Search results

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    Breville Express Impress

    Breville really should stick to toasters, etc. as they still haven't figured out how to build a quality machine that will last. Might be tolerable if you're OK with having their dumbgineers rehab it every 2-3 yrs or tear into it and fix yourself on a regular basis. I question the build...
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    Solved bottomless issues by using a Portafilter screen for top and paper for bottom

    By far the best thing to do is maximize what you have in front of you and I've had great/consistent results from many lower tier machines over the years. If you figure out the best overall combo for brew temp/pressure and flow rate for a particular coffee you will be rewarded and this can be...
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    Coffee Beans HELP Allergies?

    Thing is every single person will have different reactions to various airborne 'threats' and the immune system can/will fight things differently pretty much daily. Over time you can build a tolerance to known threats and it just goes on and on. I've been dealing with gnarly allergies for over 2...
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    High Blood Pressure

    The active life of caffeine in the system is a matter of hours and if it affected blood pressure it'd likely do so for that brief bit, then resume to your normal baseline. Keep in mind that when something like caffeine is consumed repeatedly for long periods the body will become somewhat immune...
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    Need advice on home setup and making coffee on a small market

    I can honestly tell you that no single group machine made will really keep up with that much volume, regardless of build quality. If you're hoping to knock out 100 drinks in 5-7 hrs. you'd need at least a plumbed in 2 group to really recover for back-back use. I get that you're trying to invest...
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    Should I replace my grinder? If so manual or electric?

    I pay no attention to lame articles posted all over the web as every one of us will be different in our daily approach to life. Simply find what works best for you and stick with it... I personally like doing what many find to be a challenge as in hand grinding with a 4 lb beast of a hand...
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    M31 Bistro LaCimbali problem

    Explain a bit more on it 'not being the coffee/grind as the same brand for yrs'... Coffee changes more often than most people think due to environment, process methods, that sort of thing.
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    seeking to buy my first high quality 'all rounder' manual grinder

    I had the Infinity for some time and it is a strong performer for the price point. It is a good all-around grinder, but not much range to really dial things in. Main complaint with it was the quite large grind chamber, leading to a good bit of retention to deal with daily. This is the 1st time...
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    Getting Started at Home

    Yes great coffee can be had with a decent setup, quality/fresh coffee, balanced water and a bit of time/effort. I will gladly say don't read too much into some of the crap you'll read on the H-B site!
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    Breville Dose Control vs Dose Control Pro

    Is your Pro new? I recall lots of older Breville grinders having an issue with the impeller wearing down. That is what flings the ground coffee outward.
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    Breville Dose Control vs Dose Control Pro

    Truth be told no two grinders will really be identical in function. Typical of Breville it could be burr calibration more than any other variable. The 'Pro' tag put on some items isn't deserving by any means.
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    Trying to up my coffee game

    Yeah I am a fan of maximizing what you have/can afford. It is hilarious to browse forums regarding all the talk about new grinders, especially certain burr sets, WDT/RDT gizmos, using a refractometer to determine soluble extracted, etc. Most people overlook the most important variables, which is...
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    Recommendations for a bean grinder

    One thing to note is a Baratza design is a sacrificial burr carrier meant to snap if in a bind. That means less damage, but wildly inconsistent immediately.
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    Trying to up my coffee game

    I am proactive rather than being reactive... -Grinder quality makes a huge difference... build materials, rpm, etc. all can affect static/retention. High quality grinder spinning at lower rpm... IT WORKS -Maintaining decent environment humidity helps drastically. Room my setup is in averages...
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    Is this roast extra splotchy?

    Didn't see it mentioned, but what green is it you've been using?
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    Need a Better Brewing Method

    Absolutely false as freezing is a great way to slow the staling process somewhat. There are a few things to keep in mind that some tend to overlook. First, the coffee needs to be quite fresh otherwise you're just putting stale coffee in to freeze then blaming the process. Second, a deep freeze...
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    Why you shouldn't drink iced coffee

    It gets hilarious reading about what we should/shouldn't do when every single person will have drastically different experiences. Each person should simply look after what they do and not try to encourage others to follow their 'lead'... I can consume shot after shot of espresso on an empty...
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    I found a listing for a good condition Bezzera Prof'express with 2 portafilters, how much should i pay for it

    Have no clue what might be available in your area. I personally would avoid common appliance type machines like DeLonghi, Breville, etc. but that's just my take on it. Definitely depends on budget, expectations, intended use/longevity, etc.
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    Need a Better Brewing Method

    One thing quite often overlooked is the coffee itself as it's an agricultural product and will vary crop to crop. What you recall from even a few yrs ago might be drastically different now. Sense of taste can/will change as well. You mentioned decaf and I will honestly tell you that some people...
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    I found a listing for a good condition Bezzera Prof'express with 2 portafilters, how much should i pay for it

    Hard to put a price on a used machine, but it looks well cared for... at least externally anyway. A more robust machine like that sometimes require it to be plumbed in, as in running water/drain lines to it and of course surely has a large boiler and will take some time to come up to temp from a...
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    Empty stomach?

    I always consume 3 doubles before eating just to get that tiny bit of caffeine doing its thing, then eat so that slows the absorption rate for the following 2-3. Thankfully I have never been bothered by coffee/caffeine in any problematic way.
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    💵 For Sale SOLD - Rosco Mini Hand Grinder: $50

    Yeah as it's basically a true hand held Mazzer Robur and intimidating to some based on perceived weight alone. The drill does OK as it still utilizes a 4:1 planetary gear reduction, but I find it quite tolerable to crank smoothly by hand. Currently use it 95% of the time and likely close to 100...
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    Is this roast extra splotchy?

    With air doing the agitation more/less weight starting out will affect heat retention and bean movement. Maybe tweak the next batch by going a bit lighter. I am not familiar with that type of roaster, but personally wouldn't pay much attention to 'recommended' settings as there are just too...
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    💵 For Sale SOLD - Rosco Mini Hand Grinder: $50

    As with most conicals I'm sure it really shines on the finer end of the spectrum, something the Hario likely is really lacking. I've had a 'handful' of quality conical hand grinders over the last 15 yrs, but when I finally got the Helor 106 all others felt like child's play as the thing weighs...
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    Is this roast extra splotchy?

    Never used that machine, but just based on color/development it looks as if the agitation was lacking, as in some beans being exposed to too much heat at a given time and others not so much. Do you pay close attention to green batch weight as it can vary coffee-coffee due to density, moisture, etc?
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    💵 For Sale SOLD - Rosco Mini Hand Grinder: $50

    I tell ya... I don't 'need' another hand grinder as I consider my current one to be absolute top notch, but this is a bit tempting. Haven't used a Rosco, but have read nothing but great things on the devices they have made for years. GREAT price no doubt and awesome to see one mentioned.
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    💵 For Sale Pacamara Collaborative Nicaragua RAW beans For Sale

    I don't recall exactly what coffee I was roasting, may have jotted it down based on this behemoth, but this is by far the largest bean I have ever had in front of me.
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    Green beans package

    Not sure how things are in your area and what green sellers might ship to you. I personally like Sweet Maria's and Burman's. Regarding shipping here in the states Sweet Maria's will ship up to 20 lbs for $8.99 flat rate ground UPS. I live 3,000 miles from them and still have it within 1 week...
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    Green beans package

    When I started out it was maybe 10-15 lbs of a few coffees as in 5 of each just to get the ball rolling. Buying in 1-2 lb increments might seem to be a valid approach, but it can take a few lbs just to get things dialed in when you're starting out. I will say don't get overwhelmed by all the...
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    Rancilio Silvia M V6 with PID - Need help from experienced users!

    Main thing to keep in mind is not changing multiple variables at once as a bit of experimenting is needed to dial in. Also, 6 mins on any roaster that I am aware of just won't develop any depth of flavor/body. Saw your post on H-B mentioning that and be aware of some replies you might get...
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    How should espresso taste like?

    I dial in some coffees to not see the 1st drop until 20 seconds or so. Once I install a heavier duty pump I plan to push to the 75-90 second extraction range and less than a 1 oz yield.
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    Rancilio Silvia M V6 with PID - Need help from experienced users!

    Actually it was labeled as the Rancilio 18 gram double and it easily holds around 19 grams while still using the spouted portafilter, which is why I wanted it. Based on what I've read it's no longer made by Rancilio and of course impossible to find as their replacement is made by IMS or VST...
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    Rancilio Silvia M V6 with PID - Need help from experienced users!

    A few things to mention... Silvia in stock form tends to have a somewhat small basket. My V1 I used for yrs could barely hold 14 grams. Switched to their updated basket and drastic improvement. Let us know what number is stamped on the basket as that will help. Keep in mind that various coffees...
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    Trying to up my coffee game

    That Capresso was the first decent quality grinder I started with and got quite good results with it, but that was for espresso. Some tend to think conical burr sets aren't ideal for drip, pourover, etc. due to the fines, but never really used it for anything other than espresso so can't relate...
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    How should espresso taste like?

    Don't get too caught up in time/volume/ratios as that's bare bones minimum just to get you close, then dial in by taste, texture, etc. Every single coffee you try will require slight tweaks to really come to life and you'll be chasing your tail if you try measuring every possible variable...
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    Most demanding coffee lovers

    Thing is no amount of money will ever buy skill, experience or intelligence on any level and wealth will never make any person's taste any better/worse than mine.
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    How should espresso taste like?

    Spot on as I simply tell people espresso should taste like an amplified version of the coffee used to create it. No way to describe good, bad, etc. Good in my book is when I want another and another then hit 7-8 ristrettos before I know it. Have created some that was like a melted chocolate bar...
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    Espresso Machine Recommendations

    I don't do that volume daily often, but it (Silvia Pro) easily handled that and recovered nicely between extractions. I have had it almost 2 yrs and average well over 2,000 extractions yearly and in true Rancilio fashion it never skips a beat and will no doubt last my lifetime.
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    🔥 Hot! What Coffee did you drink today?

    Growing up I was around some seriously southern 'folk' and it was a tater or even pertater depending on how many teeth were missing, bwahaha... Thing is for a long time I have questioned most of the garbage we were all led to believe growing up. Who's to say what should be considered proper or...
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    Espresso Machine Recommendations

    Yep there are many devices like the Bellman steamer and others. I'm all for a manual approach, but it just won't cut it for my espresso consumption. A Robot or similar is fine for maybe 2-3 extractions and what would impress me more is the 9Barista device, but averaging 6-7 doubles in a few hrs...
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    🔥 Hot! What Coffee did you drink today?

    Honestly it makes no difference to me as I've been living profoundly/permanently deaf for 4.5 yrs now. You should see the reactions I get when others see me speak in a Spanish/Italian/Greek dialect and do it being deaf...
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    🔥 Hot! Let's see those Coffee Mugs! ❤️ ☕️

    Dunno about a mug as this is max capacity for my taste and usually never hit full capacity... not much bigger than a thimble, but it's how I roll... Actually is the most impressive type of demitasse I've ever found and I snagged 6 of them from Sweet Maria's before they closed them out. Insanely...
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    Espresso Machine Recommendations

    There's several great brands that will offer a similar end result, build quality, etc. I have had a handful of home machines as well as commercial and stick with the Rancilio Silvia as my daily driver. Have had the Pro version for close to 2 yrs now and it will no doubt last my lifetime. Any...
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    🔥 Hot! What Coffee did you drink today?

    In my neck of the woods it's usually referred to as pee-can.... and usually in a sarcastic manner of making fun of northerners calling it pee-con!
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    🔥 Hot! What Coffee did you drink today?

    Definitely nothing wrong with buying/using what YOU like as at the end of the day that's what counts. I don't buy 'exotic' coffees by any means and simply source quality greens in bulk to roast like I want/expect. FWIW there are some in this crazy world spending upwards of a few hundred dollars...
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    Espresso Machine Recommendations

    I'd definitely agree with the manual approach, but the only reason I didn't mention it is due to OP stating that milk texturing is mandatory. I know some are OK using aftermarket milk devices to go with a manual, but I seriously doubt any of them will match what a quality electric machine can do...
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    🔥 Hot! What Coffee did you drink today?

    This morning it was 8 day post roast Yemen Mocca Hajjah I took to the usual full city range. Stopped at 4 double ristrettos, but each one continued to improve with finer grinding and I really should've kept going until 7-8 extractions. Simply too good to stop! Been tweaking my roasting a bit as...
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    Espresso Machine Recommendations

    Pretty much depends on what level of involvement/expectations you will likely have. If you want decent/repeatable results with little involvement then something like a super auto would likely fill the bill. If you want a quality end result and be involved with making grind/dose changes, etc. and...
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    Suggestions for non-fruity coffees

    Having tried lots of SOs, I rarely find one really worth buying again. Most promising for me on the SO end were dry process Brazilian offerings. Think milk chocolate, molasses and a hint of pecan/caramel finish... Some have been superb, but still just dig a quality blend all around. FWIW I roast...
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    Suggestions for non-fruity coffees

    I have tried natural, honey, washed, wet hulled, etc. and have done 6-700 lbs since starting, just for personal use/gifting. I definitely prefer natural over all else and am not a fan of fruit fwd coffees. I have no problem muting any natural fruit notes. Have you tried many/any blends yet? I...
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    Breville Bambino Plus

    Absolutely as my daily driver is a Silvia Pro that Rancilio added the auto backflushing cycle to and I've tried it once and it did fine, but I still prefer to do things manually and will continue to do just that.
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    Recently upgraded, best way to sell used espresso machine and grinder

    I've used Craigslist, OfferUp, the used coffee equipment group on Facebook as well as their 'local' marketplace. Go a bit high on asking price as you will always get lowball offers, etc. Also, be ready for all sorts of scam activities that goes hand-hand with most selling platforms these days...
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    Creamers?

    Care to elaborate a bit more on actual technical terms? For one thing, it makes absolutely no difference what type of portafilter/basket is used as steam volume/pressure is what's used to whip milk, etc. into velvety microfoam. Also will point out that a machine like the Slayer definitely...
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    Descaling

    Only reason a portafilter/blind basket (or disk) should be in the group would be for backflushing, provided the machine is designed for it. For descaling, no as you want free flow. Now some machines are designed so the OPV is directly in the water pathway and can be descaled somewhat by using...
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    Empty stomach?

    No doubt as I PM'd them asking why bother filling forums with useless garbage... likely a waste of my time, but it gets old seeing how many want to make an easy $ regardless what's involved. I know moderators get tired of dealing with it and I just like to call the spam/scam buttplugs out to get...
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    Creamers?

    How long will this 'best' thing continue, lmao? Better, best is all subjective and means nothing person to person. I'll gladly say that if you choose to actually take quality coffee seriously you don't need to dilute/bastardize it with anything! Most people don't realize how awesome some coffees...
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    Money

    Of course as money can buy pretty much anything in life for those too lazy/ignorant to do it themselves! Coffee is like most other hobbies/lifestyles/addictions in that it is what you make of. Instead of asking survey type questions just experiment with all coffee has to offer and find what you...
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    Empty stomach?

    Simply figure out what works best for you and stick with it as what all others do likely won't apply. My daily regimen is starting with 3 double ristrettos within 20 mins or so then will eat a bit like a Clif bar or homemade biscotti along with a pint of whole milk. A few hrs later I will...
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    Most demanding coffee lovers

    Wealth has nothing to do with taste, more like arrogance and spoiled expectations. Regarding espresso, skill and the coffee being used far outweighs equipment alone. You can have a $50K setup at home and will get swill if you're clueless about the process. You've inquired about this sort of...
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    edible beans

    I usually find it hilarious when people complain about 'misinformation' being posted as I question what should be considered 'right or wrong'... having said that, I'll gladly point out that suggesting one can consume raw coffee is a bit much. Not saying from a health POV, but I seriously doubt...
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