Our love/hate relationship with our Capresso C-1000 Super Automatic has ended with its premature demise. It lived for 6 years. If truth be told, I was rooting for its death this past year. The problem is that these machines make a pretty good espresso, but never a great one. So I am replacing my super automatic with a semi automatic. Now the burden will be on me to make great espresso. I ended up with a double boiler model as a sop to my wife. They look like they are somewhat easier to use. Now the roles are reversed. I love it and my wife hates it.

One thing is certain. The coffee crowd is even more fanatical than the wine crowd. They remind me of the high-end analog audio folks!

Introducing the Expobar Brewtus II (e tu?).

So Dave, you've had a month to play with it. How do you like it?

It will be a while still before I upgrade my Silvia, but I was reading about the Brewtus the other day. Sounds like it is a bit easier to use than a heat exchange model, but a bit pricier.

- Bryan

I am still coming to grips with the new machine, but a few things are clear. Apart from a few cups that needed (and were) tossed, every cup has been better than the super-automatic. The debate over machines is painfully reminiscent of the debate over analog turntables. Emotions may run high, but all of the high-end machines produce great espresso. I wouldn't fret too much about making your choice.

One thing is painfully obvious, the grinder really IS important. All of the cups that I have tossed have been because of poor grinds. My $200 Baratza Virtuoso grinder is barely up to the task (in fact, without taking it apart and adjusting the grind it would have failed miserably). The lesson is that you need to factor a quality grinder in your budget. I do like the convenience of a double boiler model. I don't know if it is worth the extra cash, but I am pretty sure that my wife would never go with the temperature surfing associated with the single boiler.

I am going to sign up for some barista classes to take care of this operator error issue that I keep experiencing.