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Date: 30 Aug 2006 00:04:04
From: Jim Exline
Subject: Goodbye to the Expobar and Mazzer
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Unfortunately, I've recently had to sell my Expobar Lever and Mazzer
Mini, due to $$$ circumstances. We bought a cheap Cuisinart burr
grinder to replace the Mazzer. Man- that's like trying to replace a
Jaguar w/ a pair of roller skates! I know that it will never be
sufficient for espresso, but for now, it'll have to do. In the mean
time, I'm looking for a suitable replacement for the Expobar, or at
least, and more to the point, something that will make something that
in some ways resembles espresso. The main use of whatever machine I
decide upon, will be to make my wife her lattes. The amount of milk and
sugary, excessively sweet syrup that she likes in her lattes will rule
out the need for a high quality machine, as will my budget. Here is
where I need your opinions. I'm considering the Bialetti Mukka
"Cappuccino" maker (Thereby eliminating the need for a better grinder),
and the Gaggia Evolution, Carezza, or the Espresso. OK- here's where
your collective expertise and experience come into play- What are your
opinions of the above-mentioned items? Also- do you think there are
other machines in the $ >300 range that will meet my needs? Keep in
mind- I'm not trying to match the capabilities of the Expobar. That
ship, unfortunately, has done sailed.
Thanks,
Jim E
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Date: 30 Aug 2006 02:29:33
From: Phil P
Subject: Re: Goodbye to the Expobar and Mazzer
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Jim Exline wrote:
> Unfortunately, I've recently had to sell my Expobar Lever and Mazzer
> Mini, due to $$$ circumstances. We bought a cheap Cuisinart burr
> grinder to replace the Mazzer. Man- that's like trying to replace a
> Jaguar w/ a pair of roller skates! I know that it will never be
> sufficient for espresso, but for now, it'll have to do. In the mean
> time, I'm looking for a suitable replacement for the Expobar, or at
> least, and more to the point, something that will make something that
> in some ways resembles espresso. The main use of whatever machine I
> decide upon, will be to make my wife her lattes. The amount of milk and
> sugary, excessively sweet syrup that she likes in her lattes will rule
> out the need for a high quality machine, as will my budget. Here is
> where I need your opinions. I'm considering the Bialetti Mukka
> "Cappuccino" maker (Thereby eliminating the need for a better grinder),
> and the Gaggia Evolution, Carezza, or the Espresso. OK- here's where
> your collective expertise and experience come into play- What are your
> opinions of the above-mentioned items? Also- do you think there are
> other machines in the $>300 range that will meet my needs? Keep in
> mind- I'm not trying to match the capabilities of the Expobar. That
> ship, unfortunately, has done sailed.
>
Commiserations . . . Have you considered the Aerobie Aeropress ? It
makes excellent espresso-like coffee, and the paper filters will handle
fines from lower spec grinders.
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Date: 30 Aug 2006 18:21:20
From: Robert Harmon
Subject: Re: Goodbye to the Expobar and Mazzer
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Howdy Jim,
Been down that road a couple times myself & am always reminded that most of
the things I take for granted are things I can truly do without. I once had
a collection of nice 60's & 70's muscle cars that had to go under the
gavel. Guess what - I was getting tired of them & the time it took to
maintain them anyway. So, no great loss.
Coffee related 'STUFF' is my latest hobby & like you I like the nicer
machines. Too bad about your Expobar & Mazzer. But if, as you say, the
primary reason for having an espresso machine is to make milk-based drinks
for the SO in your life, the the Lever was overkill.
My son uses a Bialetti & propane stove on his boat & even the coffee snob
that I am has to admit the lattes & mochas he makes are damn good. If he
were to change over to a pump machine (Gaggia, Rancilio) he'd have to
upgrade to a better grinder too. As it is almost anything short of a mortor
& pestle grinds beans suitable for the Bialetti. On my boat I have a Krups
steam pot converted to 24v DC that does a good job for me.
Robert (choose wisely, choose cheaper) Harmon
--
http://tinyurl.com/pou2y
http://tinyurl.com/fkd6r
Remove "Z" to reply via email.
"Jim Exline" <jimngin@neo.rr.com > wrote in news:1156921444.585675.56100
@h48g2000cwc.googlegroups.com:
> Unfortunately, I've recently had to sell my Expobar Lever and Mazzer
> Mini, due to $$$ circumstances. We bought a cheap Cuisinart burr
> grinder to replace the Mazzer. Man- that's like trying to replace a
> Jaguar w/ a pair of roller skates! I know that it will never be
> sufficient for espresso, but for now, it'll have to do. In the mean
> time, I'm looking for a suitable replacement for the Expobar, or at
> least, and more to the point, something that will make something that
> in some ways resembles espresso. The main use of whatever machine I
> decide upon, will be to make my wife her lattes. The amount of milk and
> sugary, excessively sweet syrup that she likes in her lattes will rule
> out the need for a high quality machine, as will my budget. Here is
> where I need your opinions. I'm considering the Bialetti Mukka
> "Cappuccino" maker (Thereby eliminating the need for a better grinder),
> and the Gaggia Evolution, Carezza, or the Espresso. OK- here's where
> your collective expertise and experience come into play- What are your
> opinions of the above-mentioned items? Also- do you think there are
> other machines in the $>300 range that will meet my needs? Keep in
> mind- I'm not trying to match the capabilities of the Expobar. That
> ship, unfortunately, has done sailed.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jim E
>
>
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Date: 30 Aug 2006 10:34:32
From: Don C.
Subject: Re: Goodbye to the Expobar and Mazzer
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The downgrade from MM to Cuisinart burr is truly unfortunate.
Especially considering that in a very real sense the Cuisinart is a
more expensive grinder than the Mazzer. I am a former Cuisinart burr
user and found that the quality of grind dropped off so fast that it
was virtually unusable after about one month. This makes the carrying
cost for the Cuisinart about $30 per month vs. a conservative estimate
of $4 per month for the MM (based on 10 years of use.)
I'm confused at your budget for a new setup. If you have $300 it seems
that you could have kept the MM and then got a e-bay Delonghi Bar12 for
$40 shipped and been able to produce pretty decent espresso.
I honestly do not believe that you will be able to pull anything
satisfactory, even for milk drinks with the cuisinart burr. The
inconsistency of grind will produce so much channeling that the
bitterness of the shots will come through even milk and syup.
I guess I would have to second the assertion that the Aeropress is
forgiving enough of grind to produce a nice drinkable coffee
concentrate which could stand up to some dilution with milk and syrup.
Jim Exline wrote:
> Unfortunately, I've recently had to sell my Expobar Lever and Mazzer
> Mini, due to $$$ circumstances. We bought a cheap Cuisinart burr
> grinder to replace the Mazzer. Man- that's like trying to replace a
> Jaguar w/ a pair of roller skates! I know that it will never be
> sufficient for espresso, but for now, it'll have to do. In the mean
> time, I'm looking for a suitable replacement for the Expobar, or at
> least, and more to the point, something that will make something that
> in some ways resembles espresso. The main use of whatever machine I
> decide upon, will be to make my wife her lattes. The amount of milk and
> sugary, excessively sweet syrup that she likes in her lattes will rule
> out the need for a high quality machine, as will my budget. Here is
> where I need your opinions. I'm considering the Bialetti Mukka
> "Cappuccino" maker (Thereby eliminating the need for a better grinder),
> and the Gaggia Evolution, Carezza, or the Espresso. OK- here's where
> your collective expertise and experience come into play- What are your
> opinions of the above-mentioned items? Also- do you think there are
> other machines in the $>300 range that will meet my needs? Keep in
> mind- I'm not trying to match the capabilities of the Expobar. That
> ship, unfortunately, has done sailed.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jim E
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Date: 31 Aug 2006 06:16:48
From: wes
Subject: Re: Goodbye to the Expobar and Mazzer
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I have the Evolution, and you'll be frustrated with that machine
without a grinder that can handle espresso. I have a Rocky, that works
great. The Evolution doesn't have the temperature stability of the
Lever, or the weight, no HX, etc., but it does have a good quality pump
and heavy group head and filter. You won't get much without a decent
grinder. . .
D. Ross wrote:
>
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Date: 03 Sep 2006 17:14:56
From: D. Ross
Subject: Re: Goodbye to the Expobar and Mazzer
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"wes" <wnance3@rochester.rr.com > wrote:
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Date: 31 Aug 2006 09:16:15
From: D. Ross
Subject: Re: Goodbye to the Expobar and Mazzer
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Date: 01 Sep 2006 07:21:22
From: Robster
Subject: Re: Goodbye to the Expobar and Mazzer
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My sincere condolances.
I've made some great joe with my lowly 9 cup stovetop Bialetta. B'fore
I upgraded, I used it every morning for years and it makes a great
(double/triple) cup of coffee.
Add a splash of half-and-half, and out the door I go. Sweet, simple,
effective.
However, as you probably know, it does not
make what would be called espresso.
I've not heard about the "cappuchhino maker" by Bialetta, all I know
is that they make quality stuff.
Good luck, and I hope the ship that sailed finds home port again some day.
~Robt~
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