I’m an advocate for separate grinder and espresso machines, just seems like an unnecessary complication, and the combo machines seem to take up more space than both the dedicated ones.
If you are looking at the lower end of the market, spare parts and repairability are often nonexistent or afterthoughts at best. If combo machine breaks you now have to get another combo or buy the separates, and even the best value combo is more $ than comparable separates.
Well I’ve asked Santa for an AeroPress for Christmas, I take a French press camping but we broke it this year. Planning on getting the metal filter, and finding out myself.
Do you have a Costco near you? I usually get Lavazza beans when it’s on offer for £10/$13 per kg (~2lbs) but Amazon sometimes have it cheaper delivered. One word of warning though, the Kirkland coffee beans are terrible, no idea how they make It so bitter.
Also have you tried a re-usable metal filter for your AeroPress?
Do you just roast it in your home oven? Does it make your house smell like a Starbucks knock box?
Just had this conversation with my partner who wanted to get a Nespresso (no idea why). I also have an espresso machine and have 2 large coffees a day, a 1kg bag of beans is £10 ( $13) and lasts over a month. Espresso machine and a grinder is the most eco and pocket friendly way.
What phone do you have?
Me! I need that. I use thermal imaging to fix things from plumbing, cars, to circuit boards. I use it to see if my dog is still at the end of the garden at night and to find draughts in the home. Thermal imaging is useful AF.
Hozelock adapter with some authentic garden hose cable sleeving.
Ooh not sure we have those in the UK, we do have San Francisco Bay coffee beans which are good but Lavazza is smoother. I did wonder if the San Fran was just for us in Europe so we had “Exotic American” coffee.