Comments for The Bean Vagrant

Comment on Anfim Super Caimano or Mazzer Major… by thebeanvagrant

thebeanvagrant — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:13:19 +0000

2012 Update:
There is a post about some of my findings since acquiring our Anfim Super Caimano 2nd Revision, here on my blog:

http://thebeanvagrant.com/5-myspro/

…under the post dated March 2011

Comment on 07th November 2011 by thebeanvagrant

thebeanvagrant — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:53:53 +0000

If it’s all it’s meant to be, it could be the next big thing for better home espresso, and a good thing.

I have to admit, I was surprised by the price, considering the features and performance that are promised.
But old technology gets cheaper all the time (PID as an electronic capability has been around for a long time, even though it is still relatively new in espresso machines, and, for now, it is the best way we have of aiding temperature stability, other than traditional ‘surfing’). I guess, as with many things, as the technology gets cheaper and more widely understood and desired, it only takes someone with sound engineering skills and understanding of the requirements of the user, to come along and develop and build something to rival the famous brand alternatives at much cheaper price.

People have been retrofitting their Silvias, Classics, etc (and commercial machines), with PID for quite a while – but this would be ready-custom-made all in one, and much more convenient.

Potentially an (affordable!) rival to even the likes of the GS3 and Kees for the serious home barista!

But it all depends whether it actually works. And how well. Other than the PID and pressure, all the other little things, and the general build quality, that make a really good mahine, are important too.

Personally, I’ll still be sticking with manual pourover and other by-the-cup filter methods at home for the moment though! Much cheaper than any espresso machine, and delicious! (Although admittedly you do need a good grinder …and some sort of pouring kettle is useful!)

Comment on 07th November 2011 by Adam Rush

Adam Rush — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 18:15:53 +0000

No I am not, the site works by people giving an amount of money that will altogether help to get the project off the ground. In response the company will eventually reward the person inputting their money by either giving them a finished product or some other reward based on the amount originally invested.

I wondered what you thought of the product itself? Do you think that it is viable to have a product make such good coffee (as they say) for such a low price?

Comment on 07th November 2011 by Trevor

Trevor — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 20:10:50 +0000

What, are you investing? What are Your thoughts?

Comment on 07th November 2011 by Adam Rush

Adam Rush — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 00:29:54 +0000

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/zpmespresso/pid-controlled-espresso-machine?ref=spotlight

thoughts?

Comment on 4th December 2011 by thebeanvagrant

thebeanvagrant — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:21:12 +0000

Yes – might be possible on Tuesday!

Comment on 4th December 2011 by Adam Rush

Adam Rush — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 23:01:28 +0000

looking forward to trying a few of these at work!

Comment on 14th September 2011 by thebeanvagrant

thebeanvagrant — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 19:17:12 +0000

Ah, of course! Sorry – getting my ‘seaside towns beginning with B’ mixed up!
Manchester… not aware of anywhere off the top of top of my head, sadly… Bold Street in Liverpool are doing good things, I believe!
Have a great time!
Trev

Comment on 14th September 2011 by Rhyannan

Rhyannan — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 10:14:43 +0000

Ah… I don’t think there is a Taylor St in Bournemouth, the website says there is one in Brighton and a few in London. Alas!
Will have to wait until I get to Cardiff for a good espresso!

On that note…Matthew is distraught at the possibility of no good coffee in Manchester, do you anywhere oop north for him? I bought him a french press and he’s making it at home but sometimes its nice to go out for a coffee!

Will probably be in again today as I have nowt to do today

-Rhyannan

Comment on 14th September 2011 by Trevor

Trevor — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 21:53:26 +0000

Yep, the Slayer is exciting a lot of espresso people right now
…along with the Strada! I’ve tasted shots from both …and they were real good! Would be a dream to work on one full time.

For the best coffee at home: Buy FRESH craft-roasted coffee whole bean from a decent UK roaster, buy a decent BURR GRINDER so you you can grind fresh as you go, and brew by the cup with either a french press, a Hario V60, a Chemex, an Aeropress, or a ceramic, flat bottomed filter cone. I could tell you more about any of this!

Also – i’ve just checked the Good Coffee Map UK (you can have a look at this if ya like too – it’s on my Links section, along with the London Coffee App), and, as I thought I recalled, you have a Taylor Street Baristas cafe in Bournemouth – so you might be in luck!!!

Glad you liked the Las Nubes in your piccolos again – I was happy with them too (I’m not always happy with coffees)! You, your custom, and your enthusiasm, will be missed!

Trevor