Premium Espresso Machine - Sterling Branded
Knew what that link was going to be before I clicked it…. Mike (Jonathan Banks) from breaking bad is also in that movie.
If it is the same one that James Hoffman reviews, it might be hilariously bad - I would buy a Breville Bambino and a handgrinder or wait for a Breville Barista Express to go on sale at minimum (even though the inbuilt grinder is relatively average and for espresso only).
looks different…
this is a stirling, the one he reviewed as an ambiano.
also the bambino didn't rate too highly with Hoffman either…
The Bambino was still several echelons up from the Ambiano machine. He struggled to even get anything out of it.
I have DeLonghi Dedica EC685 and wanting to try unpressurised basket. Would Hario Mini Mill be good enough for it? Or do I need a better grinder if I want to go with unpressurised basket?
Kingrinder k4 or 1zpresso JX pro if can spring for it for unpressurised
I've read in the forum where people recommend 1zpresso JX pro. Are you saying that if I don't want to buy a new grinder yet, I better off use pressurised basket for now?
@peuwayaqdq: Depends, I wouldn't try and use the hario mill for unpressurised - would likely not go fine enough, wouldn't have appropriate espresso adjustment range, and would take forever trying to grind fine enough.
@blues99: I currently have my grinder set at 4 clicks. I can't go finer than that because Dedica will not push through. Is it because I use pressurised basket instead of the Dedica limitation (lack of pressure)? In other words, if I go unpressurised, I can use finer grind? Sorry … noob in coffee brewing.
I was in your situation before, bought a Delonghi Dedica EC685, a Breville Smart Grinder Pro, bought a bottomless porta filter comes with 2 cup basket, added a 1 cup basket, added a dual head tamper & distributor, added a dosing ring, and a WTD tool. Total cost over $400! Not worth it as for that price you might as well get a Breville Barista Express for $500 or Sunbeam Baristas Max for $345.
Yeah… I guess I'll use it for a while and then upgrade when the time comes.
Not a fan of the bambino, difficult to use and hard to get consistent results even with a high end grinder.
Not everyone has the budget, but I'd go dual boiler if I'm going to get a manual machine and put all that effort into making coffee.
Because of the HX you'll find you need to do a prewarming shot, I find the double bottomed basket to hold the hot water in the machine is best
The consistency of the shot seems way better after that simple change
Agree. I always run a blank shot before I pull a shot. Added bonus is it warms the cup up.
I've always managed to get consistently good coffee from my Bambino Plus - I'm sure I could get better elsewhere, but for the price ($360) and the ease of use for the less fussy coffee drinkers in my house, I'm happy with it.
Also = what is this "3 temperature settings: low (65°C), medium (70°C) and high (75°C)" you ain't extracting espresso at 65 degrees
or 75c
I assumed that was the steam wand, but even so, why have three close temperatures? Odd.
Would be a water wand in that case
Steam boiler temps are way hotter
Not at the top of mount Everest.
@TEER3X: What voltage are the power points up there, and do they accept the Australian-style plug? Does Aldi operate in Nepal/China? Good to know these things because everyone's use case is different.
You can’t get steam below boiling point..
My question exactly - generally you want to be somewhere in the 92-95c range depending on roast level. This ain’t extracting shit.
Surely it's a milk temperature sensor on the steam wand.
It's a good thought but 75 degree cows milk would be gross.
Thats a hot latte. Any hotter and the milk burns.
@kaboomxyu: They are all too hot
Milk shoukd be made around 58-63 degrees or else it contributes to a burnt flavour in coffee
@maverickjohn: Anyone buying this machine will say their milk coffees not hot enough at 65 and at 75 will be saying the milk is starting to smell eggy. I think it's a fair range for the price point.
@kaboomxyu: 70c is the point milk begins to break down and change consistency and taste. Any hotter than that will 'technically' ruin the coffee.
An 'extra hot' drink should be no hotter than 70 degrees.
A standard drink should be served at 58-65c, with 62c being the 'sweet spot' most would aim for.
Now, whether a customer likes overdone milk and demands a bad drink is up to them, but I think they're idiots as it's not really a 'personal taste' kind of deal; it's literally science.
@BradH13: These arent aimed at us coffee snobs. I think they would have more complaints having a lower temp range than a higher range.
well at least u can use this for 60 days and return it if its crap
Where do these aldi returns go? Do they just bin them? Never seen returned products back on the shelf.
They go back to Tempo and get sold as remanufactured (if used)
Through tempo website?
I guess I bought an oven and the element blew at 6 months. They told me to keep it and refunded me.
Bought a SMEG element from the UK (as it was the same element). Been working fine since.
Spoilers: it's going to be crap
Second this
No idea if this new one is any good, but we've got the one from this old deal and it's still going strong paired with an old Breville dose control grinder.
Gets used daily, filled with filtered water (britta/costo filter) and cheap coffee beans (vittoria/harris/woolworths/caffe aurora).
Obviously this one is different but just wanted to share my 2c in case it helps anyone.
60-days return is worth the risk. I'm also interested in their Vacuum food saver $39.99. Has anyone used this food saver before? I would love to cut back on food waste
We have a vac food saver from Aldi and love it. Been 3 years since we bought and it doesn't skip a beat. Keeps meat and pasta sauce really well… just as good as the big dollar brands.
Awesome. I will grab one as these are very well priced
Looks to be this one: https://stirlingappliances.com.au/product/premium-espresso-m…
Lots more specs on this page
It really does have brew temperatures of 65, 70 and 75 degrees which is really sad. You cannot do proper espresso at these temperatures. All your shots would be sour and underextracted.
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.
It even said on the box that it's PID controlled. But what's the point if max temp is 75. Better get one of those Sunbeam machines or better yet, just get yourself a Gaggia Classic Pro and be happy for yearssss…
Would suggest you put little bit more (extra 150) and buy barista express. At least it has a wide range of spare parts and servicing.
Definitely, the Stirling Aldi espresso machine is the best value money can get you for A$300.
— Ryd Jeavons
Personally I’d go for the EM5300S which is a bit cheaper right now at SunBeam Amazon
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/728324