View entire thread: Francis Francis X5 for sale with free case of Illy Caffe POD
Posted by CJ2Stay on 2006-05-18 12:15:20
Post Subject: Francis Francis X5 for sale with free case of Illy Caffe POD
Hello,
Is anyone intersted in a Brand New Francis Francis X5 With a free case of Illy espresso pods? I started the Illy A Casa program with Illy caffe but was unfortunately unable to finish it so i bought out the coffee and machine. I would like to sell the Machine to honestly profit from what i had to pay back Illy, if anyone is interested please email me at CJ2Stay@yahoo.com - My asking price is $325.00 but willing to bargain.
Thanks,
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View entire thread: Are we really this dumb and it's just user error?
Posted by alixehrhardt on 2004-06-10 23:35:11
Post Subject: Are we really this dumb and it's just user error?
I'm not that familiar with espresso machines (my husband has usually made the espresso) but we have tried two different machines (around $200 machines, the last one was a DeLonghi). Every time we try to make an espresso shot, the thing clogs up and basically overflows the grounds and water all over the place. Or, it does hardly anything and just barely drips out water.
At first, we thought we were just packing it too tightly, so we tried the espresso pods that came with our machine. SAME PROBLEM! Then we thought it was the machine, thus the purchase of a second machine -- a pump this time.
What in the world are we doing wrong? Any suggestions of what we can try to better determine what the problem is? Thanks so much!
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View entire thread: POD MACHINES ?????
Posted by Bookbear on 2008-09-30 23:38:48
Post Subject:
Several reputable manufacturers make pod based espresso machines. The Pod Merchant sells a wide variety of coffee pods from many different sources (nearly all Italian). I would have to agree with the post above: because they are ground, then packaged and shipped, and often sit on the shelf for a while, they tend to be stale. The time lag is just too long for any chance of freshness. They ARE convenient at work, and make cleanup a breeze. One possible option is (I really hate to say this)... Charbucks espresso pods. They are dated, and since they are not being shipped overseas, have a better chance at being less stale.
Of course, if you are located in Europe, you might find an Italian brand that is dated and shipped only a short distance, giving it a fighting chance of freshness.
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View entire thread: Light-commercial coffee machinery...
Posted by CTBaker on 2007-06-01 10:44:47
Post Subject:
Okay, since the original post, I've learned some more. I don't need a bog-standard coffee machine, I'll just make Americanos. That'll save some effort.
My main questions are now -
1) how much harder is it to use semi-auto than automatic and does it taste noticably better?
2) these espresso 'pods'...do they make acceptable espresso shots? they seem a lot less hassle and generally more idiot-proof than anything else...
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View entire thread: Light-commercial coffee machinery...
Posted by ElPugDiablo on 2007-06-01 11:13:01
Post Subject:
The link is showing home machines, if you are looking to serve 300 cups a day you need a commercial machine, and most likely new one will be more than $2,000.
1) how much harder is it to use semi-auto than automatic and does it taste noticably better?
It's not much harder, and the barista has more control of the espresso making. It's good or bad depending on the skill level of the barista.
2) these espresso 'pods'...do they make acceptable espresso shots? they seem a lot less hassle and generally more idiot-proof than anything else...
It all depends on your definition of acceptable. If you are going to take short cut your product will reflect that, at least to someone. Do you care if you don't have espresso purists as customers, only you can answer that.
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View entire thread: Hamilton Beach 40729 15 bar pump OK? Good?
Posted by elean on 2005-01-11 20:51:49
Post Subject: Hamilton Beach 40729 review
Hi Jeff,
I bought the Hamilton Beach 40729 2 weeks ago as my first espresso machine. I'm new in the espresso world and I thought it might be a good machine to start with compared to steam machines.
I'm still working at improving each espresso I make and found few things about the machine:
1. The scoop they provide is approx. 7 grams of coffee.
2. The portefilter has marks for single or double shot. But when filling to those marks you need more than 7 g. (or 14 g).
3. When making a single shot with ground coffee, I prefer to use the portefilter for espresso pods. So far I've been able to go around 20-22 seconds with that portefilter. It's faster with the double one since there are more holes. Also the puck stays wet since there is room for water above it when stopping the pour.
4. I don't have a good grinder...I should say I don't have a grinder at all for espresso. So I buy ground coffee. The one (bulk) at superstore (Loblaws) is not good. The last one I tried is from Timothy's Coffee Shop and it wasn't that bad. I got to go with fresher ground coffee and better until I buy a good grinder.
5. The frother didn't impress me much or I'm not good at it. I do better froth using microwave and the frothing tool I paid 10$ for. And it could be a little bit longer. It's ok when using a 12 oz pitcher but short for a 16-20 oz pitcher.
Let me know if you decided to buy it we could exchange some tips.
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View entire thread: Light-commercial coffee machinery...
Posted by CCafe on 2007-06-02 00:03:54
Post Subject: Re: Light-commercial coffee machinery...
Firstly, bog-standard filter coffee. I''d like to offer my customers a nice cup of plain old coffee for a reasonable price - any reccomendations for a good machine that could serve up maybe 300 cups of coffee a day?
Okay, since the original post, I've learned some more. I don't need a bog-standard coffee machine, I'll just make Americanos. That'll save some effort.
My main questions are now -
1) how much harder is it to use semi-auto than automatic and does it taste noticably better?
2) these espresso 'pods'...do they make acceptable espresso shots? they seem a lot less hassle and generally more idiot-proof than anything else...
I think your problem is you second guessing yourself. For the most part your moving in the right direction.
But have you ever drank an Americano? I really don't like it. The taste is bland compared to regular coffee. The other thing to look at is preparation time for making 1 Americano vs regular drip coffee. Pouring a cup of coffee is 10 times faster then preparing 1 shot of espresso and a plus side to pouring coffee is a monkey could do it. No training required.
I would definitely increase your budget a few thousand more. A good espresso machine is a must but is not a cure all solutions. What is going to happen to your business when the espresso equipment breaks? Closed no coffee today?
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View entire thread: cimbali m3 superbar 2
Posted by donnanln on 2005-05-06 11:08:07
Post Subject: cimbali m3 superbar 2
We just got this machine for our office and no nothing about it. Can we use Lavazza espresso pods with it? Or do we need to use something else? HELP.
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View entire thread: POD machine
Posted by cafemakers on 2005-09-29 20:42:43
Post Subject:
Are you referring to E.S.E. (easy serving espresso) pods or P.I.D. (program, integral & differential) espresso machines?
Most manufacturers offer kits to convert commercial espresso machines from coffee grounds to E.S.E. pods (normally consisting of new baskets and shower screens (some require a new water dispersion disk). I'm not sure about kits for consumers (if this is your question), but have seen some home espresso machines designed solely for the purpose of using pods. Do not confuse these with single serving coffee brewer pods, such as those used by the Senseo - not the same thing.
P.I.D. is a whole other matter; a computerized device that controls the precise temperature of your extraction. The controler uses an algorithym to predict temperature swing, then instantaneously adjusts power to your heating element to compensate. Some, but not all commercial manufacturers offer P.I.D. machines, but there are some aftermarket kits available that can be applied to most machines with a heat exchanger (though, rarely simple to perform yourself).
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View entire thread: Which Espresso Pod to use?
Posted by KS on 2005-04-13 13:14:05
Post Subject: Espresso Pods
Matt,
I have only tried around 3 brands of espresso pods, but I think Attibassi makes a good espresso pod and decaf espresso pod. They can be found on EspressoVero.com
Hope you find one you like!
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View entire thread: Machine for Work
Posted by blackjava on 2006-08-13 10:54:45
Post Subject:
It might be difficult to find a decent machine that makes both espresso
and coffee in your price range.
http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/cjgo/granos.jpg
The Bodum Granos Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine
Is a good machine for espresso. It works with Espresso ground or the
new espresso pods.
Its in your budget range.
As turbine said you can easily make an Americano.
Good luck in your search
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View entire thread: Guglielmo Espresso Pods
Posted by s21816 on 2004-09-13 15:36:08
Post Subject: Guglielmo Espresso Pods
Out of these brands of Espresso Pods which pods do you prefer? Guglielmo, Lavazza, Miscela d'Oro, Moka, Bristot. And if you have any other suggestions. Thanks.
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View entire thread: coffee pods
Posted by javahill on 2004-10-12 15:44:06
Post Subject:
Pods are convenient , a lot less messy and don't require as much training. But they don't taste as good. If you have a business that has a lot of staff turnover and customers who don't know or care what a good espresso tastes like, pods could be a prudent business decision.
I'm not sure Starbucks is doing much to educate people what a good espresso tastes like. They are doing more for milk sales than for coffee.
Hmmm. The clue might be in Starbuck's "Toffee Nut Latte." If you bury espresso with milk, whipped cream and sprinkles, your customers probably would not be able to tell much about the quality of the espresso.
If you want a ton of mall rats as customers, espresso pods could be the right choice.
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View entire thread: New Restaurant Opening Soon is Serving Espresso - Need Help!
Posted by javahill on 2004-10-11 21:37:18
Post Subject:
Hmmm. If your friend is starting a restaurant, one thing she is going to be short on is time. I would be reluctant to advise her to get into roasting. That's a skill and it is time she probably does not have, at least until she's got the core business up and stable.
Depending on the customers, she might want to go with a branded program like Illy of Lavazza. It is canned coffee, but would support the Italian theme. If she uses espresso pods, that is one less thing to worry about. It won't be the best espresso you've ever had, but how good does it need to be?
If the espresso is going to be more of a centerpiece, then I'd say look for a coffee that also has some marketing appeal. If Illy ain't it on the taste side, take a look at Green Mountain Coffee's Dark Magic Espresso Blend. Earlier this month it won a bronze medal in London. I think it was at the Great Tastes specialty food show.
You can also check out the espressos on coffee review. http://www.coffeereview.com/allreviews.cfm?search=3 There have been great reviews lately.
Good luck.
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