it's official....

[mike_c]

I love my espresso machine. :loveya:

I'm also too wired to sit still. :silly:

[NashVegas]

1. Haha

Next thing to do, if it has a cappuccino stick, is get a stainless steel cup and keep in in the freezer.

Enjoy!

[Stinky The Clown]

2. What kind didja get?

[mike_c]

3. I got a Lello Ariete Cafe Prestige 1375...

...which Amazon had a awesome sale on http://www.amazon.com/Lello-1375-ARIETE-CAFE-PRESTIGE/dp/B000E3ZF76/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1210886859&sr=8-2

It was even lower priced a couple or three weeks ago. I'm not that interested in milk drinks and the like so I can't comment on the steam wand-- I haven't used it yet, might never frankly. But it heats up in minutes and pulls great double shots, which is just about all I have any need for a machine to do, LOL. I have a tendency to just grind whatever Central or South American bean I currently have freshly roasted in the grinder, although I occasionally buy a can of Illy. Right now there is a blend of Guatamalan and Kenya AA beans in the grinder (I'm switching batches) and the shots I pulled this morning were HEAVENLY.

I've only had the machine for a few weeks so I don't know how it will hold up. We'll see. If it breaks I'll probably "trade up"-- I'd hate to do without now!

[Stinky The Clown]

4. That's a nice little machine.

A 15 bar pump sez it is easy to use. It isn't a steam powered buzz box.

I know exactly how yu feel about it. :) A nice espresso shot **in**your**own**home** is SO worth it!!!!

Bon chance, mon ami!

[NMDemDist2]

5. Bless you for being old school

H2S and I are lazy and have fully auto machines. I can't speak of Stinky's experience, but dealing with grinders and tampers and the mess and noise first thing in the morning got to be too much

now I push a button and that's it.

but one leads to two and it's a disease......

but grab yourself a couple pounds of this espresso blend and roast it to 2nd crack (even though they say not too, this blend stands up to it) and try it

heaven in a demitasse cup I tell ya

http://store02.prostores.com/servlet/2cupofjoe/the-84/5%23-Italian-Espresso/Detail

[mike_c]

6. awesome-- I'll order some the next time I need more beans!

Thankx for the tip!

[NMDemDist2]

7. we roast it until we are just starting to see tiny oil spots rising on a bean or two

usually about half way into second crack then stick it in cool down.

it's really dark and a tad oily without being burnt.

:hi: