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The Silvia Pro is certainly a very capable machine. I rarely bother with steam, but if I do I know it's available anytime I might happen to need it. Basically got the Pro version for the build quality and it doesn't disappoint. Rancilio is releasing a Pro X version soon which offers a brew...

Yes no doubt using a pressurized basket is an effective crutch to lean on if using relatively stale coffee, just don't expect anything really decent from it. They cause a false amount of pressure to extract something that looks decent from the coffee, when espresso traditionally speaking relies...

Not to beat a dead horse, but it's far better to be proactive than reactive, as in using balanced/quality water so descaling isn't needed. Also a known fact that Breville machines for the most part don't do well with descaling. In your case since it's done and you're looking for a fix I'd say...

FWIW the BDB is quite notorious for internal leaks, often caused by o-rings. Often issues are brought on by descaling as it tends to affect internal sensor(s) and seems to snowball from there. Of course Breville will offer a fix of $350-400 in which they basically go through the machine or send...

Yes as Seattle Coffee Gear happened to be selling them through their eBay store and it was a smooth transaction.

Actually mine was still doing fine and I did eventually sell it. Anything mechanical can/will give out in time and I just didn't want to be without espresso for any length of time if that original element was to go out. Regardless of care/use/water quality a heating element can only...

Sorta... the one I had was 16 years old and of course still going strong with regular cleaning/preventive maintenance, but after my heavy use I knew it'd be a matter of time before I'd have to really tear it down and replace the heating element, which is a bit involved/costly due to the design...

For me the only method that will ever do is espresso... a moka pot would be 2nd, followed by press if it came to that. Never tried Turkish, but imagine that could be quite awesome as well as I strongly prefer heavy texture over clarity any day. Some of my equipment purchases were from...

Never used one, but majority of opinion/reviews on them from actual users (not lame Amazon reviews, etc) is that they're a pretty good option for the price point. I've seen complaints regarding an issue with the impeller that forces the coffee out of the grind chamber wearing out to the point of...

My first 'real' electric was the Capresso Infinity and it did indeed grind fine/consistent enough for pretty good espresso, even for standard baskets. It doesn't have much fine grinding range and does have some retention issues, but for the crazy low price it's a solid choice. If you'd be fine...

Thing is there really is no 'best' as all grinders work in different ways depending on use, expectations, budget, etc. Yes quality grinders can be costly, but something that you shouldn't be passive on. What is your intended use? Does that machine come with a pressurized basket? Are you OK with...

I look fwd to manual grinding every day as it makes the espresso process far more involved and worthwhile. Interesting concept, but based on videos I've seen it must be cranked CCW, which might pose a problem for some users. Being dominant right-handed I know that sort of thing would throw me...

I would definitely trust most anything far more than paper, which seems sort of odd.

There are so many variables involved that any given number is just a basic guideline and nothing more. I've never known or read of a death actually being caused solely by caffeine and I doubt it's really likely/possible. I would imagine the body's defense mode would kick in somehow to prevent...

Honestly neither of those will really cut it for decent espresso range grinding. Ignore most Amazon reviews as majority of them are a promotional joke at best. That Cuisinart is a waste that crushes at high RPM and leaves dust/boulders and a ton of static. Never used the Bodum, but haven't read...

Looks as if it could be seeping out around the electrode as in between the electrode shaft and the insulator that helps prevent this from happening. If that's the case the only likely fix is element replacement. Had that to happen on a FF X5 single boiler machine and tried a few different fixes...

A typical boiler setup is going to take a bit to superheat everything. Some like the Breville Dual Boiler and Profitec Pro 300 have group heaters (maybe others do as well) and can be ready in maybe 8-10 mins tops. The Classic can be rather consistent if you have a routine dialing it in with...

Yes it certainly can happen, but most machines are built to pretty much offset that. Larger boiler(s) equal more thermal mass/less heat loss during the extraction. Some have a type of ring heater/coil in the group to keep things consistent there regardless of what takes place leading up to it...

Have used mine quite a lot and still see no need to bother with the manual recommendation for calibrating. A scale is likely similar to a torque wrench in that the optimum accuracy is usually in the middle of the range. Don't see the need to push for 2,000 gram accuracy when my average weight is...

Only thing I've ever noticed is that the scale is EXTREMELY responsive... as in breathing near it can cause it to register. Good that charging it seemed to have corrected whatever the issue might have been.

I've had a few scales over the years and by far the best for my use is this... https://myweigh.com/product/barista-scale/ Have had it about 2.5 yrs now and it's used multiple times daily and never a single issue. I use it for weighing dry doses as well as for determining my moisture loss for...

Yes some pumps do have thermal protection. Most vibe pumps are fine running up to 1 min, then need to rest at least 1-2 mins. Duty cycle can vary, but that's a decent timeframe to observe.

Kind of odd that a pump went out so early on. My most heavily used machine had about 10,000 doubles pushed through it and the pump was still in decent shape, but I replaced it anyway to maintain good/solid pressure. You should be able to find a similar pump (likely better) on Amazon/Ebay for...

Likely the PID has nothing to do with it, but those 'upgrade' parts certainly could be to blame. The flow through the new dispersion disc and screen might differ quite a bit compared to the stock configuration. I have read of many that changed to the 'latest/greatest' dispersion disc (steel or...

Honestly it's best to ignore what time/volume/yield 'should be' as every setup, coffee, environment, expectation will vary. The bitterness you are experiencing could be a number of things, not just time alone. Yes if the water is in contact with the coffee a bit long it can overextract, leaving...

One word I have absolutely no tolerance/respect for is LAWSUIT as it's way overused/abused in modern society. People always wanna point fingers and expect a payout when anybody with the least bit of common/practical sense clearly knows the risks associated with things they consume or live around...

You can also try cutting back on the dose a bit, maybe .5 gram and see if that helps. Keep in mind that different coffees can require a different dose/volume to dial in due to roast level, etc. My typical dose is around 19.3 grams, but if I use something like a slightly darker Sumatran I cut the...

In addition to the possibility of an unlevel tamp motion, if you are a bit low on the dose there can be a bit too much headspace and the water pressure can cause the puck to shift. Main thing is how was the extraction? Taste and texture what you like? Did it seem to extract fast/channel?

Here in the states it's named Compak, but obviously the same thing being discussed. Yes the brand seems to be very high quality and have a nice design as well, for my taste in industrial inspired design anyway. Not really sure as to how your currency compares to here in the U.S., but even used...

Depending on your area there could be used hand grinders at good prices. A quality hand grinder will last indefinitely and going that route is usually a safer bet than something like an electric grinder. I know the Timemore brand is mentioned often as being decent and a bit cheaper. Generally...

Wassup? Dunno about the 'expert' part as I think that description is highly abused these days. I have definitely done my share of hand grinding over the years and still look forward to it every day. I will periodically use an electric, but nothing beats being in tune with the coffee through hand...

Something like that machine has quite a few moving parts and likely doesn't take much to throw things out of sync. If your coffee/water quality (often overlooked) hasn't changed drastically and you cleaned the brew group with no improvement, I'd say the pump might be on its way out. 4-5 years of...

I find the fascination with a 10% Kona blend to be a bit odd. Yeah, what is the other 90%?!? Never tried anything from Hawaii and surely won't for the ridiculous cost when there are tons of fantastic coffees to be had MUCH cheaper and far more plentiful. If coffee like that is put on such a...

Thing with terminology is people seem to come up with all sorts of names and often it has no real standard use/acceptance. What i would call a 'long black' would be grinding a bit coarser and running quite a bit of water through the puck. Some people totally prefer that to anything else and...

Sounds like a plan, but I'd say be prepared for quite a bit of experimenting/testing to get a new setup dialed in good enough to sell on a regular basis. Yes roasting is roasting to a degree, but what you currently use and what you intend to move on to will be a drastic change. I've been home...

A few things to mention... do you clean the parts thoroughly as it doesn't take long for coffee oils to buildup and clog the basket/filter, etc.? Also, is there any possibility your water supply might have changed that quickly as water is an important part of the equation? Not really sure about...

I can certainly agree with the Capresso Infinity as it was the first 'proper' grinder I had. It did espresso fairly well, just didn't have a lot of range to really dial things in, but I did fine with it for some time. I'd gladly choose it over others, especially for the lower price point. My...

To add to what's been mentioned, yes the grinder is a very important part of the equation. You can easily find a quality grinder that might not be perfect at one particular use, but more like a jack of all trades. A decent grinder isn't cheap, but if you want quality, longevity, consistency it...

Thing is every different coffee used (especially for espresso) will require tweaks to maximize the flavor/texture you want/expect. Never had that particular coffee, but notes of citrus are mentioned. Might need a slightly hotter brew temperature, maybe slightly finer grind for a tighter...

Reads like the majority of what's available... I personally don't care for the delicate notes many coffees possess and expect espresso to taste like very bold coffee, but equally as important for me is the texture. I push for heavy body/crema as much as I do for flavor as IMBHO it makes espresso...

I will say that I do consume only espresso and roast coffee specifically for that. I mention that as the pressure can definitely bring out notes that might be hidden by other brew methods. I can definitely vouch for different coffees having all sorts of noticeable notes depending on origin...

Honestly think people get too caught up with ratios as there are lots of changing variables, especially with espresso. Can't tell you how often I read posts from those that are fed up with trying to obtain ___ in seconds with ___ ratio. They should be dialing in by taste/texture and go from...

Definitely can agree with that as over the years I've developed quite the tolerance to it. Back in the day when running a mobile setup my average intake was 5-6 doubles each morning, sometimes as much as 8 in a 3-4 hr. period to really keep things dialed in with changing weather. Started home...

Thing is espresso is like anything else in that it's highly subjective and all that matters is that the enthusiast gets the expected end result. I've been at this for quite a few years and have used all sorts of machines for home/commercial as well as quite a few grinders. My 'end game' machine...

Or the absolute best advice I can offer is to simply double/triple your daily intake. Thankfully I have a solid tolerance for caffeine and let it roll as often as I can.

If you keep the coffee fairly airtight it might be fine for something like press that extended amount of time. If that's something I was doing I'd vacuum pack/deep freeze what I wasn't going to use within 1 week, but that's just what has worked great for me. Some go on and on about not freezing...

Problem with buying something like coffee from Amazon is it's likely stale, whether roasted or green. Yes some sellers do indeed offer quality coffee/roasted to order and I imagine some green sellers are OK, but based on lots of complaints I've read over the years the majority of these things...

Thing is 'best' is really subjective/opinion as honestly the best is what works for an individual and something they can afford/make use of. It gets quite old/annoying seeing 'click here for the best ____ of 2020' as those are quite often thrown together by those that have no real knowledge in...

Thanks for that as I only chime in where I have a fair amount of experience and try to give honest/unbiased feedback. The Aeropress did come to mind, but that's one thing I've never used. A TON of enthusiasts love them though. Regarding quality hand grinders... based on the market now a really...

It's really difficult to try guessing how fine those machines can handle. Only pre-ground I've tried was Gevalia many years ago and Cafe Bustelo for a moka pot. Don't recall trying anything other than fresh ground/dialed in with the pressurized setup I did have. You could also source...

I'll be honest and say that although I'm a huge proponent of making the best of what you have (or will have) and can afford, none of those machines will give decent results and the longevity is seriously questionable. Pressurized systems (baskets or portafilters) can give decent results, but...

I really don't have much to add except to say that if you're this analytical for something rather simple as press coffee I seriously wouldn't advise you to step into the espresso world as it's THE most involved form of coffee without question. Variables can change on the hour, let alone days-weeks.

Big changes and you should definitely see a huge difference in flavor AND likely will really enjoy drinking it with nothing added. It's hard to beat a dialed in press for the coffee flavor, texture and price.

Home roasting is very fulfilling and I highly recommend it to anybody truly serious about the craft, BUT it is involved and does require quite an understanding of the process. For many years I bought from commercial roasters for home/commercial use and have done tens of thousands of extractions...

Yeah I used to do press quite a bit, but am truly an espresso head as for me nothing else comes close. The flavor depth, texture and an insane amount of solids for such a small amount. These days a moka pot is a backup if needed, but I do still have a press as well. My routine for that was...

No clue how you feel about buying used (slightly anyway), but now/then great deals can be found on quality hand grinders that aren't brand new, but in like-new shape as they just don't wear out. I scored my JE-Plus about $65 off new price and it only had a few lbs. put through it. Not to mention...

I haven't used either of the JX models, but based on what I've read it should work fantastic at coarser levels. Likely the only difference between the 'standard' and 'Pro' would be the threads on the adjustment. Pro likely allows finer tuning, but as you know that really only applies to...

Based on what I've read and specs I'd say it definitely won't handle a small crowd without some waiting on their part. Likely is great at back-back espresso, but most these days want textured milk of some sort and you would need a larger steam boiler or HX really designed for moderate use. Also...

Thing is a quality hand grinder will perform flawlessly/indefinitely. That can't be said for most electrics... I know some don't like manual grinding, but a nicely designed hand grinder makes short/effortless work of it. Maybe I like being more hands-on than 99% of the population, but I've...

Yeah I have a JE-Plus from 1ZPresso and the build/grind quality, consistency, adjustability and repeatability are second to none. Thing is easily on par with electrics costing 4-5x as much. Yes it is designed for finer grinding ranges, but 1ZPresso also makes several models designed more toward...