Confused...please help!

Mogambo

Good people,

I have recently found your wonderful forum, and have read through quite a few informative messages. I came across this, as part of my research into whether or not it's worth my while to buy a coffee machine and a grinder. The reason I say this is, because even though I appreciate good coffee, I may only have 1 cup (as compared to my wife's 3) a day.

We currently have a perculator, which is not exactly spectacular, and so I was thinking to buy a coffee machine for Mothers Day. However, I am not sure if my (and my wife's) palette is to the extent where we would be able to appreciate good coffee. As in, do the coffee beans, freshly grounded in the grinder, and then a coffee from a coffee machine taste that much better, than a perculated coffee? Would it be worth the $400 I would spend on a coffee machine and a grinder? I know this is very subjective, and so it's difficult for me to ask for your opinion, but I thought I'd try anyway.

After doing a LOT of research, I have finally decided that if I do decide to buy, it would be the Sunbeam Cafe Latte EM5600 and the Sunbeam Conical Burr EM0450.

What does everyone think?

Thanks!

nzroaster

Maybe start with a good grinder and fresh beans. Even with a perculator you can dramatically increase the quality of what you drink!

DoubleRistretto

Hi Mogambo - NZ's right, the grinder is the first step. However, if you've got a $400 budget, the package you're looking at is a good one. The Sunbeam's a basic unit, but if you get the grind right, you should be able to get good shots out of it. dR

Lovey

G'day Mogambo, My suggestion would be to buy a good grinder (the Sunbeam should be fine) and a few different size plungers. No, you won't have a shiny machine on your bench, but I think you'll be dissapointed with the results. Plungers are much easier to master, and provide a superior drop compared to a tinny espresso machine. Just my 2 cents worth