Search found 42 matches

by JDolezal
May 6th, 2015, 8:13 pm
Forum: Buying Advice
Replies: 30
Views: 2747

Replacement grinder for Baratza Vario, budget < $1000

If it's mostly build quality / reliability issues you're concerned about, have you considered the Forte?
by JDolezal
May 3rd, 2015, 11:47 pm
Forum: Tips and Techniques
Replies: 22
Views: 622

Espresso technique critique

Just as a side note: while letting ground coffee sit out may accelerate the de-gassing process, it will also leave the chemicals vulnerable to oxidation (staling). You could theoretically let your ground coffee sit for 15 min in a pinch (if you need to use freshly roasted coffee) but the oxidative d...
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by JDolezal
May 2nd, 2015, 1:31 pm
Forum: Espresso Machines
Replies: 8031
Views: 1322218

Post a pic of your home espresso setup...

{image} And to think... it all started with a $30 Krups machine I found on Craigslist. I had no idea this would become such a delicious rabbit hole
by JDolezal
April 30th, 2015, 2:00 pm
Forum: Coffees
Replies: 18
Views: 1298

Chocolate Tones in Coffee

I've often thought about doing this; where would one go to find raw cocoa beans, though? Then again, the last thing I need is another hobby
by JDolezal
April 16th, 2015, 11:36 pm
Forum: Buying Advice
Replies: 87
Views: 2013

Upgrading espresso machine as an apt renter; too many choices

Hi Barb! I've been following your thread and thought I'd throw my two cents in: We're all drawn to that feeling of quality when making a big purchase like this. And nothing screams quality more than stainless steel, especially when you sit it next to something plastic. The problem with these beautif...
by JDolezal
April 11th, 2015, 5:55 pm
Forum: Buying Advice
Replies: 24
Views: 1132

Burr grinders. Manual grinders. Is burr REALLY better?

With a grind time of ~20-30 seconds, you probably spent more time typing your response than you would have spent on grinding your morning coffee with a Lido - hardly "all day."
by JDolezal
April 2nd, 2015, 11:23 am
Forum: Buying Advice
Replies: 17
Views: 1174

Baratza Vario up to the task?

This is a great point. I owned a Vario for about a month before returning it for this reason. Also consider that while the occasional slip for a single user might not be that big of a deal (e.g. you know that for this blend, the "2-H" setting works best, and if the arms slip, you just put
by JDolezal
April 1st, 2015, 9:30 pm
Forum: Buying Advice
Replies: 9
Views: 540

Ponte Vecchio Lusso or Export. And which grinder? I am confused!

The strega comes with two portafilters; you can have the bottom machined off one of them and still have a spare for splitting shots. It cost me $40 to have mine done at a local machine shop. Alternatively, it looks like they're being sold at "idrinkcoffee"
by JDolezal
March 31st, 2015, 4:38 pm
Forum: Buying Advice
Replies: 24
Views: 1576

Entering the world of pourover

For the record, we've got more than a few great ones here. You'll have to try Espresso a Mano (my personal favorite) and Commonplace Coffee (there are several locations, all of which are good). I've also heard good things about Tazza d'oro, though I haven't made it there yet
by JDolezal
March 31st, 2015, 12:45 pm
Forum: Buying Advice
Replies: 24
Views: 1576

Entering the world of pourover

Welcome to the forum! And welcome to Pittsburgh, in a few months What sort of budget are you looking at? On the lower end of the spectrum, hario grinders do a reasonable job. But if a ~$150 travel grinder is in your budget, I've heard great things about the Lido series (the Lido 3 will be released