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I just switched from drip coffee machines to electric kettle + pour-over, and quite enjoying the jump in quality in my coffee. The next step is grinding my beans. However, the Baratza Encore listed in the OP is $120 on Amazon and has been getting bad reviews on Amazon. Are there any cheaper alternatives that can ALSO double as a spice grinder. I follow the Alton Brown philosophy and hate this poo poo out of uni-taskers in the kitchen.
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Aug 14, 2017 01:02
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Neo_Crimson posted:I just switched from drip coffee machines to electric kettle + pour-over, and quite enjoying the jump in quality in my coffee. The next step is grinding my beans. You could probably grind spices in a burr grinder but cleaning a burr grinder is not nearly as straight forward as cleaning a blade grinder. My guess is you would get super frustrated doing it. Edit: Brain fart rockcity fucked around with this message at 03:01 on Aug 14, 2017 |
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Aug 14, 2017 02:16
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rockcity posted:You could probably grind spices in a burr grinder but cleaning a burr grinder is not nearly as straight forward as cleaning a burr grinder. My guess is you would get super frustrated doing it. wat? Neo_Crimson posted:I just switched from drip coffee machines to electric kettle + pour-over, and quite enjoying the jump in quality in my coffee. The next step is grinding my beans. I don't know about you, but I don't want every cup of coffee I ever make to taste like every spice I've ever ground. That poo poo lingers no matter how well you think you can clean it out.
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Aug 14, 2017 02:59
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Hauki posted:wat? Sorry, that second one was supposed to say blade grinder.
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Aug 14, 2017 03:01
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Don’t use your coffee grinder for spices.
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Aug 14, 2017 04:26
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dik-dik posted:Don’t use your coffee grinder for spices. I'm picturing someone using a Mazer or Eureka or some big fancy grinder for garam masala or like nutmeg or cloves. Maybe that's how they make flavored coffees like the powdered international crap Mrs Mango loves?
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Aug 14, 2017 04:32
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Mr. Mambold posted:Very likely I read a post wrong, or I could've gotten the brand wrong. I was looking at some of them, and liked what I saw. Can you compare them side by side to, say, Breville, or is there too much sliding scale to even go there? dik-dik posted:Does Saeco make any machines that aren't superautos? Looking on online shops I've used before I can't find any. dik-dik posted:Don’t use your coffee grinder for spices.
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Aug 14, 2017 08:12
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bizwank posted:Where Breville shines is the features they pack into their machines, and to some, the styling. Their biggest downside is that they aren't user-servicable and have to be sent to Breville for any sort of service or repair, for $300-500 per trip. The Saeco machines are much more simpler, but also therefore have less to go wrong with them, and parts are readily available to the public and independent repair shops alike. They both will produce a similar shot. Nice to know, thanks. Ultimate Mango posted:I'm picturing someone using a Mazer or Eureka or some big fancy grinder for garam masala or like nutmeg or cloves. Lol. Maybe Mrs. Mango and Mrs. Mambo are related? My wife mixes up some wretched decaf mess every morning, with god knows what else in it. The smell of the wet grids makes me 
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Aug 14, 2017 17:20
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Thanks to the poster who recommended that Monin Dark Chocolate sauce. It tastes delicious and makes some decent mochas (the best I've made at home). I can't wait to try and make a frappucino out of this, I think it'll be delicious. I just wish there was a milk chocolate variety.
Qubee fucked around with this message at 18:27 on Aug 14, 2017 |
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Aug 14, 2017 17:49
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Q8ee posted:Thanks to the poster who recommended that Monin Dark Chocolate sauce. It tastes delicious and makes some decent mochas (the best I've made at home). I can't wait to try and make a frappucino out of this, I think it'll be delicious. I just wish there was a milk chocolate variety.  Monin does make a milk chocolate but I'm not sure if I've ever seen it in stores: https://www.monin.com/en-gb/products/gourmet-sauces/monin-milk-chocolate-sauce
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Aug 14, 2017 18:53
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The Crossland CC1 arrived. I'm enjoying it - dead simple operation. The temp control is very tight. I'm of mixed feelings about the shot timer. I've been used to pulling 2oz from the double basket, and going by color and flow, not much worrying about the time. For the CC1, if I want a 2 second pre-infusion, one second wait, I'm just plugging in a 40 second shot time - and cutting it off manually, which is working fine. Here's the first shot... edit: Thanks bizwank and scaramouche
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Aug 14, 2017 19:52
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Neo_Crimson posted:I just switched from drip coffee machines to electric kettle + pour-over, and quite enjoying the jump in quality in my coffee. The next step is grinding my beans. Amazon reviews are weird. I bought my maestro plus in like 2010 and it is still going strong. The encore is the successor machine. The great thing about the baratza devices is that they are designed to be fully rebuilt, though I haven't had to fix anything yet.
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Aug 14, 2017 20:07
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nm posted:Amazon reviews are weird. I bought my maestro plus in like 2010 and it is still going strong. The encore is the successor machine. Our Encore lasted exactly a year and 2 days and the gearing in the motor gave out. Whirring, but no engagement. Fully rebuildable or not, gently caress 'em. And bless Squaretrade, who I warrantied it with. So yeah, I well could have negged them over it. *In full disclosure, I took that and pitched in a few more bucks and hair of the dog got a Virtuoso, so
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Aug 14, 2017 20:15
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Baratza makes solid gear, they did have some issues with the older gearsets and have since rejiggered them to be more durable and would have fixed yours under warranty no question. Ignore Amazon reviews for most, if not all of the equipment discussed here. The average consumer has no idea how espresso machines (or any of the technology they use, for that matter) work and most don't bother reading the manuals, so reviews are full of inaccurate assumptions and issues that could have been easily resolved had they actually...tried.
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Aug 14, 2017 21:28
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bizwank posted:Baratza makes solid gear, they did have some issues with the older gearsets and have since rejiggered them to be more durable and would have fixed yours under warranty no question. This is wise speech, but that just wasn't my mindset when I was ready to go off on vacation and boom, morning, no coffee grinder, no coffee. Plus, factor in wife yammering shrilly. I could have field stripped it to parts, just wasn't in the mood one year on. I've stuck with them, and now need to choose between a like-new Preciso and a Virtuoso I've refurbed, and then what to do with the reject....I think I'll give the 'loser' to my son, help wean him off pissing his few  at starbucks.
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Aug 14, 2017 22:10
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RE: Saeco, they're really the big dog of the mass marketplace for "real" machines for me. They've finally launched the Aulika/Lirika lines in North America now too (light commercial, what the Saeco Royal is turning into), and they're at prices comparable to consumer machines ($900, $1000, $2500 for plumbed in) so that could be interesting. Bizarrely I'm not sure if they're doing real semi-auto anymore. This is the lineup on the Philips site: https://www.usa.philips.com/c-m-ho/coffee/saeco-manual-espresso-machines/ Every single one seems to use a pressurized portafilter, though obviously they can be converted.
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Aug 14, 2017 22:43
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Ultimate Mango posted:Welp, I'm up to using four shims on my Sette. Soooo, Baratza is just straight up replacing my Sette now. I would rather get a non-Sette grinder but they didn't want to give me that option. Who knows if the new one will be better, it I get to dial in again, hooray.  I am all for innovation and new designs but buyer beware for sure. Maybe in 10 years all grinders will use a design like this and be bulletproof.
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Aug 15, 2017 04:01
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Ultimate Mango posted:Soooo, Baratza is just straight up replacing my Sette now. I would rather get a non-Sette grinder but they didn't want to give me that option. Dang. I hope you get that sorted out!
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Aug 15, 2017 04:47
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Scaramouche posted:RE: Saeco, they're really the big dog of the mass marketplace for "real" machines for me. They've finally launched the Aulika/Lirika lines in North America now too (light commercial, what the Saeco Royal is turning into), and they're at prices comparable to consumer machines ($900, $1000, $2500 for plumbed in) so that could be interesting.
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Aug 15, 2017 19:26
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This could be interesting for people in Canada at least. We got a letter from Baratza saying they're changing up how they want to handle warranty/return problems. "Oh boy," you guys are probably going "here comes the screw job". Turns out it's the opposite; they want us to have customers with problems contact them directly and they'll handle everything else. They're also subsidizing us in free parts for repairs/replacements to give away to customers based on previous year's total sales. I've only had 3 guys with problems lately (which, based on the amount we sell, is quite small) and Baratza basically sent them pre-paid shipping labels to take back the bad grinder and then mailed them a brand new one. That's pretty freaking good.
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Aug 17, 2017 01:40
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Scaramouche posted:This could be interesting for people in Canada at least. We got a letter from Baratza saying they're changing up how they want to handle warranty/return problems. "Oh boy," you guys are probably going "here comes the screw job". Turns out it's the opposite; they want us to have customers with problems contact them directly and they'll handle everything else. They're also subsidizing us in free parts for repairs/replacements to give away to customers based on previous year's total sales. I've only had 3 guys with problems lately (which, based on the amount we sell, is quite small) and Baratza basically sent them pre-paid shipping labels to take back the bad grinder and then mailed them a brand new one. That's pretty freaking good. If that's the case maybe that's why I am finally getting a new grinder instead of sending the same one back again? What a welcome and refreshing policy change. It might save them a lot of money long term.
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Aug 17, 2017 05:50
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Baratza Sette number three was DOA. Foolish me packed number two back up fully before plugging in the third. Grinder number four is on its way to casa del Mango. In other news, I got a few pounds of Ethiopian that had spot on tasting notes of Honey, Dark Chocolate, and Berries. drat good stuff. Bodhi Leaf is great for any SoCal goons who don't live close to Kean or Portola.
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Aug 19, 2017 04:55
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So I finally got tired of pan roasting and thanks to the goon who posted pics of the backyard air popper roasting, a few days ago I went to target and got a $20 air popper. First batch was a Peruvian and it came out pretty good. A world of difference from the pan method, but I may have left it in the popper a pinch too long. Still pretty delicious cup. I did about 5 oz of Ethiopian Limu this afternoon though and god drat does it smell amazing right now. Shut it down right as I heard the first beans going into second crack and they're good and oily. Can't wait to try it out tomorrow morning  For some reason the unroasted Ethiopian beans smell nice and pleasant and fruity in the bag, while some beans I got from a different distributor smell much more grassy/earthy - even dirty if you will.
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Aug 24, 2017 00:43
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I've heard that some of the best coffees often have an odd smell to them.
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Aug 25, 2017 03:34
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Hey coffee thread. I've had a good drip machine for the past 6 years and I just broke the thermal carafe. Figure it's time to upgrade. I checked out Amazon and this seems to be a super solid one without shelling out $300+ for a drip machine: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X9K1EDK/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1 I still have my pour overs, french presses and cold brew methods, but I need something to make coffee that can last longer and serve multiple people. Is there some other brand/model that I'm missing?
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Aug 27, 2017 18:30
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Zojirushi generally makes good quality appliances. I wasn't aware they made a drip brewer but their hot water heaters are really well regarded. Bonavita tends to be the most recommended drip brewer at a reasonable price point.
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Aug 27, 2017 18:54
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rockcity posted:Zojirushi generally makes good quality appliances. I wasn't aware they made a drip brewer but their hot water heaters are really well regarded. Bonavita tends to be the most recommended drip brewer at a reasonable price point. Yeah, that was the other one I was contemplating around this price range: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O9FO1HK/ref=twister_B0752Q3BYV?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 . The one downside I see is its only an 8 cup while the Zoji is 10.
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Aug 27, 2017 19:36
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Doh004 posted:Hey coffee thread. That Zoj carafe stays hot for several hours. It is so much better than the Bonavita at that price range.
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Aug 27, 2017 22:36
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The zoj also brews super slowly and over extracts the poo poo out of your coffee. Get the bonavita. Or spring for an oxo barista brain.
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Aug 28, 2017 00:06
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Mr. Mambold posted:That Zoj carafe stays hot for several hours. It is so much better than the Bonavita at that price range. Sextro posted:The zoj also brews super slowly and over extracts the poo poo out of your coffee. Get the bonavita. Or spring for an oxo barista brain. Conflicting reports!!! And I was looking at a OXO, is this the one you're talking about : https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Barista-...3M9NGW45HCJ4YNM
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Aug 28, 2017 00:30
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Sextro posted:The zoj also brews super slowly and over extracts the poo poo out of your coffee. Get the bonavita. Or spring for an oxo barista brain. Well, agree to disagree. I grind to a nth probably finer than espresso and that ^ is a thing I've never experienced.
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Aug 28, 2017 01:08
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Doh004 posted:Conflicting reports!!! Yeah that's the one. Mr. Mambold posted:Well, agree to disagree. I grind to a nth probably finer than espresso and that ^ is a thing I've never experienced. If you're grinding that finely for a drip brew, with any machine, then yeah. We'll have to agree to disagree. We're seeking out fundamentally different things from a cuppa.
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Aug 28, 2017 03:08
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Baratza Sette #4 was a dud out of the box. There was a little piece that holds the portafilter holder and can adjust for different sizes, and at first I thought it was missing but nope it's just rattling around inside the grinder. Good times. Here is the glory hole shot. 
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Aug 28, 2017 05:24
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Mr. Mambold posted:Well, agree to disagree. I grind to a nth probably finer than espresso and that ^ is a thing I've never experienced. Sextro posted:Yeah that's the one. Thanks for the feedback guys. I'll go with the Bonavita. The OXO looks good too but I don't think I can justify the double price tag for what's basically the same thing.
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Aug 28, 2017 11:46
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Ultimate Mango posted:Baratza Sette #4 was a dud out of the box. There was a little piece that holds the portafilter holder and can adjust for different sizes, and at first I thought it was missing but nope it's just rattling around inside the grinder. Good times. Here is the glory hole shot. I really want to try the 270/270w but there seems to be such hit or miss with them, and that's kind of scary. I'm ready to get a new grinder, and outside of price my biggest issue is cabinet height, I have to get under 17" lip on the front. Craigslist has a scratched but new Super Jolly for only $350...doser version though...and no way to really make it shorter than about 18.5". The Sette with the scale checks all the boxes, but if it's going to bust on me in a year or so....that doesn't seem worth it.
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Aug 29, 2017 04:13
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MrEnigma posted:I really want to try the 270/270w but there seems to be such hit or miss with them, and that's kind of scary. I have an revile smart grinder pro I used like twice, it's just taking up counter space, but you probably want something nicer. The Sette is a great idea but I'd wait for Sette 3.0 at this point. Not even the second generation, but the third. Hopefully Baratza just agrees to give me the full refund I requested. Anyone here have an opinion on the Eureka Atom? I'm thinking it might be what I want to replace the Sette.
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Aug 29, 2017 04:26
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Ultimate Mango posted:I have an revile smart grinder pro I used like twice, it's just taking up counter space, but you probably want something nicer. The Sette is a great idea but I'd wait for Sette 3.0 at this point. Not even the second generation, but the third. I've heard good things about both the Atom and 65E, even with the short hopper both are too tall for my cabinets  . I have a smidge less than 17", and the shorter atom is still 17.25
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Aug 29, 2017 13:29
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While we're on grinder chat, what are the best options right now in the say $3-400 range? I am setting up a friend of mine with an espresso rig and that is what I'm looking to put into the grinder. It would be dedicated to espresso as they already have a solid grinder for other use. The Rocky seems like a decent option, but I want to make sure I'm not missing something.
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Aug 29, 2017 14:26
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We're going to get the Sette 30 AP probably tomorrow or Friday at the latest (one of the first in Canada who will actually have stock for them) so I'll let you guys know how that goes. It's kind of weird how it's changed from drip/pour over specific grinder back to espresso grinder, and I'm not sure how it's going to fit on the Encore -> Virtuoso -> Sette 270 -> Vario -> Forte continuum. My guess is the Virtuoso goes away eventually but who knows, Baratza's pulled some hinky stuff with their lineup in the past.
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Aug 30, 2017 18:13
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Okay, in reading the marketing materials they are apparently going to sell a BG burr separately that allows you to sidegrade the Sette 30 into a more pourover/drip/V60 appropriate device, and they're touting the simplicity in being able to switch burrs. Could be cool if it all works out like they said. The one question I have is if it's still as loud as hell.
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Aug 30, 2017 18:57
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