Re: Need some input
 

Black Cat is really good. I am a cheap bastard, so I don't want to pay those prices especially since I use the same beans for French Press or Espresso. Brewed coffee can really deplete beans quick!

I have tried a couple of home roasts from some forum members and all were outstanding! I would buy from them if it was possible. A lot depends on how do you like your coffee blends. I am fan of Brazilian and Guatamalan beans, so blends with that are my preference. Also, the roasting preference is important too. Some like darker beans than others. I generally do not like shiny beans and go for not so dark a roast.

If everybody had the same taste, there would be just one brand.

I do not like some of the Lavazza beans. It's like drill going through my tummy. :td Best to drink it on the toilet. Danesi is good. You may miss out on the freshness of local beans, but not the end of the world.

Re: Need some input
 

Ok, took some pics of the dial and wish I hadn't. Macro really shows how bad the paint job was and how dirty my grinder is!

Anway, the first one shows the worm drive and the dial with numbers that you can see as you turn...
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...ete69/worm.jpg

The next one shows my kindergarden markings that, on the left, the small dot is my absolute zero, or where the burrs begin to touch.

Next, the black lines show a full number incremement. The big white line is 1.5 from zero, which is my sweet spot for espresso. I have no idea who said that 2.5 is the sweet spot on Macaps for espresso, but many seem to think it is. Not for me, and I think Vic either if I remember correctly. Vic??
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...ete69/dial.jpg

Re: Need some input
 

If you're like me, you'll wonder why absolute zero is around 6 or 7 on your dial.

It is bizarre how they build such a nice machine and do that, but if it bothers you, the ring comes off with three small phillips head screws and you can move it easily.

More than likely, you'll completely ignore the numbers other than a reference point and go off your own markings.

Re: Need some input
 

Just to show you how it looks from the front, this is it and I seem to hang out a little under 1.5 lately.

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...ete69/zero.jpg

Re: Need some input
 

Anyway, now you get an idea of the way the dial works. I gotta go strip mine down now and clean and repaint.:D

Re: Need some input
 

Wow, thanks so much for the pic's! That helped a lot. I envisioned a dail with no sense of placement, but thats not the case. As long as I can find my way back and forth through a marking such as your's, I am in good shape! Thanks again!

I intend to play around a lot with beans pertaining to taste and such, as everyone's is different; do you guys recommend a cost effective everyday bean for someone who like a dark, rich coffee?

Again, the time you guys have taken to help me will come back to you. Maybe in the form of a few CCs.....:ss

This thread is awesome!

Re: Need some input
 

I did not realize that home roasters sold to the general public. If you know of any good ones, please let me know, I'd love to try them out.

Do you recommend a well priced daily bean for daily drinking while I play aroudn on the weekends with more pricey stuff?

Thanks again!

Re: Need some input
 

Could you drop me a PM with where you found the Macap at that price? Thank you!

Re: Need some input
 

None of the home roasters would sell me their beans. I would buy them if they did!

I really dig Costco's Guatamalan beans at $5.50 a lb is hard to pass up. I like Whole Foods too.

The grinders are heavy and dumping beans out is a pain in the arse, so I think switching beans during the week will be short lived after you try it.

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Wholelattelove.com

Ask them if they can offer any discounts and you'll probably get them to knock off 10%

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Thank you!

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They are apt to cut you a deal on your first big purchase so make it worth it.

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True. They were glad to knock off quite a bit when I bought the Brasilia and included a lot of extras in the deal. Their tech department is great at helping and sending parts diagrams.

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It was on sale and then got another 10% off, came to $444.69.

This was such a cool experience, reminded me of how you guys helped take my cigar hobby to the next level many years ago at CS. Thank you all.

Now, just need to read up on proper ratio of grinds to water for coffee, get some decent beans, etc.

Do any of you guys make coffee at home from a drip machine out of curiosity?

Me thinks I have a new hobby! :ss

Re: Need some input
 

When I am ready to make the espresso machine purchase, I will most definitely be using this place....

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Had enough points on my AMEX to get the Technivorm for free! :ss

Does anybody here recommend the Swiss Gold filters?

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yes

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yes on the gold filters?

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I am surprised you are not going to use a French Press and Thermos. You get the advantages of keep coffee warm, yet the quality of the French Press coffee. No filters or electricity.

I fill a Thermos up and pour the rest as my first cup.

Re: Need some input
 

I am definitely going to play around with the french press. The problem is the wife gets up earlier, and gets the coffee on. Tough enough time to get her to grind ("I have to grind?"), hence the Technivorm. I am the coffee person on the weekends, where I intend to "play" more.

But I wanted to make the upfront investment on a top of the line grinder, as it seems to be the foundation of it all.