Seattle Coffee Gear Blog » Reviews

Crew Review: Izzo Alex Duetto II

Kat — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:16:10 +0000

One of the more popular double boiler espresso machines on the market, the Alex Duetto II has a lot to love about it. The functionality is awesome — PID interface to set the coffee and steam boiler temperatures, easy access to switching between 15 or 20 amp, convertible water source so you can use either the internal reservoir or plumb it in, anti-burn hot water and steam wands — which also now features a four hole steam tip.

Since our last look at this machine, several upgrades have been made, so we decided it was time for another run-through. Watch as Gail talks about features and specs, then demonstrates shots and making a latte. Dig it!

Compare: Chemex Filters vs. Hario 02 Filters

Kat — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:23:59 +0000

Our first time out, Allison used a Hario 02 paper filter for her brew test with the Chemex. And we didn’t hear the end of it from our YouTube fans!

So once we received our first shipment of signature Chemex filters, we decided to do a side by side brew comparison to practically determine if you could tell a difference in the cup. Watch as Allison brews up two batches on the Chemex and we taste them to find out.

Shot Compare: Baratza Virtuoso vs. Breville Smart Grinder

Kat — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:02:29 +0000

In yet another grudge match (!!), Gail dialed in the new Baratza Virtuoso and the new Breville Smart Grinder for use with the Rocket Giotto, pulled several shots and then we did a side by side taste comparison.

Does either of them have the edge, taste-wise? Watch to find out.

Crew Review: Compak K10 Conic Fresh

Kat — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:55:30 +0000

Look, you know we don’t judge. In general, we are open minded, supportive and care about you finding the right equipment for you. We often say that we don’t have a horse in that race — the most important thing to us is that you end up with equipment that helps you make coffee that you love at home.

But if we’re going to throw that all to the wayside and pressure you into anything, it’s going to be the ridiculously awesome Compak K10 Conic Fresh grinder. You know that the grinder is the thing and this grinder is the serious thing.

Watch Gail take us through the features and specs, then demonstrate how this big bad grinder performs. Yow!!

Compare: Baratza Virtuoso vs. Breville Smart Grinder

Kat — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:10:18 +0000

For entry level espresso-grade grinders, the Baratza Virtuoso and the Breville Smart Grinder have a lot of features one might want to cuddle and caress (with the finger guards in place, of course!). At similar price points, how do their features and grind performance compare?

We asked Gail to take these out for a stroll and show them off for you. Watch her go through their features and functionality, then grind at three different settings (finest, medium, coarsest) to compare how the burrs practically perform.

Baratza Grinder Line-Up

Kat — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:56:44 +0000

Since our last look at Baratza’s offerings, they’ve added some new options and changed their line-up, so we asked Gail to provide us with an update.

Watch as she talks us through the different features of the Maestro Plus, Virtuoso, Preciso, Vario, Vario-W and the Esatto retrofit accessory. Then we demonstrate grind differences between the Maestro burrs, the Preciso burrs (used in the Virtuoso and the Preciso) and the Vario burrs (used in the Vario and Vario-W) to see how they compare at their finest and their coarsest.

Crew Review: Rancilio Egro Commercial Superautomatic – Redux!

Kat — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:52:46 +0000

When Gail first met this sophisticated robot about 18 months ago, they had a brief and fleeting affair, enabling her to get just a minor taste of its capabilities. We brought in a demo model a few months ago and Gail has now had the time to get up close and personal with Rancilio’s commercial superautomatic masterpiece, the Egro — so we decided it was time for a redux!

While she’s definitely bummed that it still won’t do her laundry, take the cat for a walk or read to her, she does dig it’s programming functionality, one-touch features and flexibility in formats! Watch as she walks us through all the features and specs, then demonstrates making a few different drinks.

Crew Review: La Spaziale Mini Vivaldi – Redux!

Kat — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:50:03 +0000

Recently revamped to offer a more streamlined case, different portafilter handle and the 4 .9mm hole steam tip as standard, the La Spaziale Mini Vivaldi is hands down our favorite double boiler on the market. And we do not say that lightly!

We love it’s size, its function (built in PID controls brew temp in 1 degree differentials) and the fact that it is NSF rated, making it the perfect choice for businesses that want to offer complementary coffee service without jumping into a full scale commercial machine. We’ve sold these to art galleries, caterers and bars — as well as super cool home espresso enthusiasts who want a more commercial looking machine on their counter top.

Watch as Gail takes us through all the features and specs, as well as demonstrates pulling shots and making a latte on the Mini Vivaldi.

Crew Review: Breville Smart Grinder Redux

Kat — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:01:53 +0000

After we tested the original Smart Grinder last year and found that it just didn’t grind fine enough for espresso, we talked with Breville and learned they had 2 solutions in the works: First, they offered a shim kit upgrade that could be added after the fact, allowing the customer to modify the grinder’s functionality in order to work well with espresso. Second, they were in the process of manufacturing new burrs with improved tolerances, with the ultimate goal of producing burrs that would grind at an espresso level of fineness without modification.

Now that we have a demo model with the upgraded burrs, we decided it was time for an update to our review of the Smart Grinder. Watch Gail take us through features and specs, then demonstrate different grind levels and see how it performs when paired with the La Spaziale Mini Vivaldi.

Crew Review: Baratza Virtuoso Model 586

Kat — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:13:57 +0000

Leave it to Baratza to take a good thing and make it better, right? Their well-loved Virtuoso has just been souped up with burrs that previously were included with the Preciso model. Why did they do this? Because they love you — of course! And also because it improves the overall consistency in the grind.

Watch Gail compare the older 585 model with the new 586.