Green Coffee Buying Club

Coffee Discussion boards => Hardware & Equipment => Topic started by: malighthill on December 20, 2017, 07:25:43 AM

Title: Trolling for info on Isomac Tea
Post by: malighthill on December 20, 2017, 07:25:43 AM: I found a local seller of an Isomac Tea. He told me that he is not the original owner, but believes the original owner purchased it in 2009. That would make it the v1, correct? He's asking $850, which to me seems high for a 8yo machine. I know the earlier Isomac machines did have some build issues, and when La Pavoni bought them most of those were corrected, but I can't find when that happened.
Are there any things I should look for if I take a look at this?
TIA
Title: Re: Trolling for info on Isomac Tea
Post by: Joe on December 21, 2017, 12:55:49 PM: My friend had a Tea pronounced Te.. ah like the name. I thought it was a misstep naming it after a competing beverage. ;D It was good machine, I wouldn't mind having one at all.
Title: Re: Trolling for info on Isomac Tea
Post by: malighthill on December 21, 2017, 01:15:57 PM: Thanks.
I got him to knock 2 bills off, so I'm picking it up tomorrow. Should be a nice upgrade from my Gaggia Baby. :)
Title: Re: Trolling for info on Isomac Tea
Post by: Joe on December 21, 2017, 01:17:17 PM: Quote from: malighthill on December 21, 2017, 01:15:57 PM
Thanks.
I got him to knock 2 bills off, so I'm picking it up tomorrow. Should be a nice upgrade from my Gaggia Baby. :)

Yeah I think you will really like it. It has a cool Lever on off switch thing. Not to be confused with an actual lever espresso machine.
Title: Re: Trolling for info on Isomac Tea
Post by: malighthill on December 31, 2017, 07:07:16 AM: Well, it looks like a beast compared to my Gaggia Baby. It did need a good cleaning, and temp adjustment. And, was missing the drip tray cover, but Steffano had a used one I picked up. Now I'm just wondering if I need to upgrade from my Rancillio Dosser grinder.
Title: Re: Trolling for info on Isomac Tea
Post by: mp on February 02, 2018, 09:29:59 AM: Welcome to the Tea club.

How are you enjoying the coffee so far?

:)
Title: Re: Trolling for info on Isomac Tea
Post by: grinderz on February 03, 2018, 10:57:55 AM: If you're current grinder can grind fine enough to choke the Tea, then it's probably "good enough." You might find some improvement in your shots with a "better" grinder, but I'd say the Rocky is at the beginning point on the curve in terms of diminishing returns to price ratio. In other words, you can spend a lot more on the grinder for modest returns in quality. If you're a tight wad like me and you regret every $$ you spend, then I'd suggest a used commercial grinder like a Super Jolly or similar as the best way to improve quality at a decent price.
Title: Re: Trolling for info on Isomac Tea
Post by: mp on February 03, 2018, 11:18:18 AM: Quote from: grinderz on February 03, 2018, 10:57:55 AM
If you're current grinder can grind fine enough to choke the Tea, then it's probably "good enough." You might find some improvement in your shots with a "better" grinder, but I'd say the Rocky is at the beginning point on the curve in terms of diminishing returns to price ratio. In other words, you can spend a lot more on the grinder for modest returns in quality. If you're a tight wad like me and you regret every $$ you spend, then I'd suggest a used commercial grinder like a Super Jolly or similar as the best way to improve quality at a decent price.

+1

When I started my espresso journey, I purchaed a La Cimbali Junior grinder. I even bought replacement burrs just in case ... I have yet to replace them. A high end Italian espresso grinder that is second hand is a great value and a god's end for great espresso shots.

My 2 cents worth.

:)
Title: Re: Trolling for info on Isomac Tea
Post by: Ascholten on February 03, 2018, 01:28:21 PM: I just received my bunn commercial grinder yesterday, it can cough out a pound of coffee in about 40 seconds. YES, espresso here I come!!

Aaron
Title: Re: Trolling for info on Isomac Tea
Post by: mp on February 03, 2018, 03:27:15 PM: Quote from: Ascholten on February 03, 2018, 01:28:21 PM
I just received my bunn commercial grinder yesterday, it can cough out a pound of coffee in about 40 seconds. YES, espresso here I come!!

Aaron

Second hand Aaron?

:)
Title: Re: Trolling for info on Isomac Tea
Post by: Ascholten on February 03, 2018, 05:15:37 PM: No mp, I got it new. I was looking at second hand but you can never tell and I didn't want to have to frick with something to get it cleaned / working etc. IF someone here was selling that'd be one thing but e bay can scare me on some stuff. Ill be able to write it off against the business anyways so am not overly concerned on the price. Im finding that I am having a lot of folks asking me for coffee now, Ive given away a lot over time, I just like to give away roasted coffee to friends / co workers, etc and discuss it with them. Now a lot of people want to buy it from me so I am finding that I am roasting more and more and I don't want to kill my Astra / Super Jolly / Barista etc running pounds and pounds of coffee through them. Besides, they are slow, this thing will eat a pound in about 30 seconds or so. It has an espresso / turkish coffee setting. For S&G's I might try it one day just to see how well it does on the grind and pulling a shot.

Aaron
Title: Re: Trolling for info on Isomac Tea
Post by: mp on February 03, 2018, 05:22:37 PM: Quote from: Ascholten on February 03, 2018, 05:15:37 PM
No mp, I got it new. I was looking at second hand but you can never tell and I didn't want to have to frick with something to get it cleaned / working etc. IF someone here was selling that'd be one thing but e bay can scare me on some stuff. Ill be able to write it off against the business anyways so am not overly concerned on the price. Im finding that I am having a lot of folks asking me for coffee now, Ive given away a lot over time, I just like to give away roasted coffee to friends / co workers, etc and discuss it with them. Now a lot of people want to buy it from me so I am finding that I am roasting more and more and I don't want to kill my Astra / Super Jolly / Barista etc running pounds and pounds of coffee through them. Besides, they are slow, this thing will eat a pound in about 30 seconds or so. It has an espresso / turkish coffee setting. For S&G's I might try it one day just to see how well it does on the grind and pulling a shot.

Aaron

Well done!

It sounds like a beast.

:)
Title: Re: Trolling for info on Isomac Tea
Post by: Ascholten on February 04, 2018, 03:53:58 AM: it is pretty hefty. Sometimes you read dimensions and it doens't click, you vaguely remember seeing one in the grocery store or something, then it arrives and it's like holy crap, oh wow that thing is.. umm... big... where the hell am I going to put it. I think it will end up on a roller table or something so i can wheel it out of the way when not using it. Like this morning I ground up 3 Lbs of a Mexican I had roasted a few days ago to bring to some of my customers in a little bit, it took a whole minute maybe a min and a half. If I had to do this on my mazzer it'd still be chugging. The super jolly does ok but it's not 'that' fast. Then again, I don't want to run that for 10 minutes at at a time either and I like keeping it dialed in close to where it's supposed to be for espresso so I don't have to play with it again 7 more times, half a pound of powder later to get it dialed in.

Aaron
Title: Re: Trolling for info on Isomac Tea
Post by: mp on February 04, 2018, 06:35:25 AM: Quote from: Ascholten on February 04, 2018, 03:53:58 AM
it is pretty hefty. Sometimes you read dimensions and it doens't click, you vaguely remember seeing one in the grocery store or something, then it arrives and it's like holy crap, oh wow that thing is.. umm... big... where the hell am I going to put it. I think it will end up on a roller table or something so i can wheel it out of the way when not using it. Like this morning I ground up 3 Lbs of a Mexican I had roasted a few days ago to bring to some of my customers in a little bit, it took a whole minute maybe a min and a half. If I had to do this on my mazzer it'd still be chugging. The super jolly does ok but it's not 'that' fast. Then again, I don't want to run that for 10 minutes at at a time either and I like keeping it dialed in close to where it's supposed to be for espresso so I don't have to play with it again 7 more times, half a pound of powder later to get it dialed in.

Aaron

For sure.

It sounds like you purchased the right machine for the task at hand.

Enjoy!

:)
Title: Re: Trolling for info on Isomac Tea
Post by: peter on February 04, 2018, 08:36:08 AM: Sometimes you just have to tell yourself, "Ain't it great to be single?".
Title: Re: Trolling for info on Isomac Tea
Post by: mp on February 04, 2018, 08:44:03 AM: Quote from: peter on February 04, 2018, 08:36:08 AM
Sometimes you just have to tell yourself, "Ain't it great to be single?".

Hahaha ... good one Peter!

Good for Aaron, he wanted a brand new beast. No other person's machine for Aaron. So would I, if I could afford it.

:)
Title: Re: Trolling for info on Isomac Tea
Post by: Ascholten on February 04, 2018, 11:42:29 AM: I know parts are available all over bla bla, but this way I know what I am getting, and since it is for my business, I wanted to be sure. I don't want to be grinding up coffee for my customers with something that had dead roaches or something all up in it. I spent many years in the Navy, and often had to work on machinery in the food prep areas, trust me, I have seen all kinds of disgusting in places you'd never ever imagine. I've been roasting most the day today, it's a really crappy day out so that makes it a good day to roast. Garage door open and the Artisan 6 is rolling away. Testing some samples I got and doing up a 6 Lb batch for hand outs later this week.

Aaron
Title: Re: Trolling for info on Isomac Tea
Post by: mp on February 04, 2018, 11:46:49 AM: Great way to enjoy your day Aaron!

:)
Title: Re: Trolling for info on Isomac Tea
Post by: grinderz on February 04, 2018, 02:41:58 PM: Quote from: peter on February 04, 2018, 08:36:08 AM
Sometimes you just have to tell yourself, "Ain't it great to be single?".
I don't know about that... but at least you'll never hear the wife complain, "When are you going to get this transmission out of the bathtub so I can take a shower?" ;D
Title: Re: Trolling for info on Isomac Tea
Post by: mp on February 04, 2018, 02:52:51 PM: Quote from: grinderz on February 04, 2018, 02:41:58 PM
I don't know about that... but at least you'll never hear the wife complain, "When are you going to get this transmission out of the bathtub so I can take a shower?" ;D

So true!

:o
Title: Re: Trolling for info on Isomac Tea
Post by: Ascholten on February 04, 2018, 02:59:46 PM: and then is when you tell her that is why you left the garden house unrolled in the backyard :)

Aaron
Title: Re: Trolling for info on Isomac Tea
Post by: mp on February 04, 2018, 03:05:52 PM: Quote from: Ascholten on February 04, 2018, 02:59:46 PM
and then is when you tell her that is why you left the garden house unrolled in the backyard :)

Aaron

Hahaha.

Good one Aaron!

:)
Title: Re: Trolling for info on Isomac Tea
Post by: ptrmorton on February 04, 2018, 03:06:49 PM: Quote from: Ascholten on February 04, 2018, 02:59:46 PM
and then is when you tell her that is why you left the garden house unrolled in the backyard :)

Aaron

Hmmm.
Title: Re: Trolling for info on Isomac Tea
Post by: grinderz on February 04, 2018, 05:50:55 PM: Now we know why Aaron is single? :o
And also why he walks funny. ;D
Title: Re: Trolling for info on Isomac Tea
Post by: grinderz on February 04, 2018, 05:51:35 PM: I have to say, this is a jim-dandy of a thread hi-jack. It's starting to feel like old times around here.
Title: Re: Trolling for info on Isomac Tea
Post by: mp on February 04, 2018, 05:55:52 PM: Quote from: grinderz on February 04, 2018, 05:51:35 PM
I have to say, this is a jim-dandy of a thread hi-jack. It's starting to feel like old times around here.

Back to the future.

;D
Title: Re: Trolling for info on Isomac Tea
Post by: Badam on February 06, 2018, 09:38:50 AM: Quote from: Ascholten on February 03, 2018, 01:28:21 PM
I just received my bunn commercial grinder yesterday, it can cough out a pound of coffee in about 40 seconds. YES, espresso here I come!!

Aaron

If it has an "espresso" setting on it it should be good enough. Right? ::) I have my first Cuisinart disk "burr" grinder that says espresso if anyone needs an upgrade.

Congrats on the growth! Hopefully one day we'll all be coming down to Jacksonville to visit your coffeehouse.
Title: Re: Trolling for info on Isomac Tea
Post by: mp on February 06, 2018, 11:30:47 AM: Quote from: Badam on February 06, 2018, 09:38:50 AM
If it has an "espresso" setting on it it should be good enough. Right? ::) I have my first Cuisinart disk "burr" grinder that says espresso if anyone needs an upgrade.

Congrats on the growth! Hopefully one day we'll all be coming down to Jacksonville to visit your coffeehouse.

Badam, what are you saying, just because it mentions espresso doesn't mean it's true?

;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Trolling for info on Isomac Tea
Post by: Ascholten on February 06, 2018, 12:38:53 PM: badam, espresso has to actually be fairly precisely dialed in. Granted the thing was expensive enough to be a high end espresso grinder, but if it really does is an entirely different story. The 'dial in' on it is actually 24 notches you click click to dial in, that's fairly precise but may not be precise enough to hit a god shot. I'll give it a shot down in that range and see what kind of espresso it does pull but am not exactly holding my breath. It also has a turkish coffee setting too, even finer than espresso so what does that give me, cocoa? :)

Aaron
Title: Re: Trolling for info on Isomac Tea
Post by: malighthill on April 09, 2018, 11:12:29 AM: I'd looked here in a little while, but interestingly enough I am looking at upgrading my grinder now.
Trying to decide between the Baratza Sette 270, Eureka Mignon, or the Compak K3 Touch.
Title: Re: Trolling for info on Isomac Tea
Post by: Ascholten on April 09, 2018, 03:40:09 PM: I've heard good about the Baratza, I couldn't comment on the others to be honest. Perhaps someone else can chime in?

Aaron
Title: Re: Trolling for info on Isomac Tea
Post by: ptrmorton on April 09, 2018, 05:26:27 PM: My friend has the Sette and he is a fair espresso fanatic. He loves it.
Title: Re: Trolling for info on Isomac Tea
Post by: malighthill on April 09, 2018, 06:53:11 PM: Thanks for the input.