espresso. My wife and I stayed with him for a few days and caught the bug. On return home to the South Island of NZ we bought a small Sunbeam to see whether we would get enough use to warrant the purchase of something better. That was a year or two ago. We now have 2X via venezias, one at home and the other at a holiday cottage. Also have an EM450 and an EM480. The via venezias both have replacement portafilters without the spring/seal contraption so we get a half reasonable brew. The two properties will be consolidated into one in the next few months and so I already have a breville smart grinder and was going to buy a Miss Silvia until the discussion about the Breville double boiler emerged. As a result of this I am sitting on my hands until I get some feedback from users. When not drinking espresso, making espresso, reading about espresso and dreaming of the ultimate espresso machine I am the H&S Manager for a commercial construction company. I look forward to participating in the forum. Cheers

Koffee_Kosmo

Welcome to Crema OC We all learn and bounce ideas off each other Thats how we all learn and move forward KK

AlexT

Hey KK, family is going good, little one is walking and doing a stumbly run even.... time goes fast. Speaking of catching up I need to talk to you about my KKTO, will PM you. Cheers Alex

Bunghulio

^Thanks for the advice UNM 🙂 I'll will check out those clearance centres, thx. And Hello again everyone, Been very crook the last couple of days (hopefully just a touch of the flu) ... But I finally got to the shops on Tuesday and stocked up on supplies. Also got a basic Plunger as was the plan .. and noticed the cheap Sunbeam Electric "Coffee and Spice" Grinder (whizzer). It was only $30 so I grabbed it. Was cheaper than I saw it whilst looking online beforehand, so for a Plunger And a Whizzer for $50 I'm certainly not complaining. 😉 I will no doubt follow the advice given here and eventually invest in a conical burr grinder ... but the whizzer, alongside the mortar and pestle will do just fine for now. The whizzer will come in useful anyway once it is retired from it's coffee duties. (I Don't think I'll use anything else in it as long as it is doing the coffee. It's stainless steel .. but still might hold some flavours). I'll be interested to see how much heat it really does create. It cannot be much surely, given the short running time and poor conductive qualities of thin stainless steel alloy? How sensative exactly are the beans/oils?? 🙂 It will be vaaary convenient though ofc 😃 and that is it's main purpose for now. Well, unfortunatly the beans didn't make it in the mail by the end of the week 🙁 will have to remember to try and order them on the weekend next time, so they don't 'sit around' at a depot somewhere getting 'less fresh'. Hoping they will be there tomorrow as It's the last time I will want to go to town this coming week ... but I Will force myself in if I have to ... still very much looking forward to a ProperGoodCuppaCoffee! ;D Oh and I almost forgot, lol, uncanny luck ... Stopped into the little 'Op-Shop' I've never been to ... to see if there were any of those old "Spong" grinders I've seen talked about (and pictured) around here 😉 Heheh, and as soon as I walked in, there it was right in front of me! 😃 Wow! , little bit corroded ... but didn't really expect to see one at all. It was in pretty good shape really. I didn't buy it ... but it is probably still there I'd say and he made me an offer. Is it worth it for $35? (Had $50 on it) ... How well do they actually work? Anyhoo, I've gotta go rest up some more ... will catch up soon. Cheers. 🙂

shape_shifter

Hello On the Spong side of things, they go for more than $100 when they are complete. The circular trays to catch the grind goes missing all the time. I use one every day and don't have many problems, mainly just adjusting grind sometimes which is normal anyway.

RichardM

Oooh, the famous KJM 😃

hazbean

Have been using a couple of Spongs regularly for the last few months (in fact, I was inspired by shape_shifter's enthusiasm to dig out one that had been lying in the dog box for ages 🙂 ). They are easy to use and grind very nicely. $35? If it is a No 2 or 3, definitely a good price. Similarly if it a No 1 (the more common variety) and it has the black container for catching the grinds (we use a pate tin, bit of a letdown relative to the quality of the grinder). For an not-so-good condition No 1 without the dish, IMHO a bit borderline but still OK depending. If it is a No 0, buy it and send it to me and we will reach an amicable arrangement ... 🙂 Check that it has the locking nut at the back -- I've put some pics here: https://picasaweb.google.com/haazbean/SpongGrinderRenovation

mycuppa

Bunghulio! wrote:

Well, unfortunatly the beans didn't make it in the mail by the end of the week 🙁 will have to remember to try and order them on the weekend next time, so they don't 'sit around' at a depot somewhere getting 'less fresh'. Hoping they will be there tomorrow as It's the last time I will want to go to town this coming week ... but I Will force myself in if I have to ... still very much looking forward to a ProperGoodCuppaCoffee! ;D

Hi Luc - beans went out from us early on the 3rd and arrived at the Lismore DC late on the 5th. Today the AusPost merchant interface was showing scheduled for delivery today (8th) from the Lismore DC at 5:35am this morning (last entry). You can track using MXJ0001791 from the AusPost website. From our experiences, unfortunately the freight movements around your area are not always the most prompt/efficient - I regularly send stuff up near your area and sometimes amazed at how long it can take to get the parcel that final leg from the Lismore DC. It can't be very far away and I'd be surprised if they we not at your doorstep early tomorrow given they obviously missed their target today. Cheers Jeff

shape_shifter

Yah I inspired someone 😃 I really do enjoy using mine, the smell is just divine when grinding, makes me look forward to what is coming up. I don't really understand the attitude that you must have an electric grinder to get the best out of your coffee, I'm still yet to buy a particle divider but I'm out to prove that I can get just as good a grind from the Spong as I can from an electric grinder (have to buy the electric grinder as well lol). I've just today hit the sweet spot with the Berry Apocalypse from Mycuppa, and I sat down to a very enjoyable coffee which I was determined to make last 🙂

Bunghulio

High Guyz! ;D ;D ;D Well, I've got my first brew in front of me ... Absolutely Delicious! 😉 Yummers ... Didn't last long ... (Gulp Gulp) Heheh, Another thing I like about the plungers is that I always make 2 or 3 cups at once for the easy refill ... (Pours another) 😃 So I got the Mocha Roast pre-ground for me and that's what I'm trying for now ... May well grind up another portion of a different roast later tonight to try. Hey Jeff, Mate ... I'm rather impressed so far 🙂 Opened the box and the loverly smell wafted out, quality packaging and the grind seems to suit the plunger beautifully (I now realize that the grinds from the supermarket are too fine ... this size is much better for a plunger). And no worries about the delivery ... I know you were straight onto it. You're quite right about the 'Delivery times' around the parts ... It somehow always takes a couple of days to get from Lismore to the Bin 😉 Some people are very prejudice about this area believe it or not (Maybe they are jealous lol) and this often causes basic services to be insufficient toward us. (I know people with online business who always have the same problems). It's unfortunate ... but I'd rather live here and be considered a 'Hippy' than be like those with prejudice against minority groups. Spiel Finishe. 😃 I should be able to avoid the weekend with future orders. No Worries. And Hiya Shape_Shifter, Yah, your Spong post 'n' pictures inspired me to look also 🙂 Thanks for the advice ... I'm not confident that the catching tray was present ... Nor the locking nut ... but now I know what to look for. From those pictures I'm 99% sure it was a Spong No.1 ... in similar condition although I don't tink the paint had as much luster as yours. (Quite impressive for paint that old actually). Burrs looked decent and possibly not quite as rusty as the one in those pics. I'd say I will pick it up if it is still there when I get back ... I've seen them before (never payed no mind) but you certainly don't see them as often you used to and they obviously have a 'collectability' factor to them aswell. Almost grabbed it that day thinking someone here might like it ... If I decide I can't be bothered cleaning it up after getting it I'll happily pass it on if anyone wants it. 😉 And thankyou for your input too Haz, Very helpful. So your after a number 0? ... I'll certainly keep my eye out for you. Are they smaller again than the number 1? Rare? Got a picture of the whole set? too many questions? 😃 heheheh Also, just to check ... Is the 'locking nut' you mentioned that small "L" shaped screw doo-hickie? :o Man ... I should have done this ages ago ... I enjoyed thse 2 cups very much. Will have to go a bit stronger for my next brew ... never enjoyed really strong coffee, I think I actually prefer it much weaker than most. Considering the amount I drink though this is probably not a bad thing. 😉 I'm sure it's a never ending education (like most hobbies) and I will no doubt continue to improve my methods in this further conquest of the 'Perfect Cup'. (ooh, how poetic lol) 😃 And on that note ... time to whack the kettle on again! ;D ;D ;D Cheers.

Koffee_Kosmo

I have 6 hand grinders They are wood box type of various brands There are also some sprong types that have a ceramic bean feeder but the good thing is that they are wall mounted The steel sprong type that is fastened to the bench is easy to use if you have mobility problems KK

Bunghulio

^ Thanks Kosmo, Yeh, good point about the Spong being fixed to the bench. Might be a little hard to hold the small box still while turning the handle? Not sure of the force needed. Obviously the Spong has an advantage here though. Not to mention it can be put somewhere semi-permanently. i.e. Will be able to clamp it to the part of a bench that is 'out-of-the-way' but still set-up and ready to go. Whereas the box grinder has to be put in place each time. Pretty obvious I realize but something I didn't think about before. 🙂 I can tell now that I'll probably end up with a collection of 'kit' too. 😃 heheh Won't be as expensive as some of the collections around here ofc but after doing my first grind with the whizzer and moving 1-step closer to 'The Complete Process' I can just tell. (I'm sure you guyz would have chuckled watching me do it.) 😃 So I cracked the pack of "Amazon" blend ... still smelt great but not as umm, 'Hearty' as the pre-ground 'Mocha' for obvious reasons. Sniffing every part of the process I filled up the Sunbeam WHizzer about 2/3 of the way with beans and pressed the button 4 times for about a second each. This only ground about half the mix to a practical size grind .. the rest was too big, almost upto 1/5th of a bean size. SO I made a brew from this ... to see how it went. I probably should have stirred it as the large chunks didn't sink for a couple of minutes and the water stayed a little more pale in colour than it could have been. It seemed to smell much more 'Earthy' while brewing and I wondered if I would prefer this blend based on that smell. But after a few minutes I made up a cup and I'm 1/2-way through that now. :o It's very nice. The earthy aroma is way less and it almost tastes a little 'Chocolaty' (<-- Technical term?) ;D Sipping on this reminds me very much of a small cafe in Mur-Bah I used to get a coffee at most mornings. Their Beans were from Byron Bay (Byrons land seems very suited to growing Decent Coffee) but I can't remember the Brand-name as that was almost 10 years ago now. And just another little thing I noticed before I go at the 'Stronger' 2nd Cup ... I am generally a Milk and Sugar man when It comes to enjoying Coffee ... I know this isn't acceptable in certain circles but I think that's just snobbery lol What I know is that over the years of Instant Coffee abuse (😉) ... The quality of milk, and sugar but mainly milk, makes a difference in the enjoyability of the Cuppa ... I can handle Powdered and UHT but don't like them ... 'HomeBrand' milk and the like are a little better than Pwdr and UHT but still not optimal ... Then there are the Local(ish) Milks which are nowhere near as good as they used to be (Watery comparitively) they still taste somewhat decent and are the only ones I would actually drink a straight glass of still, though not very often because it's just too pricey at ~$2 a L when you drink more than that a day in coffee's alone. ;D Well .. with that said ... I've run out of 'proper' milk and am now using refridged pwdr milk ... the Coffee taste is so good that the milk factor is almost non-existant ... I forgot until thinking and sipping just now that I even used Powdered milk. 🙂 For me ... that's pretty significant. Cool ... so I'm going to continue with just these 2 blends (Amazon and Mocha) for now whilst keeping the other 2 Fresh (Those variety packs are great, wonder if they will do other brands than what are listed on the myCuppa site? Will get back there soon to leave Feedback, I'll enquire more then too). Will just be experimenting with whatever aspects I have the capabilities atm to experiment with ... I have plenty of 'small detail' questions already. Might quiz a few of you here a little later on. I can post New Topics if preferred .. if anyone thinks I should. Or I can just keep nearly all discussion in this thread alone if that is preferred. Never sure on this ... Numerous Specific Threads on Numerous Specific Topics ... or a lesser number of Broader Ranging Threads that each cover Many Topics. Both ways have advantages in keeping an organized forum so I'm not sure. 😉 Oh ... just remembered too ... will fill out that Feedback survey tonight if It's still open. Always a wize choice to ask people what they think of a site ... best way to improve that said site, without a doubt the best way. "Give The Customers What They Want!" is an apt phrase ... somewhat analogous. 🙂 Aaand that's all I got for now folks .. Hope your enjoying your night. Cheers.

« Previous Page Next Page »