I have a Diedrich IR-3TT ("tabletop" model) that I purchased exactly two years ago but never even took it out of the original Diedrich crate. My project got put on hold and I now acquired a used IR-12 that's a better fit for my needs.
Reasonable is relative but the crated price of this unit...
Under $600 is the Rancilio Silvia. Don'e even bother looking at anythign else in that price range. It's about $500.
There are scads of great E61 style heat exchanger machines in the $1,000 range. They require a bit less tweaking than the Silvia to get consistently great results but the Silvia...
Isomac Tea - no doubt. I've had mine for three years and it's rock solid plus it makes fantastic espresso. My office mate has a Pasquini Livia 90 (the auto model). has ued it very little but already had to replace a pressurestat and also the main board. The board was a few hundred $ US. My...
Lavazza has a number of different "brands" or quality levels withing its product line. I've had Lavazza that was from a 2 kilo bag (4.4 lbs) in whl bean from, freshly ground and made pretty decent espresso. But I've also had LaVazza on many occasions that was flat and stale. It's tough to get...
You'll need a heat seal machine - they're available from most packaging or bag suppliers and are relatively inexpensive. If you'll be doing a limited volume of 1 lb bags just get a little hand held unit like we use. For five pound bags and larger volume it's easier to get the one with a wider...
I'll try....
Most likely means a commercial espresso machine (e.g. La Marzocco, Faema, La Cimbali etc.) and two espresso grinders - one to be used for decafe espresso blend and one for regular beans.
A coolor is a refirgerator - no difference.
Typically a small to medium sized basket woven...
I own:
Isomac Tea E61 "prosumer" machine
Faema C185 Compact 1 group
La Marzocco Linea AV 4 group
Mazzer Grinders - a Mini, a Major and a whole bunch of Super Jolly's
Bodum Santos Mini manual vac pot
Bodum Santos Mini electric vac pot
Melitta cones - two sizes
Fetco CBS-31 AAP double airpot...
I've tweaked the recipe that's provided in the above link to the Topsecretrecipes web site. rather than mix it on the spot, I make a base by dissolving the sugar in the extra strength coffee while it's still hot. Adding a bit of espresso to the extra strong coffee mix also helps but I agree that...
I've heard the same comments about the darkness level of their roasts. They were on the list of places I gave to a friend who asked me to help him get his new food cafe set up with good coffee service. He made his choice for a wholesale supplier based on how r4esponsive the vendor was to...
Where are you located? Easy availability of parts and service after the sale should be a major factor in your decision. I might be mistaken but I believe Reneka has extremely limited support and distribution in the US.
If you're on the east coast check with Counter Culture Coffe in Durham NC. If I recall correctly they have plans to open a training center that will adhere to SCAA standards and process. I'm guessing that barista training will be a part of their program but I'm not certain of that. I do knwo...
Glad to see someone in Eire with an interest in offering good espresso. I spent ten days in ireland last year and had exactly one good cappuccino of the many that I tried. It was in Kilkenny at a small Internet cafe that had a one group ECM machine. You'll want a two group but my point is that...
If by pod machine you mean products like the Senseo system... it isn't really quite like regular drip coffee nor is it espresso. It's not bad if you happen to find a good source for better quality pods but it will never ever come close to the quality of good drip coffee or quality espresso...
If you have a passsion for quality coffee and espresso I suggest plungung into it full-time and developing the business further. If instead your interest has simly been the business and revenue side of things... sell it and find another business. But don't hold the paper - sell it outright or...