anyone knows how long I can keep cold brew in the fridge?
Planning to brew about 500g this weekend.

Any store recommended for a casual coffee person to find manual coffee machines for weekend brewing?

I saw those mainstream outlets but their price looks a little "unattractive"

Hold up, do you mean whole beans?
If that's the case, anywhere between three to five weeks, depending on the roast.
Lighter roasts tend to last longer than darker ones.

Pro tip: Never keep them in the fridge. The huge difference in temperature will cause the beans to lose flavour faster.
Once you get your beans and open the pack, seal them tight, keep in an airtight container in a cool, dry and dark place.



What's the budget like, if you don't mind us asking?
I'm no good at recommendations, but there are some folks in this thread selling off their pre-loved machines at good prices.

Probably around 1,000 at most.

Can't be getting pre-loved.

It's a gift so likely to purchase new stuffs.

Saw a Philip Saeco for around 700 range. Review seems decent

Nah, @razorkid's talking about cold brewing. Grind and brew 12hrs overnight in fridge for a smooth low acidity, low bitterness drink
I reckon roughly 1 month is not too bad but 500g is alot bro - 1:4 ratio thats 2litres of coffee concentrate

As I thought, I think I will separate them into 2 250g batches, I usually go for 1:4 or 1:4.5 using much less ground coffee
I have the sudden urge to make some cold brew after having one last week

I'm actually having one right now done by a friend - a Sumatran Adsenia. Nice and bold upfront and a toasted nut finish

To my knowledge there are only a few machines within your budget:

- Philips Saeco Poemia
- Delonghi EC250
- Delonghi ECOV311

And if you are willing to stretch you budget for something that is much more presentable (IMHO anyways), the Delonghi EC680.

At this price, you get pretty much the same thing: single boiler, thermostat-controlled, pressurised portafilter, panarello wand.....

My budget is/was the same; that's why I can reply..... :-)

Aesthetics matters not.

What I would want is best bang for bucks with decent customer service

May want to try one before buying. At that budget, there are a lot of compromises.

If you don't have a grinder, get one first. Then a brewer or a few brewers, eg Moka Pot, Dripper, Aeropress etc.

But if you're dead set on a machine, lowkl's suggestions are spot on, unless you get one used.

Where can I try one?

Used machines ain't cheap too and i have a thing about buying used stuffs unless I know the seller personally

Speaking of Saeco Peomia (which is quite in high regard among some beginners' circles), I don't know where you can actually "try" (as in, brewing some shots), but you can actually "touch" (as in, hands on) at most Harvey Norman shops.

That one, I touched more than 100 times already

What I am looking for is a place to test run such devices

Thanks for the suggestions anyways.

Actually, I wouldn't mind taking part in a "shoot-out"... a side-by-side comparison of different equipment, techniques, beans. I can bring my Poemia & 600N grinder (pretty much the definition of low-cost, entry level espresso) to set the lowest baseline. All we need is a space, power supply for the equipment, a sink with a decent water filter..... pretty much everything else can be thrown in the back of the car.

Who's bungalow is up for rent? We need it for this shoot-out!

Actually I don't mind learning from more experienced people as well.

A good cuppa coffee does not come from equipment alone.

One must have good technique as well in order to make a good cup of coffee.

Just that I doubt people here are so free to invite everyone to their place and learn from one another.

It's a great idea thou, people of like-minded could meet up and learn from each other

Sign me up, please!
Though i'm a press kinda guy, my main interest is to see the differences between the grinding gear you guys have.

(I wonder who'll be able to host us..)

This post has been edited by AzrinRain: Feb 17 2016, 05:00 PM

So I did a little googling and found a Saeco Pomea for 699 at Best Denki

However, finance minister has approved for a budget increase up to double of my initial 1,000 budget.

It has now gone up to 2-3 region.

Was looking at Breville at that range.

Any better suggestions?

This post has been edited by chiahau: Feb 19 2016, 07:08 PM

You are all good on the grinder front?

Haha, i remembered an old adage that went "you'll actually spend more on the grinder than the coffee machine".
I think they're not kidding!

IMHO with pretty much any machine you can get a decent cup (though a very good machine can have lots of control to give you a *potentially * amazing cup). However, if you only have a mediocre grinder even this fantastic machine will be inferior.

Furthermore a good grinder can contribute to any brewing method.