Things you hate about espresso machines

UNM

#10 There are too many of them. It seems every household or business serving coffee has at least one espresso machine. We all know espresso is not the best way to make coffee, and yet can't resist the fascination of bling over functionality. #11. Waiting. Not just for a domestic machine to heat up (with modern materials and technology there is less excuse than there used to be). Also the wait for a 'barista' to actually deliver to the customers order in a commercial coffee outlet. Espresso machines are really inefficient in a high throughput environment. I agree with #5 but not in the way you might think. Working machines should not be pristine and shiny. Steam wands or panels with no chrome left and scratched brass from frequent use of a scourer are just fine by me. Functional cleanliness is all that is required. Shiny shows that someone has too much spare time or OCD - or both.

Kelsey

Brett H wrote:

:rofl: :angel:

In fact, this thread prompted me to do something about that complaint! [attach=1] Jus finally realised last week that's it's a different machine on the bench when she tried to make herself a coffee while I was out: "How come there's THREE buttons to brew coffee now?!?!?" She hasn't noticed this yet tho. :rofl:

derrilex

What are we looking at Kelsey ?

derrilex

UNM wrote:

#10 We all know espresso is not the best way to make coffee #11. Waiting. Also the wait for a 'barista' to actually deliver to the customers order in a commercial coffee outlet.

Re # 10 - beg to differ Re # 11 - couldn't agree more. What the hell takes so bloody long. I dont care if they have 10 orders, they have 3 or 4 groups. Get busy and stop bollocking around with ya nose piercing 😃

Kelsey

derrilex wrote:

What are we looking at Kelsey ?

The red knockbox D!

derrilex

Oh, ok. What were you using before ? Plastic bag in the sink KK style?

Jonty

#12 - I use a timer for my 7 days a week pattern. Hate it when you have a big night or change in normal routine that impacts the 'warm up' phase of the machine and my fix... #13 - When I know on a Sunday I have to empty the knockbox, what a bloody choir that is!

Lacehim

Kelsey wrote:

The red knockbox D!

You got a red one just like mine! It's a grindenstein knock box, they are very good. Small but that makes you clear it out more often (stops you get green pucks at least) and you can put the whole thing in the dishwasher. No dismantling required. 🙂

Kelsey

derrilex wrote:

Oh, ok. What were you using before ? Plastic bag in the sink KK style?

Smack it on the sink and leave the pucks there until the end of the day. We do a lot of our shopping at farmers markets so we don't have bags to spare usually.

Kelsey

Lacehim wrote:

You got a red one just like mine! It's a grindenstein knock box, they are very good. Small but that makes you clear it out more often (stops you get green pucks at least) and you can put the whole thing in the dishwasher. No dismantling required. 🙂

I didn't know that! Cool!

galumay

You guys just need to get a Caravel!

Rider

14. Specific to boiler, HX etc etc usually of Italian origin..... No bloody warning on low water. Sunnies and I assume the Breville do.... Nothing better than a truncated shot at 5.15 am.... particularly when I then have to refill so my darling wife is sorted a bit later... 15. My wife using the group head to rinse the group handle after a shot to actually create item 14 above... :🙂

Brett_H

Rider wrote:

14. Specific to boiler, HX etc etc usually of Italian origin..... No bloody warning on low water. Sunnies and I assume the Breville do.... Nothing better than a truncated shot at 5.15 am.... particularly when I then have to refill so my darling wife is sorted a bit later... 15. My wife using the group head to rinse the group handle after a shot to actually create item 14 above... :🙂

Oh yeah.... Yeah, these are good ones right here. I'll add these to my list. Is it just me or does anyone else hate when you choke a domestic lever and you have to depressurise and wait an age to get your porter filter out and start again. I mean, I would have happily paid the extra $9.68 to have a dump/release valve on the lever chamber. :tearhair:

UNM

galumay wrote:

You guys just need to get a Caravel!

Quite probably. When I first saw one I thought it looked close to perfect. Never even noticed it has no steam wand as that is completely useless on an espresso machine. On a cappuccino maker of course...

derrilex wrote:

Re # 10 - beg to differ

Really? No other coffee making process is equal to espresso under any circumstance? Personally I find espresso a tad deficient for long blacks. Iced coffee from a cold processed batch out the fridge on as hot day really hits the spot. Some beans really suit a siphon brew. A lot of the coffee drinking world would claim Turkish/Greek coffee is up to standard. Espresso is currently fashionable, but that will pass. I expect that it will still be available, but, hopefully, only from places that can actually use the equipment properly.

derrilex

UNM wrote:

No other coffee making process is equal to espresso under any circumstance?

Ahhh, that's not what you said originally is it now. For me, no. No other coffee making process is equal. And, it depends on what one thinks is the ideal coffee. For me, what comes out of my machine (mostly) is ideal. For others its what comes out of a tin.

Seeya_Latte

All Good points If espresso does become less fashionable it won't matter to me...I'll still be here along with the rest of us in these forums Although, if one day it does become uncool, Will that then mean Ill have to get rid of this portafilter tattoo on my neck? :stir :stir

Kelsey

derrilex wrote:

Ahhh, that's not what you said originally is it now. For me, no. No other coffee making process is equal. And, it depends on what one thinks is the ideal coffee. For me, what comes out of my machine (mostly) is ideal. For others its what comes out of a tin.

I'm with you on that one D. For me, there's nothing that I find as exquisite, as awesome or as addictive as a tight ristretto that knocks your head off with flavour. That's what I'm seeking. I haven't found a cold brew or a drip that could compare.... but I'm willing to taste test anything coffee-related I come across. Unless it came out of a butt.

Brett_H

I had a Syphon at Danelion and Driftwood today then compared this to a long black. Both were great but I liked the espresso better. I have no idea why.

Kelsey

I definitely need to visit that place when I'm up next.

derrilex

When you're down next, Kelsey :stir :stir 😃