Coffee Syphons - let coffee fill the void...

[sathid]

So has anyone actually used one?

[IPIT]

check post #12

[Fozzy]

Spotted on Ebay

Stovetop Coffee Machine w/Pressure Gauge! BNIB Bellman - eBay Other Small Appliances, Small Appliances, Appliances, Home. (end time 14-Aug-08 20:28:19 AEST)

Stovetop Espresso Coffee Machine Home & Camping CLASSIC - eBay, Other Kitchen, Dining, Bar, Kitchen, Dining, Bar, Home. (end time 14-Aug-08 20:29:23 AEST)

New Sorrentina Coffee Machine Maker RETRO 50's Robbiati - eBay Small Appliances, Kitchenware, Housewares Kitchenware, Collectibles. (end time 14-Aug-08 20:30:56 AEST)

[sathid]

Interesting...

However it lacks the elegant simplicity of the coffee syphon.

Plus I'm not too sure about buying vessels to hold pressurised steam, from ebay...

[Aphex]

werdz

Some of those bare striking resemblance to apparatus that may be used for illicit purposes.

[sathid]

If you are a worm alien from MIB, then they are

[speed3]

Well I got mine from the coffee merchant or whatever it's called at Harbour town near the water fountain. I saw it in the corner with a pot plant on top of it and I asked the young waitress if her boss would sell it. She laughed and replied, "I don't think so"

She came back with our coffees and she said, "he said make an offer"
I said, "$50"
She laughed again and went off. Came back, done deal!

I hate you so much right now, just about to start doing some barista courses and would have loved that.

As for the syphons they make damn strong and tasty coffee but i've never used one. I'd recommend the stove top unit for cheapness versus quality

[MuNch]

Invest in a GOOD Grinder and grind the coffee only when you need it.
Do not let your beans sit inside the grinder, instead leave them in packaging in a cool dark place, NOT IN THE FREEZER. Grinder should grind slowly and smoothly.

A good grinder can make the difference!

[Captain Starfish]

And unless you're shooting coffee all day, get a doseless grinder. The clicky dosing grinders leave too much ground coffee sitting there going stale.

Believe it or not, Sunbeam make a decent burr grinder. Costs about $200. It's their EM0480 model. Equivalent in quality and ruggedness of some of the $400 and $500 grinders.

Don't skimp on a grinder - crappy little bamix chopper style grinders won't give you consistency or the fineness you need, and they burn the coffee too.

Cheap burr grinders fall apart, give you wild fluctuation between shots and generally don't get it fine enough either.