After the demise of my Gaggia, I was pretty gutted and it was as if my whole coffee world had collapsed, sad I know. However after being forced into this corner I had to resort to other methods of brewing.
I started back with the press pot and Jims method. Very satisfying coffees and an almost enjoyable ritual in the making. I experimented with scooping and not scooping and the difference was clear cut.
I then moved back to the Aeropress. I had only really ever used this for camping trips but decided to really give it a go. I tried the bog standard method, then took elements from the Chemex method, whereby I let it blood and then slowly added water. I found this gave a more satisfying cup.
I then bit the bullet and bought a Chemex yesterday as I felt I owed it to myself to give it a go. I had some El Salvador CoE Laguna to put through it and went right ahead. Forst I was stunned by the visual clarity. I couldn't help holding the Chemx up to a light and seeing how Red and crystal clear the coffee was. I found the coffee incredibly sweet, crisp and pure compared to other methods. The simplicity of this method and the results just don't add up!
So I was left pondering the espresso/machine.
I have had a few shots out and about and while I enjoyed them to a degree, it all seemed, well rather crude and haphazard. I have come, over the years to appreciate how finiky the espresso is and all the variables, yet I am now left wondering, is it actually worth all that fuss? With a $60 Chemex, some filter papers and hot water I can get an exceptionally smooth, sweet drink which is totally consistent and easy to clean! Yet despite all the back flushing, stripping PIDing, insulating, temp surfing and stability issues etc we still never achieve the fabled 'god' shot.
While I may still get the machine up and running or replace, I doubt it will be in use as much as it was, because for me now, espresso is a crude, inconsistent method. Long live the Chemex and brewed coffee!