Search found 3441 matches

by Marshall
January 22nd, 2024, 12:35 am
Forum: Cafes and Get-togethers
Replies: 25
Views: 1535

I want to open a proper café in North Texas

Klatch Coffee has had great success opening shops in the overlooked suburbs of Los Angeles, where all the trendiest shops fear to tread. So, it can be done, if you have the capital to market wisely and survive the months it can take to get established. That being said, new (and old) shops face stron...
by Marshall
August 16th, 2023, 4:41 pm
Forum: Lever Espresso Machines
Replies: 23
Views: 1456

Visiting Kent Bakke's Museum

It may lack the historical value of most of those beauties, but my first generation GS3 paddle (2009) should be somewhere in that museum. Kent took it back for his museum when I got my current GS3
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by Marshall
July 22nd, 2023, 3:46 pm
Forum: Coffees
Replies: 6
Views: 467

Good "mainstream" coffee brands available in whole bean?

Good news. You live in Metro LA, which has become the coffee hotspot of America over the last 10 years. Here are some great shops to try. Most have more than one location, if the original shop is too far for you. If they don't roast their own, ask who they use. For starters, Go Get 'em Tiger
by Marshall
February 13th, 2023, 9:00 pm
Forum: Tips and Techniques
Replies: 37
Views: 7317

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

I thought this was the most important quote in the thread. You can make superb cups of drip coffee at a small fraction of the cost of an espresso setup and with a minimal learning curve. Too many people underestimate how much learning goes into making a good (not to mention "great") cup of espresso ...
by Marshall
November 13th, 2022, 8:50 pm
Forum: Espresso Machines
Replies: 1612
Views: 161545

La Marzocco Linea Micra

My main concern about relying on a smartphone is "how long will they continue to work together after several phone software and hardware upgrades?" Will there be easily installed firmware upgrades for the full mechanical lifespan of the Micra, whatever that might be?
by Marshall
November 12th, 2022, 8:55 pm
Forum: Espresso Machines
Replies: 1612
Views: 161545

La Marzocco Linea Micra

So, don't forget to get an extension, if they start getting back ordered
by Marshall
November 11th, 2022, 9:16 pm
Forum: Espresso Machines
Replies: 1612
Views: 161545

La Marzocco Linea Micra

The ideal water quality range for proper extraction requires a bit of hardness. Our filtration system for the machine is adjustable, and we set it within SCA standards (a subject for another day). My wife is a retired water treatment chemist, and she tests the output regularly. The GS/3 has lots of ...
by Marshall
November 11th, 2022, 9:03 pm
Forum: Espresso Machines
Replies: 1612
Views: 161545

La Marzocco Linea Micra

They take the whole machine back to the shop for an acid bath. Fortunately I've only had to do it once
by Marshall
November 11th, 2022, 4:22 pm
Forum: Espresso Machines
Replies: 1612
Views: 161545

La Marzocco Linea Micra

I've had two plumbed-in GS/3 paddles and used nothing else for 13 years. In that time I've settled into a routine that works well for me and requires a minimum of intervention once I'm past pre-infusion. I love my machine. But I don't have the skills, tools or condo space to service it properly, whi...
by Marshall
August 17th, 2022, 12:09 pm
Forum: Buying Advice
Replies: 29
Views: 1867

High end grinder update time

To the OP: please forgive the OG nostalgia posts