[Delo]

I dont post a lot here, but I do read a lot of them, and I know there's a bunch of people who love and know a lot about all things food.  Our faithful espresso machine crapped out after 7 years. It was nothing fancy, an older Krups Novo. It made some good espresso every day and multiple times a day on the weekend.  I'm using a stovetop one now, but I would like a new machine. Any suggestions for a midrange semiautomatic machine would be appreciated? 

[euge]

Is mid-range $500-1000?

[firedog23]

I used to use a machine but I found that the Billetti stove top is my favorite.

[Delo]

Thanks euge, I didnt really specify $s. 500-1000 budget is what i would consider midrange for just the machine, no grinder. Our original was cheaper, but I would like a better one.

[euge]

I also use the stovetop model. Makes a nice 16oz mug of espresso.

[Delo]

I also use the stovetop model. Makes a nice 16oz mug of espresso.

Ha! no kidding I usually make a double on the machine every morning before work. I like the stovetop too, but my wife's not so into it...our stovetop model makes 6.....its a shame to waste it....so I have to drink it. 

[gsandel]

This is one of those weird questions that come to mind after reading the subject line "Espresso Machines" in a homebrewing forum....

What would happen (what would the result be) if you put hops (pellets would work best, I think) in your espresso machine and extracted tea at 9 bars pressure (is it 9?). Would it be a bittering tea, a flavor tea, or an aroma tea?

Follow up question: What would be an ideal use for this hop tea?  Throw in boil, throw in at end, throw in fermenter or secondary, or use as a randalizer type situation in serving vessel?

has anyone ever tried any of this?  Someone call Calagione.  

[euge]

Thanks euge, I didnt really specify $s. 500-1000 budget is what i would consider midrange for just the machine, no grinder. Our original was cheaper, but I would like a better one.

Automatic,  semi or manual?


This site has a lot of good info: http://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/

[tschmidlin]

This is one of those weird questions that come to mind after reading the subject line "Espresso Machines" in a homebrewing forum....

What would happen (what would the result be) if you put hops (pellets would work best, I think) in your espresso machine and extracted tea at 9 bars pressure (is it 9?). Would it be a bittering tea, a flavor tea, or an aroma tea?

Follow up question: What would be an ideal use for this hop tea?  Throw in boil, throw in at end, throw in fermenter or secondary, or use as a randalizer type situation in serving vessel?

has anyone ever tried any of this?  Someone call Calagione. 

I have two espresso machines sitting in my garage.  They have been modified to pour cold beer through the portafilter.  We used them at the conferences in Oakland and San Diego, and will again at the conference in Seattle.

In one we pour a stout through coffee grounds and straight into the cup, but it gets pretty foamy because the pump is running (but the boiler is disconnected).

In the other we pour an IPA through hops and into the glass.  This one comes out much less foamy - it's a different machine that lets you push the beer through with just CO2 pressure.  We found that whole hops work much better than pellets, the pellets clog too easily.  There is a definite impact of pouring the beer through the hops, although it is fairly small which isn't that surprising considering the short contact time.

Not exactly what you are talking about, but still cool.

[gsandel]

Yes, cool.  I just can't believe I hadn't thought of it before.

Would like to see it in Seattle, but DOH! Waiting List.

[euge]

Sheer beer geekery.

[Delo]

Automatic,  semi or manual?


This site has a lot of good info: http://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/

Thats a good site. Was just checking it out. Thanks for the info. Im looking for a semi automatic. Although I would love a manual one, that’s not just making an espresso, thats an art and far beyond me.

I have two espresso machines sitting in my garage.  They have been modified to pour cold beer through the portafilter.  We used them at the conferences in Oakland and San Diego, and will again at the conference in Seattle.

In one we pour a stout through coffee grounds and straight into the cup, but it gets pretty foamy because the pump is running (but the boiler is disconnected).

In the other we pour an IPA through hops and into the glass.  This one comes out much less foamy - it's a different machine that lets you push the beer through with just CO2 pressure.  We found that whole hops work much better than pellets, the pellets clog too easily.  There is a definite impact of pouring the beer through the hops, although it is fairly small which isn't that surprising considering the short contact time.

Not exactly what you are talking about, but still cool.

Now I know what I’ll be doing with our old machine. I’ll just put in on top of the Sanyo fridge that’s been waiting in my garage for over a year waiting for me to make a kegerator out of it….

[tschmidlin]

Now I know what I’ll be doing with our old machine. I’ll just put in on top of the Sanyo fridge that’s been waiting in my garage for over a year waiting for me to make a kegerator out of it….

At some point it will float to the top of the priority list.  Or you'll throw it out.

[jeffy]

This is one of those weird questions that come to mind after reading the subject line "Espresso Machines" in a homebrewing forum....

What would happen (what would the result be) if you put hops (pellets would work best, I think) in your espresso machine and extracted tea at 9 bars pressure (is it 9?). Would it be a bittering tea, a flavor tea, or an aroma tea?

Follow up question: What would be an ideal use for this hop tea?  Throw in boil, throw in at end, throw in fermenter or secondary, or use as a randalizer type situation in serving vessel?

has anyone ever tried any of this?  Someone call Calagione. 

I have two espresso machines sitting in my garage.  They have been modified to pour cold beer through the portafilter.  We used them at the conferences in Oakland and San Diego, and will again at the conference in Seattle.

In one we pour a stout through coffee grounds and straight into the cup, but it gets pretty foamy because the pump is running (but the boiler is disconnected).

In the other we pour an IPA through hops and into the glass.  This one comes out much less foamy - it's a different machine that lets you push the beer through with just CO2 pressure.  We found that whole hops work much better than pellets, the pellets clog too easily.  There is a definite impact of pouring the beer through the hops, although it is fairly small which isn't that surprising considering the short contact time.

Not exactly what you are talking about, but still cool.

I had that coffee stout at club night 2010.  It was really good.

[bluesman]

I know that craigslist in my local area always has coffee shop equipment listed...you may be able to score a deal on something there.