Re: Gaggia Titanium SS Purchase

On Thu, 07 Dec 2006 02:52:18 GMT, "ZZ" <ZZ@xxxxxx> wrote:

I made the mistake years ago thinking a super-automatic was the way to go to
make decent espresso. If you want a quick way to make a pretty good coffee a
super-automatic is one way to go, but if you want to really make some good
espresso shots a semi-auto is the way to go...

You have minimal control over,
temp, tamp, grind on a super-automatic, and that's what you need to make
good/great espresso among other variables...

The SA's I've seen offer no control over anything but grind and water volume.
But at finest grind, minimum water volume (30ml), and "extra strong" setting, my
Jura SAmakes a good espresso with good crema within four minutes of a cold
start. There is no combination of settings at which it makes an acceptable
coffee (Americano) of any volume over 4 ounces.

I can beat the espresso quality with my Gaggia Classic, but it takes
considerably more time and effort.

My drip machine, OTOH, makes 32 ounces of excellent coffee in eight minutes from
a cold start.

My opinion: if you want decent, quick espresso, buy a good super-auto. If you
want good coffee, don't.

-- Larry
.