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After the old forum software breaking in a way that we were unable to fix, we've migrated the site to a new platform.

Some elements aren't working as we'd hoped - some avatars didn't survive the transition, and we're still having issues with attachments that weren't added as inline images, but we're hoping to have that all sorted out soon.

Things you hate about espresso machines

Seeya LatteSeeya Latte
edited January 1970 in Have your say
Thought we needed a new topic with a different slant.

Now I know we all love coffee and our equipment but I'm interested in sharing views about some of the things that annoy us most about our machines or anything else in the whole process.

Here's a few of mine I've experienced :

1. Changing beans and the hassle of getting the grind & dose right again
2. Microfoam - not so much now but I remember early days how insanely frustrating it was
3. That fine line between updosing & choking machine
4. Upgradeitis
5. Keeping things shiny
6. Backflushing - chore
7. Pump noise
8. Storage - for all the bits, pieces & cups
9. That "Get away from my area .... you got no idea the pressure I'm under to get these 10 coffess out..." feeling when you first get the machine and everyone thinks you're a ready made barister already

Notwithstanding any of this, I'm not prepared to give up my fascination just yet

Seeya
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Comments

  • KelseyKelsey
    #5, #7 and #8 are the ones that get me too. I like my machine shiny, I need to figure out how I can ensure the boiler is filled each evening before I switch off so that it doesn't wake my son at 6am when I turn it on and the whole shebang takes up 1/3 of my kitchen!!!
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  • Koffee_KosmoKoffee_Kosmo
    As an extension of the machine I vote for - The nut behind the machine KK  :stir
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  • KelseyKelsey
    When you work for yourself you always have an a$$hole for a boss!
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  • derrilexderrilex
    Speak for yourself Kelsey  :D. My boss is awesome
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  • Brett HBrett H
    Nice list!  #7 as well as grinder noise are pet hates for me.  Also #5 with the addition: My biggest pet hate is stray grounds getting everywhere because among the usual reasons, my setup is near a window.
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  • KelseyKelsey
    That's my wife's pet hate, Brett! "You PROMISED I wouldn't be cleaning up grinds!"
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  • Brett HBrett H
    :rofl: :angel:
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  • UNMUNM
    #10 There are too many of them. It seems every household or business serving coffee has at least one espresso machine. We all know espresso is not the best way to make coffee, and yet can't resist the fascination of bling over functionality. #11. Waiting. Not just for a domestic machine to heat up (with modern materials and technology there is less excuse than there used to be). Also the wait for a 'barista' to actually deliver to  the customers order in a commercial coffee outlet. Espresso machines are really inefficient in a high throughput environment. I agree with #5 but not in the way you might think. Working machines should not be pristine and shiny. Steam wands or panels with no chrome left and scratched brass from frequent use of a scourer are just fine by me. Functional cleanliness is all that is required. Shiny shows that someone has too much spare time or OCD - or both.
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  • KelseyKelsey
    on 1349131029:
    :rofl: :angel:
    In fact, this thread prompted me to do something about that complaint! Attachment not found.
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  • derrilexderrilex
    What are we looking at Kelsey ?
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  • derrilexderrilex
    on 1349134343:
    #10 We all know espresso is not the best way to make coffee #11. Waiting. Also the wait for a 'barista' to actually deliver to  the customers order in a commercial coffee outlet.
    Re # 10 - beg to differ Re # 11 - couldn't agree more. What the hell takes so bloody long. I dont care if they have 10 orders, they have 3 or 4 groups. Get busy and stop bollocking around with ya nose piercing  :D
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  • KelseyKelsey
    on 1349155826:
    What are we looking at Kelsey ?
    The red knockbox D!
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  • derrilexderrilex
    Oh, ok. What were you using before ? Plastic bag in the sink KK style?
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  • JontyJonty
    #12 - I use a timer for my 7 days a week pattern. Hate it when you have a big night or change in normal routine that impacts the 'warm up' phase of the machine and my fix... #13 - When I know on a Sunday I have to empty the knockbox, what a bloody choir that is!
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  • LacehimLacehim
    on 1349162884:
    The red knockbox D!
    You got a red one just like mine!  It's a grindenstein knock box, they are very good.  Small but that makes you clear it out more often (stops you get green pucks at least) and you can put the whole thing in the dishwasher.  No dismantling required.  :)
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  • KelseyKelsey
    on 1349168442:
    Oh, ok. What were you using before ? Plastic bag in the sink KK style?
    Smack it on the sink and leave the pucks there until the end of the day. We do a lot of our shopping at farmers markets so we don't have bags to spare usually.
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  • KelseyKelsey
    on 1349170712:
    You got a red one just like mine!  It's a grindenstein knock box, they are very good.  Small but that makes you clear it out more often (stops you get green pucks at least) and you can put the whole thing in the dishwasher.  No dismantling required.  :)
    I didn't know that! Cool!
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  • galumaygalumay
    You guys just need to get a Caravel!
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  • RiderRider
    14. Specific to boiler, HX etc etc usually of Italian origin..... No bloody warning on low water. Sunnies and I assume the Breville do.... Nothing better than a truncated shot at 5.15 am.... particularly when I then have to refill so my darling wife is sorted a bit later... 15. My wife using the group head to rinse the group handle after a shot to actually create item 14 above...  ::)
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  • Brett HBrett H
    on 1349176151:
    14. Specific to boiler, HX etc etc usually of Italian origin..... No bloody warning on low water. Sunnies and I assume the Breville do.... Nothing better than a truncated shot at 5.15 am.... particularly when I then have to refill so my darling wife is sorted a bit later... 15. My wife using the group head to rinse the group handle after a shot to actually create item 14 above...  ::)
    Oh yeah.... Yeah, these are good ones right here.  I'll add these to my list.  Is it just me or does anyone else hate when you choke a domestic lever and you have to depressurise and wait an age to get your porter filter out and start again.  I mean, I would have happily paid the extra $9.68 to have a dump/release valve on the lever chamber.  :tearhair:
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  • UNMUNM
    on 1349174662:
    You guys just need to get a Caravel!
    Quite probably. When I first saw one I thought it looked close to perfect. Never  even noticed it has no steam wand as that is completely useless on an espresso machine. On a cappuccino maker of course...
    on 1349156129:
    Re # 10 - beg to differ
    Really? No other coffee making process is equal to espresso under any circumstance? Personally I find espresso a tad deficient for long blacks. Iced coffee from a cold processed batch out the fridge on as hot day really hits the spot. Some beans really suit a siphon brew. A lot of the coffee drinking world would claim Turkish/Greek coffee is up to standard. Espresso is currently fashionable, but that will pass. I expect  that it will still be available, but, hopefully, only from places that can actually use the equipment properly.
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  • derrilexderrilex
    on 1349183013:
    No other coffee making process is equal to espresso under any circumstance?
    Ahhh, that's not what you said originally is it now. For me, no. No other coffee making process is equal. And, it depends on what one thinks is the ideal coffee. For me, what comes out of my machine (mostly) is ideal. For others its what comes out of a tin.
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  • Seeya LatteSeeya Latte
    All Good points If espresso does become less fashionable it won't matter to me...I'll still be here along with the rest of us in these forums Although, if one day it does become uncool, Will that then mean Ill have to get rid of this portafilter tattoo on my neck? :stir :stir
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  • KelseyKelsey
    on 1349207973:
    Ahhh, that's not what you said originally is it now. For me, no. No other coffee making process is equal. And, it depends on what one thinks is the ideal coffee. For me, what comes out of my machine (mostly) is ideal. For others its what comes out of a tin.
    I'm with you on that one D. For me, there's nothing that I find as exquisite, as awesome or as addictive as a tight ristretto that knocks your head off with flavour. That's what I'm seeking. I haven't found a cold brew or a drip that could compare.... but I'm willing to taste test anything coffee-related I come across. Unless it came out of a butt.
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  • Brett HBrett H
    I had a Syphon at Danelion and Driftwood today then compared this to a long black.  Both were great but I liked the espresso better.  I have no idea why.
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  • KelseyKelsey
    I definitely need to visit that place when I'm up next.
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  • derrilexderrilex
    When you're down next, Kelsey  :stir :stir  :D
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  • KelseyKelsey
    Too long living in the south. Brisbane has been up for longer than it has been down for me!
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  • UNMUNM
    on 1349207973:
    Ahhh, that's not what you said originally is it now. For me, no. No other coffee making process is equal. And, it depends on what one thinks is the ideal coffee. For me, what comes out of my machine (mostly) is ideal. For others its what comes out of a tin.
    Well, actually I think  it is what I said. To be the best way of making coffee,  espresso would have to be demonstrably better than all other methods.  It  isn't. I will accept, however, that FOR YOU AT THIS POINT IN TIME, the many other ways of making coffee do not match up. You and several others clearly require re-education. I was under the impression this was a coffee forum rather than an espresso forum. The more I  experience good coffee, the more I appreciate the many different  ways  it is prepared. Please try  not to become too snobby about one particular way of preparing it. Also, it may be worth remembering: the majority of drinks made on espresso machines are, frankly, shite. Those  that are good are rarely a standard espresso shot When espresso is no longer the  fashion item it has recently become, that doesn't make it uncool - just not automatically cool because the sorry excuses for humanity operating the KVW charged  $5 for 15ml of acidity. Like I said there are too many espresso machines. I might add that there are not enough people who know how to use one. I usually start the day with an aeropress long black. Next month it will likely be something else. Viva  la difference.
    on 1349321158:
    I had a Syphon at Danelion and Driftwood today then compared this to a long black.  Both were great but I liked the espresso better.  I have no idea why.
    ??? So you had three drinks then? Siphon, long black and espresso?
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  • derrilexderrilex
    on 1349183013:
    No other coffee making process is equal to espresso under any circumstance?
    No its not what you said originally. " Under any circumstance ? " is not the same as "espresso is not the best way to make coffee" Again it comes down to personal preference. For me espresso is miles above any other method. The handful of other Crema members that have served me espresso also confirm my personal opinion. And that's all it is, personal opinion. I'm sure if I was camping plunger would be fine for me. But at the moment, I'm not camping so its espresso every time, for me. As I dont drink blacks, short or long, I couldn't really give a crap about how they are prepared or the best method to do so. As for becoming snobby, I'm not the one spouting anti espresso propaganda  ;)
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