Pod coffee is always outrageously expensive, and generally only average quality at best. There's an enormous convenience premium

Got my Fausto, still dialling it in.

I've currently got my Expobar Minore IV espresso machine and Macap M2D grinder in for service/repairs. Are there any "bang for buck upgrades I should look to do? Do things like ISM or VST baskets really improve the shot?

 

I've already decided to purchase a dosing cup and a naked portafilter as tools to help me make a more consistent shot. We have quite accurate kitchen scales at home already that go to 0.1g and I'm planning on grinding into the dosing cup to measure the weight and to better distribute the grounds in the portafilter.

11 minutes ago, blybo said:

I've currently got my Expobar Minore IV espresso machine and Macap M2D grinder in for service/repairs. Are there any "bang for buck upgrades I should look to do? Do things like ISM or VST baskets really improve the shot?

 

I've already decided to purchase a dosing cup and a naked portafilter as tools to help me make a more consistent shot. We have quite accurate kitchen scales at home already that go to 0.1g and I'm planning on grinding into the dosing cup to measure the weight and to better distribute the grounds in the portafilter.

If you're planning on WDT ("Weiss Distribution Technique"), I recommend the very cheap Matow stirring tool and funnel. Search "matow coffee stirrer" on Amazon. you can get it cheaper from Aliexpress, but Amazon delivered mine in 3 days

2 minutes ago, sakabatou said:

If you're planning on WDT ("Weiss Distribution Technique"), I recommend the very cheap Matow stirring tool and funnel. Search "matow coffee stirrer" on Amazon. you can get it cheaper from Aliexpress, but Amazon delivered mine in 3 days

 

I wasn't. I've just thought a dosing cup would be cleaner and a better way to get grounds more evenly distributed and easier to weigh. The Macap grinder doesn't really clump much, but it is messy. I am considering a distribution tool though.

I reckon see how you go after you get the naked PF

You could try a Kruse sifter to optimise the grind distribution on your grinder. Does your machine already have a PID?

7 hours ago, blybo said:

I've currently got my Expobar Minore IV espresso machine and Macap M2D grinder in for service/repairs. Are there any "bang for buck upgrades I should look to do? Do things like ISM or VST baskets really improve the shot?

 

I've already decided to purchase a dosing cup and a naked portafilter as tools to help me make a more consistent shot. We have quite accurate kitchen scales at home already that go to 0.1g and I'm planning on grinding into the dosing cup to measure the weight and to better distribute the grounds in the portafilter.

VST do make a diff, I've compared VST vs Pullman vs standard Lamarzocco baskets and out of 15shots/basket, VST has the highest rate of better shots (all variables kept constant ofcourse) also if you look closely through the VST holes under a light, the holes are much precisely laserred compared to the LM, also tested a few tampers and dis tool and found the Pullman Bigstep Palm tamper/Chisel combo works best (highest probability of consistency) 

On 01/03/2021 at 11:31 AM, blybo said:

I've already decided to purchase a dosing cup and a naked portafilter as tools to help me make a more consistent shot. We have quite accurate kitchen scales at home already that go to 0.1g and I'm planning on grinding into the dosing cup to measure the weight and to better distribute the grounds in the portafilter.

IMO these are good ideas.

I was using a stirrer for the WDT but the dosing cup did great and stopped the table litter from the M2D.

I now use an Orphan hand grinder and the dosing cup is a bonus for dumping the grounds.

I found the naked portafilter a useful way to get better at dosing, distributing and tamping, and it drops the coffee directly into the cup rather than running it on top of more metal.

My Izzo is due for a fix as I think I've blown an o-ring. Well, it's back to non-espresso for a while.

Edited March 2, 20215 yr by GregWormald
spelling

I've used VST for nearly 10 years now - very happy with the consistency. I have some background being a multiple times amateur barista finalist and subsequently trained - not that that's anything but I have been interested in coffee as a hobby for nearly as long as hifi. The surest route to consistency is the grind, then the machine. knowing the nuance of the roasted beans profile, and knowing how to adjust the grind through the life of the bean as well as the environmental conditions makes it more likely that you can pull consistent shots out of whatever machine you are using. I do like naked portafilters for experimenting, although I default to a normal double spout for every day use.  

Current grinder Mazzer Jolly & espresso Rocket Espresso Giotto Evoluzione

31 minutes ago, A J said:

I've used VST for nearly 10 years now - very happy with the consistency. I have some background being a multiple times amateur barista finalist and subsequently trained - not that that's anything but I have been interested in coffee as a hobby for nearly as long as hifi. The surest route to consistency is the grind, then the machine. knowing the nuance of the roasted beans profile, and knowing how to adjust the grind through the life of the bean as well as the environmental conditions makes it more likely that you can pull consistent shots out of whatever machine you are using. I do like naked portafilters for experimenting, although I default to a normal double spout for every day use.  

Current grinder Mazzer Jolly & espresso Rocket Espresso Giotto Evoluzione

Very interesting AJ ??

+1 for VST baskets

18 hours ago, proftournesol said:

Does your machine already have a PID?

Yeah it does.

Does anyone own a Crem One (in particular the 2B R-GSP Dual model). Thinking of upgrading (and selling my current VBM machine) to a dual boiler and this model looks good to me with nice features.

I've had a 'Slayer fund' for several years, patiently saving to buy a Slayer Single. Finally, I have enough money😀

 

I bought something else.

Several reasons:

Slayer arrives on a wooden pallet weighing 80kg

Slayer needs to be plumbed in. I'd planned on additional cost to do this but I have some concerns about our spring water supply that varies far more than mains pressure and, without measuring it, seems lower than mains pressure, we can run two taps at once without a supply problem though.

They seem to be on top of the early reliability issues now but getting service here would be a concern and it's hardly portable enough to just load into the car.

I'm a coffee nerd.

 

There's only one thing to buy in this case:

17 hours ago, proftournesol said:

There's only one thing to buy in this case:

 

https://decentespresso.com/overview ?

16 minutes ago, Marc said:

 

https://decentespresso.com/overview ?

Yep, although James Hoffman's review is quite old now, they are three iterations newer and I've ordered the DE-1 XXL that has more power, especially for steaming. It's the Tesla of espresso machines

Edited May 16, 20214 yr by proftournesol

My old machine (modified LaScala Butterfly) is now for sale pending arrival of my wonder machine in mid-June (counting the sleeps)

Having been using this for two months with quite respectable results. Surprised how consistently tasty my LB have been from it compared to domestic brevilles in the past. The ritualistic part of is appreciated more than expected. 
 

Now just to put in the time and effort to nail the shots....

I’m over my pod machine. Since I “upgraded” from throw-away-environment-killing aluminium pods to refillable pods, it’s been a disaster resulting in weak, even more shite coffee. 
 

So, time for a proper machine. I like the Lelit Mara X but it has a 20-25 minute warm up time. 
 

For those with machines with a long warm up time, does this get really annoying? I generally make only 1-2 coffees in the morning so I’m happy to put it on a timer but what about those times when you want spontaneously want a coffee or unexpected guests come around - it must wear thin having to wait half an hour to make a coffee?

 

I do like the Lelit machines - there are others that have a 5-10 min warm up time so they might be a bit more practical. 

Edited May 23, 20214 yr by 943
Typos

The LaScala warms and pressurises in about 10 minutes. I turn it on when I get up, have a bowl of cereal and toast then it's ready to go

Edited May 27, 20214 yr by proftournesol

I ended up getting the MaraX and Lelit PL72 grinder after visiting Jet Black this afternoon. Pretty happy with the new toys. Now, I have some learning to do. 

On 23/05/2021 at 5:54 PM, 943 said:

I’m over my pod machine. Since I “upgraded” from throw-away-environment-killing aluminium pods to refillable pods, it’s been a disaster resulting in weak, even more shite coffee. 
 

So, time for a proper machine. I like the Lelit Mara X but it has a 20-25 minute warm up time. 
 

For those with machines with a long warm up time, does this get really annoying? I generally make only 1-2 coffees in the morning so I’m happy to put it on a timer but what about those times when you want spontaneously want a coffee or unexpected guests come around - it must wear thin having to wait half an hour to make a coffee?

 

I do like the Lelit machines - there are others that have a 5-10 min warm up time so they might be a bit more practical. 

Usually the machines with long warm-ups use that time to heat the water and the 8+ pounds of brass in the brew head (which gives temperature stability). Warm-up times can be shortened by running water through the head as the water warms. My machine says it takes about 30 minutes to stabilise at working temperature but I've pulled coffee in 10 minutes with excellent results.

 

Before retirement I'd put the machine on first thing and by time I'd showered, dressed and got ready for a coffee the machine was ready to go.

I hope some others will chime in with more info.

On 16/05/2021 at 11:09 AM, proftournesol said:

Yep, although James Hoffman's review is quite old now, they are three iterations newer and I've ordered the DE-1 XXL that has more power, especially for steaming. It's the Tesla of espresso machines

 

I've been a decent user since late 2018.  Brilliant machine.  You'll love it.   I often look back at some of the more pricey purchases I've made (for me anyway), and the decent is up there as one of the best.  

On 23/05/2021 at 6:24 PM, 943 said:

I’m over my pod machine. Since I “upgraded” from throw-away-environment-killing aluminium pods to refillable pods, it’s been a disaster resulting in weak, even more shite coffee. 
 

So, time for a proper machine. I like the Lelit Mara X but it has a 20-25 minute warm up time. 
 

For those with machines with a long warm up time, does this get really annoying? I generally make only 1-2 coffees in the morning so I’m happy to put it on a timer but what about those times when you want spontaneously want a coffee or unexpected guests come around - it must wear thin having to wait half an hour to make a coffee?

 

I do like the Lelit machines - there are others that have a 5-10 min warm up time so they might be a bit more practical. 

 

My Linea Mini takes about 15 mins minimum, and about 30 minutes optimum. That said, I have it on a timer and it turns on 30 mins before I wake each morning.