Which method makes the best coffee?

[DiscoMick]

We just bought a home coffee machine, but I'm still practising, so I'm not up to barista standard, unlike our granddaughter, who just did a barista course and now rattles off a list of rules.

What do you think?

Moka pot, machine, filter or instant – which produces the best coffee? | Food | The Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/food/shortcuts/2018/oct/29/moka-pot-machine-filter-or-instant-which-produces-the-best-coffee)

[debruiser]

I have a couple moka pots (mostly used for camping), a espresso machine (sunbeam cheapy), pod machine ($50 name brand one), cafetiere (I know them as plunger). I find each has their own merits and drawbacks.

I agree with the article, espresso machine can be an art and can also be vastly different between brands and makes. They can also be messy.

moka pot - I really like. they are easy and pretty consistent with minimal fuss or mess.

Pod machine - easy. consistent, and very mess free, but i'm not a fan.

Plunger coffee - I dont mind this but yes if your not careful you end up with gritty coffee.


My favourite would be...... Moka pot i think.

[Zeros]

An espresso machine is better than all other methods by far, if you know how to use it and if you use fresh beans and a good grinder. .

..Which machine do you have Mick?

Stove top moka - second best method, timeless, but easy to over cook / too hot.
sales are dropping because home espresso machines are better.

Plunger - third best method, if you use enough coffee and let it steep properly with correct temp water.

Pod machine - coffee is usually stale and too small a quantity for a good coffee. Crema is fake. Packaging is crazy excessive. Pods usually not fair trade coffee. But quick and easy.

Drip filter - Insipid Americano dishwater, unless high quality pour over method used.

[debruiser]

I think you touched on the most important part of making a good coffee! A good grinder! You gotta have a good conical grinder and set it right for the beans you have.

[DiscoMick]

Yes, we recently bought a grinder and it certainly makes a difference grinding it fresh.

[donh54]

Instant! Quick, easy and a plethora of brands to choose from! :wasntme: [bigwhistle] [thumbsupbig]

[jonesfam]

When SWMBO makes it.

[ozscott]

Beans then grinder.

Home roasted small batch is the go. Green beans from Coffeesnobs. Cheap and excellent.

As for style I like varying and in summer a pour over cold. Overall my go to is a 30 year old FAEMA Due 2 Group commercial being fed by a Mazzer Super Jolly.

Cheers

[Pedro_The_Swift]

oh my god,, [bighmmm][bighmmm][bighmmm][tonguewink]





this is the best method,,,

https://proxy.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fcm%2Flb%2F8279540 %2Fdata%2Fsignature-side-of-old-%252410-note-data.jpg&f=1

[ozscott]

Peter to you the shot would be without charge [emoji23]

[LRJim]

There is no other coffee
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181030/a324592174ec6b6f6ddcc1493c62881f.jpg

[DiscoMick]

There is no other coffee
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181030/a324592174ec6b6f6ddcc1493c62881f.jpgGotta get those 10 teaspoons of sugar for a hit, hey?

[ozscott]

Haha. I used to take sugar with coffee. I didnt know that my favourite brew (small flat white) could be naturally very sweet when the beans were genuinely fresh (so home roast or failing that small batch local roaster) and the milk textured properly. I stopped sugar after I commenced home roasting. Initially i used a popcorn maker and then fabbed up a Corretto (ie bread maker to agitate beans, heat gun (paint stripping type) for the heat, and thermocouple running to a laptop).

Cheers

[cripesamighty]

For home, I have a La Scala Butterfly coffee machine and a Cunil Verona grinder (both bought cheap) and get my coffee from a boutique roaster in Perth. Luckily I know how to use them!

[SSmith]

Currently loving cold pressed coffee, best thing on a hot day.

Otherwise, nothing new to add, except - dare [emoji2961][emoji2961][emoji2961] only when driving long distance and very desperate!

[debruiser]

Haha. I used to take sugar with coffee. I didnt know that my favourite brew (small flat white) could be naturally very sweet when the beans were genuinely fresh (so home roast or failing that small batch local roaster) and the milk textured properly. I stopped sugar after I commenced home roasting. Initially i used a popcorn maker and then fabbed up a Corretto (ie bread maker to agitate beans, heat gun (paint stripping type) for the heat, and thermocouple running to a laptop).

Cheers


I was going to one up everyone and say I grew my own beans and processed them myself from scratch. Came out pretty tasty after a couple tries (only used a popcorn maker because I am not as savvy as you are).

!WARNING! to all those who think that growing your own coffee and processing it yourself is a good idea! Growing, and processing your own coffee beans although very rewarding and about as fresh and tasty as you'll ever get is a HUGE, BORING, FIDDLY extremely involved and time consuming job.

NOTE: if you have plenty of time and like growing beans and possibly watch rubbish for hours on TV then go ahead it's great! Alternately if you have the coin to drop on fancy machines to do the boring bits for you then obviously it would be a LOT less painful.

The other thing to remember is that coffee trees have.... a particular... .aroma.... especially if you have given up on picking said beans and leave them to fall on the ground. Our dogs used to love to eat the sugary layer and spit out the husk and seed.

[Zeros]

There is no other coffee
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181030/a324592174ec6b6f6ddcc1493c62881f.jpg

...and it’s around 6 x the price per litre of fuel!! Servos make most of theirr money selling iced coffee, not diesel.

[Zeros]

For home, I have a La Scala Butterfly coffee machine and a Cunil Verona grinder (both bought cheap) and get my coffee from a boutique roaster in Perth. Luckily I know how to use them!

You’re a lucky fella! I ‘make do’ with a Rancilio Silvia and Rocky grinder - both going strong after 10 years and minimum 3 x coffees / day. Many more with guests. Once you have decent machinery it’s all about the beans, the grind and the tamp.

[cripesamighty]

"Once you have decent machinery it’s all about the beans, the grind and the tamp."

Exactly!!

[speleomike]

Yep. CoffeeSnobs (http://www.coffeesnobs.com.au) is the way to go. They have roasted beans as well as green beans.

Nice that someone else has a Silvia. I started with that. Now have a few lever machines, a Domus Galtea, and 4 Moka pots and a couple of plungers.

I like a Moka pot in the morning, double ristretto during the day, and an espresso at night. There is no one right machine or method between Moka, plunger or expresso machine. All are good if you like a style and learn how to use your device. There are wrong ones like pod machines and instant coffee :-) Taste, quality and in the case of pods, enviromental impact.

Mike
speleomike at coffeesnobs


Beans then grinder.

Home roasted small batch is the go. Green beans from Coffeesnobs. Cheap and excellent.

As for style I like varying and in summer a pour over cold. Overall my go to is a 30 year old FAEMA Due 2 Group commercial being fed by a Mazzer Super Jolly.

Cheers

[ozscott]

You’re a lucky fella! I ‘make do’ with a Rancilio Silvia and Rocky grinder - both going strong after 10 years and minimum 3 x coffees / day. Many more with guests. Once you have decent machinery it’s all about the beans, the grind and the tamp.Rocky and Ms Silvia is a great combo. I have a Rocky that I modded to a stepless. There was a step up to the Super Jolly but only required with a commercial machine.

People.get more out of the Silvia with a PID kit but if you know the machine and temp surf you can get great.shots.

My FAEMA runs 24/7 and is plumbed. I lagged the boiler and do all my own maintenance including new rotary pump, group.seals, pressurstat diaphragm etc.

Cheers

[martnH]

I have both Gaggis classic and brecille Oracle. Gaggia classic served me ten years and still working. At work, we have nespresso

I usually have 10 shots daily.

To be honest I can't tell the difference between a good and a bad coffee.i have my espresso without sugar nor milk

Just Chuck it in let caffeine into my blood stream and reach my brain. The taste is somewhat irrelevant

[speleomike]

Yes. I PID'd my Silvia when I had it. Made it a lot easier to use. The Silvia though is a rock solid machine and it was hard to part with when I got my next machine. Sold it to a young fellow just getting into good coffee. He is prob married now with kids and using a pod machine :-)


Rocky and Ms Silvia is a great combo. I have a Rocky that I modded to a stepless. There was a step up to the Super Jolly but only required with a commercial machine.

People.get more out of the Silvia with a PID kit but if you know the machine and temp surf you can get great.shots.

My FAEMA runs 24/7 and is plumbed. I lagged the boiler and do all my own maintenance including new rotary pump, group.seals, pressurstat diaphragm etc.

Cheers

[AK83]

Espresso machine = #1.
espresso pot are OK, when nothing else is available(I'm still stuck with having to use mine .. but.
For ease and better coffee, a Bodum PEBO is a far better way to express coffee, than a espresso pot.

Major problem with the PEBO, is that it's made of glass, and fragile as hell. I've broken two now, and cut my hand badly with one.
Dunno why the coffee comes out better, but it does, and it looks cool doing it too, I think it has to do with how hot the water is. Too hot and it kills the flavours in the coffee.
I think(dunno exactly) the PEBO doesn't get as hot(maybe more vacuum??)

Coffee grind needs to be more coarse than an espresso pot, but not as coarse as with a plunger.

if you like coffee, try a PEBO, but be wary you WILL break it at some point when you clean it. Far easier to clean than an espresso pot too.

[Fifth Columnist]

The 'Order one from the waiter' method.

[Zeros]

Rocky and Ms Silvia is a great combo. I have a Rocky that I modded to a stepless. There was a step up to the Super Jolly but only required with a commercial machine.

People.get more out of the Silvia with a PID kit but if you know the machine and temp surf you can get great.shots.

My FAEMA runs 24/7 and is plumbed. I lagged the boiler and do all my own maintenance including new rotary pump, group.seals, pressurstat diaphragm etc.

Cheers

The best thing about the Rancilio is it’s built like a Defender. Rock solid, boxy, very durable, easy to repair. After a while temp surfing just becomes second nature. I also use a bottomless portafilter to maximise crema.

Your Faema sounds great, though I wouldn’t have room on the bench and can’t really justify a full commercial machine at home when im able to make better coffees than most cafes with my Rancilio. 👍

[ozscott]

Yep naked PF is awesome. My kids all knew how to make good coffee from a young age and 2 of them do better milk art than I do.

Cheers

[debruiser]

While watching TV last night I was contemplating this thread, I happened to be having a long black from my espresso machine (I conned the minister of war into making it for me [bigwhistle])

So I like this discussion, and you guys are leaving me for dead talking fancy brands geez..... I need google to help me understand the convo!

I think we have missed an important coffee option in our discussions. Lets all agree that instant coffee is evil and should be struck from the face of the kitchen bench. We have plungers, and stove tops, and espresso, all make great coffee with varying degrees of mess/fuss/flavours. The best may be a combination of each dependant on your needs at the time.

I feel we have neglected the ultimate in lazy/quick/mess free coffee. I guess you could call it pod machines, but as per previous discussion they are pretty bad for waste product. I have to put forward the "tea bag coffee", Coles has them - Robert timms, black box, comes in a couple flavours. Now before you kick me off the forum wait for my explanation! I normally only use these when I'm travelling, instead of stopping at a servo and drinking swill, I just grab 2 bags and put them in a travel mug with some hot water from my flask. I found 1 bag wasn't really strong enough, 2 enhances the flavour a fair bit. I'm not saying these are as good as proper coffee made from proper coffee machines; I'm saying that when you don't have time or facilities these make a decent caffeine injection that doesn't taste awful. SO what I'm putting forward here is a quick, mess free, relatively good for the environment solution to a coffee albeit somewhat expensive.

[Disco-tastic]

I vote balancing syphon. Fun as hell to watch it and it makes a tasty brew.

I currently have an ageing Gaggia classic and a cheapo sunbeam burr grinder. I think my next machine will be the Breville Dual Boiler, though I have a soft spot for an old, temperamental lever machine :D

[rar110]

I’d love one of those Silva machines. But use a stainless plunger at Hm & camping (I tend to break bodum types) and Aldi pod at wk. I need a wk plunger.

[speleomike]

Hi

For those not ai fait with the coffee machine lingo and the diffdrent machines this may help...
An old temperamental lever machine is synonomous with a Series 1. Simple, manual, elegant in its own way, desirable, but you need to know and work with its quirks.
Step up to a Miss Silvia and your in a Discovery 1.
The Gaggia Classic is probably a Discovery 2.
An expensive espresso machine is a RR Vogue.
Moka pots are Perenties.



I currently have an ageing Gaggia classic and a cheapo sunbeam burr grinder. I think my next machine will be the Breville Dual Boiler, though I have a soft spot for an old, temperamental lever machine :D

[debruiser]

Hi

For those not ai fait with the coffee machine lingo and the diffdrent machines this may help...
An old temperamental lever machine is synonomous with a Series 1. Simple, manual, elegant in its own way, desirable, but you need to know and work with its quirks. Step up to a Miss Silvia and your in a Discovery 1. The Gaggia Classic is probably a Discovery 2. An expensive espresso machine is a RR Vogue. Moka pots are Perenties.


OMG that's awesome. hahahahah

[4xsama]

A barista mate once told me a good coffee was;



25% beans
25% the machine, and,
50% the person making it.


He also said if you have a coffee machine you need to clean it daily to keep the flavour 'clean'. Given that we have never bothered with a machine at home. We do have a Bialetti Moka Espresso we take camping though. Middle of the bush by a river & fresh coffee - very civilised. Have to have the right grind and bean though.

Back at home on weekends we go for a coffee in the mornings at the local (The Drug Store in Summer Hill). I find the whole ritual is just about getting out of the house (and the office) and having a moment.

[cripesamighty]

I bought a Handpresso for camping. After my first trip out, it now resides in my sister and brother in laws camping gear.....

[DiscoMick]

A few tips I have picked up.
Cleaning machines is essential. Run the hot water through it empty without coffee to keep the holes clear.
Dont grind the coffee too fine or it will clog the filter - keep it coarse.
Grind it fresh - pods are stale.
Let the whole machine take time to warm up.
Milk should not be boiled or it will burn and spoil the taste.
Create a whirlpool in the milk.
We have a commercial kitchen at work for training hospitality students and expert trainers, so Ive picked up a few clues.
At home we have a Simpson machine and a Breville grinder. They are not the flashest machines, but good value for money.
When camping I use a mini coffee pot.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181031/e25cd5b917068ecb42bf7a5e49f2c474.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181031/d0e1a20a6d960158b302e1c986375208.jpg

[POD]

We swear by the stove top espresso pot, have on in the kitchen and another in the camping gear, first thing I check before any outing as forgetting it would be a disaster.
We were in the UK a couple of years ago, had a week on a narrow boat, how we were going to make our coffee was a major question. We couldn't find an espresso pot anywhere, got talked into trying an 'Aero Press' which i had never come across before. I was very sceptical but we were pleasantly surprised- for something so quick and simple it makes an excellent coffee once you have figured out the quantities of coffee & water to use.
I was discussing methods with a professional roaster / blender a few years ago, regarding dos, dont's, should and shouldn'ts, he said 'A good coffee is the one you enjoy drinking'. Good point I thought.

[Zeros]

Hi

For those not ai fait with the coffee machine lingo and the diffdrent machines this may help...
An old temperamental lever machine is synonomous with a Series 1. Simple, manual, elegant in its own way, desirable, but you need to know and work with its quirks. Step up to a Miss Silvia and your in a Discovery 1. The Gaggia Classic is probably a Discovery 2. An expensive espresso machine is a RR Vogue. Moka pots are Perenties.

Agreed, nice work ...except for Silvia - she is definately built more like a Defender.

[goingbush]

If you make your own coffee at home there is absolutely no reason to purchase an Evoque or an RRS , (or come to think of it any of the JLR range) .

I went for a trip to Sydney on the XPT , go buy a coffee from the 'dining car' & they give you a cup of hot water & a Coffee Bag . Never seen them before . Best coffee Ive had in years , I went & bought a carton of the stuff , Half way through & I'm not sick of it yet , must be good.

[Zeros]

A few tips I have picked up.
Cleaning machines is essential. Run the hot water through it empty without coffee to keep the holes clear.
Dont grind the coffee too fine or it will clog the filter - keep it coarse.
Grind it fresh - pods are stale.
Let the whole machine take time to warm up.
Milk should not be boiled or it will burn and spoil the taste.
Create a whirlpool in the milk.
We have a commercial kitchen at work for training hospitality students and expert trainers, so Ive picked up a few clues.
At home we have a Simpson machine and a Breville grinder. They are not the flashest machines, but good value for money.
When camping I use a mini coffee pot.


All good tips Mick, although it sounds like you could experiment more with your grind. Course grinds result in watery coffee without good crema. Your machine should be able to handle a relatively fine grind without clogging. Tamping it very firmly is also important here, so it comes out as a ‘puck’ afterwards (not sloppy). Obviously difficult to judge from afar and you might be nailing it!

Here’s my 11 year old Defender set up :)

145621

[Zeros]

If you make your own coffee at home there is absolutely no reason to purchase an Evoque or an RRS , (or come to think of it any of the JLR range) .

I went for a trip to Sydney on the XPT , go buy a coffee from the 'dining car' & they give you a cup of hot water & a Coffee Bag . Never seen them before . Best coffee Ive had in years , I went & bought a carton of the stuff , Half way through & I'm not sick of it yet , must be good.

LOL ...true! re the current crop of JLR cafe racers.

BUT...that’s like saying you can make a good cup of tea with a teabag!

[Toxic_Avenger]

I was going to one up everyone and say I grew my own beans and processed them myself from scratch. Came out pretty tasty after a couple tries (only used a popcorn maker because I am not as savvy as you are).

!WARNING! to all those who think that growing your own coffee and processing it yourself is a good idea! Growing, and processing your own coffee beans although very rewarding and about as fresh and tasty as you'll ever get is a HUGE, BORING, FIDDLY extremely involved and time consuming job.

NOTE: if you have plenty of time and like growing beans and possibly watch rubbish for hours on TV then go ahead it's great! Alternately if you have the coin to drop on fancy machines to do the boring bits for you then obviously it would be a LOT less painful.

The other thing to remember is that coffee trees have.... a particular... .aroma.... especially if you have given up on picking said beans and leave them to fall on the ground. Our dogs used to love to eat the sugary layer and spit out the husk and seed.

Been there done that.
100% agree, worst coffee I've ever had.
2 weeks of my life I'll never get back.

[Simon]

Next time any of you are up near Cairns, head into Mareeba Coffe Works. Not only coffee tasting (and chocolate), but a museum of hundreds of coffee making pots and machines covering the ages.

Simple pour over coffee here, can't break the filter holded and doesnt need power. Fresh ground beans essential.

[V8Ian]

Jaques is good too.

Jaques Coffee Plantation - Australian Grown Coffee (https://www.jaquescoffee.com.au)

[ozscott]

Yep Jaques is great. Took the fam there. A survivor and nice coffee. Great anthills on the way into the plantation. Mareeba has a pioneering centre with a Cafe with good food and if you get into trouble you have Lotus Glen Prison just down the road...

Cheers

[rar110]

So what are good/convenient grinder and press/plunger options for camping/bush walking? So must be compact, convenient & not need much water for cleaning (excluding coffee bags).

[SSmith]

I use a nanopresso for hiking, love it.
Let it dry out and tap/scrape the used beans out. Then a quick rinse and done.

[DiscoMick]

I use S coffee pot when camping. Simple and easy.

[Stiltz]

Great chat and very interesting. After trying expresso and pod machines breaking I have gone back to the trusty Moka. Easy to use and clean.

Ps - there are reusable pods where you can put your own coffee in. Good for the environment but a pita!

What grinders do people use on the road?

[Zeros]

Some good options for small portable brewing here: Manual Brewing - Alternative Brewing (https://alternativebrewing.com.au/product-category/manual-coffee-brewing/)

[mick88]

Out the bush I just boil the billy and chuck a generous handful of ground coffee beans in it just like you would make a billy of tea.
Give it a good stir with a stick or a spoon, let it draw for a few minutes, then enjoy a nice cup of coffee.
We also have a small percolator that we carry for use on a gas flame. It makes a good brew too.


Cheers, Mick.

[ramblingboy42]

Well, we are discussing what may be the best coffee fix and this could be argued forever...like beer , but theres really no argument there.

OK you coffee afficianados , what is the worst method , what is the worst coffee , what should I avoid?

[debruiser]

Well, we are discussing what may be the best coffee fix and this could be argued forever...like beer , but theres really no argument there.

OK you coffee afficianados , what is the worst method , what is the worst coffee , what should I avoid?

American Coffee franchises. [biggrin]

[Softroader]

We had a machine at home, gave up on it in the end, could never get the taste just right and 50% of the time it would simply fail to prime no matter what you did. Chucked it away on the end.

Tried a pod machine at work, better than instant not a patch on a press, got a bit addicted to it though and found within a week or two I was allergic to whatever the hell they put in the pods! I started getting a slight rash which got worse and worse to the point that within 5 minutes of having a pod coffee it would flare, which is when I realized it was the pods causing it! Took about 2-3 weeks to go away when I stopped the pods.

So, we bought a decent grinder, an electric milk frother (noever could be bothered with the steam wand) and one of these:-

ROK (http://www.rok.coffee/)

The Rok is awesome! Makes way better coffee than the old electric espresso machine ever did and it's portable enough to take camping with you if so inclined. Love it.

[SSmith]

Well, we are discussing what may be the best coffee fix and this could be argued forever...like beer , but theres really no argument there.

OK you coffee afficianados , what is the worst method , what is the worst coffee , what should I avoid?Instant anything, but international roast takes the cake IMO

[ramblingboy42]

The ROK looks good , I followed the links but blowed if I can find where to actually buy one.

I hate being given only option of online purchase. This is fine for milennial finger poking and sliding mobile phone users , but I like to scratch and sniff in a shop where my money maintains and boosts a local economy.

[ramblingboy42]

Instant anything, but international roast takes the cake IMO

hahaha, yes international roast ....takes me back to my military days when we had that and an orange juice we all called rocket fuel.

[Softroader]

The ROK looks good , I followed the links but blowed if I can find where to actually buy one.

I hate being given only option of online purchase. This is fine for milennial finger poking and sliding mobile phone users , but I like to scratch and sniff in a shop where my money maintains and boosts a local economy.

Luckily I got to try one before hand as a guy in my old office brought one to work.

Got mine off eBay a few years ago from an importer, there's a few online coffee equipment shops that sell them now.

If it helps I can tell you it's a high quality, heavy, well built piece of kit.

[SSmith]

The ROK looks good , I followed the links but blowed if I can find where to actually buy one.

I hate being given only option of online purchase. This is fine for milennial finger poking and sliding mobile phone users , but I like to scratch and sniff in a shop where my money maintains and boosts a local economy.

A lot of the speciality coffee suppliers also sell gear. Try a couple in your local area, or the one in Mareeba as discussed earlier [emoji56]

The hiking maker that i use (and a few other options) is on the shelf at Rays and most other large camping stores

[WhiteD3]

I buy fresh gound coffee,keep it in the fridge and use one of these Swissgold drippers at home, work and camping. Easy to cleaner, simple to use.

Swiss Gold Filters - Why are they so good? (http://www.wagtailcoffee.com.au/news/10/Swiss-Gold-Filters-%252d-Why-are-they-so-good%3F.html)

FYI if your are a subscriber Choice have a review of coffee machines hear Home espresso coffee machine reviews - CHOICE (https://www.choice.com.au/home-and-living/kitchen/coffee-machines/review-and-compare/home-espresso-coffee-machines)

[rar110]

I buy fresh gound coffee,keep it in the fridge and use one of these Swissgold drippers at home, work and camping. Easy to cleaner, simple to use.

Swiss Gold Filters - Why are they so good? (http://www.wagtailcoffee.com.au/news/10/Swiss-Gold-Filters-%252d-Why-are-they-so-good%3F.html)

FYI if your are a subscriber Choice have a review of coffee machines hear Home espresso coffee machine reviews - CHOICE (https://www.choice.com.au/home-and-living/kitchen/coffee-machines/review-and-compare/home-espresso-coffee-machines)

This one looks pretty good, easy to use and affordable.
Sunbeam Mini Barista Espresso Machine EM4300

[Zeros]

Out the bush I just boil the billy and chuck a generous handful of ground coffee beans in it just like you would make a billy of tea.
Give it a good stir with a stick or a spoon, let it draw for a few minutes, then enjoy a nice cup of coffee.
We also have a small percolator that we carry for use on a gas flame. It makes a good brew too.


Cheers, Mick.

Yes, I used that bush fall-back method the other day. Was away with no coffee maker, but had some ground coffee, so just heated water in saucepan, tipped some ground coffee in gave it a stir and let it brew for a few mins. If you tap the side of the pan with a spoon most of the grinds sink to the bottom. Heaps better than instant and it was only a bit crunchy...we are resourceful when we need our drug!

[DiscoMick]

That's why I like my mini coffee pot when camping. It only makes two cups, is easy to use and the coffee tastes like expresso. No milk to go off.
Its also stainless steel and very strong. I accidentally ran over it one day when backing and it didn't even bend!

[Zeros]

That's why I like my mini coffee pot when camping. It only makes two cups, is easy to use and the coffee tastes like expresso. No milk to go off.
Its also stainless steel and very strong. I accidentally ran over it one day when backing and it didn't even bend!

What is your mini pot? Must be good! ...or it sounds like you need to work on your home espresso’s’’’ ! [bigwhistle]

[Toxic_Avenger]

Might not be the best method, but the sound of this bubbling away at the Grandparents place of a weekend, and the proceeding big bacon and eggs breakfast, sure does bring back some fond memories

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41HR24K70BL._SY450_.jpg

[Disco-tastic]

So what are good/convenient grinder and press/plunger options for camping/bush walking? So must be compact, convenient & not need much water for cleaning (excluding coffee bags).A little hario hand grinder should do the trick. Aeropress, moka pot, plunger, pour over, minipresso... They are all a little different in size, method and complexity. I'd recommend you have a look at each vs your current camping setup and pick the one that suits what you want.

Aeropress is easy and compact, and you can get a reusable filter for them so you don't have to buy paper ones. After 3-5 years they need to be replaced as the plastic cracks. My dad replaced his aeropress with a minipresso (I think) and loves the thing. Its way more effort to use though.

[AndyG]

Having done the lap, i have reverted to an old ceramic percolator, the grinding of beans and the aroma of percolation is a bonus at 0500. I also view adding milk or sugar akin to using coke in any whiskey, so that makes my requirements simple

[Simon]

We have found the Porlex hand grinder to be excellent. Adjustable grind, and very compact.

[Zeros]

145870https://www.aulro.com/afvb/blob:https://www.aulro.com/2ba533e6-4f64-4da6-98f9-7f4ca1197720

[DiscoMick]

What is your mini pot? Must be good! ...or it sounds like you need to work on your home espresso’s’’’ ! [bigwhistle]
Its Italian. I forget the brand name. Like a smaller version of the one in the previous post.

[Zeros]

Its Italian. I forget the brand name. Like a smaller version of the one in the previous post.

Mine’s a two espresso pot, yours must be small! ...quick coffee on the go today...stale ground coffee from the back of Landy LOL! ...that’s when you know you’re a bushman!
...Still better than instant! Normally I’d have fresh ground ...what a yuppie hipster! [bigrolf]

[pauloarg]

Wow not only we love and enjoy driving our Land Rovers, we also love making and drinking our coffees [emoji477]. Great stuff!!!

I started my coffee addiction using a pot - Bialetti. Sad to hear them going Unders. Great devices those stovetop cafeterias.

I have recently moved on from my Rancilio Silvia and Rocky Doserless Grinder. They were real machines - tough just like Land Rovers [emoji12] . Someone did mention just like defenders.

I recently renovated my kitchen; new kitchen = new coffee machine setup.
Now have a Rocket Apartmento HX with a Macap M4 Grinder. Again, great machine especially with the e61 group head. Still getting used to it but takes time. Would that be compared with a D4?

I am still onto the popcorn machine roasting, with thanks to tips from fellow coffee snobs at the snobbery.

[emoji609][emoji100][emoji477].https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181108/5e15d6874504d90b7d627309df849209.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181108/ed14b083aa7e17d1c352246bce61092a.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181108/e763903c26b59999d9c56d5689334a2e.jpg

[towe0609]

I used to read coffeesnobs.com.au religiously ... I now spend that time reading aulro!

I developed a bit of an addiction ... to the machines, not the coffee.

I have a bunch of commercial single group machines:
A Rancilio S26 (sitting idle on the bench in the shed)
A Rancilio S27 Volumetric (in daily use in the office)
A Nuova Simonelli Mac (sitting idle on the bench in the shed)
A Nuova Simonelli Mac Volumetric (sitting idle on the bench in the shed)
A Boema Classic Volumetric (in daily use in the kitchen)

Plus one 'prosumer'
A ECM Giotto (in a box in the shed)

In the grinder department....
A Mazzer Major Doserless (in the kitchen)
A Compak K6 (at work)
A Mazzer Superjolly (sitting idle in the shed)
A LaCimbali Cadet (sitting idle in the shed)

Roasters ...
Behmor 1600
A Corretto (bread maker / heat gun)

I also have a genuine Vintage Italian Vesubio CX9 Stovetop - in unused condition still in the original box. Would make a great camping set up for a milk based coffee drinker if someone is interested!

The ECM, Superjolly and Behmor were purchased new, all others second hand ex commercial/office machines that have been overhauled. I can't rationalise it ... but I've enjoyed the 'bargain' hunting and the process of making them work like new again.

It's nearly as bad as the land rover spares situation! (At one stage I had 4 spare td5 ECUs ... down to just 3 now)

Preferred method: espresso machine all the way ... i don't use any other method (except the occasional $10 note!)

[speleomike]

Hi

> I used to read coffeesnobs.com.au religiously ... I now spend that time reading aulro!
I read both lots! Both forums are superb.

You have a nice collection of machines. I do have though a 2kg HG roaster and the much smaller Gene Cafe :-)

> I also have a genuine Vintage Italian Vesubio CX9 Stovetop
Yes, just found it on coffeesnobs. Nice.

Mike

[Homestar]

I have a 1970’s La Chimbali 2 group machine I partially restored and used for some years but it’s back in the garage now awaiting more TLC. Lovely machine, but hard work keeping a 40 year old machine operational all the time - kind of like an old Land Rover. 😊

[Zeros]

An ECM Giotto and Super Jolly sitting idle in the shed! Jeepers ...it’s nearly Christmas man 😊 shall I pm you? 😎

[ozscott]

This thread is gold. It doesnt surprise me at all that there are so many coffee enthusiasts here.... I am pulling apart a 2 group commercial to adjust the rotary pump pressure and using a Scace to get the brew pressure just right and it feels so right...only thing missing is the grease and oil leaks.

Cheers

PS. I am roasting this weekend. The Super.Jolly doesnt bring out the florals as much as a large conical but man it smacks the chocolate notes out of the park. We are really getting down to little nuances but I generally prefer the shots off an SJ compared to a Robur or Compak equivalent.

[rick130]

I usually have 10 shots daily.



OMG![emoji33]

My adrenals wouldn't survive [emoji23]

On a bad day I'll have a third. Even with doing 12.5 hours yesterday I only did two.

I'm impressed.

[rick130]

Haven't been on coffee snobs in years.
Had forgotten about it.

I do a lot of short blacks these days, you know if you're getting a good one or not drinking it sans milk.
If I do a milk coffee it's a piccolo latte.

One smelt burnt the other morning, taste was ok but a little off.
Next one was fine. Mentioned it to to the cafe ownerand he explained how summertimes only one bean can get 'stuck' in the roaster and then go through wirh the batch.

I was supposed to start at 7:00 but still sitting in the cafe with my second piccolo instead. [emoji56]

[DiscoMick]

Yes, I just make an expresso without milk in the morning at home.
Work has both Nespresso and the Aldi pod machines, which are tolerable - certainly better than instant.

[speleomike]

Hi


Mentioned it to to the cafe owner and he explained how some times only one bean can get 'stuck' in the roaster and then go through wih the batch.


Yep, its called a "black stinker" and it ruins the entire shot. After roasting I pour the whole lot into a wide flat, white tray and look for beans that are a different colour. Also look for small rocks, the same size of the beans. You will know when those hit your grinder burrs. Although they don't change the taste of the coffee. Once got a stone from a Costa Rican coffee, it was a small igneous rock from the Arenal volcano!

Mike

[ozscott]

I need to roast but even with supermarket beans and good grinder and machine this is today's brew.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181109/bf00afe8715090e416dccd4964f9e589.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181109/3d0ddda434c18a33e0395d2ad0e427a6.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181109/6102ca6af227000699276da51e4d2a28.jpg

[rick130]

Just for something different....
Back in the cafe sipping on piccolo's [emoji23]

I'm on call so can't go too far or do anything too interesting this weekend.

[Zeros]

145922

The bush Rancilio

[rick130]

An open basket is brilliant at showing if you've tamped evenly.

It's what I was taught with years ago, not that I could pull an anyway decent shot these days

[Zeros]

An open basket is brilliant at showing if you've tamped evenly.

It's what I was taught with years ago, not that I could pull an anyway decent shot these days

Exactly 😊 When you get the tamp wrong you can get the little side jets / splatter! Previous shots yes, that one was good. ...it doesn’t help that I reused the glass and the bush Rancilio needs a good clean! LOL it’s like a Defender, indestructible :)

[Toxic_Avenger]

Found this in my online travels.
Discuss.

https://i.redd.it/tp3c7s21cix11.jpg

[Zeros]

Cool. Turkish coffee mmm ...like mud for your soul.

[DiscoMick]

I had some Saudi coffee a while back and it was very strong.

[speleomike]

Have always liked Turkish coffee. Get mine from a store in Enmore as an espresso grinder won't grind fine enough. You need a ditting grinder.

When I went though Dubai airport enroute to Greece I was so looking forward to a nice coffee like that. Saudi or Greek, what ever you want to call it. Made in the Ibrik, poured at the table, would be so nice together with a nice desert after a long flight. ALL THEY HAD WAS STARBUCKS!

Another time I asked my local Lebanese store for some Turkish coffee and they said they didn't have any. I could see it on their shelves! We went their regularly to get nice salamis. "You know, Turkish, or Greek coffee". Well after a while with a smile they said "Its Lebanese coffee. We had it before the Turks invaded, we had it before the Greeks" :-) I just had to ask for the right coffee "Lebanese Coffee".

Mike

[cripesamighty]

I grew up on Lebanese/Greek/Turkish/Saudi/etc coffee. When I was really young we drank it with a bit of milk, then as we got older left the milk out. It's probably why I can happily have three espresso's just before bed and still easily fall asleep.

[DiscoMick]

If I drink coffee at night I can't sleep so I drink coffee in the daytime and tea at night.

[Disco-tastic]

I used to have a coffee about 7:30 every Sunday night, fell asleep fine about 10:30. One day I decided that was silly and so I didn't have my regular coffee...

Couldn't get to sleep until about 1am!

[350RRC]

Doesn't the best method of making coffee have something to do with letting monkeys eat the beans.......... first?

DL

[rick130]

Doesn't the best method of making coffee have something to do with letting monkeys eat the beans.......... first?

DLNaa that's a Civet, a type of cat that eats the berry and the coffee is Kopi Luwak. [emoji23]

Kopi Luwak - Wikipedia (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kopi_Luwak)

[ozscott]

Some of the best coffee comes from Yemen. Cheap to at $15- $20kg for greens. Unfortunately hard to get now...

Cheers

[rick130]

I was a regular at Ona in Canberra while project managing a job and was lucky enough one morning to walk in while they were doing trial shots for the next world championships.

OMG!
He rattled off what was what and from where but it was like wine, all different aromas and flavours.
It was freaking amazing.
The one I loved had different berry flavours coming through, and apparently it had won the worlds the previous year.

[ozscott]

Yemen Bani Ismail roasted properly was like drinking a blueberry Christmas fruitcake....amazing. cheers

[NavyDiver]

Coffee Snob admission. Rather drink a tea bag any day over instant. A ceramic grinder in a Automatic Saeco Coffee machine. ( I have one at home and one at work)

Beans are key and do not need need to cost a packet if your lucky. I have become a Aldi Dark Roast bean fan for only $10 per KG. Brought the other half some smoother beans

Black and no sugar for me and double shot and never after mid day ( Sun over the yard arm [biggrin])


It is performance enhancing and legal at AFL, AIS and UWA kindly tested it with on bikers. (http://www.news.uwa.edu.au/201310186158/features/do-legal-performance-enhancers-work) ( not my skinny running mates :) )

[martnH]

I must be a potential substance abusor

Coffee is the most popular psychoactive substance in the world.....
OMG![emoji33]

My adrenals wouldn't survive [emoji23]

On a bad day I'll have a third. Even with doing 12.5 hours yesterday I only did two.

I'm impressed.

[DiscoMick]

I like to think I'm not really addicted, but I do get jumpy if I haven't had one by midday.
Can give it up any time though - really, truly, I can...

[Zeros]

Due caffé espressi doppi (minimum) every morning. :) None after midday

[rick130]

I must be a potential substance abusor



[emoji848] [emoji23]

[Warby]

Aero press all the way. It’s light, self contained and makes the best cafe style coffee.
I use it every day, and always take with me on my travels.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181116/17fdfb3bab9fefa807a45d8f8a401c7f.jpg

[4xsama]

145870https://www.aulro.com/afvb/blob:https://www.aulro.com/2ba533e6-4f64-4da6-98f9-7f4ca1197720Perfect (with the right beans and grind). They work well on a campfire too

[Toxic_Avenger]

I must be a potential substance abusor

Coffee is the most popular psychoactive substance in the world.....

So I guess that makes the CEO of Gloria Jeans the countrie's biggest drug dealer. Huh.

[Zeros]

Do people actually buy coffee at Gloria Jeans? I thought it was all frappacinos.

[Warby]

Do people actually buy coffee at Gloria Jeans? I thought it was all frappacinos.

Gloryfrappacinomochavhochsbottom

[trog]

Try and say that three times !

[martnH]

I sometimes say this to the bogans, that coffee is a Muslim drink, a Islamic religious drink which is true
And I am addicted to it. Dammit
So I guess that makes the CEO of Gloria Jeans the countrie's biggest drug dealer. Huh.

[ozscott]

I sometimes say this to the bogans, that coffee is a Muslim drink, a Islamic religious drink which is true
And I am addicted to it. DammitHorn of Africa originally it seems. Consumed by non Muslim tribesmen first. Then trees were introduced to the middle east.

Cheers

[Zeros]

It’s not a drug, it’s an elixir.

10 healthy reasons to drink coffee - One Medical - One Medical (https://www.onemedical.com/blog/newsworthy/10-healthy-reasons-to-drink-coffee-2/)

[Toxic_Avenger]

I guess that's why monks make the best berr, amiright?!

[SurfyRob]

Hi All, when I go to the beach I take this. :)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=146153&d=1542544951
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=146155&d=1542545936
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=146154&d=1542545925

[Zeros]

Nice one SurfyRob. ...Yeah pretty much the same setup as me [bigwhistle]

146157

[debruiser]

I shouldn't have replied to this thread..... my espresso machine up and died on my in the last couple days :( Looks like I'll just have to use the stove top now :(

[rick130]

Hi All, when I go to the beach I take this. :)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=146153&d=1542544951
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=146155&d=1542545936
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=146154&d=1542545925Love it!

A chef I know used to do this at Splendour for this tribe, the only difference being it was for their personal use only.

[hodgo]

It was nice to meet you Mick . Good company and good coffee I recon its the best in Brisbane We will have to do it again some time and perhaps through it open to other members of the forum.

Hodgo

[DiscoMick]

It was nice to meet you Mick . Good company and good coffee I recon its the best in Brisbane We will have to do it again some time and perhaps through it open to other members of the forum.

HodgoYou too. Definitely. Maybe a Sat morning open invitation early in the New Year?

[Zeros]

I treated Rocky & Miss Silvia to some pre- Christmas bling last weekend.

Rocky got brand new burrs and a thorough clean. Silvia got a new main seal, shower screen, thorough clean and a shiny new upgraded steam wand! ...Also a sexy new black tamper.

Both are 10 years old but running like new again :) the new steam wand is awesome and all the new seals and burrs have brought the quality up from passable bush caffeine hit to perfect shots and endless crema, not to mention silken textured milk!

I can recommend an overhaul! It’s easy to do yourself and doesn’t cost much to bring the Defender of espresso machines back to peak performance [thumbsupbig]

146757

146756

[DiscoMick]

I like that machine.

[ramblingboy42]

You too. Definitely. Maybe a Sat morning open invitation early in the New Year?

I'll be in it too , been a while since I saw you Hodgo , Mick, I don't mind making the border crossing into Logan.

[DiscoMick]

Definitely. I'm on holiday this week so my time is flexible until Friday, when I head to Lismore for a weekend Christmas party. Any takers for coffee at Simply Beanz mid-week?

[OneOff]

Youse guys is hilarious!..

My daily swill.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Other-stuff/i-gZFRTCM/0/ab274dfd/L/20181220_065656_resized-L.jpg

[rar110]

I’ve just moved to grinding beans for every plunger coffee. Someone recommended I buy beans from Killer Coffee. Buying coffee from a coffee shop is a bit disappointing now.

I bought a Porlex hand grinder, on an AULRO recommendation.

PORLEX COFFEE GRINDER - Drifta Camping & 4WD (https://www.drifta.com.au/product/porlex-coffee-grinder/)

[Zeros]

Grinding your own beans makes a massive difference. ...They don't have to be expensive beans to be decent either.

Many coffee snobs will disagree with me, but if you can't afford $50 kilo or roast them yourself, the best bargain beans I've found are, believe it or not, Coles brand!

146922
Most importantly these Coles beans are Fairtrade. They are also 100% Arabica and Roasted in Australia.

They are a pretty good dark roast, rich, full and reliable IME. They are not nuanced, interesting or super high quality and freshness depends a little on the batch - but you can tell if you squeeze the pack and give the breather on the bag a sniff before you buy.

Sniff test: If they smell sweet and fresh buy them ...when they've been on the shelves too long they start to smell sour. Even if you check a few bags you will begin to tell the difference between them.

As I say, they're not as good as you'll get from a local professional roaster, but they are affordable.

No matter which beans you use, Ideally you do need a burr grinder, rather than one of those spice grinders which actually don't grind, but chop the beans. All brews will be much better if the coffee is properly ground. You can't make good espresso or get a good crema on a machine unless you get the grind just right either.

[Toxic_Avenger]

Reviving this thread.
I'm the kind of coffee drinker who is only in it for the caffeine. When I want a cup, I NEED a cup within a few minutes, or else I get stabby.
I picked up my parent's old Saeco Xelsis unit, they had replaced it due to an unbearable water leak, it was replaced by a semi automatic breville unit which grinds, doses, and tamps in one operation, and then you move it to the brew head.

Anyway, as for the xelsis, for the uninitiated, it looks something like this:
https://images.philips.com/is/image/PhilipsConsumer/HD8946_01-APP-global-001?$jpglarge$&wid=1250

Water in the top left, beans in the top right, power up the back, and plug a milk caraffe in the front if that's your style.
With a bit of the old Bleep bleep bloop button pressing routine, coffee comes forth, within a minute, from dead cold.

So due to the water leak, it was in need of some repair. it was leaking under operation, suggesting it was the high pressure side of things that was going wrong. I set to repairing the old girl (old as in 2012 vintage). These things retailed around 2500 back in the day, so lucky for me there is still a bit of parts support out there.
I started by removing the outer covers and doing a few brews while watching the back-end of the machine where the boiler and valves etc live. I also wiped out the internals of the machine to see where exactly the water was coming from. The repairs undertaken were as follows:

Replaced the brew unit seals and lubed it all with food grade grease
Cleaned the 'shower screen' filter which separates the grounds from the coffee outlet in the brew group (wax and grease remove, FTW)
Replaced the water inlet block in the brew group which engages with the boiler side of the system (slides up before brewing, as brew group needs to be removed for cleaning periodically). This was after a failed attempt to replace the O rings in the part.
Replaced the corresponding part on the machine side - which is a pintle valve that allows the hot water to enter the brew group via the aforementioned part. Replacement O rings were also not successful - they were some odd size Viton seal that the parts guy didn't have.
Replaced the boiler valve which actuates water from the boiler to the brew group- this was a bit finnicky to get out, but was achievable. This sends hot water to the brew group, and has a pintle valve to actuate the line pressure dump cycle once brewing stops.
Removed a dodgy oetiker clamp on the boiler outlet, and replaced with a new worm clamp, stopping the leak at this point which was filling the internal drip tray of the machine (which happened only under the higher pressure setting on the front spout restrictor- saeco calls this the 'saeco brewing system')
Siliconed back together a plastic bung in the front drip tray which was causing another leak
Gave it a general clean inside and out, and a descale clean, and a new brita water filter


All in all, threw a couple of hundred backs parts at it, and it should be good for more years to come.
Coffee quality is good- the long blacks come with a crema, and the machine has a heap of adjustability in the programming to cater for a range of drink recipes. But my favourite part is the timer where I can have the machine turn on just before I wake up, so there are no triple homicides while I wait for the coffee to brew.

Bon appetit?

[Bigbjorn]

SWMBO and I swear by the good old GE electric percolator, a wedding present in 1975. We both like coffee very strong and select those sorts of beans. I used to get funny looks at swap meets in the morning with the percolator plugged into a small Chinese two stroke generator.

Still, the best coffee I can remember was as an apprentice outposted to a ship repair business, We had engine room coffee and it was an apprentice job to make it. A large billy and plenty of grounds, fresh water, and boil it with steam from a spigot in the engine room. Also an apprentice job to ensure there was a handy spigot for coffee and tea making. Unique flavour. 600W steam cylinder oil would end up in the coffee in miniscule amounts.