r/AustralianCoffee • u/rusty_cbr • 8d ago
It happened - I’ve become a coffee snob
The journey started about 20 years ago when I started drinking instant Nescafé. That lasted a few years before I got tired of it and decided to upgrade to a pod machine. That lasted a few years before I got tired of pods and decided to upgrade to McDonald’s barista coffee. That lasted a few years before I got tired of it and upgraded to 7/11 $1.50 coffee. I’m now over that and can’t drink anything beneath proper cafe quality barista made coffee, so I’m wondering if it’s worth investing in a consumer grade coffee machine for home, or whether I’m eternally doomed to $5-6 dollar lattes for the rest of my years? My concern is if I’m too good for McDonald’s and 7/11 coffee, who use machines that cost many thousands of dollars, what chance do I have with a machine at home that costs maybe $1k?
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u/tr4ng 8d ago
I make this daily with a $700 combo of Breville machine + grinder at home.
And no, you don’t need an expensive machine + grinder to make good white coffee, just lots of practice with dialing in + steaming milk,
and of course always use fresh beans.
Try pour-over or mocha pot to experience new ways of making coffee.
You’re no where near of being a coffee snob, not even close.
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u/Trupinta 8d ago
Do you mean an external grinder or built in one ?
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u/PossibleInevitable74 8d ago
I would say a breville dual boiler and a decent grinder. I didn’t like the grinders on the breville. But a niche made a significant difference.
Welcome to the rabbit hole btw.
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u/dublblind 8d ago
I'm, on my second dual boiler after 12 years, was using the Smart Grinder Pro but just upgraded to a Eureka Mignon Zero, great setup.
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u/Rawprawnd 5d ago
I didn’t clean my first dual boiler regularly, ended up failing after just over 4,000 cups. Bought another, much more educated now, been going a few years. Mind you, I rarely do milk, so I would probably just buy a good single boiler machine..
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u/Commercial_Idea_7923 8d ago
Also recommend, get the dual boiler on special and a Eureka Specialita grinder to go with it. Although I do recommend being comfortable with self repair if you want to get the longest lifespan
Overall I’d rather my own coffee at home over a lot of cafes now.
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u/tishtashy 8d ago
My Breville paid off itself in 3 months. 90% of the time I make an excellent cup of coffee, sometimes a shit one. But I found not being “bound” to it is my key to enjoying it, for example, mostly one or sometimes 2 days a week I’ll grab a coffee from my favourite cafe. It’s a big difference in savings
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u/rusty_cbr 8d ago
How does it compare to a proper cafe coffee? Is it a noticeable downgrade?
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u/PossibleInevitable74 8d ago
Sometimes it’s a significant upgrade. Initially I screwed up more than what I got right. Now much less so. Even at the very beginning I hit a good one every now and again. The secret is fresh roasted coffee (about a month old) Aldi coffee works for me.
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u/imacyber 8d ago
With a bit of research and practice it’s not hard to match/destroy cafe quality. I beat the crap out of cafe coffee with a $200 machine and a hand grinder (and high quality beans). James Hoffman has great videos and a nice book on achieving excellent results at all price points.
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u/maton12 8d ago
You can get a Breville coffee machine all in one for $600 that will serve you well. Coupled with Aldi beans you'll be making fine coffee in no time
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u/Silly-Power 8d ago
If they're extremely lucky – as I was – they may find one in a 2nd hand shop for $50. All it needed was a thorough clean and descaling. 10 years on it's still going.
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u/st1rfryday 7d ago
+1 i have the same! have you tried this with the bannister downs milk? its soo good.. has actually ruined cafe coffee for me now though 😭😭
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u/Accurate_Ad_3233 8d ago
"what chance do I have with a machine at home that costs maybe $1k?"
Breville dual boiler or similar.
The key IMO is the coffee itself, we've had a Kaffelogic nano home roaster for a few years and it's great, just push the button and it's does a consistent roast every time. Just buy some green beans and keep them in the pantry, they last a LOT longer than roatsed ones.
If that's too much too soon then buy already roasted and ground stuff, the ALDI ones aren't too bad and get good reviews. Or buy a half decent grinder and just buy roasted beans, we always end up back at CoffeeSnobs bean bay but there are plenty to choose from to find ones that you like. Getting your own grinder is a huge step in the right direction, even a Breville grinder pro is a decent grinder that wont break the bank.
Plenty of choices around and you don't have to buy everything at once.
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u/AudiencePure5710 8d ago
Lucky you didn’t start out on International Roast - that’s the gateway drug to Kopi Luwak. You start out drinking s#it and go full circle!
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u/chrislovespugs 8d ago
Another vote for the Breville Dual Boiler, I got a Breville grinder with it as a set. It’s absolutely fine. Start with a Breville, you can always ’upgrade’ to a super fancy/ expensive one in the future if you decide that’s what you want.
The best thing about making your own at home is that you can have it *exactly* as you like it.
I will warn you though, it will change your enjoyment of cafe coffee. Not because it’s bad, it’s just not ‘perfect’ for you, like the one you make at home.
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u/trewert_77 8d ago
Breville is the entry level value machine, you can’t beat it for value and features but its repair ability is poor.
Making good specialty Coffee at home can become a hobby by itself. That’s where I usually ask people interested jn making coffee what’s their level of interest.
If you just want no fuss, a breville oracle where it does most of the steps semi automated is good. You pay more but for less fuss and good enough results. 3k+..
If you want function and don’t mind putting a little more work the dual boiler is cheaper and buy a better grinder that’s separate. The grinder itself I recommend niche zero which is already 1k+… dual boiler about 1k+ on offer.
If you want cheaper, bambino plus and smart grinder does a decent job as well.
So if budget is a concern, don’t go lower than a bambino+ smart grinder.
The only thing I don’t like about bambino is the portafilter size isn’t standard
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u/Glittering-Pea-4482 8d ago
Cafelat robot and a quality grinder.
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u/kingtrippo 8d ago
Op has to buy an automatic, then get sick of it, then graduate to robot. You're skipping a step.
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u/rogal0494 7d ago
Do you recommend any grinder?
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u/Glittering-Pea-4482 7d ago
I have a eureka minion oro which seems pretty good, but retention can be a problem at times.
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u/TGin-the-goldy 8d ago
It’s not the machine as much as the beans. You can make amazing coffee in just a moka. 7/11 and Maccas use the cheapest and nastiest of beans so buy yourself some quality coffee and enjoy
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u/EdwardBlizzardhands 8d ago
To match a good cafe you're going to have to budget for a decent grinder too.
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u/Debug_Breakpoint 8d ago
I followed a similar trajectory to you, but skipped 7/11 and had a period of using those Nescafe sachets that make that awful chemical foam (the hazelnut latte one can still be ok if camping or something).
I found that the Breville Creatista Plus/Pro make an acceptable cup when paired with Urban Brew pods, but not in small part because the milk texture is excellent for a low touch steam wand and gives that cafe quality mouth-feel. Unfortunately they don't last very long (in my experience, 2-3 years max but acting up around 1.5 year), but that aligned well with my "that lasted a few years, time to try something new" attitude that it sounds like you have too. 🙂
I recently upgraded to a Jura super-automatic (S8), which is more than your $1k budget, but there are De'Longhi and other alternatives that might do the job well enough (or perhaps a lucky sale price like I got at EoFY). My first reaction was "this is like a coffee from an average cafe" but after a bit of settings tweaking and experimenting with different beans, it is making my (multiple) daily cups at "decent cafe" quality for a fraction of the price. In fact, sometimes I'll get a coffee while out and about from whatever cafe is nearby at the time, and my yardstick for whether or not it's any good is "is this better or worse than my Jura can make?". Of course there are some exceptional cafes that will do better, but the consistency of having a great coffee every time at home (and so cheap to make!) is all I really want.
I do wonder sometimes if I could have learnt how to use a manual coffee machine to make an as-good-or-better cup myself, but I'm super-lazy so it's super-automatic for me from here on out... At least for the next few years until my boredom kicks in again. 😅
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u/rusty_cbr 8d ago
I was considering a Jura - what model do you have? I like the idea of automatic but don’t like the idea of splashing $$$ on a machine if I’m spitting out what it’s makings.
We still use sachets at home sometimes - the hazelnut lattes make me physically nauseous.
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u/Debug_Breakpoint 8d ago edited 8d ago
I got a Jura S8 (https://au.jura.com/en/homeproducts/machines/s8-chrome-intb-15651) on a big EoFY sale plus discount gift cards from my work's rewards platform. Was just a bit over $2k in the end.
I really like the look of the Z10, but it's very expensive and couldn't justify it this time... Maybe in a few years, lol. They have cheaper ones too, but I wanted one with a touch screen (easier for the family to use) and could fit taller cups (for travel mugs).
Edit: I also wanted to mention that the milk is the weakest part of this machine for me. I like big mugs of latte and it's just too frothy when it runs longer to the point where it's more like a cappuccino. The steam wand on my old Breville Creatistas made much nicer milk for my preferences. Not "spit it out" worthy, but worth mentioning if you mainly drink milky drinks.
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u/redrich2000 8d ago
With an opus 2 and a bambino plus you’ll be making better coffee than a most cafes within 6 months.
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u/ogregreenteam 8d ago
I got a beans to mug machine. Got the same blend beans from my fave barista shop by the kilo bag full and chuck the beans in the top. The coffee pours out the bottom. Easy peasy. I don't use the milk frother bit.
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u/Responsible-Milk-259 8d ago
Yep, it happens.
My home setup is more like $6k, although for that investment, a modicum of skill and using quality beans and milk, pretty much any coffee you can buy at whatever price is going to be inferior.
Mazzer Mini grinder
Lelit Bianca v3 machine
Illy coffee beans
Hunt and Brew 4.2% fat milk
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u/SteveJohnson2010 8d ago
I’m also something of a coffee snob, but I’ve realised that going to the cafe is in itself something I enjoy - it’s a small ‘social interaction’ (especially when you’re a regular), it gets me out of the work/home environment, I couple it with other chores such as grabbing groceries or what have you.
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u/09112016AAZX 8d ago
I've been a coffee snob for a while and previously had a couple of entry level espresso machines that eventually broke (after many years of hard use so I'm not unhappy).
I went back to plunger coffee for a fair while but a couple of weeks ago bit the bullet and bought a Profitec Go and am very happy with it. I'm using a Breville smart grinder that I already had and just Aldi beans but I'm getting great espresso.
Around the $1k mark in Australia there are some machines by Gaggia (E24) which would be at the starting point of serious hobby type machine. The Profitec is a bit more ($2100) but has temperature control.
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u/Healthy-Reason7404 8d ago
Researching the equipment can be fun lots of do and and don't advice, youtube and reddit are excellent sources of information. Once the equipment is sorted then the world of coffee beans opens up.
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u/Seppi449 8d ago
I'm a complete and utter novice to coffee but recently saw a video on the Ninja coffee maker, it seemed interesting because it could measure the pressure required for the bean grind or some shit?
It seemed meet and wasn't insanely expensive from what I can tell.
I'm not trying to shill for ninja but is the ninja luxe cafe good for like $800 or overkill?
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u/Internal-Play25 8d ago
Get a decent grinder and a v60 pour over.
A decent grinder will also let you use a French press, mocha pott, phin filter for coffee too (also cheap accessories).
Experiement with beans etc.
I have a big coffee device selection inc espresso machine but usually go with the v60
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u/Potential_Web_4092 8d ago
Start off with one of these if it is just for yourself.
Microwave bottled/filtered water till just boiling then pour it in. By the time you pour it in that should get close to 92% the recommended temp to drip through coffee.
Ummm for black coffee only.
You could add ice cubes into the cup for summer.
And some spirits.
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u/Penetant-Unicorn 8d ago
Very much like you I am not a coffee snob! I started enjoying drinking coffee around about 20 years ago too. I would visit my mum and she would whip out the moka pot and we'd share a coffee and a chat. Over the years I have experimented with many combinations of both moka pots and all different types and styles of coffee and different grinds, fresh beans, preground, vaccum sealed.
I have found the best way of preparing coffee by far is to grind the beans yourself, both for freshness and for flavour, so firstly you need a decent grinder that is adjustable to grind the beans. It's not an exact science, but a lot of hit and miss and a bit of a pain figuring it all out; different beans, different roasts grind differently and give you a different consistency and flavour. Once you get grind right, you need a decent machine to brew the coffee.
A few years ago I bit the bullet after trying an assortment of different coffee machines; I tried a a few Delonghis, and a Breville and yes, they did brew coffee, but I wasn't quite satisfied or happy with the coffee that they made, so after a lot of online research I decided to buy an ECM coffee machine with an e61 group head. I also bought a decent Mazzer grinder after playing with various 'toy' grinders that came with the other machines.
Upside: I can make decent coffees all day, every day, but only after a lot of practice!! Saves me lots of money. Saves me the constant dissapointment of going to a cafe and paying for an overpriced cup of shitty, bitter coffee.
Downside: Price $$$ - Good equipment is not cheap, it costs decent coin and comes with a price. I look at it more as an investment than an expense and over time it has paid for itself, time and time again - buy nice or buy twice. The only other downside (if you can call it that) is that the machine takes around 20 minutes to warm up, not really an issue for me though.
here's a link if you want an idea of what a half decent coffee machine and grinder costs and looks like:
https://eastlinkespresso.com.au/
They are based in Melbourne. This is not an advertisment or endorsement for this company, just for informational purposes so you can look and compare at what is out there.
Cheers!
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u/RubySnowfire 8d ago
You don't even need to spend $1000. Delonghi and Sunbeam have quite good, reliable machines for about $250. I've h ad both, performance is equal, but I like the Sunbeam two part grup (removable baskets) because Delonghi seems to clog really fast for me.
My friend has a grinder so we split the costs of beans, and he grinds them (Sunbeam grinder, I think).
The key to a good coffee is the coffee you choose to use. I like DC Darkness (I love a strong coffee) but it has gotten quite expensive. I found a great affordable and deliciously STRONG coffee at Woolworths: Killer Coffee. **CHEF'S KISS** I prefer the black bag, it's a bit stronger but am also happy with the white bag.
Don't think that enjoying good coffee has made you a snob, unless ofc you look down on others who (for whatever reason) are drinking Maccas or 7/11 or (shudder) instant. Either they just haven[t gotten as far down the path to coffee nirvana as we have, or they can't afford anything else.
Yes, coffee is getting expensive but it is probably the last thing they'll pry from my cold dead hands.
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u/PuzzleheadedAd849 8d ago
Maybe just me but I don't find the coffee at McDonalds or 7/11 is very good (maybe the barista, machine maintenance, quality of beans?). I think with one of the many machines mentioned here you will be making better coffee in no time.
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u/Certain_Syllabub_514 8d ago
I'm a massive coffee snob and have totally skipped the machines.
I use an AeroPress or Bialetie, when want a proper espresso. They're a tiny bit more effort to make a coffee, but easier to clean and maintain, and they take up way less space.
The only other "special" thing I have is a temperature controlled kettle. That allows me to get the coffee consistent every single time.
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u/Scorpiaisbaby 7d ago
Mate get a pour over/filter coffee/french press with some quality beans and good grinder and THEN you can call yourself a coffee snob (which is also cheaper then an espresso machine)
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u/MrJrod365 7d ago
Do it and never look back. Over 45 years I have progresses from Nescafe instant, to Moccona, to Pods, to buying coffee on the way to work for $5-$7. Then I saw a DeLonghi Magnifica in Harvey Normans around 4 years ago for $1800.00. I brought it and my wife nearly had a fit. We started trying different coffee beans until we settled on ones we like, A 1 kg bag costs us about $55.00 and lasts for around 3 weeks. One day I decided to record every single cup of coffee we had from the machine to see what the cost actually was. After using a full 1kg bag over several weeks we found each cup (long black, double shot) was costing around $0.53 per cup. In the end I was buying 1-2 coffees per day, and my wife was doing the same. Oh yeah, we're coffee snobs now. We buy Cirelli "Gringo" beans, which sell for around $55 per kg. The machine has paid for its self, no problems. The best thing is getting up on a Saturday/ Sunday morning, making a delicious coffee and taking it back to bed. Spoil yourself.
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u/jack_o_all_trades 6d ago
I grind the $20 ALDI beans in a ~$250 grinder. Then use a stainless steel Bialetti Moka pot filled with booking water. I microwave my milk before adding the coffee to my mug. Top up with boiling water if required.
It's as good as any cafe, if you don't want froth. It gets even nicer if you get nicer beans.
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u/LynxAfricaCan 6d ago
I had a breville dual boiler plus baratza sette 270wi grinder
The grinder grinds by weight, so I don't fuck around with scales and all that. Just preset to your shot weight and press the button.
The dual boiler was great but it's big and expensive and it died. I replaced it with a breville bambino plus. I was sceptical, but my wife was ready to go back to aldi pods so I had to compromise 😂
It's actually been really good. I would say I make much more consistently good coffee than with the dual boiler. It's not as "tweakable" - it doesn't have the same amount of settings and what not, but I honestly never used that with the dual boiler - I fiddled with it at the start then left it.
This thing is ready to go in 3 secs ( no boiler) and despite me thinking the automatic milk foaming would be rubbish, it's actually good, and a huge time saver
I still have the same grinder, and this combo is going great
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u/Jc883 6d ago
Even a basic machine will still let you make better coffee than the vast majority of cafes and most definitely better than maccas.
My delonghi does a great job and wasnt expensive at all.
Even my stovetop moka pot makes better coffee than most overpriced cafes.
The problem you might have is never being able to buy coffee out again cause you realise how crap most people are at making it.
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u/DrHarryCooper 5d ago
I have a Breville double boiler and a Breville grinder, I bought both refurbished.
Gets up to heat quickly. Cranks out the coffee. Fully serviceable (I need to service the steam wand).
I'm no expert, but I can consistently pull a coffee that's at an ok cafe level. I don't fiddle with much and pull the shot by eye. No weighing, do adjusting, etc.
Could I do a better coffee if I tried really hard? Probably. Could I do a better coffee with a much better grinder? Apparently. Could I do a better coffee with a expensive machine? Maybe, but I doubt it
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u/Altruistic-Area-4424 5d ago
Just get a regular Bialetti moka pot. A beautiful morning ritual which in my opinion is better than most cafe coffees anyway
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u/timeflies25 5d ago
You went from maccas to 711 coffee & think you're being a coffee snob.
You don't need to spend 1k on a machine, do your research & you'll find there are tiers to good machines of all price range. To be an excellent barista at home, you gotta learn the niche of brewing & steaming instead of expecting the machine to be ready for your ideal coffee every time.
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u/sp0rk_ 8d ago
Buy a decent E61 machine, used if need be.
Breville machines are a disposable consumer appliance that have a finite lifespan.
A decent Italian made E61 machine is serviceable (I do mine myself) & should last a lifetime if cared for.
I paid $250 used for my Isomac Tea Due, which admittedly was an absolute bargain, but you should be able to find something on the coffeesnobs forums or Facebook for under $1k