Just got a new Espresso machine (Capresso EC100), works fantastic! I am not one to believe that you NEED to use coffee labeled as Espresso for it to be a great Espresso/Cappucino. Currently I am just using some Armenian Arabica beans, which are great. But I am interested into getting into some exotics: Blue Mountain. Kona etc.
What do you guys/gals recommend? [coffee]
For run of the mill, I like 8 o'clock coffee...
find some "off the wall independant non corporate franchise like" coffee shop and usually you will find some of the most obscure and yet tasty coffees of the world....outside of Philly is one of my faves..a place called "Town Hall" where they serve a lot of ethiopian and ecuadorian and other not very mainstream beans for sale or to be brewed....in Savannah there is a place called the Sentient Bean as well...not trying to threadjack with coffee shops...but those are the places that are probably going to have the most interesting beans if that is what you seek.
8 o'clock Colombian is good daily stuff
Dark roast Kona is good if you can find it for special occasions...like waking up not dead in the morning ;D
http://www.justcoffee.coop/ (http://www.justcoffee.coop/)
I get most of my coffee from here
Quote from: zooom on April 24, 2013, 01:57:32 PM
find some "off the wall independant non corporate franchise like" coffee shop and usually you will find some of the most obscure and yet tasty coffees of the world....outside of Philly is one of my faves..a place called "Town Hall" where they serve a lot of ethiopian and ecuadorian and other not very mainstream beans for sale or to be brewed....in Savannah there is a place called the Sentient Bean as well...not trying to threadjack with coffee shops...but those are the places that are probably going to have the most interesting beans if that is what you seek.
Not a threadjack at all. My favorite everyday coffee is from Jons market, a middle eastern specialty market. This is the Armenian coffee I mentioned. Extremely good stuff, and they will mix light and dark roast to your liking. I usually get a 50/50 mix, and have them espresso grind it for me. Only $4 a pound also.
I agree, the commercial coffee available usually pales compared to small, specialty coffee suppliers.
I've mostly switched to Southeast Asian robusta based blends. I get all my coffee from here now http://www.heirloom-coffee.com/ (http://www.heirloom-coffee.com/) Their physical location is only about 15 minutes from me, so I just drive over and chat with the guy (and sometimes end up sampling whatever he happens to be brewing)
monster energy in a bfc
space coffee of the future
My wife and I have been roasting coffee in our shop with some pretty good results. So I'm going to say GreenBluff Coffee Company Tanzania Full City Roast. Other than that Kauai Cofffee Company Blue Mt. Peaberry.
http://www.carrabassettcoffee.com/ (http://www.carrabassettcoffee.com/)
We like Italian Roast Celebes Kalossi from Mcnulty's http://www.mcnultys.com (http://www.mcnultys.com)
As far as packaged goes, http://www.segafredo.it/en (http://www.segafredo.it/en)
Ddan's recommendation also deserves a [thumbsup]
here's a link to some top rated coffees
http://www.coffeereview.com/allreviews.cfm?search=1 (http://www.coffeereview.com/allreviews.cfm?search=1)
my former sister in law used to work on the Coffee Sugar and Cocoa Exchange and used to bring home some fabulous coffees
worst she ever brought home was some India stuff....tasted like filtered dirt water....awful stuff
seems the Ethiopian and Kenyan produce score consistently high
If I'd known how really really good it was, I would have bought as much as possible blue mountain when I took a trip to Jamaica years back. Only bought one bag at the time and regretted that move afte teh first sip. Blue Mtn is some incredible stuff...
^ I'm guessing that you can get it online. Not quite the same as drinking it when you are there on the beach.
(https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/4670_82372469258_6890518_n.jpg)
Me with a cup of Kauai Coffee Company Peaberry at the super busy Barking Sands Beach in Kauai.
When I'm at home, on the weekends, I break out a special mug and brew up some Kauai Coffee. They've got a coffee of the month club which keeps me in a aloha state of mind. Every time I have a cup it brings me back to that island. 8)
Quote from: spolic on April 25, 2013, 10:53:25 AM
^ I'm guessing that you can get it online. Not quite the same as drinking it when you are there on the beach.
Yes you can - though it's rough on the wallet about $40 a pound.
Great suggestions all. This will give me some trying and buying to do.
On another note, anyone else like a bit of fresh grated nutmeg on their espresso/cappucino?
No, but I've had a lemon twist in a double shot.
Quote from: Slide Panda on April 25, 2013, 11:05:39 AM
Yes you can - though it's rough on the wallet about $40 a pound.
yep http://www.carrabassettcoffee.com/blue%20mountain.htm (http://www.carrabassettcoffee.com/blue%20mountain.htm)
Trying to find a decent burr grinder for @$100. Any suggestions? So far I am looking a Bodum Bistro burr grinder. I have also seen a Philips Saeco that looks interesting for cheap, but I cannot find any reviews: http://saeco.factoryoutletstore.com/details/59961/saeco-ca6804.html?category_id=36444 (http://saeco.factoryoutletstore.com/details/59961/saeco-ca6804.html?category_id=36444)
I know the Saeco name is sound, but from past experience when Philips buys out a company, the products are just never as good.
Quote from: spolic on April 24, 2013, 04:27:41 PM
My wife and I have been roasting coffee in our shop with some pretty good results. So I'm going to say GreenBluff Coffee Company Tanzania Full City Roast. Other than that Kauai Cofffee Company Blue Mt. Peaberry.
Any instructions you could provide would be greatly appreciated. I have been considering trying home roasting. Possibly getting a sample pack from here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/230967029942?var=530138927375&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/230967029942?var=530138927375&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649)
We use a old hot air popcorn popper. It has to have the heating vents in the side.
(http://www.addoway.com/images/user_upload2/8678/2533173/8678_2_043d1b.jpg)
I can't remember the temp that you bring it to right off hand. But I can tell you that to slow the speed of the roast we plug the popper into 125 ft of extension cord. Something that we had to play around with to get it right.
What we use:
Old pop corn popper
candy thermometer / long probe
timer
colander for cooling
125' for cord.
We did try to roast in a cast iron pan on an electric stove top and it was to hard to regulate the heat.
Morning edition (NPR) has been doing segments on Coffee the last couple days. One can listen on-line if you care to.
Home roaster with better results then the popcorn method:
http://www.sweetmarias.com/sweetmarias/coffee-roasters/drum-roasters/behmor.html (http://www.sweetmarias.com/sweetmarias/coffee-roasters/drum-roasters/behmor.html)
(http://www.sweetmarias.com/sweetmarias/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/b/e/behmor_1600_3_1.jpg)
Yeah, we know that there are better ways to roast beans (the seat of a 1189) but as we are just 'getting our feet wet' we went for the less expensive way. We've been getting some pretty good results.
Having a gas stove, and an iron pan, I think I'll have to try that method first. I have never had a popcorn machine, and would probably end up buying the wrong type.
Thanks for the info. Definately food for thought,
Anyone ever try Kopi Luwak(AKA Civet excrement coffee lol)? Expensive stuff, but I have been hearing about it with curious ears for years. Probably best not to use the espresso machine for that.
Quote from: Little Monkey Toes on April 26, 2013, 10:54:13 AM
Home roaster with better results then the popcorn method:
http://www.sweetmarias.com/sweetmarias/coffee-roasters/drum-roasters/behmor.html (http://www.sweetmarias.com/sweetmarias/coffee-roasters/drum-roasters/behmor.html)
(http://www.sweetmarias.com/sweetmarias/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/b/e/behmor_1600_3_1.jpg)
that thing looks like a toaster oven with a perforated drum mounted on a rotisserie
Quote from: LowThudd on April 26, 2013, 11:53:39 AM
Having a gas stove, and an iron pan, I think I'll have to try that method first. I have never had a popcorn machine, and would probably end up buying the wrong type.
Do a small batch, you dont want a load of bad coffee. Also let it sit for at least 12hrs before you use it.
Not bashing the popcorn popper method, or the pan on the stove. I have tried both. Condos don't have the best ventilation! The drum roasters do. They are more consistent too. Hard to repeat results with other methods.
The key is to use good beans and only roast 1/4 pound at a time.
YOMV
Quote from: Little Monkey Toes on April 26, 2013, 12:30:44 PM
Not bashing the popcorn popper method, or the pan on the stove. I have tried both. Condos don't have the best ventilation! The drum roasters do. They are more consistent too. Hard to repeat results with other methods.
The key is to use good beans and only roast 1/4 pound at a time.
YOMV
I too am in a townhouse, so ventilation is an issue. I guess I could get out a propane burner and do it outside. That might be the best idea.
How much smoke are we talking about? I grill up a nice big steak every once in a while, always sets off the smoke detector unless I run the AC at the same time.
I do have a convection oven, with a rotisserie. I wonder how tough it would be to fab up a drum like that. Hmm.
WHoo! I think I found something!
I was looking around at the Galloping Gormet/Stir Crazy design and found this: http://www.everythingkitchens.com/west-bend-popcorn-popper-nut-roaster-82386.html?gclid=CKPU5Pzz6LYCFWNxQgodnTcAiA (http://www.everythingkitchens.com/west-bend-popcorn-popper-nut-roaster-82386.html?gclid=CKPU5Pzz6LYCFWNxQgodnTcAiA)
Price is right, and it might work well.
Edit: Never mind, I read some reviews. lol
Speaking of green beans, I found this deal on green Jamaican Blue Mountain 4lbs for $60. http://www.ebay.com/itm/370582072131?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/370582072131?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649)
I have a penchant for Sumatran beans...
Quote from: LowThudd on April 26, 2013, 11:53:39 AM
Anyone ever try Kopi Luwak(AKA Civet excrement coffee lol)? Expensive stuff, but I have been hearing about it with curious ears for years. Probably best not to use the espresso machine for that.
I have ;D Went to a coffee brewing/tasting seminar 2 years ago and got to try it there. It is delicious, I just can't personally justify spending that kind of money. Legendee is simulated Kopi Luwak (basically treated in an enzyme bath to mimic the Civit's digestive fluids) that is damn close to the same taste but at a fraction of the price.
Quote from: faolan01 on April 29, 2013, 06:21:25 AM
Legendee is simulated Kopi Luwak (basically treated in an enzyme bath to mimic the Civit's digestive fluids) that is damn close to the same taste but at a fraction of the price.
And hasn't come out the rear end of another animal...
faolan01- Thanks for the suggestion! I will have to give the simulated digested beans a try. As much as I like my cats, I don't care for the idea of scavanging their turds for coffee beans. lol
Despite the name, not felines. Cute though
(http://www.kostich.com/Indian_Civet.jpg)
Correct. Often described as a "Cat Like" animal though. And I still am not interested in the cute little buggers butt droppings. lol
You gotta wonder just how badly the discoverer of this type of coffee needed a caffine fix. lol
Seriously. I mean, I admit to being an addict, but how bad was that guy's Monday morning to make him think "screw it, I'm roasting, grinding and boiling that weasel's turds!"
Quote from: Ddan on April 24, 2013, 04:59:44 PM
http://www.carrabassettcoffee.com/ (http://www.carrabassettcoffee.com/)
We shall see... ordered it up.
Thought my espresso machine had bit the dust today. Was spraying steam out from everywhere but the bottom of the filter basket. Took the shower screen off and cleaned it and the silicone gasket, and I am back to the rim with crema! [coffee]
call me a Luddite, but the closest I will get to consuming ass-end product is ox tail
Quote from: RAT900 on May 01, 2013, 03:15:29 AM
call me a Luddite, but the closest I will get to consuming ass-end product is ox tail
NAHHH...I'd call you an offal eater doing some nose to tail cooking/eating...when it goes beyond the tail....that is something else entirely unless it is an egg!
Quote from: RAT900 on May 01, 2013, 03:15:29 AM
call me a Luddite, but the closest I will get to consuming ass-end product is ox tail
Sausage with natural casing?= Poop tube stuffed with scraps
Egg= comes out of a chicken butt
Organic Veggies= grown in farm animal poop
lol
Jamaican Blue mountain 2lbs for $44: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Pounds-Jamaican-Blue-Mountain-Clydesdale-Estate-Coffee-Whole-Bean-or-Ground/110981657935?_trksid=p2045573.m2102&_trkparms=aid%3D555003%26algo%3DPW.CAT%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D146%26meid%3D7362151426122296744%26pid%3D100034%26prg%3D1079%26rk%3D3%26sd%3D121045101860%26 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Pounds-Jamaican-Blue-Mountain-Clydesdale-Estate-Coffee-Whole-Bean-or-Ground/110981657935?_trksid=p2045573.m2102&_trkparms=aid%3D555003%26algo%3DPW.CAT%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D146%26meid%3D7362151426122296744%26pid%3D100034%26prg%3D1079%26rk%3D3%26sd%3D121045101860%26)
Gonna have to order some of that.
My Capresso just had a catastrophic seal failure. Nearly cooked me. In the nearly intelligible words of Spicoli "Hey man, Just be glad I had fast reflexes". But, called up Capresso and they are sending me a new seal. Easy peasy. I thought I was going to have to go through the Black and Decker procedure of cutting off the cord and sending it to them before they sent me a new one. In the meantime, I guess I'm going back to cowboy coffee.
Quote from: Ddan on April 30, 2013, 06:03:46 PM
[thumbsup]
[thumbsup] indeed! First Carrabasset's bag is a hit.
Quote from: Dirty Duc on May 15, 2013, 11:12:03 AM
[thumbsup] indeed! First Carrabasset's bag is a hit.
Good to know. I'll have to give them a try.
(http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/LowThudd/IMGP0285_zps37d43ec7.jpg) (http://s834.photobucket.com/user/LowThudd/media/IMGP0285_zps37d43ec7.jpg.html)
Quote from: Dirty Duc on May 15, 2013, 11:12:03 AM
[thumbsup] indeed! First Carrabasset's bag is a hit.
Glad to hear it, whadja get?
Quote from: Ddan on May 15, 2013, 11:43:03 AM
Glad to hear it, whadja get?
Ordered 3 different ones since the quality has tanked on our previous favorite.
The first bag is Mountain Espresso.
Also bought the Sulawesi and the Mandheling Sumatra...
Finally got around to getting a popcorn popper, some green beans, burlap bags and a grinder.
OMG!! I just roasted a few ounces of Nicaragua Paraiso Organic from here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330940020409 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330940020409)
My god, what a great smell!! I am letting them sit, but I just had try eat one of the fresh roasted beans when it cooled. Easily the best tasting bean I've ever had. This is a great project, and I highly recommend spending a few bucks on the popper and beans and trying it. Total cost for the popper and beans was @ $52 for 5 pounds of gourmet fresh roasted daily beans. I'll make a couple double shots tomorrow and report back.
WOW!!
So that is what COFFEE actually tastes like.
That was the most amazing tasting espresso I have ever had! Rather than bitterness on the back of the tongue, there is this 'bite' of flavor on the front of the tongue. Fruity, bold and very COFFEE tasting. I'll never buy preroasted coffee again!
Next step is to get a rotisserie drum like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/181139975304?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649. (http://www.ebay.com/itm/181139975304?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649.) So I can roast more than three OZ at a time.
The power of CAFFEINE compells you!
So I roasted up the Tanzania Ruvuma Peaberry, a little darker this time. Makes a very proper espresso! [thumbsup] Nice crema, excellent boldness, not bitter and not sweet. Just really nice.
I picked up a decent deal on a Rossi RR45: http://www.ebay.com/itm/161048413372?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/161048413372?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649)
I think I am just going to try and cut down the hopper to below the break and use as is. Another option is to use a canning funnel for a hopper. After some clean up and maintanence should be a fine machine!
I picked up a Bialetti Mukka Express 2 cup for @$12 on eBay. I was a bit skeptical that it would produce an acceptable cappuccino, but in fact it works great! Produces decent foam, and excellent flavour. I am really impressed.
Now I have a back up so I can get to modding my Capresso machine(metal pump, PID control maybe). lol
^ The last 5 post belong in the ""Little things is life that make you smile thread."
Quote from: spolic on July 09, 2013, 10:43:01 AM
^ The last 5 post belong in the ""Little things is life that make you smile thread."
Well...the caffeine and smell of fresh roast certainly does make me smile. lol
Haven't tried roasting my own yet, but maybe someday.
I've been hooked on Hineleban coffee for the past several months. It's from the Philippines, the island of Mindanao. Not easy to get online.... but my wife's parents live in the Philippines and know the folks who run the Hineleban foundation, so they bring me a few bags each trip.
Next trick will be to get them to send me some unroasted beans. ;)
I dunno where else it might be available, but you can get it through my sister-in-law's tea shop:
http://www.chariteaspot.com/shop/index.php?c=16&p=145 (http://www.chariteaspot.com/shop/index.php?c=16&p=145)
You may have to call them to place an order, I don't see an online purchase option.
I also highly recommend her shop as a source of tea. She goes abroad regularly to shop for and purchase tea... wherever possible, she buys directly from growers.
This guy has a sale going on eBay for his 8oz rosting drum for $38. It can work on an indoor or outdoor rotisserie and is made of SS: http://www.ebay.com/itm/181139975304?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/181139975304?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649)
Not bad if you have a grill rotisserie, or a Forman rotie or something.
I am still enjoying the heck out of my $15 popcorn popper.
So I finally got my Grindmaster(Rossi) RR45 grinder, it's a big bastard. lol I am pleasantly surprised that it has what look like brand new Burrs(Yes!), and is fairly clean for a commercial grinder. Must have been serviced not to long ago. The hopper didn't make it through shipping, not really that surprised. But I really don't need it as the throat of the grinder is big enough to hold a couple days of coffee beans for me. I'll just do as others have and keep a 50mm tamper on top of the beans to keep them from shooting out. lol
Oh yea, and what are you other java junkies using to clean your burr grinders? I have heard Simple Green works, and is non-toxic, but am looking for other suggestions.
Quote from: LowThudd on July 18, 2013, 12:21:15 PM
Oh yea, and what are you other java junkies using to clean your burr grinders? I have heard Simple Green works, and is non-toxic, but am looking for other suggestions.
What part of the grinder?
I just wash the plastic parts that come off the body of the grinder in dish soap (cuts the oils off the beans) and use various brushes, qtips to clean out the actual grinding parts with no water/cleaner.
I actually read and tried running rice through it to clean out all the oils, but it didn't really do anything except make a huge mess and waste the first couple of grinds of coffee to clear out any remaining rice.
Not much plastic on this, it's a commercial grinder. Mainly I want to get all the oils out of the nooks and crannies of the grinder throat. I am able to scrape most of it off, but would like to get rid of the old coffee shop oils off the surfaces. I am about to get out some dental tools and brushes, maybe I'll run some 'Grindz' cleaner through it. I have heard the stuff works OK.
Hmm... I don't trust anything soap-like near my coffee, so I always just go crazy with the paper towels and Q-tips to thoroughly wipe the surfaces off. At most I'll use damp paper towels.
I took the doser apart and cleaned it with soap and water, damp paper towel in the housing on the machine. It came out spotless. Should have cleaned the grind chamber first though, 'cuz now all that grung is gonna run through spotless doser(duh). At this point, now that I have inspected it more closely, it looks like it has been serviced fairly recently, and just needs some scraping. Maybe the 'Grindz' cleaner, or some minute rice(converted rice). Then I'll just run 8oz of cheap azz beans through it and toss the coffee($4 a pound at a local market). I am super happy, though this thing is HUGE! Weighs 23 pounds, and even without the hopper is about a foot and a half high. But, for my small time usage, this thing should easily outlive me. lol [thumbsup]
Went at the machine with picks and screwdrivers and scrapers. You would not BELIEVE how much gunk hides in even a fairly clean commercial espresso grinder. Man what a mess. At some point I needed to stop and let it go, as my super oily home roasted coffee will undoubtedly oil it back up shortly. [drink]
I'd believe it. I've tried detail-cleaning my residential grade burr grinder a few times... that thing gets gunk built up everywhere.
First grind. All I can say is AMAZING! It easily produces turkish coffee dust, espresso, drip and even press pot grind with a simple flick of the dial. I am truly impressed. I have heard others comment that this machine is mainly good for espresso, but IMO it is good for anything I need it for. They must be REALLY picky, because the grind is consistent and FAST. I am really glad I got a commercial grinder instead of spending MORE on a residential. Now, what to do with half a pound of mixed grind coffee that I really don't want to consume. lol Suggestions?
If you don't want to drink it, coffee grounds make great fertilizer/compost. [thumbsup]
Quote from: duc_fan on July 19, 2013, 09:45:22 AM
If you don't want to drink it, coffee grounds make great fertilizer/compost. [thumbsup]
Very true. I am debating giving the coffee to someone who lives here in my building, with full disclosure of course. Lot's of people likely would not turn their nose up at a 1/2 pound of free decent coffee.
So, after cleaning and running @ 1 pound of cheap beans through it, the monster is chewing some fine fresh roasted beans. And doing a fine job. Told my neighbor what I used the beans for, and he had no issue taking the grinds off my hands. The burrs were not quite broken in yet, but they are now. With me grinding only about 3oz a day, that set of burrs should last me like 10-20 years. lol This thing grinds much more consistently than the store grinder, and a lot less stale flavors as well. it is really a treat to be able to grind and dose only what I need for a brew. Now I need to put a new pump in my capresso and get back to doing shots.
Back to the OT, I played around with the Tanzania Ruvuma Peaberry which I had previously french roasted, and loved for espresso. It is much more flavorful just below full city roast. I just roasted some up med, and the bean itself tastes fantastic! Can't wait to brew it!
BTW, I would like to thank Spolic for getting me started with great advice in home roasting. I am glad I went with a cheap popcorn popper, which so far is all I need.
Very cool.
Yes, having a burr grinder on-site is nice. I just have a residential-grade Cuisinart grinder... but the cutting surfaces are metal, and it gives me a reasonably consistent grind. Like you, it's nice to have it at home where I can keep it clean, and not get stale flavors mixed in. I've been grinding beans only as-needed for a few years now, and it makes a big difference in the flavor.
The thing I want to try (but have too many other hobbies) is roasting. Using an air popper, how much time do you have to devote to the process? How much do you roast at a time?
I'm working on getting some Hineleban beans brought to the US unroasted for personal use... but it's kind of a pain, because it has to go through Agriculture. :-\ Thankfully I'm not the only one... a family friend has been tapped to pursue US distribution for Hineleban coffee, so he's looking into getting commercial quantities shipped to the US to be roasted stateside. If he can get that up and running, I'll have a domestic supplier!
With my popper, a Salton which others have had good success with as well. It takes around 5 minutes. It is very quick, but does need constant attention. After the first crack, you really need to watch it, as it goes from light/med to med to full city all in less than a minute. It can only do around 3 OZ at a time(if that), but it doesn't take much time. The beans then need to rest for at least four hours. Some beans actually improve after a couple days. It's all trial and error. But fun!
There is this http://www.ebay.com/itm/251308303196?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/251308303196?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649) I have been considering that. Cheap, but it is well used. A bit big for my purposes, as I am the only coffee drinker in the household.
Then there is this rotisserie http://www.ebay.com/itm/300802292904?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/300802292904?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649) which will work with this basket http://www.ebay.com/itm/181139975304?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649. (http://www.ebay.com/itm/181139975304?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649.) Perfect size for most households.
Just so you know, most people don't do air popper or adapted rotisserie roasting in doors. It makes a fair amount of smoke, and does "test" the smoke detectors. lol Makes the house smell great though. There are smokeless roasters with temp and timer control, but they are far to pricey for me.
Good to know on the smoke. I have a barn and a nice garage that are both spouse-approved project locations... my wife isn't a coffee drinker, and I doubt she'd appreciate me smoking up the house. ;) The barn has an industrial rooftop exhaust fan, and the garage has plenty of windows for ventilation.
3oz of beans is probably plenty for me at one time. After going through chemo last year, I'm not drinking coffee nearly as often... but I still appreciate a nicely-done cup a few times a week. It's becoming more of a craft thing.
Is there a site or web resource you found particularly helpful for guiding your experiments in roasting?
coffeegeek.com and the other forums are good, but this forum is specific to home roasting: http://www.homeroasters.org/php/forum/ (http://www.homeroasters.org/php/forum/)
Lot's of good info there. http://www.coffeegeek.com/forums/coffee/homeroast (http://www.coffeegeek.com/forums/coffee/homeroast) is the coffee geek home roast forum.
Have fun!
So my CaCrapso machine finally decided it really would rather take up counter space and annoy me than make any more coffee. I tried a godsmack of descaler, it's still FUBAR. I found a Gaggia 'Espresso' model espresso machine for $50 on craigslist. After descaling, cleaning and some minor repairs this things is twice the machine that the Capresso could ever have been. Now I am making REAL espresso, but also there is a greater learning curve. The capresso had a pressurized filter, none on the Gaggia. But I was able to make a nice espresso with real crema. Just need to adjust my dosing and tamping and get my technique down. FUN FUN!
But now I have to get my roasting down better also. [thumbsup]