Coffee - Not at Home

[Lefty Luthier]

A lot of folks are satisfied with these, but I'll never buy another one. We had a BES860XL that pulled ~3,000 double-shots before retirement with a prematurely tired pump that couldn't pull a second double-shot at the same pressure than the first. We've got a BES870XL that has pulled ~5,570 double-shots. It's near end of life, as-expected. The grind amount is almost maxed-out, although I may be able to shim the burrs and get more 'travel' to the setting. The pump is worn and can't produce pressure much above the low end of the acceptable range.

My main complaint is that the grind amount has spontaneously varied with both machines. It will hold a setting for 2 or 3 weeks, then drift one way or another, too much or too little. I set it and the same thing happens. Sometimes it will make large changes in amount, suddenly. Over a span of 8,570 shots, that's become an unacceptable pain in the ass. Also, our example of the 870 has never produced the same pressure as the 860 did, even though the pump is the same.

The 860 is boxed up in the garage and get's loaned out to friends and neighbors who are 'espresso curious.' When this 870 is in paliative care, I'll be shopping for a different machine that's not Breville.

Wow, that's unfortunate to hear. I have not had any of these issues, and we put that thing through the ringer over here. Approximately 12-14 shots of espresso a day for at least 6-7 years now. Grind stays consistent and only moves if we change baskets. We had the same model before this one that lasted about 10 years amd we gave it away as we felt it might be time to replace it. My sister is still using it to this day without any problems! For the price, that seems like a decent return.

 

[archetype]

Wow, that's unfortunate to hear. I have not had any of these issues, and we put that thing through the ringer over here. Approximately 12-14 shots of espresso a day for at least 6-7 years now. Grind stays consistent and only moves if we change baskets. We had the same model before this one that lasted about 10 years amd we gave it away as we felt it might be time to replace it. My sister is still using it to this day without any problems! For the price, that seems like a decent return.

It's good to hear of the positive experiences, but that's how much these damned things vary.

 

[tap4154]

I usually just have normal coffee at home. I've got five or six Starbucks gift cards, and never used them. I just have a thing about it that even though I'd be getting it free, I just can't believe the prices they charge for bitter coffee with a bunch of glop in it. In the past, I've been happy with McDonald's, 7-Eleven or Duncan, if I do buy it when I'm out.

 

[StratDal]

Irish coffees… anywhere, anytime.

 

[getbent]

starbucks are like boob jobs. To hear people talk, starbucks should be empty and broke, but their packed to the brim... and cosmetic surgery and boob jobs are the most profitable of all medical practices...

Can we assume that all people who get boob jobs also go to starbucks?

it is the only way to make the math work.

 

[Colo Springs E]

starbucks are like boob jobs. To hear people talk, starbucks should be empty and broke, but their packed to the brim... and cosmetic surgery and boob jobs are the most profitable of all medical practices...

Can we assume that all people who get boob jobs also go to starbucks?

it is the only way to make the math work.

In CO, it's a contest--more weed shops on every block, or more Starbucks?

 

[getbent]

In CO, it's a contest--more weed shops on every block, or more Starbucks?

the circle of life: get high stay up late, get tired, get coffee, get high, get sleepy, have to go to work, get coffee, work is a drag and your cubemate is talking about her cat, yep, get high.

 

[telestratosonic]

The closest city with Walmart, Safeway, Best Buy, Princess Auto, Home Depot, McDonald's, Starbucks, Tim Hortons etc. is an hour's drive. If I head into this city of 40,000 or so, which is not often, I always make a large strong cup of coffee to take with me.

If i"m on a long road trip, it's Tim Hortons. They're pretty much outside of every town along major highways. It's convenient to pull into one.

I'll buy a regular black coffee with two shots of espresso. The regular coffee is pretty weak and tasteless.

On the rare ocassion I come across a Second Cup, I'll buy a coffee there. Second Cup coffee is a big step up from Tim Hortons; up there with Starbucks but SC coffee shops are few and far between.

 

[nobes81183]

The closest city with Walmart, Safeway, Best Buy, Princess Auto, Home Depot, McDonald's, Starbucks, Tim Hortons etc. is an hour's drive. If I head into this city of 40,000 or so, which is not often, I always make a large strong cup of coffee to take with me.

If i"m on a long road trip, it's Tim Hortons. They're pretty much outside of every town along major highways. It's convenient to pull into one.

I'll buy a regular black coffee with two shots of espresso. The regular coffee is pretty weak and tasteless.

On the rare ocassion I come across a Second Cup, I'll buy a coffee there. Second Cup coffee is a big step up from Tim Hortons; up there with Starbucks but SC coffee shops are few and far between Starbucks Prices.

That’s a solid routine. Adding espresso to Tim’s regular brew helps, and yeah, Second Cup is a real treat when you find one—shame they’re not more common. Smart call on taking your strong coffee for the drive into the city too.

 

[gimmeatele]

None of the above, we have plenty of excellent bars and cafes with coffee between one and two euros, we avoid chains like the plague

 

[Long_Ghost]

I buy whole beans at the cheapo supermarket, dark roast and grind it fresh. I used to like
to add a spoon or two of French Market Brand W/ chicory but I can't find it any longer. It all goes back to when I lived in New Orleans, I love the taste of the coffee there.

 

[beep.click]

I will often get a black drip coffee at Starbucks, because that’s what I find at the train station or near the bus stop. When I had a car, I used to get McDonald’s coffee all the time — but where I live, they have replaced human beings with kiosks and I refuse to play that game. At least at Starbucks, they have people to take and fulfill my order. That, or some very realistic androids.

 

[naveed211]

If there’s a local non-chain nearby, I’ll choose that every time.

Of those listed, Dunkin. Starbucks way more often than I’d like out of convenience.

 

[twangking]

Dunkin is pretty rancid. Starbucks is undrinkable. The IPA of coffee.

There's a local middle eastern business that I buy coffee beans from that seem to understand coffee. I hope they don't retire before I die.

 

[43mmNut]

I admit it, I like Starbucks - one of their Dark Roasts

 

[ronzhd]

Dang, I knew I had been out awhile to have missed this topic. For me, any place with a coffee pot that works. I always order the "Grace Jones", black & bitter. Usually is easy to find.

 

[Musekatcher]

I don't consider Starbucks fancy. I consider them the McDs of coffee. In a good way. And McDs has decent coffee too.

But, when out and about and inclined to pay $3+ for a 30c cup of coffee, I chose a local independent shop, and get an Americano or a redeye.

 

[telleutelleme]

My neighbor's son is a Barista and works at a place that roasts and flavors coffee beans for various restaurants around Houston. He has reached the point where he is qualified to create blends. Now I cannot honestly tell the subtle differences, but give reviews using terms like; lite and flavorful, medium with a hint of fruit, strong but not bitter etc. Etc. In exchange he brings me a sack of their standard stuff or new creations every so often. It is all really good and best of all free. Just now having a cup of "medium with a hint of chocolate and almond". His first large quantity roast. Rarely do I say anything negative and he seems happy to test the stuff on me. Most of the time he writes what it is on the bag with the ingredients.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

I don't drink "regular coffee"...I'm a latté guy, whether at home or while out and about or traveling. I only drink one in the morning so it's rare to buy for "out and about" unless there's a scheduling thing for a medical appointment or whatever and then it's either S'bucks or a local shop, depending on the where. When traveling (also somewhat rare these days), it's S'bucks or a local shop that offers what I want.

 

[Papanate]

Chain Coffee is not my thing - When I’m home I use Keurig or Fresh Bean Grinds - when I’m out and about - what ever is local - there is nothing wrong with the Chains - it’s just chain coffee is brewed according to profit and not flavor.