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CoffeeCrew.com Discussion Forum and Guestbook
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Dom1183
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Senior Barista
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Karma: 5
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Espresso Machine - 2006/12/08 09:01
Is there a better machine than the Rancilio Silvia for under $800.00 CDN?
All I want is Italian bar quality espresso/caps etc....that are rich and full of crema.
Can any machine do this that is not a commercial grade and will cost over a $1000 ?
Lets suppose I do everything right, (tamp, grind, water etc. ) Which machines are the best ?
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Dom1183
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Senior Barista
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Re:Espresso Machine - 2006/12/08 09:49
I should have put this in the other section and not the entry level. 
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colin
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Re:Espresso Machine - 2006/12/08 10:53
The Silvia is considered the ultimate choice as an espresso machine in one particular price bracket.
That said, everyone needs to know that with every semi-professional espresso machine, there must be a suitable grinder capable of grinding freshly roasted quality espresso coffee.
Remember: Any espresso machine is only as good as the grinder and the beans.
The Silvia is no more capable of extracting great coffee from bad beans or stale coffee anymore than a lesser or greater machine.
Colin is the Senior editor and creator of the CoffeeCrew.Com Website |
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Dom1183
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Senior Barista
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Re:Espresso Machine - 2006/12/08 11:50
Alright so Silvia is the best in the price bracket. Is there a machine that, for a few bucks more say $1000,be worth getting like a super automatic espresso maker?
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colin
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Re:Espresso Machine - 2006/12/08 13:06
SuperAutomatic?
Now you have me started.
There is no SuperAutomatic that makes coffee
fit for drinking in my estimate (at least much < 2000$) and those machines are commercial.
If you want something better, get a ECM Giotto or La Scala Butterfly -- You are looking at 1500-1700$ for that ( and we have not even factored in the cost of a suitable grinder! )
The minimum grinder for these machines is the Rancilio Rocky.
Always keep this in mind - A machine is only as good as the grinder!
Colin is the Senior editor and creator of the CoffeeCrew.Com Website |
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Dom1183
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Senior Barista
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Re:Espresso Machine - 2006/12/08 13:40
So your answer is a big fat No then right ?
I think I'll get Miss Silvia and Rocky and that should be enough. ----- ! If I can afford $2000 + on a espresso equipment then I should be able to go to a good Italian Bar and get my espresso there daily.
Okay truthfully now.....have you ever made an espresso on Miss Silvia that was almost as good as the caffe?
You know the ones that are thick, rich and loaded with crema? I believe that only those machines they have at the caffes can produce a shot like that. Am I right?
I'm from Toronto and work close to Little Italy so I've had my share of good espresso and don't believe a home machine can make a shot as good.
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colin
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Re:Espresso Machine - 2006/12/08 14:27
Well - here is a shot out of my Silvia, using coffee from EveryDay Gourmet - Toronto and a Rocky grinder.
Colin is the Senior editor and creator of the CoffeeCrew.Com Website |
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colin
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Re:Espresso Machine - 2006/12/08 14:30
Dom1183 wrote:
I'm from Toronto and work close to Little Italy so I've had my share of good espresso and don't believe a home machine can make a shot as good.
Well - you definitely should head down to EveryDay Gourmet at the lower-level of the St. Lawrence Market - Tuesday through Saturday. Her espresso is killer!
Colin is the Senior editor and creator of the CoffeeCrew.Com Website |
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