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Tamper that comes with Silvia - 2007/01/24 13:15I can't believe that Rancilio includes that cheap arse plastic excuse of a tamper. It's not even the proper size. It's so bad it's actually comical. As if someone included it as a joke. They should have not even included it. I need to get a RB now. More money!
Now for my real question. Are my shots going to be that much better with a Mazzer than a Rocky? $400+ better ? Colin what grinder did you use when you pulled those amazing shots that are on Espressotecs site?
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Current Coffee
User Senior Barista
Posts: 37
Karma: 9
Re:Tamper that comes with Silvia - 2007/01/24 14:12I think they include one so that you can actually make something before you get yourself a real tamper. I wouldn't use anything less then a mazzer mini or a La Scala M5. The reason is if you buy a rocky, you will just end up replacing it, whereas if you get the best to start with, it will last you a lifetime.www.currentcoffee.ca
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caffiend
User Senior Barista
Posts: 27
Karma: 5
Re:Tamper that comes with Silvia - 2007/01/24 16:04I need to get a RB now
You don't need a RB. You can get other 58mm tampers that are 99-100% as functional starting at about half the price of a RB. I found one on ebay...
Are my shots going to be that much better with a Mazzer than a Rocky
The answer to that question is debatable and depends on your competence as a barista as well as on the machines themselves. While there might be some truth to the claims of those that insist that Mazzer-ground coffee produce better shots than the Rocky ground equivalent, I would guess that the real-world difference is, at least for most, very minor, and perhaps, even unimportant.
If you trying to decide which one to purchase, I think the questions you should be be considering are as follows:
1 - How much "disposable" income do you have?
If spending an extra $500 on a Mazzer Mini doserless over a rocky is analogous to the extra expense ($1.99) for me to buy "Bounty" over the generic paper towels at the supermarket, then you should probably just go for the Bounty. Sure, they both do the job, but the Bounty just might prevent you from getting your hands full of whatever your trying to wipe up (or they might not, but hey for only an extra $1.99 it might be worth the peace of mind). (OK, I admit that was an absolutely terrible analogy - but hopefully you get the point. Moving on)
2 - How much faith do you have in your barista skills?
If you don't think you'll ever be able to master all the other subtleties that go into pulling the perfect shot (whether because of incompetence or lack of patience) then the small difference in the two grind qualities will likely be masked by other shortfalls
3 - Finally, How much do you care?
If you do not consider yourself to be an ultra-aficionado java snob or a hardcore coffee geek who loves to spend a large portion of their free time pouring over their coffee hobby, then why bother? You can get excellent results with the Rocky. I know. I have one. But just maybe not the very best...
If you are considering getting an espresso grinder of the caliber of a Mazzer, then you should get a stepless version to really have the utmost control over your espresso shot. However, if you are not so anal-retentive about your espresso and want a grinder for all types of coffee, the stepped adjusted on the Rocky offers a very good "compromise".
Finally, If I were to have purchased something "better" then the Rocky, it would have probably been a MACAP doserless. Many say that their grinding is on par with the Mazzers. Though their dosered models are in the same ballpark price-wize as the Mazzers, the MACAP doserless models are significantly cheaper than the Mazzer doserless($300-$400 cheaper). I just prefer doserless. Makes more sense to me for domestic use.
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Dom1183
User Senior Barista
Posts: 32
Karma: 5
Re:Tamper that comes with Silvia - 2007/01/26 09:31Thanks for all the comments folks but I think my coffee budget has already gone over what I wanted to spend so Rocky it is.
Colin what grinder did you use with your Silvia?
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colin
Admin Admin
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Re:Tamper that comes with Silvia - 2007/01/26 14:48Dom1183 wrote:
Colin what grinder did you use with your Silvia?
The Rocky.
A natural match.Colin is the Senior editor and creator of the CoffeeCrew.Com Website
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dave
Admin Admin
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Re:Tamper that comes with Silvia - 2007/01/27 21:08Let's all remember that whatever grinder you choose to purchase, be sure that you have a supply of quality, FRESH beans.
While the grinder is more important than the espresso machine, the coffee is more important than the grinder.
DDave is an Ottawa resident and Coffee Expert
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Dom1183
User Senior Barista
Posts: 32
Karma: 5
Re:Tamper that comes with Silvia - 2007/01/30 06:19"While the grinder is more important than the espresso machine, the coffee is more important than the grinder."
With that being said what's everyone's fav grind? I've tried Everyday Gourmet Espresso House Blend, illy and a some other local blends. Has anyone tried those Lavazza with a hint of chocolatte beans? I don't think they are the most fresh but it does sound tasty.
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Current Coffee
User Senior Barista
Posts: 37
Karma: 9
Re:Tamper that comes with Silvia - 2007/02/02 22:56I like intelligencia, and artigiano (now 49th parallel), but I think I like JJbean the best. I dont commit to one brand though, I like to mix it up.www.currentcoffee.ca
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taming
User Junior Barista
Posts: 5
Karma: 2
Re:Tamper that comes with Silvia - 2007/02/05 23:30Current Coffee wrote: I think they include one so that you can actually make something before you get yourself a real tamper. I'm actually glad that they don't include a good tamper when you buy a machine. It's not like we don't pay for everything they do include (including the Styrofoam and the labels on the box), after all.
I have very small hands, and I had to really look around for one that was a good fit for me. The chances of a manufacturer including one I liked would be pretty slim.**************************************** http://coffecrone.com http://taming.motime.com
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Current Coffee
User Senior Barista
Posts: 37
Karma: 9
Re:Tamper that comes with Silvia - 2007/02/07 23:05great point taming. I would rather choose my own too. Even good machines come with crappy tampers. The $2000 machines I sell dont come with tampers at all!
I wanted to comment on a point that dave made a little earlier in the thread. I missed it in the first read, but dave emphasized "fresh" beans. I personally dont believe that the freshest beans make the best coffee. It is important to get high quality, medium roasted beans, but beans cannot be too fresh. I find that if I try to pull a shot with beans the day they are roasted, I get very inconsistent shots. The I will be adjusting the grind between every shot, and every shot, fast or slow, will froth up with crema. Crema is good, but not 3/4 of a shot of crema. Most beans I find are best when the are 3 days old. Very dark roasted beans are better fresher (but I dont like dark roasted beans anyway). I found that Vivace beans produced the best flavour and mouth feel 5-7 days after roasting. It does not follow from this that you can buy 5lb bags off the internet for home use and expect to enjoy your espresso in week. I buy my beans the day they are roasted, but I make sure I have a day or so of beans left so that I can catch the next pound just before it reaches its prime.www.currentcoffee.ca
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