Everyone always preaches "grinder > machine" so I decided to test the theory in a budget-friendly way.
I'm coming from about 5 years of using a Phillips 3200 super automatic, which constantly left me disappointed. My new setup makes coffee drinks 100x better than the Phillips and I will never go back.
Here's the full setup:
* Neretva Espresso Machine: $100 retail (yes, from Amazon)
* Geimori GU64 Grinder: $400 retail (single-dose, 64mm flat burr)
* Bottomless portafilter: $30
* IMS Precision filter basket: $20
* Self-leveling tamper, puck screen, WDT tool: $50
Total espresso gear value is around $600 (more on that later) and I'm pulling shots that I genuinely look forward to every morning.
I've been using Caffe Borbone Crema Superiore beans and the results have been stupidly good. Nice crema, balanced flavor, zero channeling after the upgrades. The stock frother on the Neretva actually steams milk way better than I expected for the price. Zero complaints after dialing in the upgrades.
I know these cheap Amazon machines get a ton of hate, but with a proper grinder and a couple of cheap mods this thing is punching way above its weight.
Here's the kicker on the $600 price tag… I actually only paid around $200 total. I got the Neretva for $30 and the Geimori GU64 for $80 from a local Amazon returns auction warehouse. Both were in like new condition, but the grinder did need a little cleaning. Even at full price I wouldn't have regretted it, I'm just glad I got a great deal.
Anyone else running a similar setup? Would love to hear what you guys are working with.
by _Physical-Mixture_
15 Comments
You like that flat burr better than the conical burr? I’m trying to decide on a grinder now
That looks great! Grinders used to be the hardest part to get right, quality machines were only designed for commercial volumes. The middle has filled in and it’s glorious.
I got a question though, how do you like that scale, and what kind is it? My cheap Amazon scale has an unfortunate habit of changing its reading even with nothing on it…
That is amazing! Great insights, thank you for sharing!
The scale is sending me bc i have the same one for drugs lmfao
I got your reply about the scale last night but when I went to read the entire thing it said your post was deleted. Anyway, thanks for replying even if I couldn’t read the entire post.
I asked about the scale because I actually like how it looks and it’s perfect for weighing yeast when I make pizza and bread. I like that extreme accuracy for salt and yeast.
I’m going to try the opposite direction. Spent my budget on a $500 Cafelat Robot and was going to try the AliExpress Hibrew G5 grinder ($175).
I also have the same scale.
Ideal tablet in a vacuum…
I think I’m most surprised that they actually make a bottomless portafilter for this.
That’s awesome. I just read this article: [https://www.wired.com/story/casabrews-5700-espresso-machine-java-base/](https://www.wired.com/story/casabrews-5700-espresso-machine-java-base/)
Yup. That’s how it is supposed to work!
Well your puck filter (IMS) is phenomenal 😬
Your Normcore Tamper may be valued at the same value as your machine.
I couldn’t agree more! My family are Caffe Borbone loyalists, and my mom bought their little didi espresso machine for next to nothing and i’ve been super impressed.
I had a Flair Pro 3 and a Mazzer Super Jolly. (Did get the Flair on sale and Mazzer used from a coffee shop, so total cost in the $700 range.)
My son took the Flair when he moved overseas, so I ended up buying my end game machine, Olympia Cremina with all the accessories, and thereby breaking the grinder > machine rule.