Want to up my coffee game

Alexvs

Hi all,

Pretty new here and quickly becoming addicted to coffee discussion as much as making coffee! I currently have a Sage BE, so a pretty average set up, however feel I’m now outgrowing it and want to start building my ideal coffee corner. After days of hints to the Mrs, I convinced her to agree (or frown less) to me investing by letting her put carpet in the living room (all about compromise). Anyway, I just missed out on a local ACS Minima that was in the classifieds as those discussions took too long last night and got beaten to the punch, but that got me thinking I should get a decent grinder first and I’m now here for advice 😁 plus I can take my time now and not rush into a grinder purchase because I need one.

At present we only drink 1 - 2 cappuccinos a day on average, however I’m really wanting to give an espresso a go seeing as I’ll soon have a new baby coming along and giving me endless sleepless nights. Not sure it’s going to be to my liking as I’m masking the taste of it at the moment with milk and dare I say it, flavour syrups or sweetener in my capps. For background I’ve come a long way from being totally against coffee so small steps and all lol.

Since the weekend, I’ve been trialing single dosing the SBE to see how I get on and it’s not as much of a pain as I thought so open to a single dose grinder. I do however only ever use the same beans, from the same roaster as we settled on this Columbian after trialing what my local has on offer and found this the tastiest of them all. This for me I think would open me up to using a hopper fed grinder if there’s one highly recommended, as retention isn’t a huge concern.

I’m happy to spend up to Niche level, so £500, I’m also open to second hand to bring the cost down if it’s well-spec’d and loved. The requirements of the Mrs would be that it fits nicely into the kitchen (currently cream but she wants a new one so who knows what it’ll be) and not too big. My end game machine is likely going to be stainless finish but black or white for the grinder wouldn’t look out of place with the rest of the appliances.

So…what are your recommendations for someone like me? Single, hopper, hit me with your best advice 😊

Thanks for reading! Once this is sorted, I’ll probably be back for machine advice haha.

Alex

LMSC

Alexvs Welcome to the forum! Niche is a great choice.

dutchy101

Don’t think you can go wrong with the Niche based on user feedback I have seen over the last couple of years. I’ve never used one, but would like to try it some day alongside the Solo, which I do own. I opted for the Solo over the Niche as I preferred the look of it and the £100 price difference was an extra sweetener. There is undoubtedly more of a workflow when it comes to using the Solo, using the bellows etc., but I was subscribed to this when I bought it and I think it is a great grinder. I have no intentions of changing my grinder, which I bought and have used as an upgrade from the Sage Smart Grinder Pro in April 21.

DavecUK

I think getting a decent grinder allows you to use it with your sage, this should give a big improvement, while you decide on the best machine to get for your usage/lifestyle.

This could make a stonking espresso flat burr grinder…with no waiting

https://coffeetime.freeflarum.com/d/228-ceado-e37s-for-sale-ps525

Of course if you want a true single doser then you can opt for a Niche, Solo, or even a Eureka .

Alexvs

Thanks all. I did look at the Solo but it’s look isn’t personally for me so still swaying towards the Niche. Also looked at the Eureka but their claims seem a little much when comparing to the competition and still prefer the lack of having bellows.

DavecUK I did look at that one but the wife isn’t keen on me spending that much on used at that age. I know they’re cracking though and were very costly as new. Wives can be hard nuts to crack.

Any recommendations for non single dose? Would they be better for my use as don’t intend to change my bean or try other forms of coffee. I quite like the look of the X54 even if it’s a bit of a beast on the counter top. Any you’ve tested and thought they’re great?

I’ve already added a Niche to my basket in black so I’m ready if nothing else gets suggested.

hornbyben

Can’t go wrong with the Niche. It’s a great workflow, built like a tank, and looks good in a kitchen. I do own one, so my recommendation comes with owner bias, but I’ve been very pleased with it.

Don’t underestimate the value of single dosing for home use. Leaving beans out in a hopper accelerates their ageing. Also, you might only use one coffee now, but as you go down the rabbit hole you might want more flexibility. The ability to switch to decaf is also very useful.

I haven’t tried the solo, but from what I’ve read they seem fine, but a bit more faff. The fact the niche has been popular for so long is a testament to its quality.

Alexvs

I might just do it then. I’ve just seen someone on the “other” place saying last month they were thinking of selling their 6 month old black Niche so going to message them and see if they’ve decided. If I can get one cheaper and sooner then it’s great, otherwise happy to wait it out.

Thanks for taking the time, flexibility is always good for future proofing 👍🏼

Any advice for single dose storage? I currently just leave in the resealable bag it arrives in and take out each time. I currently buy 2 × 200g bags a fortnight but increasing to 3 bags as we want to move to 2 drinks each a day.

Thanks you super helpful and friendly bunch!

hornbyben

There seems to be a range on storage, from the bag to vacuum packing individual portions.

I think the key to fresh coffee is avoiding light and oxygen. Until then bag is opened you’re avoiding oxygen as the CO2 from roasting should have displaced most of the oxygen. Putting them in a draw avoids light.

I drink about 250g per week, and tend to buy coffee at the amount needed for free shipping (_1kg). If I time it right this means my coffee is 1 to 5 weeks post roast and I find it delicious. Once the bag is open I keep it in an airscape container. I suspect this is no better than an airtight container kept somewhere dark, but it looks nice and I had some vouchers. I don’t drink decaf as quickly, so I let it rest for one week post roast and then divide it into smaller containers and put it in the freezer (any air tight container is fine).

Alexvs

Thanks again for your help, nice looking containers would please the wife over the black bags sitting on the counter top. Will go do some shopping 👍🏼

Cuprajake

This

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2015-MAZZER-MAJOR-AUT-Espresso-Commercial-COFFEE-GRINDER-650W-Power-Motor-/165285410916?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

With this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ACS-Minima-Dual-Boiler-Espresso-Machine-with-Flow-Control-/115189799647?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

Alexvs

Cuprajake Thanks for those, looks like the Mazzer is from a knowledgeable owner and well looked after seeing it has been dismantled for cleaning. Guess these are rock solid and easily maintained, if not a bit overkill maybe for someone like me.

I was watching that Minima on the other forum, considering whether to put in an offer seeing as it has flow profiling already added.

dutchy101

Alexvs

It looks in brilliant condition and a pretty good price too, considering the age and also has the profiling kit added

Cuprajake

not really over kill at all

HVL87

Cuprajake which one is the espresso machine? 😄

Alexvs

Cuprajake Awesome thank you, they look like a great partnership 👍🏼 will check with the visual inspector haha

dutchy101

Cuprajake

I was just looking at your video with the magnets to stop the drip tray from bouncing. I see you bought some magnets with a 1.2kg pull, but they’re no longer available. I’ve seen some alternatives which look similar, but have a much stronger pull (6.2kg). Don’t suppose you know whether these would be too much / could they affect the boiler / internals of the machine?

Cuprajake

HVL87 Giphy - Maya Rudolph Lol GIF by NETFLIX

dutchy101

@DavecUK did you have any thoughts on the above at all? Are magnets a bad idea with espresso machines? Has this ever come up before, lol?

Apologies for taking this thread completely off piste

DavecUK

dutchy101 did you have any thoughts on the above at all? Are magnets a bad idea with espresso machines? Has this ever come up before, lol?

I can’t see it causing a problem on the Minima, theres nothing it can really affect down there….A better way would be for the manufacturer to put some steel nubs there to support the tray when it’s slid on.

Other options

Make it thicker
Fix a support bar (right angle piece) to the underside

dutchy101

Great - thanks DavecUK - apologies for the obscure question. I think I’m going to create a general ACS Minima thread to prevent me spamming everyone else’s threads. Apologies again @Alexvs

Alexvs

dutchy101 No worries, I’ve contacted the person selling the Minima on eBay/CFUK (Cuprajake mentioned) so it’s useful to know all this if I’m going to be owning one.

While I’m waiting I still can’t help but continue to admire more expensive machines though haha. For example still love the Bianca but don’t like the idea of the additional maintenance over the Minima. If I don’t get this used Minima I’ll just save a few more months and see what takes my fancy then and read up more about the traditional E61 and what’s involved.

@Cuprajake looked into that Mazzer Major and it’s not pleasing the wife visually, even with the matching bling of the Minima. Think it also may be too tall once the hopper is added. You have now got me scouring eBay for bargains, something I’ve not done for years! This coffee game is addictive and potentially costly haha.