Need some input

[floydpink]

I just did a price check and found:

Rocky>> $359

Vario>> $429

Macap M4>>$494

Not bashing any brands, but Geez, under $150 difference for what I feel is a world of difference for a long, long time????

Less than that for the Vario which has been getting rave reviews.

Seems quite easy to me, but I am quite opinionated and there certainly is a big market for Rockys. I just hate plastic parts.

Buy the Macap, set it for coffee, adjust it to espresso when you get the machine, and be happy.

[Costa]

Originally Posted by floydpink

I just did a price check and found:

Rocky>> $359

Vario>> $429

Macap M4>>$494

Not bashing any brands, but Geez, under $150 difference for what I feel is a world of difference for a long, long time????

Less than that for the Vario which has been getting rave reviews.

Seems quite easy to me, but I am quite opinionated and there certainly is a big market for Rockys. I just hate plastic parts.

Buy the Macap, set it for coffee, adjust it to espresso when you get the machine, and be happy.

I agree, totally. Stupid question; can you give me primer on what type of grind (fine I am pretty sure is for espresso) is what? For instance, when I get the grinder, how will I know the type of grind to use for my day-to-day coffee? And how much to how much water?

Thanks again for educating me. I owe you guys so much......

[floydpink]

No problem. The lower the number, the finer the grind. The higher the number, the coarser.

For coffee, I would guess you would set at about 5, but it's a matter of seeing what comes out and adjusting from there.

Keep asking questions because Italian grinder and espresso machine user manuals are as bad as they get.

And to make things more tricky, the numbers on the Macap are hard to read. Most likely, you'll find the spot where coffee grind is perfect, put a little mark on it and go left or right a notch or two if you want to adjust. Same with Espresso.

Once you get your hands on it, it will be a breeze. I completely disassembled my Macap, cleaned the burrs, painted the number ring silver and put black lines where the numbers are, and reassembled in under an hour.

If you make the choice to get the Macap, I have step by step directions for taking it apart, which is easy and you will only do once or twice a year, or once a week if you are anal and opinionated like me.

[Costa]

Originally Posted by floydpink

No problem. The lower the number, the finer the grind. The higher the number, the coarser.

For coffee, I would guess you would set at about 5, but it's a matter of seeing what comes out and adjusting from there.

Keep asking questions because Italian grinder and espresso machine user manuals are as bad as they get.

And to make things more tricky, the numbers on the Macap are hard to read. Most likely, you'll find the spot where coffee grind is perfect, put a little mark on it and go left or right a notch or two if you want to adjust. Same with Espresso.

Once you get your hands on it, it will be a breeze. I completely disassembled my Macap, cleaned the burrs, painted the number ring silver and put black lines where the numbers are, and reassembled in under an hour.

If you make the choice to get the Macap, I have step by step directions for taking it apart, which is easy and you will only do once or twice a year, or once a week if you are anal and opinionated like me.

How will I be able to tell what is the right coffee grind? Taste? (damn I must sound stupid...lol)

[floydpink]

Originally Posted by Costa

How will I be able to tell what is the right coffee grind? Taste? (damn I must sound stupid...lol)

I couldn't tell ya that one. Can't remember the last time I drank coffee.

My wife brews, and always has, Cafe Bustello in her drip and it is espresso grind and seems to work fine.

[Costa]

Originally Posted by floydpink

I couldn't tell ya that one. Can't remember the last time I drank coffee.

My wife brews, and always has, Cafe Bustello in her drip and it is espresso grind and seems to work fine.

So the same setting can be used in a drip as in an espresso maker? Good to know........man, I'm slipping down the coffee slope.....

Originally Posted by Costa

So the same setting can be used in a drip as in an espresso maker? Good to know........man, I'm slipping down the coffee slope.....

NO. You would not get a satisfactory result.

The only reason that review on the Macap says it's not good for coffee is the inconvenience of changing from an espresso grind to a drip grind. As far as the quality of the grind is concerned, that is not the issue.

[Costa]

Originally Posted by floydpink

No problem. The lower the number, the finer the grind. The higher the number, the coarser.

For coffee, I would guess you would set at about 5, but it's a matter of seeing what comes out and adjusting from there.

Keep asking questions because Italian grinder and espresso machine user manuals are as bad as they get.

And to make things more tricky, the numbers on the Macap are hard to read. Most likely, you'll find the spot where coffee grind is perfect, put a little mark on it and go left or right a notch or two if you want to adjust. Same with Espresso.

Once you get your hands on it, it will be a breeze. I completely disassembled my Macap, cleaned the burrs, painted the number ring silver and put black lines where the numbers are, and reassembled in under an hour.

If you make the choice to get the Macap, I have step by step directions for taking it apart, which is easy and you will only do once or twice a year, or once a week if you are anal and opinionated like me.

I'm thinking of going stepped because it will be used for both coffee and espresso on a pretty consistant basis. Thoughts on my loss of adjustment?

[Costa]

What about the best day-to-day drip coffee maker? Any input?

Originally Posted by Costa

What about the best day-to-day drip coffee maker? Any input?

You couldn't go wrong with a Technivorm.

[Costa]

Originally Posted by floydpink

I just did a price check and found:

Rocky>> $359

Vario>> $429

Macap M4>>$494

Not bashing any brands, but Geez, under $150 difference for what I feel is a world of difference for a long, long time????

Less than that for the Vario which has been getting rave reviews.

Seems quite easy to me, but I am quite opinionated and there certainly is a big market for Rockys. I just hate plastic parts.

Buy the Macap, set it for coffee, adjust it to espresso when you get the machine, and be happy.

Could you drop me a PM with where you found the Macap at that price? Thank you!

[floydpink]

Originally Posted by Costa

Could you drop me a PM with where you found the Macap at that price? Thank you!

Wholelattelove.com

Ask them if they can offer any discounts and you'll probably get them to knock off 10%

[Costa]

Originally Posted by floydpink

Wholelattelove.com

Ask them if they can offer any discounts and you'll probably get them to knock off 10%

Thank you!

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by Costa

Thank you!

They are apt to cut you a deal on your first big purchase so make it worth it.

[floydpink]

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

They are apt to cut you a deal on your first big purchase so make it worth it.

True. They were glad to knock off quite a bit when I bought the Brasilia and included a lot of extras in the deal. Their tech department is great at helping and sending parts diagrams.

[Costa]

Originally Posted by floydpink

True. They were glad to knock off quite a bit when I bought the Brasilia and included a lot of extras in the deal. Their tech department is great at helping and sending parts diagrams.

When I am ready to make the espresso machine purchase, I will most definitely be using this place....

[Costa]

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

They are apt to cut you a deal on your first big purchase so make it worth it.

It was on sale and then got another 10% off, came to $444.69.

This was such a cool experience, reminded me of how you guys helped take my cigar hobby to the next level many years ago at CS. Thank you all.

Now, just need to read up on proper ratio of grinds to water for coffee, get some decent beans, etc.

Do any of you guys make coffee at home from a drip machine out of curiosity?

Me thinks I have a new hobby!