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Darren Ruffell

About Me

Hello My Spot Friends. I’ve been the Sales Manager here at Whole Latte Love for almost 4 years. I’ve used just about every machine that we sell on the retail site and spend at least 50 hours a week talking with customers about espresso and coffee equipment day in and day out. I drink Americanos every day from any machine that I can get my hands on…which is usually the Brewtus IIIR. I do like a nice double shot of espresso in the afternoon and will drink milk based drinks mainly on the weekends. My favorite is Vanilla iced lattes in the summer. Double shot of espresso, 2/3 cold milk, 1 tablespoon of Monin organic vanilla syrup, and some ice top it off!

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888-411-5282 ext 5169 darren@wholelattelove.com

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6 Posts
jorge mario oyarvide Hello Darren, I want to buy a Technivorm for my drip coffee but? I just can’t decide on the right machine for my espresso's & lattes, I being thinking a lot on the nespresso based on the good reviews all over the internet, based on your experience what will be a great option (taste wise vs nespresso) on a super auto around 800 dlls range. Thanks in advanced for your time and congratulations for such a great page.
10:46 AM 8-31-10
Darren Ruffell Hello Jorge. Good choice on the Technivorm. That is what we have been using for our drip coffee here at the office…they brew hot and fast! Nespresso has become a very popular single serve espresso machine. They make a quality product and their capsules are great. One downfall with these machines is the availability of the capsules. You can only get them directly from Nespresso. They do have a few boutiques in some major cities where you can purchase capsules, but for the most part you will have to sign up for their coffee program to have capsules readily available on a consistent basis. You also cannot try a variety of coffees from other roasters as their machines only use capsules specifically made by Nespresso. Super-autos are great as you can’t beat using fresh ground coffee or the convenience they provide. In the $800 dollar range the Gaggia Vogue would be a good machine or if you want something that you can use pre-ground coffee as well as beans with you can go up a little to the Gaggia Brera. The Gaggia machines make a great espresso, have two year warranties, and have been made in Italy for almost 100 years. We seldom hear of many problems with the Gaggia machines. The Jura Capresso ENA4 or ENA3 are good machines as well if you are looking for a compact machine. I hope this helps. Feel free to call me at 888-411-5282 ext 5169. I’d be happy to chat more with you.
12:04 PM EST 8-31-10
 
Darrin Smith Hi Darren, I am looking at buying my first espresso machine and most articles point to the Gaggia Classic. What r your thoughts, as well what about extras...filters, pods, coffee beans, grinders- which seem a bit pricey- can u recommend one, maybe around $200 or less. Lastly, does this make Turkish coffee? I need and look forward to your help! Thank you! Darrin
11:44 AM 8-7-10
Darren Ruffell Hello, fellow Darrin. Seldom do I hear any complaints about the Gaggia Classic. This is one of Gaggia’s flagship machines and has been around a very, very long time. In fact, we had a customer that brought one to our shop that was 22 years old and he still used it daily. The machine now includes a pressurized single and double shot filter basket and also a commercial double shot basket. The single shot basket can be used for pods with no modifications. I personally like the commercial double shot basket. With the commercial double shot basket the quality of your coffee is dependent on your grind setting and tamp pressure as opposed to the pressurized basket creating the pressure for you. Although the pressurized basket generally make good coffee good right out of the gate, in my opinion nothing beats learning the art of making espresso with a commercial portafilter and dialing in the grinder and tamp pressure to suite your taste. We have a lot of great coffee. You can’t beat the Lavazza Super Crema for starters. This is a good coffee to use when learning your machine. As a rule of thumb, you will want to use a bold, full bodied roast for milk-based drinks like the Illy dark roast or Lavazza Crema e-aroma and more of a medium roast like the Whole Latte Love Monaco or Maromas Arabea for drinking as straight espresso or Americanos. For grinders, I would recommend the Gaggia MDF. For Turkish coffee, you will need a grinder that can grind very fine and consistent. Most of the grinders under $200 just won’t cut it on a regular and consistent basis. We have some great packages that include the Classic and MDF which is a great way to bring the cost down when ordering these as a pair. I know there was a lot to cover, but I hope I at least have you pointed in the right direction. Feel free to call me directly at 888-411-5282 ext 5169 should you have any additional questions. I’d be happy to assist more. Happy Brewing. Darren Ruffell
12:32 PM EST 8-9-10
 
Raphael Sason are the Jura cleaning tablets (6 for $18) what is used for the ENA-4?
12:36 PM 7-29-10
Tech Kathy Raphael, The Jura cleaning tablets on our site are the correct ones to use in the ENA-4.
10:57 AM EST 7-30-10
 
Matt Catania Hello Darren: I am thinking about purchasing the Pasquini 90 or the Rocket. Do you have any thoughts on the two or a prefernce. I have had some good machines in the past such as my Wega bout got away form the conventional macheine for a while and went with a fully auto Saeco which I am pleased with. I know a S/A can make better espresso. Saeco's service is dismal. I want to go back to a machine that I have more control over and a dealer that can support the unit. Thanks in advance!
9:03 AM 7-26-10
Darren Ruffell Hello Matt. Thank you for your question. I should start by saying that you almost cannot make a bad choice in this instance as both Rocket and Pasquini make quality products. Both companies make various models of machines. I’ll compare the two that are most similar. These would be the Rocket Premium Plus and the Livia Semi-Auto. Both machines have a sturdy construction with large copper heat exchange boilers which will allow for quick brewing and steaming. The Pasquini Livia machines carry an NSF certification which is something to consider if you are using these in a place of business. The Rocket machines do offer some additional features such as an E61 brew group, a heavy duty sirai pressure stat, and a thermosyphon system for optimal extraction. I might also add the Expobar Brewtus machines as another alternative. As well, as many of the features the Rocket machines have these machines also have two boilers, one for brewing and one for steaming, and programmable PID temperature control. With the double boiler and PID control the Expobar Brewtus machines offer a great value purchase. I hope this helps. Feel free to call me directly at 888-411-5282 ext 5169. I’d be happy to chat some more with you and answer any additional questions that you have. Happy Brewing
5:54 PM EST 7-26-10
 
Stacia Fox Hello Darren, I own a Jura C-1000. I've had it about 7 years now. I'm ready to move up, but not sure if I should stick with Jura or try something new/better? Could you give me a few of your fave matics and espresso machines. I'm lost and overwhelmed by all the machines that I've been reading up on. Where do I start? I hope you can give me a starting point. Thanks for any help you can give. Stacia
3:53 PM 6-22-10
Darren Ruffell Hello Stacia. Thank you for your question. The C1000 is a great machine. A similar Jura Capresso machine would be the Impressa C5. This is a full size Jura machine with many similar features to the C1000 such as a separate funnel for pre-ground coffee, the Clearyl water filtration system, pre-infusion, and low level/cleaning alerts. Pricing for the C5 is about the same as well. As another alternative, the Gaggia Platinum Vogue would be a good fit. In addition to similar and upgraded brewing features, the Vogue offers easy frothing with the Gaggia Milk Island. The Jura Capresso Impressa F8 would be a nice upgrade from your C1000. The F8 offers easy frothing with the FrothXpress as well as more control over your coffee settings. There actually have been quite a few feature upgrades since the C1000 that I would love to chat with you about. Feel free to contact me directly at 888-411-5282 ext 5169. I’d be happy to personally assist you. Happy Brewing!
9:51 AM EST 6-23-10
 
Darren Ruffell Hello All and welcome to My Spot. I talk all day, everyday about the great products that we have. I look forward to all your questions.
3:42 PM 6-10-10
 
6 Posts

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