Search found 776 matches

by russel
August 10th, 2023, 8:45 pm
Forum: Buying Advice
Replies: 32
Views: 2416

La Marzocco GS3 AV vs Decent for small coffee shop

As a coffee professional, I don't think this thread is doling out the best advice. The OP should first think about where their bean are coming from. If they can find a local/regional roaster that can offer equipment & logistics support as either an exclusive account or a semi-exclusive account, they...
by russel
June 9th, 2023, 2:28 pm
Forum: Buying Advice
Replies: 3
Views: 208

Upgraditis: Pasquini Livia 90s vs La Spaziale Vivaldi

I used to live in LA, home of Pasquini, so I've owned/repaired at least 5 Livia 90 machines of various revisions. I sold my Vivaldi about 5 years ago. The Vivaldi is a massive set up from a Livia 90 in terms of coffee and ergonomics. The Livia 90 is so simple and robust that I'd probably call
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by russel
April 5th, 2023, 11:10 am
Forum: Buying Advice
Replies: 7
Views: 407

Newbie in need of espresso accessories advice

You could run without these, but they should be at the top of your list to buy as soon as you have $ to spare...especially if your $500 M21 is the old "dosetron" mechanical-volumetric model, there's a lot bits in there to get scaled up and I think that it's all inlet pressure fed
by russel
April 4th, 2023, 10:19 am
Forum: Lever Espresso Machines
Replies: 45
Views: 2693

Manual lever or spring lever, why

I think this is really a matter of personal preference, in which case I would second the recommendation to try/buy both if you really want to know your's. For me it's a manual/direct lever. I've owned a lot of machines and despite the fact that my current "forever" machine is a vintage Gaggia spring...
by russel
March 13th, 2023, 10:30 am
Forum: Buying Advice
Replies: 44
Views: 2429

Flow Control vs Spring Lever

To me the Vectis reads as an upgraded Export, which frankly would be amazing! I've owned 2 Exports and they are very capable machines but very modest in their construction and the tiny group is not really my favorite thing. Direct fill is exactly the design simplicity that gives it and other direct ...
by russel
March 6th, 2023, 5:57 pm
Forum: Buying Advice
Replies: 44
Views: 2429

Flow Control vs Spring Lever

After a lot of first hand experience owning a lot of espresso machines, my feeling is that personal ergonomic and emotional fit is the most important thing once you cross the boundary of mechanically competent machines (my experience sets that boundary as a basic prosumer e61 HX and above, but a DBD...
by russel
February 14th, 2023, 10:43 am
Forum: Tips and Techniques
Replies: 37
Views: 7319

Stuff about espresso that I wished I knew when I started out

I really like this. LittleCoffee is using an equipment combination that I would never favor or buy or recommend (until now), but that's because I have my own priorities and experiences that aren't his. One thing that get lost quickly in equipment discussions is that you (the barista) are ultimately ...
by russel
February 11th, 2023, 2:55 pm
Forum: Tips and Techniques
Replies: 37
Views: 7319

Stuff about espresso that I wished I knew when I started out

This is a great post and it rings pretty true to me! For anyone new to home espresso/barista-ing, take extra care to remember that "grinder, grinder, grinder" is fifth on the list of things to consider...first and second on the list are beans, "beans, beans, beans". The thing is that you can't inter...
by russel
February 5th, 2023, 5:23 pm
Forum: Buying Advice
Replies: 15
Views: 1314

Advantages of E61 espresso machine

As someone who has rebuilt/restored a lot of machines I'd like give the e61 a +1 for value as a used/2nd hand machine. A simple e61 HX from a quality manufacturer offers a lot of shot pulling value with modest risk of high repair costs. With the simple addition of a group thermometer and an openness...
by russel
January 11th, 2023, 12:03 pm
Forum: Buying Advice
Replies: 46
Views: 1913

Espresso machine upgraditis... is there a cure for it?

I think every person looking for upgrading advice/justification should note this and take a moment to reflect on it over a nice cup of coffee. I find coffee really interesting because it has so much to offer so many different people. I try to put the gustatory/culinary aspects first, followed by the...