I wish coffee as a thing hadn't been taken over by pedantic, judgmental fools. I prefer tea, but I love an espresso from time to time. Can I buy a simple home espresso thing without all the baggage of coffee nerds? The general consensus is that I'm wasting my time unless I put out $500+ for the whole setup. Doubtful, but you nerds have ruined it for everyone else who just wants something basic.
@Vopo I thought boiling coffee was supposed to be bad?
@laerm I mean the people who invented the espresso had a stove top one and they basically invented the espresso ☕
@Vopo Hm, true. So that classic Bialetti model is good?
@laerm I like it, but then I'm not one of those snobs. you probably won't be able to taste a difference if you make sure to dump the first pot and follow the instructions. people will tell you oh you can taste it, then make them do a taste test. they probably can't taste the difference
@laerm I'm pretty sure the big ass expensive machines are just for coffee shops who have to make a ton of espresso and don't have time to clean/prep/heat a bialetti. it makes authentic espresso tho
@Vopo Cool, then I'm gonna pick one up. What about a grinder? I have a regular old bladed coffee grinder (that I mostly use for spices). Do I need to get one of those fancy burr grinders for espresso?
@laerm you'll learn tricks for making the blade work Burr is supposedly worth it if you have the money lying around
@Vopo Works for me. Thanks again.
@laerm np you can always compare say with someone who has the full setup to see if there's anything different, I personally couldn't taste much difference between blade+bialetti and Burr+machine. best coffee I've had was probably vacuum brewed, but that's not espresso.
@Vopo Good enough for me.
@laerm I've had this idea in my head to make friends with a chemist and a mechanical engineer to create a cheap but effective, potentially DIY, easily serviced home espresso machine. Maybe someday...
@laerm I use an Aeropress. Cheap. Great. Simple pieces of plastic. Recommended by Alton Brown. DIY
@Idoubtit I had an Aeropress once years ago but it broke. Plastic split. Are they higher-quality now?
@laerm Huh. I've had two for years and no trouble.
@Idoubtit I think I did too many weird things with mine. I.e. I used them to infuse alcohol...
@laerm try the little Italian percolators or aeropress - not shots but close
@laerm just get a stove top espresso maker. bet 20 bucks that your friend won't be able to tell the difference in a taste test, which you can use to pay for the stove top espresso maker.