basic lever

FreshCoffee2

Yes I understand your logic, but once you get to a certain level of "basic/ness" ("base-isity"????), why bother with a lever at all.....may as well stick with (or "upgrade" to) a stove pot / top espresso machine (aka moka pot / whatever). They are excellent espresso makers when used properly (same caveat as usual), cost virtually nothing, require no maintenance, and may last as long as a piece of string (my parents have some that are atleast 50 years old). Which begs the question, how basic is "basic"....and another question....what are people looking for? I personally would rather use a stove top than for example a La Pav Europic type. The operation of the stove pot is much easier for a more consistent result and the resulting espresso is great anyway even if without crema on top. The europic on the other hand, looks great on the mantle piece and is a great talking point for guests..... So I guess it depends entirely on what any individual is looking for, and it isnt necessarily in the end, just to get a cup of coffee. 🙂

C-man

thanks for the input guys. I don't want a project and I don't want big repair bills either. I like to keep things simple, that is why I like my Presso, you would be surprised at the shot quality I am getting now, the naked head and the good grinder has taken it to a new level. I will post some shots when I get a chance. It is a fussy beast but I have it pretty much sussed out now and can somewhat profile different beans. I like to have as much control over things as possible, temp, pressure and flow. It is the Milk issue that got me looking at different machines. cheers! C-

Kelsey

Lacehim and I are both close(ish) to you Cman and both of us roast. The popper's a good way to start, but it's pretty unforgiving! I moved on pretty quickly to the KKTO and have never looked back. If I were to do it again, I'd either build Derrilex's modified KKTO or a standard using this technique: - potset and Turbo oven from KMart - used windscreen wiper motor - homemade box to mount it on - socket wrench extender for the driveshaft - laptop power supply - agitator, inner pot liner, silicone tubing and insulation from the KKTO shop

C-man

I will get into roasting, I have stuck with professionally roasted fresh beans because I am still dialing in all my coffee making skills I did not want to add another variable yet, but will soon

Kelsey

That's a fair call too.

FreshCoffee2

C-man wrote:

.........I have stuck with professionally roasted fresh beans because I am still dialing in all my coffee making skills I did not want to add another variable yet.........

Wise move :thumb:

C-man

Lacehim and I are both close(ish) to you Cman and both of us roast. The popper's a good way to start, but it's pretty unforgiving! I moved on pretty quickly to the KKTO and have never looked back. If I were to do it again, I'd either build Derrilex's modified KKTO or a standard using this technique: - potset and Turbo oven from KMart - used windscreen wiper motor - homemade box to mount it on - socket wrench extender for the driveshaft - laptop power supply - agitator, inner pot liner, silicone tubing and insulation from the KKTO shop

sounds good, how much would it coast?

Lacehim

Rough Prices C-Man from what I remember about Kelseys build. Turbo Oven $50 (I got mine from Homeart) Pot set $50 second hand - Kelsey got his off ebay I think Motor $25 from a wreckers Laptop Power supply ??? Find one off any old laptop. Need a bit of oomph. 4 or 5AMP I think AM said. Socket Wrench Extender $1 (Kelsey raided cashcoverter for that one!) Home made box $20 or free if you have some timber lying around For the following items check KKs shop. Probably adding around the $200 mark. Agitator Inner pot liner Silicone tubing Insulation So all up if you have some DIY skills, about $350. Cheaper if you have time, and want to fiddle more. ie make your own shaft/agitator. In mine I can roast from 100gm up to 6-700gm. Probably more, but my poor cooler wouldn't cope! Oh, and you'll need a cooler too. Big bucket from bunnings, fan, and use the colinder out of the pot set. 🙂

Koffee_Kosmo

And I am always arround for help :thumb: KK

Kelsey

KMart currently have both potsets and TOs for $25 and $39 respectively.

Brett_H

Kelsey wrote:

KMart currently have both potsets and TOs for $25 and $39 respectively.

Bargin!

Koffee_Kosmo

Kelsey wrote:

KMart currently have both potsets and TOs for $25 and $39 respectively.

A note for the budding KKTO roaster builder Make sure that the handles are spot welded on ** not riveted ** And it is actually 24 cm not just under If you build the new version you don't need the pot set See the Hybrid KKTO thread KK

derrilex

Go for it C-man. Us chippies have to stick together :thumb:

UNM

I started roasting pretty early on. it doesn't actually add another variable (more like a few thousand), but I learnt a lot and get some satisfaction from home roasting. these days I buy some roasted as well as green to give me a reference point. do what suits, what is right for me is not right for everyone. Oh dear! maybe it isn't right for me either and I have been living in a fools paradise. c'est la vie.

FreshCoffee2

Geez blokes you forgot to mention that he should buy a milking cow, grow a couple of sticks of sugar cane down by the fence, and buy shares in a chocolate farm 😃 😃 To infer (as I think is being done here) and wind people up to think that to be able to better control the variables in coffee making you need to roast your own, is taking it a bit far especially as roasting your own at a home level is going to produce very variable results indeed.....very variable. It brings back the dreaded C word. Consistency, particularly in the most basic forms of home roasting. To roast your own because you enjoy doing so is well and good, but no one should have any trouble developing their coffee making skills using a good supply of professionally roasted coffee. Period. Just a random thought from the sidelines.

C-man

Go for it C-man. Us chippies have to stick together

yeah, I have wood and can make the box- haha I cruise the garage sales often and will start collecting the bits, no rush

Brett_H

Fresh Coffee wrote:

Geez blokes you forgot to mention that he should buy a milking cow, grow a couple of sticks of sugar cane down by the fence, and buy shares in a chocolate farm 😃 😃 To infer (as I think is being done here) and wind people up to think that to be able to better control the variables in coffee making you need to roast your own, is taking it a bit far especially as roasting your own at a home level is going to produce very variable results indeed.....very variable. It brings back the dreaded C word. Consistency, particularly in the most basic forms of home roasting. To roast your own because you enjoy doing so is well and good, but no one should have any trouble developing their coffee making skills using a good supply of professionally roasted coffee. Period. Just a random thought from the sidelines.

Absolutely spot on! Thank you sidelines. I generally play out of left-field so very much appreciate the coach's guidance! Back on topic... I think... I'm heading seaward (C word) myself for a couple of days for a music camp (another C word!) and taking my La Pav for its portability and the Rocky to stop the dormitory flying away in the event of a cyclone. The portable smaller lever will be put to the greatest test of all... Keeping me sane! :thumb:

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