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When is enough enough?

 
 
 
 

There is an interesting side to coffee that I was really unaware of until probably two or so years ago when I started looking at getting an espresso machine, the hobby side. I think that is a fair way to describe a lot of people who like myself buy an espresso machine grinder, as coffee as a hobby. Right now sitting in my kitchen are a coffee grinder and an espresso machine that together retail for $750.00, that's quite a bit of money for a two ounce liquid. This is just the tip of the iceberg.

For the past year since getting my machine and grinder, I have become increasingly better and more accustom to the taste of espresso. I believe that the shots I make are better than most of the ones that I can get out, and the ones that really come out well are as good as anything I have tasted. However, there is still a lot of desire to get a better machine and a grinder.

There are a lot of people out there that have some really nice machines, and have commercial espresso grinders in their home facing the challenge of making better espresso. A lot of times they keep upgrading like I am contemplating now, to bigger and 'better' machines. I don't know where I will end up in all of this if one day I will have an espresso grinder in my home that is quite large and needs it's own island unto itself so it can exist without the limitations of kitchen cabinants or if perhaps I will be content with a more modest upgrade.

For now I will be making what seems from my perspective a modest upgrade sometime in the future, when in all reality it is anything but modest. And at what point has this hobby about coffee/espresso become more of hobby about coffee/espresso equipment. It's an interesting thought that I am wrestling with, because surely I have grinder that more than capable of producing great coffee, and what is used on equipment could be used towards more coffee to taste/try.

I know that I will make an upgrade, but when will it be enough?

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REVIEWS & COMMENTS

  • @WAKENOT

    intrepid510 | Fri, 02/10/2012 - 17:46

    Well now that you get that Elektra how long until I see a thread about selling it and getting a GS3?

  • GREAT QUESTION

    Wakeknot | Tue, 01/24/2012 - 20:13

    I think the answer is that it is easy to become obsessed with the equipment instead of the coffee. I worry about the same issue. I am sure glad that Roaste allows me to indulge myself without bankrupting myself at the same time making the choices much easier!

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  • @SAMUELLAW

    intrepid510 | Tue, 01/10/2012 - 00:26

    I like your take on this, I think one of the big detractors with espresso machines is not being able to see most of them in person and the way that most people like their machine they buy just via online is probably a good sign like you said that they are all good.

  • @YEAHYEAH

    intrepid510 | Tue, 01/10/2012 - 00:22

    I guess in anything where you can buy better gear more expensive gear people are going to be crazed about it, and it was just really weird to discover that world in your morning cup of coffee.

  • PID?

    samuellaw178 | Mon, 01/09/2012 - 23:05

    If I were you, I would probably upgrade to a dual boiler or hx just because of convenience factor (can steam better/faster and better temperature control). Actually, I have a hard time picking up the better shots from two different but decent machines/grinders, unless one of them was really awful. The improvement is there, but it's not day and night difference to me. It's more of a subtle difference/preference rather than absolute improvement. Just like how you can't tell whether apple or orange is better than another. I am impressed by those who actually can taste the VAST difference in their upgrade. I was lean to suspecting that it's more of honeymoon effect than the improvement really is. Although, it may be just my insensitive palate.

    Anyhow, if you want, I would suggest getting a machine with PID control preferably double boiler if you're doing milk drinks. Other than that, don't read too much into the subtle difference between machines. I guess that's the problem for many of us. If they're decent machines, they will get you very good shots when other variables(which are more important in that sense) are set right.

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  • SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

    yeahyeah | Mon, 01/09/2012 - 15:48

    I think that I will upgrade my machine then call it quits. I am already very happy with my espresso so the upgrade will be for convenience and speed. I had a similar realization with ultralight backpacking. At some point I realized that the relentless drive for better and lighter gear was taking away from the raw pleasure of just being outside. I stopped browsing an ultralight forum where I'd see people spending thousands on the latest and greatest gear, and just spent more time getting outside.

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  • @SON TON

    intrepid510 | Mon, 01/09/2012 - 15:30

    Thanks, yeah I do agree that it is more than capable to serving me want of having espresso at home I just can't help but feel that I want something 'better' so it's hard to quell that desire.

  • @HOONCHUL

    intrepid510 | Mon, 01/09/2012 - 15:29

    That is exactly how I have felt ever since getting my Classic, not that it isnt a great machine it's just that there seems to be a bit more to gain.

  • @KARRDE

    intrepid510 | Mon, 01/09/2012 - 15:28

    I think I need to get to where you are, as at the end of the day it should be able wanting to try more coffee and see the differnces that exist not the differences in machines.

  • @CHAMIE

    intrepid510 | Mon, 01/09/2012 - 15:27

    Perhaps putting too much focus on espresso is the key to my insatisfaction and wanting more, perhaps a better variety would do?

  • @JBVIAU

    intrepid510 | Mon, 01/09/2012 - 15:26

    Well for the lack of expense it takes to buy drip brewing method it sure makes up for in the amount that are out there, good luck with that one!

  • CAPABLE SETUP!

    Son Ton | Mon, 01/09/2012 - 14:51

    I think you already have a very capable setup. I think I made the mistake of chasing the espresso machine upgrades and forgot about something, that is enjoying the joy of coffee.

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  • @ERIC

    intrepid510 | Mon, 01/09/2012 - 14:00

    Thanks for the detailed response/blog, I like the machine you have now because of the home user aspect of it, but not sure if that's where I would like to go.

  • I'M AFRAID IT MAY NEVER BE

    hoonchul | Mon, 01/09/2012 - 11:33

    I'm afraid it may never be enough-atleast for me. It's only been 3 months since I got my first espresso machine and I'm already itching for upgrade-although it won't be for another year or so.

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  • I DON'T HAVE MUCH OF A

    Karrde | Mon, 01/09/2012 - 10:54

    I don't have much of a desire to upgrade my equipment. I'm more intrigued with trying new blends. I've got to the point where I like my coffee better than the coffee I could buy at the coffee shops around here and that's enough for right now.

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  • I'D SAY ENOUGH

    Chamie | Mon, 01/09/2012 - 09:59

    ...is when you're happy with your setup. I tend to like having a variety of coffee gear around to play with different brewing methods -- which means I can often satisfy a coffee yen with an inexpensive coffee gadget.

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  • HMM...

    jbviau | Mon, 01/09/2012 - 08:55

    Upgraditis has subsided for me in the short term--at least with respect to machine and grinder. Now re: *accessories*, all bets are off. ;) One plus for someone like me who's more into brewed coffee is that gear is cheaper on average.

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  • SO CLOSE

    EricBNC | Mon, 01/09/2012 - 04:25


    You might stop where you are and be happy - if what you make tastes good to you then what else matters? I took the same set up as yours and got very close to the shots I get with my machine and the same grinder you use - I think the smaller boiler in the Gaggia affects minimally the flavor over the extraction of a double shot (a less nuanced shot - we can be honest, right?) - if we pull single shots, then all bets are off - the best Barista will win every time - PID a Gaggia, adjust the OPV pressure and watch good things happen paired with a decent (matters more than the machine IMHO) espresso grinder - I include the Preciso in this "decent" category - durability is my only concern with this grinder - not shot quality.

    I picked my Silvano because I knew it would give the me the practical features of a home machine but with the adjustable parameters found on the only other machine I would consider for my kitchen - the dual boiler Vivaldi...

    HX is great but I like the fact I have emptied my drip tray exactly twice since I purchased my machine this past fall - and it is close to empty right now - this would be a session worth of dumping for a consumer non-plumbed HX.

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