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Cafe at Home Espresso Set-Up - Silvia and Preciso
* Image is a representation. Actual product may vary based on model, size, and options selected.
Overview
We are often asked what we recommend as the most affordable espresso machine and espresso grinder. Depending on the customer's needs, that recommendation almost always lands squarely the two machines we're bringing together in this bundle: the Rancilio Silvia and the Baratza Preciso. When it comes to high quality home espresso machines, the Rancilio Silvia is arguably the most popular semi-automatic home espresso machine of the last 15 years. Praised for its build quality and style at an affordable cost, this single-boiler machine has gained a massive fan-base over the years. Similarly, before the Baratza Virtuoso Preciso, you would be hard pressed to find a grinder capable of producing a good quality espresso grind under $350. With the Baratza Virtuoso Preciso you have freedom of up to 440 possible grinding adjustments. This allows you to have the small enough increments to perfectly dial in your espresso grind. Taking the quality and affordability brought about by both the Silvano and Preciso, we believe this bundle is the best deal you'll find for a complete home espresso set-up.
Rancilio Silvia Features:
- Stainless Steel Body
- 300mL Brass Boiler
- Commercial size grouphead (58mm)
- A 3-way solenoid valve which depressurizes the grouphead allowing the user to remove the portafilter immediately after pulling a shot.
- 2 Liter Water Reservoir
- *Backflush disk not included, may be added by selecting "Click for Available Options" above.
- For more details on the Silvano, see our Rancilio Silvia listing.
Baratza Virtuoso Preciso Features:
- Advance burrs help produce a more consistent grind.
- There are 40 steps from French Press to Espresso and a micro-adjustment lever which further divides these steps into 11 smaller increments.
- Pulse grind button on the front of the grinder allows for small dosage.
- For more details on the Preciso, see our Baratza Virtuoso Preciso listing.
For what you need to get started making great espresso, we recommend adding the Home Espresso Starter Kit below by selecting it from the options above. These items in this kit total $160 when bought separately, but we're offering them for $99 when added to this Cafe at Home Bundle.
Home Espresso Starter Kit* Includes:
Brand
Baratza is the company at the forefront of home coffee grinding innovation. Before Baratza entered the coffee manufacturing scene, one was hard pressed to find an affordable burr coffee grinder. Now, home baristas and cafes alike have multiple affordable burr grinders to choose from courtesy of the U.S. based company. Baratza currently offers five different burr grinders: Baratza Maestro Plus, Baratza Virtuoso, Baratza Virtuoso Preciso, Baratza Vario, and the weight based grinding Baratza Vario-W. In addition to this lineup, Baratza has also released a weight based grinding attachment for their grinders, the Baratza Esatto. One popular mantra from the coffee world is: the biggest investment a coffee fan can make is in a high quality grinder. Baratza has made the "investment" part of that coffee truism a lot more attainable.
- 4/29 - Boston Translation or:...
- 4/9 - SCAA 2013: Boston-bound...
- 3/27 - Save Big with Bobby...
- 3/13 - 5 Smashing Coffee Beers...
- 2/15 - Latte Heart Winner...
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Hario's stainless steel water kettle, the V60 Buono, has been spotted popping up in coffee houses and the kitchens of baristas for some time now. A detailed search on the web will reveal, for the moment at least, that the Buono seems to be widely accepted as the most useful pouring kettle available. What makes this kettle so popular amongst pour-over enthusiasts? Several reasons stand out.
First, the thin pouring spout enables greater pouring precision as well as a slower, more consistent and controlled rate of pour, both of which are very helpful in achieving a precise, prolonged extraction.
Second, the stainless steel construction and large 1 liter capacity contribute toward keeping up the brew temperature for the duration of the entire brew cycle.
Third, the ergonomics involved in the design of the kettle help to make using it much easier. This may not seem like much, but if you're brewing large batches of coffee and pouring for three or more minutes per batch, doing several batches of coffee will quickly become a chore if your kettle doesn't cooperate with you.
Combine all of these facets with the fact that the Buono is manufactured by Hario, a very popular name in the coffee-brewing community, and the kettle's popularity is easily understood. For best results, combine the Buono with a V60 Dripper or Chemex to get a truly exceptional cup of coffee. -
Few advancements in espresso machine technology over the past fifty years could be called revolutionary. The latest advancement featured in La Marzocco's Strada Electronic Paddle (EP) is one that has earned that title. Pressure profiling was first introduced into the mass market in 2009 by the Slayer Espresso Machine. The La Marzocco Strada takes this new technology to the next level by allowing the barista to save up to four pressure profiles at any given time. Along with the ability to save profiles, each group has a digital display that shows the temperature (±0.1°C), shot time, and current bars of pressure (±.1 Bar). The Strada perfectly combines the durability and workmanship of La Marzocco with the technology of the future.
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Tampers are as diverse as the baristas who use them. Our new tamper meets the needs of almost any barista, whether professionally trained or newly beginning. With its durable aluminum handle and wide, smooth top, the tamper is ergonomically designed to fit comfortably into the palm unlike other overly rounded handles which can press a little too tightly into the hand of the barista, or flat topped handles which can become uncomfortable after extended use.
The base of the Prima tamper is of a hefty 304 stainless steel design. This solid steel base combined with the light, detachable aluminum handle adds balanced weight to the tamper which helps aid the barista in providing an even tamp, shot after shot.
