Anyone sold up and gone brew methods only?

HarveyMushman

Bit of an open question really for any stories or anecdotal experiences.

I’m coming up to 20 odd years of home espresso and considering selling my espresso stuff and just drinking brewed coffee (mainly V60).

I’m at the point where I prep my pour over coffees and it’s very clean, simple, reliable, requires just a grinder and V60 and produces a long, very enjoyable cup that is full of flavour and available in all manner of roast levels.

I’m falling out of love with espresso because it’s the complete opposite of the above. Requires a large amount of very large equipment, is messy and inconsistent (let’s be honest folks, it is), and then you get a drink that lasts half the time it took to prepare. I enjoy espresso and I do like a flat white but I still treat it like a convenience drink rather than something I enjoy more slowly.

I wouldn’t mind reclaiming some kitchen space, I quite like the idea of just having a grinder and a V60. I don’t need the money from a sale but I also don’t really want ~£4k worth of gear sat unused.

However! I’m conscious that if I do sell up and regret it, I’m going to lose a packet on the difference in getting set up again if I decide to get another machine at a later date.

Has anyone gone a similar route and regretted it. Or perhaps not regretted it at all?!

MWJB

I lost interest in espresso a few years back, half-heartedly dabbled with it on & off, sold my last machine last year (think I still have my Dad’s old GC in the spare room under some junk…no burning desire to dig it out).

I also have a very rarely used Bacchi stove top…keep meaning to dust it off, but don’t think I have touched it in 8yrs?

It’s not that I don’t enjoy drinking espresso, I do when it’s made well, but I prefer a longer, dairy free, drink to savor for longer & to make that in one go. Unless you’re in a hurry, I just feel espresso is gone to soon.

The sight of shots pouring, or latte art just don’t excite me any more. If I liked milky drinks, I’d probably feel different.

HarveyMushman

Thanks, that all sounds very familiar. My preference is squarely with brewed coffee.

I can sort of take or leave espresso, I certainly don’t dislike it but my tolerance for faffage seems to be diminishing with age and home espresso is a significant faff even in its simplest form. I think you’ve got to love the process.

LMSC

We’re very much on the brewed‑coffee side these days. The Duo’s filter burrs are so good we genuinely don’t miss espresso. Plus, we don’t have the time during the week anyway. The Evo only comes out at weekends for a few espressos and a couple of flat whites for my wife. I don’t take milk in my coffee. It’s been like this for over three years now.

My wife, who had never touched black coffee before, absolutely loves filter now and doesn’t miss flat whites at all.

Is it gathering dust and seriously under‑used? Yes. Do we miss espressos and flat whites? No. Would we sell it? No chance — we’re not paying that sort of money again.

We thought our girl and her fiancé might eventually walk off with the machine, but that’s doubtful as they’re proper filter people as well. If they do take it, though, that’ll be the perfect excuse to try the Decent! Haha 😁

Adrianmsmith

LMSC The Evo only comes out at weekends

Your poor back, where do you hide it 🤓🤪😁☕

HarveyMushman

Great to hear thanks for sharing @LMSC.

Perhaps we’ll just box it up and put it in the cupboard, at least that way if for whatever reason we do want to revisit espresso in future it’ll be there.

RickO88

Espresso for 31 years. Not changing. Strietman makes it so simple and quick. Had a laPavoni for 25+ years and then tried various pump machines which I ultimately hated. Robot got me back to levers.

LMSC

Adrianmsmith Your poor back, where do you hide it 🤓🤪😁☕

No need as the kitchen space is not a premium at ours’. Haha 😁

koahhe

Twelve years ago, I fell down the espresso rabbit hole and hit every rock on the way down. I was caught in the classic, expensive loop of chasing the god shot by frantically swapping out machines and grinders. Eventually, I realised the whole process had become a bit ridiculous.

I sold everything, went brew only and found peace in the simplicity of a V60 and a Clever Dripper. My counter space returned, my blood pressure dropped, and I was enjoying my cup of brew.

Then I saw the Cafelat Robot. Something about its retro mechanical toy aesthetic and total lack of electronics made me super curious. I bought it and love using this little manual metal man. To handle the milk, I added a Flair Wizard Steamer, which is surprisingly punchy and gets the job done.

I didn’t even have to buy a new grinder. My Arco manual grinder handles the switch from filter to espresso very. Aside from the Robot, everything else tucks away neatly in a cupboard. This is a huge win because it leaves the counters free for my other hobbies like sourdough bread and home-made ice cream.

I think we’ve reached a point where people are so obsessed with having the latest end-game gear that they’ve forgotten how to just enjoy a damn cup of coffee.

crimson89

Have you considered using the espresso machine for soup or allongé shots? The final beverage is long (1:4-1:5 ratios) and filter-like in texture and quite nice to be honest with lightly roasted beans. Just keep the pressure low, the temperature reasonable 90-92 and the water debit to something like 4-5ml/sec.

MWJB

crimson89 Good suggestion, this was how I approached espresso for many years, and pretty much exclusively for the last part (would still be my first port of call if using an espresso machine), but still, I tend to prefer a longer, less concentrated drink, even compared to these.

Just my preference, of course.

MediumRoastSteam

I did this in 2017. Was quite fed up of the big E61 (Pro 700) in the kitchen, taking space. Messy single dosing grinder (Kinu M68).

So sold it all up and kept the aeropress, v60, moka and feldgrind.

Lasted about 8 months. I truly dislike filter coffee. It’s just not for me. Happy with a Mokka pot - but would drink an espresso any time over any other method. Bought a La Pavoni and started enjoying proper coffee again. After less than 2 years sold all my gear (all the filter coffee paraphernalia and the two la Pavonis) but kept the 1 year old Niche Zero. Next day bought an Elizabeth after reading Dave’s review. The rest is history.

wintoid

I’ve gradually stopped drinking/making espresso, sold my machines, except for the Robot, which perhaps gets used once a year. My wife would like to know why I need so many different plastic conical things though.

dfk41

Will you keep the Philos with brew style burrs, if they do such a thing?

HarveyMushman

Thanks all, good to hear the different experiences!

Regarding the longer shots, it’s not something I’ve tried. I’m sure I’d possibly enjoy the taste as I don’t mind an Americano. It’s more the effort (perceived or otherwise) to prep it.

@dfk41 good question! I think if the Philos was smaller I’d keep it as the multi purpose burrs produce a great grind for pourover, but I’d probably get another Ode Gen 2. I found that was as good in the cup for the sort of filter coffee we enjoy and it’s just a much neater package (and faster, and has nice features like auto-stop).

Big ifs though at this point, I’m still undecided and may have a trial period with the espresso gear tidied away.