Smoked Texas-Style Brisket

[UWFSAE]

There's nothing wrong with using instant coffee, but if you're going to go that route I think you'd be pleased with espresso powder.  I've ordered this when I don't want to brave a run to Central Market or Whole Foods and it is very high quality:  http://www.amazon.com/Instant-Expresso-Coffee-for-Baking/dp/B000MS3YI0/

My better half makes killer brownies using this stuff and I've "borrowed" some on occasion for my own diabolical ends ...

 

[DivotMaker]

If it only aids in a dark bark formation, and you don't taste or "feel" it after cooking (as I've found out, and many posters have mentioned), why are we so concerned about the brand or style of coffee?  I re-ground an "off the shelf" Folger's coffee, and it worked great.  What's the reason I should buy some really over-priced blend to have the same result?  Just wondering...

 

[UWFSAE]

Espresso powder has a richer, fuller flavor than traditional instant coffee and you don't risk it becoming bitter in greater quantities in baking/smoking/grilling applications ... it's actually designed for this purpose.  There's a mocha note that espresso brings to the table that compliments beef very well and stronger smokes like mesquite and hickory seem to really make it pop.  But, if you're content with what your using there's no reason to change ...

 

[Spresso]

Hey Toni if you don`t taste the difference then of course there is no point paying more.
I personally would not let Folgers in my house 

Actually I`m a huge coffee nerd. I usually have mine roasted by a specialty roaster on the west coast, have it shipped by UPS for next day noon delivery.
Regarding pre-roasted and pre-ground coffee:  the oils in the coffe beans start to go rancid around the 2 week mark thus making the coffee bitter.  Most people are used to this bitterness because everywhere you go that`s what you get. But once you tasted fresh roasted fresh ground coffee there is no going back....
My professional grinder sees nothing but espresso blends 
My whirly blade grinders are for spices only.....
Zed

 

[UWFSAE]

Preach on, Zed ... I'm saving my pennies for a Saeco superautomatic some time in the Fall.  If you'd told the younger me that my "coffee machine" would cost as much as my first car I'd have called B.S. on myself.  But oh, how I do love my morning lattes ...

Zed, have you tried a good burr grinder for home use?  I save the "whirly blades" for spice grinding as well but I've had good success with a refurb KitchenAid ProLine Coffee Mill ...

* NOTE: I'll post a review of a spice grinder/coffee grinder just so this counts as a BBQ post!

 

[Spresso]

Oh no.  I`ve done it again. 
Hijack a thread that is.....  SORRY!!

But I`ll answer since you asked 
My current espresso setup consists of a Macap 4 Stepless grinder and an Expobar Brewtus espresso machine.
I`m like you i would have never imagined spending  this much money on coffee.....but....
I actually saved up for it for a couple of years too.  I told everyone if they wanted to help me out , Christmas,  Birthday gifts .... cash into the coffee fund.    Everyone is happy now `cause they get to taste the best cappuccino  in 100`s of miles....

But i digress,  I have also used the Kitchenaid you mentioned.  It is a great grinder for drip , french press, vacuum,  but not perfect for espresso... Not enough adjustability, but will work with most Home espresso machines well.    It could not grind fine enough for my needs.  I like to have syrup like consistency coming out of my machine.  Step up from this grinder would be the Rancilio Rocky or the Baratza Vario, both a little more money.  I Am actually lusting after a Mahlkonig K30, but it`s obscenely expensive.  (i think 1600.00 or so)

Also if you are thinking of a superauto , you won`t need the grinder much other than for other types of coffee.
I decided against a superauto as again they don`t give me the control i desire. But sometimes I wish i had one just for simplicity`s sake.  Now only I am able to make coffee at home.  It`s not a press button operation now.
It takes the double boilers about 40 minutes to warm up before i can even think about coffee  :'(

Here I attached an espresso porn pic for your pleasure  ;D
This is actually what comes out of my machine with a naked portafilter....
My avatar is one of my drinks.....

Sorry again for the hijack,  i guess we should have taken it over to the anything goes topic....
Zed

 

[psoltesz]

So Zed, I'm curious...

When you go into 7-11 in the morning, do you just grab a cup of the standard Colombian blend, or splurge on the Brazilian Dark Roast?  ;D ;D ;D ;D

 

[UWFSAE]

Good lord, Spresso ... your screen name is well chosen based on this.  Yeah ... my Starbucks addiction pales in comparison to what you do.  Now you've made me think that I need to buy a new grinder when I spring for the Saeco unit.  :-\

 

[Spresso]

Hehe, no 7-11 for me ....
And *$s charges too much....

Also Joe,  if you get a superauto, it comes with the grinder built in.... so no need for a new one,  you can use your Kitchenaid for other types of coffees, like drip....

And please no more coffee talk,  or I`ll have to get into water qualities, alkalinity,  total dissolved solids, PPM etc....
And yes I mix and measure all that before I refill the water reservoir  ;D : ;D

 

[afratki]

...... what can I say, WOW! 

 

[DivotMaker]

I had no idea mentioning the word "Folger's" would spark this!! LoL!  More power to y'all!  I was actually talking about the taste of it in a rub, not a cup.    I have tried plenty of fresh-roasted & ground coffee, and while it's quite good, I like the convenience of the store-bought stuff in my Bunn in the morning.  Just don't have the time to indulge in another time-consuming hobby!