Coffee or T? Preferably, both.

Coffee and cars? They’ve always gone hand in hand, somehow. Take the Hertella coffee maker, for example, which allowed you to make coffee whilst driving a VW Beetle in the 1950s. Another example would be Michael Lawrence, or rather his character in the 1995 cult action film ”Bad Boys”. Detective Marcus Burnett – as Lawrence’s character was called – didn’t exactly think much of the Porsche 911 from Zuffenhausen (to put it mildly). This was simply because the 964-generation Turbo model lacked a cup holder.

That wouldn’t happen like that today. Anyone who wants to can place their coffee mug in the car without any trouble in the newer 911s. The timeless design and sportiness of this iconic sports car have been retained anyway. Just like the manual gearbox. At least in the current 911 Carrera T. That’s fitting. After all, good coffee and a gear lever share some essential similarities: enjoyment, purism and the art of handling, which can be wonderfully celebrated as a ritual. Incidentally, this is also the view of Robert Burckhardt, the coffee machine customiser known as  rb.crafts, with whom one can have in-depth conversations not only about sports cars and the art of coffee brewing, but also about wood.

Mr Burckhardt, what is more important when drinking coffee: the effect of the coffee or the process of making it?

For me, the preparation is the most enjoyable part. That feeling at the end, knowing you’ve really got all the parameters just right again. That’s simply what makes me happy.

So does the old saying ‘the journey is the destination’ apply?

Exactly. For me, it’s all about the ritual of making coffee – and the fact that, in the end, you can taste and see that it’s turned out well. It doesn’t matter which direction the roast or the flavour takes. Nor does it matter whether it’s at midday, in the morning or in the evening. It doesn’t matter whether I’m under a lot of pressure at work or not. Coffee’s always a good idea.

And what does coffee do for you? Apart from keeping you awake?

Coffee fulfils me. It also has this social aspect, which is simply lovely. You automatically end up chatting over a coffee – or just talking about whether there’s anything new. And: when I fancy a coffee, I always find someone to drag along to have one with me. (laughs)

So how did a personal passion turn into a business?

There’s an online forum called ”Kaffeennetz”. One of its sub-forums is dedicated to people’s own coffee set-ups. I posted a photo of my machine with its new handles there – and immediately received some extremely positive feedback. Lots of people asked if I’d do something like that for other people too. And as a business student, I quickly realised: this would pay off. My own woodturning lathe would pay for itself in no time. And then the whole thing took off a bit.

So, in other words, your love of coffee and your passion for it became your calling?

Absolutely – and this passion for practical things and craftsmanship has always been there.

What do you mean by that?

My grandad was a joiner, and my father ran a mechanical engineering firm. So I grew up surrounded by craftsmanship and initially completed an apprenticeship in electronics. Those were the days when everyone else was always talking about management and university studies. Of course, I went on to study as well – but I made sure to keep it practical. So I studied Business Administration, specialising in Resource Efficiency and Management. And this business background is helping me enormously now.

In what way?

On the one hand, when it comes to bookkeeping, as I know exactly how to deal with the tax office. And, of course, because I can provide a substantive answer to the fundamental question of whether it’s all worth it. Unfortunately, many tradespeople don’t know how to work out the figures for themselves: what’s my hourly rate? What does it cost me to make a particular product? So this blend of passion and business management knowledge gives me a real advantage. It’s the perfect combination.

So all roads led to coffee machine customisation?

Exactly. But I taught myself everything about craftsmanship and woodworking with my grandad’s help. There’s a real passion behind it. If you look at the machines that go out, 99 per cent of them feature wooden inlays. We’re now managing to produce some really fantastic pieces, and the projects are getting crazier and crazier – which I really enjoy. I simply have the drive and passion to make them beautiful and always just that bit better. Of course, there’s also the business graduate in me. But the urge to create something perfect and unique with my own hands outweighs that.

You were just talking about doing things yourself, personal drive, and craftsmanship. What fascinates you about this ‘sense of autonomy’?

It’s about having control over the parameters and making your own decisions. And taking responsibility when things don’t quite work out. Then the principle is: the problem is me, not the machine. It’s like driving a car. Just like with the 911 Carrera T. If you can’t manage to change gear quickly and smoothly, then the problem isn’t the car. I think you should take matters into your own hands. The same goes for coffee: if it doesn’t taste right, you know there simply must be a fault somewhere in the process – the temperature, the water, or some other variable.

And when it’s just right, the satisfaction is all the greater?

Absolutely – that’s the beauty of it. Selecting the individual materials so that they later fit in with the design concept of the bar or kitchen. But I also enjoy catering to the customer’s specific requests: I’ll soon be starting work on a machine for a Porsche driver. He’d like to replicate the stitching from his sports car’s interior on his machine. I told him: ‘Sure, I’ll make that happen.’ It’s brilliant to bring the whole thing to life and let your own creativity run wild.

Are that sort of autonomy and taking your time the luxury of our times?

Absolutely. If I were employed somewhere, I wouldn’t be able to take coffee breaks so often! (laughs) There’s nothing better than making your own decisions. It starts with work. And ends with which route you take home by car. For me, the quickest route is the most boring; the other route takes longer, but it’s nicer to drive. Sometimes I take the time. That’s a luxury.

Just as a personalised coffee machine is a luxury. Are there any limits to how far you can take the customisation of coffee machines?

I always try to make everything the customer wants a reality. That’s why a truly exquisite carbon fibre set for the machine will be available very soon. Genuine carbon fibre – just like in a racing car.

Moving away from coffee: can you buy good taste?

Well, if you don’t know the first thing about anything, then all the money in the world won’t help, and in the end it won’t taste right or it’ll look rather shabby. So no, I don’t think you can buy good taste. You can seek advice, but you can’t simply buy it.

Apart from the obvious potential for personalisation, why do cars and coffee – i.e. ”Cars and Coffee” – go so well together?

I think it’s the community. That sociable atmosphere. With a car like that, people quickly strike up a conversation with you and you’re straight into a chat. The same goes for coffee. You sit down – and have a chat with the person next to you.

So what do you think of the finish on the wooden gear knob in the 911?

The gear lever is a real pleasure to hold; it sits comfortably in the hand and is beautifully crafted. You can tell here too that it’s been made with care and isn’t just designed to look good. And that’s exactly what makes it so lovely.

Wood has recently made a big comeback – and once again stands for luxury, but also sustainability. Why do you think that is?

There was a time when everyone wanted to – and had to – make everything out of plastic – there was just such a hype surrounding the material. Fortunately, however, a few people rediscovered wood and realised: it’s actually more durable and feels nicer. And: the feel of wood is unique. In fact, new and additional ways of working with wood have also been discovered. And that brings us to the next point: wood is now simply easier to look after, and people have realised that it really is a very luxurious material.

When you’re working on wooden components such as the portafilter handles and the machine panels, what do you feel?

Very little, because I have to concentrate. You have to listen to the wood. It’s a very, very meditative task. You’re extremely focused – and that calms me down.

So, a state of flow.

Exactly – that’s the only way it works.

You were just talking about how you have to ‘listen’ to the wood. What does the wood tell you?

When woodturning, for example, you can hear everything. Is your turning tool sharp? Are you working at the right speed? Is there a knot in the wood somewhere where you need to be particularly careful? Is there a splinter?

And having had a listen to the Carrera T: would it also be a car for coffee fan Robert Burckhardt?

Absolutely. I think the Carrera T is a brilliant sports car.

Further information:

→ rb-crafts.de