Home setup

[Snowbeast]

First of all if this is in the wrong section I do apologise.
I am looking to step my coffee being up a notch - but there s a catch. I'm recently engaged and will get murdered should I spend big and not save for the big day. I want to start roasting, grinding and brewing at home.
First the roasting. A local roaster suggested a popcorn machine to start. Is their any merit in this suggestion? I will upgrade, Just not now. The grinder, I'm hoping to get a hand grinder that has burrs and a manual grind adjustment. Once again it fits my budget. To brew I have a percolator and a pour over thingamabob, hoping to upgrade to an aeropress. Is this a good starting point?
Cheers,
Bruce

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[PinkRose]

Hello "Snowbeast" (Bruce)

Congratulations on your engagement!

I seriously doubt that you'll get "murdered" if you spend big on your home coffee setup, but it's very nice that you're thinking of keeping it simple for the time being.

The items that you mentioned are about as simple as you can get. If you're afraid you'll get "murdered" for making those choices, you'd better re-think your engagement.

Making coffee using the items that you mentioned may be a slight upgrade from whatever you're currently using, but it won't be fantastic. However, you'll get a lot of pleasure from roasting, grinding, and brewing your coffee .... which is also a huge benefit.

The popcorn machine for roasting coffee will be a challenge, but if you're determined, you'll figure out how to do it. The manual grinder will also be a challenge, until you experiment and get it set to the grind setting that you like. The pourover and the Aeropress are very inexpensive, and you'll get decent coffee from them, so at least you won't feel like you're splurging right now.

Weddings are very expensive, and they create nice memories. However, I'm guessing that many of us, who have "been there and done that," wish we had gotten an expensive home coffee setup instead.

Best wishes,
Rose

 

[Snowbeast]

Murder might have been a strong word, haha. What would you suggest as a starting setup aiming at getting the most from my Equipment.
Coffee seems to have specialised equipment that one can't DIY (I built a mini brewery using items in the House and it cost me less than $100)

Maybe start with a good grinder, buy beans, then roaster, then aeropress then get a espresso machine after.
Cheers.

 

[PinkRose]

Do you buy your roasted beans from a local roaster? If you do, then you can skip the roasting your own coffee step for now.

Most people on this Forum would tell you to spend your available money on the best grinder you can get.

Which way do you usually brew your coffee? Do you use your percolator or your "pour over thingamabob" (the method of brewing makes a difference)

Do you also drink espresso or espresso-based coffee drinks (lattes etc.)

Does your fiance also enjoy coffee, or are you doing all this just for yourself?

Rose

 

[Snowbeast]

Thank you for the advice on the grinder.
The beans are from a local roaster so yes I can pause on the roaster for a while. By saying local it is a 140km round trip but do worth it
I mainly use the pour over unit as I am the only one in the House that drinks ground coffee and it makes one cup at a time. The percolator Just sits until I have guests.
I love espresso and it's my goal to get an espresso machine.

Thanks for the advice

 

[batman]

Thank you for the advice on the grinder.
The beans are from a local roaster so yes I can pause on the roaster for a while. By saying local it is a 140km round trip but do worth it
I mainly use the pour over unit as I am the only one in the House that drinks ground coffee and it makes one cup at a time. The percolator Just sits until I have guests.
I love espresso and it's my goal to get an espresso machine.

Thanks for the advice

I can speak a little bit to the hot air popcorn roasting!

First - absolutely agree about the grinder. If you dont' have a good grinder, you want have good coffee. So start there.

Once you're ready to experiment with your own roasting, I've found the hot air popper to be a good starting point. I found mine for $5 at a local thrift store, so when I roast a batch that doesn't come out great, I don't feel so bad. I put about 1/4 cup of unroasted beans in to roast at a time - yes it's small, but it is the only way I can get close to an even roast. Then it all comes down to what you hear, see, and smell. Lots of experimenting - lots of fun. Not a long term solution for me, but a good starting point!

Let me know if you want any more details on the popper - and good luck!

 

[Snowbeast]

I believe you need to find one that does not switch itself off as a safety feature. Is there a specific name for that.