Who's a Coffeesnob?

[MonsterDorf]

OK you coffee lovers, I've been bad very bad, well at least according to Coffeesnobs.

I simply asked the forum what they thought about a Behmor coffee roaster. You wouldn't think that would be a mortal sin but as it turns out I was wrong. Got a firm e-mail telling me it was not approved for use in Oz and until it was it couldn't be discussed (plus it's not supported by the site sponsors). My post was removed.

Yesterday I got an e-mail from the new Aus distributor telling me they had Aus approved 240V units on the way.

So I posted this fact on the forum in the hope of getting some independent views. I removed any reference to the supplier and just announced the facts.

Well, only 1/2 dozend people got to see my post as it was deleted by the moderator and my access removed!

Call me old fashioned by forums are all about discussion and as long as they meet community standards things should be sweet. Makes me think twice about any advice I received there in the past.

Is coffeesnobs a forum or simply advertising disguised as a forum?

[Justo]

Not if you're making me one....

[goldFiSh]

it's a forum run by a guy called Andy Freeman. its basically a bunch of enthusiasts, which include a fair amount of people who make their living from coffee. So, not so much an advertorial, but there is plenty of people there who will sell you something..

[Justo]

Yes 2 lumps. And black.

[dragonworld.]

Hmmmm, sounds like a Ducati Monster site I used to frequent in a previous life??  Aaaaah DM uuhh, DM ummm, bugger just cant quite remember. 

Make mine a long black with a dash of milk, ta. !! 

[CairnsDuc]

Yes 2 lumps. And black.

There is a couple of decent jokes with that comment......

but I'll let em slide through to the keeper. 

[CairnsDuc]

Forums such as this one, where you get a fairly healthy discussion on the pro's and con's of a subject are pretty rare.

I have found the majority are only supportive of the owners skewed views on a subject, or is dominated by a few cliques.

I looked at joining Coffee snobs when I bought my machine, but I think I would have removed/banned when I would have admitted to the horrendous crime of purchasing a "Nespresso" system. But screw em! I like it and it's fine for what I want! 

Keep looking around, you'll find a better Forum to join if you are a Coffee Fanatic.

[brimo]

Background Info:-
http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1254835904

I'm on the Coffesnobs website too, I wonder what there problem is?
Surely even if it isn't approved for sale in Australia, there should still be discussion allowed.

In my experience people on that website have only been too happy to help out people with their enquiries.
I do tend to take a good hard look at who the posters are because a lot of them are coffee and coffee equipment suppliers (as is the webmaster) so tend to take some of their comments with a grain of salt. There is not the objectivity in their posts like you find on the DMF.  
For reviews on equipment try www.Coffeegeeks.com, it's an overseas site but seems pretty good.
http://www.coffeegeek.com/search?DO=&Search_SearchForm_Query=behmor

[NFG]

You were brushed off by Coffee Snobs and are surprised they were brusque?  Next you'll join JavaDicks and complain about the high male membership numbers... 

[bigiain]

I'm definitely a Coffee Snob, not so much a coffeesbob - I've got a forum account, but rarely visit and even more rarely post.

Is coffeesnobs a forum or simply advertising disguised as a forum?

For my tastes, Andy falls _way_ too much on the side of protecting advertisers (and potential advertisers) by restricting what gets discussed there - he's got every right to do that, it's his forums after all - but it pretty much stops me getting involved or becoming "part of the community" there - that's his choice.

There _is_ a community there though, who somehow manage to abide by the rules and still have some meaningful discussion and friendships.

If you're interested in home roasting, I've got a friend (who _is_ a coffeesnob) who has a GeneRoast - he has some of the local coffeesnobs people round at his place (in St Peters) for coffee/food/roasting every month or two - ping be if you'd like me to put you in touch...

big

[MonsterDorf]

It's a pretty sad state of affairs. I've already put a down payment on a Behmor 1600 but was hoping for some discussion on the pro's and con's of it vs the Gene Cafe and Hottop before hand. Ah well given the overseas reviews, it seems like a good thing.

On this topic though, I have a Rancilio Silvia here in Toowoomba and a Expobar Leva down the range. At present I use freshly roasted coffee from a Toowoomba supplier (no names as I don't want to get banned again) and am just about to extract 60ml of "Midnight" into a mug.

Might even open the TimTams and settle in for a couple of episodes of Dexter..............Oh did I mention I also went for a ride today - 28 degrees and not a cloud in the sky.

Ah, life, ain't it grand 

[bigiain]

At present I use freshly roasted coffee from a Toowoomba supplier (no names as I don't want to get banned again) and am just about to extract 60ml of "Midnight" into a mug.

Heh - screw _that_ - at home I've just finished off some Columbian General San Juan Eight Estrellas single estate beans roasted by Coffee Alchemy, so I'm back on my usual Mecca Espresso Dark Horse Blend. At work I've got a Brazilian Radamundo roasted by Seven Senses in Melbourne and some Northern NSW beans roasted by Single Origin Roasters.

(And I've just found a possible solution to the crappy design on the heating element in my Elektra Semi Automatica, so I might have that back in action again soon!)

big

[Spider]

dorf,

I always thought about a Rancillio Silvia, I've spoken to a few people and they all seem to agree that it's the best machine at that price point...and to beat it you need to spend $2000....ECM etc

what's your opinion, speak loud and proud, you won't get canned/banned.

[bazz20]

dorf,

I always thought about a Rancillio Silvia, I've spoken to a few people and they all seem to agree that it's the best machine at that price point...and to beat it you need to spend $2000....ECM etc

what's your opinion, speak loud and proud, you won't get canned/banned.

i hate coffee i like milo never been weened 

[MonsterDorf]

Silvia & Rocky combo is really the price point king but, as always, you get what you pay for.

I use my Silvia during the week whilst living in Toowoomba and my Expobar Leva when I'm home. Both make a great coffee but the technique and timings vary.

The Silvia is a single boiler and temperature stability is a bit loose so you need to follow a couple of basic steps to get things right.

1. heat up the Silvia for at least 30min
2. extract some hot water to warm your cup, watch the boiler light come on.
3. fluff around and wait for the light to go off (also known as "reverse temperature surfing")
4. grind your fresh beans
5. fill portafilter and tamp with 15kg of pressure (using a snug fitting tamper)

Note: steps 4&5 should take about 90sec.

6. lock & load and extract 60ml of "liquid sex" but irrespective of volume, cut flow when the extraction turns "Blond"
7. hit steam switch
8. remove puck and quickly flush portafilter (I'm a bit of a neat freak)
9. wait 30sec for the water to reach 100+
10. steam milk and enjoy

OK, I know that seems like a lot of work, but once you've got it down pat it seems natural. This technique gives me repeatability and great tasting coffee almost every time.

With the Leva  I

1. heat up the machine for 30min
2. extract some hot water to warm my cups
3. grind fresh beans
5. fill portafilter and tamp with 15kg of pressure (using a snug fitting tamper - Pulman tampers are best)
6. lock & load and extract 60ml of "liquid sex" but irrespective of amount cut when the extraction turns "Blond"
6. whilst extracting steam milk
8. remove puck and quickly flush
9. enjoy the fruits of your labour.

Note that you can extract and steam at the same time without needing to fluff around with temperature surfing. I was toying with the idea of adding a PID to the Silvia (fancy temperature controller) but found it hard to justify the extra couple of hundred bucks.

Quality wise using the same coffee and in a "double blind test" I doubt you'd taste the difference, I couldn't.

Silvia $800 and Rocky grinder $400 makes $1200.

Leva $2200 and Rocky $400 makes $2600. Most people will also spend twice that on their grinder but I had two Rocky's and use them reliably. Haven't tried a more expensive grinder and no doubt it would make me rethink.

A work mate of mine was agonising over the choices and he opted for the Silvia/Rocky combo. If money is no option go big first time. If you only make 2 coffee's a sitting and can wait a minute or two then Silvia is hard to beat. Don't try and skimp on the grinder as I have at least 6 in my cupboard that proves that you won't get anything useful for less than $150 - $200 bucks. For me Rocky is the starting point but do look at "crema magazine" for some good reviews.

My next move in coffee is to roast my own beans. Tried "alternative" methods but with mixed success. The best so far was when my wife simply whacked 300 grams of green beans into a big pot and roasted them on the stove but my new Behmor should be on it's way in the near future.

OK, seems like it's time for another coffee.

cheers,