Search found 403 matches

by mariobarba
June 17th, 2022, 10:17 am
Forum: Buying Advice
Replies: 9
Views: 596

Any Breville owners? Who fixes them?

Although you may not make back to back shots often, having a machine without a 3 way valve makes dialing in a new espresso a PITA. Also, having owned a Breville Cafe Roma, I would recommend against it, I wasn't able to get anything good out of it when I switched to depressurized baskets. 2 European ...
by mariobarba
June 16th, 2022, 11:03 am
Forum: Coffees
Replies: 65
Views: 4022

Recommendations for a "traditional" espresso

Lavazza Gold Selection Lavazza Top Class are my two go to Lavazza coffees
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by mariobarba
May 15th, 2021, 11:29 am
Forum: Grinders
Replies: 5
Views: 289

Baratza Vario shims

Not sure if there is a diff between new and old as my Vario is 10+ years old now
by mariobarba
May 15th, 2021, 8:38 am
Forum: Grinders
Replies: 5
Views: 289

Baratza Vario shims

After experiencing a similar issue and reaching out to Baratza, they informed me that over time the shims can get compressed and do need to be replaced. I ended up using a piece of fridge magnet as a shim since it wasn't practical for anyone to ship me a couple of ten cent shims
by mariobarba
May 10th, 2021, 11:43 am
Forum: Coffees
Replies: 508
Views: 55011

The hunt for best Italian roasted coffee beans

There used to be a few cafes in Montreal that always had at least 2 coffees on tap. Usually one darker and one lighter. Also, if any of you are in Montreal, i've recently rediscovered Prima Goccia in Montral north. Their espresso is an excellent Italian blend, well balanced with dark chocolate notes...
by mariobarba
April 8th, 2021, 9:51 am
Forum: Coffees
Replies: 30
Views: 2238

In praise of robusta-containing espresso blends and traditional flavors

Picked up a bag of this at my local Winners (Canadian version of TJ Maxx/Marshall's) for $15CAD. {image} According to their website: "The flavour is sweet and citrus-flavoured, heavy-bodied, with floral notes and mild acidity, leaving a delightful and strong aftertaste in mouth. The blend is made of...
by mariobarba
February 3rd, 2021, 6:54 pm
Forum: Espresso Machines
Replies: 1323
Views: 187243

Breville Dual Boiler Mods and Maintenance

It's good to hear that the heating elements are protected, however I am able to run water through the group head until water no longer flows. There is no error at this point, the pump doesn't cut out automatically and the lcd screen simply reads out the boiler temp as though it were business as usua...
by mariobarba
February 3rd, 2021, 8:17 am
Forum: Espresso Machines
Replies: 1323
Views: 187243

Breville Dual Boiler Mods and Maintenance

According to Breville, if I agree to the repair they'll send me a prepaid shipping label with instructions. I wanted to avoid the hassle of sending the machine back and being without a machine for 10-14 business days. Seeing as how this seems to be an unknown problem so far, I'll probably send the m...
by mariobarba
February 2nd, 2021, 7:46 pm
Forum: Espresso Machines
Replies: 1323
Views: 187243

Breville Dual Boiler Mods and Maintenance

Anyone ever have the issue of the BDB not giving you a fill water tank warning? I recently was in the middle of pulling a shot when no coffee came out, at first I thought that I may have choked the machine, but then I noticed the pressure was low. I turned off the pump and realised that
by mariobarba
January 29th, 2021, 2:12 pm
Forum: Espresso Machines
Replies: 8031
Views: 1322210

Post a pic of your home espresso setup...

I hope you don't grind the coffee in that blender