How do we tell if a poster has a vested interest in a certain product? For instance, one poster has posted 27 times on the Weber Moonraker, all disparaging it, even though they don't own it, have never used it, and have no intention of purchasing one. Seems odd.



...split by moderator from Weber Moonraker?

javabob wrote:How do we tell if a poster has a vested interest in a certain product? For instance, one poster has posted 27 times on the Weber Moonraker, all disparaging it, even though they don't own it, have never used it, and have no intention of purchasing one. Seems odd.

Has that poster disparaged the actual product? Claimed it does not work?

If not, then we are left with the possibility that Poster 27 (we'll call him that for the moment) is, rather, amused by the prospect of a $475 WDT. Let's face it, no matter your income level or interest level a mere WDT whose price exceeds that of an entire new espresso machine (such as the famous Gaggia Classic) has got to seem.... unseemly

javabob wrote:How do we tell if a poster has a vested interest in a certain product? [ ... ] [The posts of a certain user] Seems odd.

If you have concerns, please flag the post for moderation. When it isn't clear from a single post, adding some notes will help the moderation team.

coyote-1 wrote:Has that poster disparaged the actual product? Claimed it does not work?

The repetitive mention of their "witty" moniker for the product, insinuating that it's merely a moneygrab, is unhelpful, condescending towards people that see value in it, and (if nothing else) tedious.

This forum routinely condescends towards those who see value in not spending a fortune on espresso gear! Just today, someone stated that it's impossible to get good espresso from a "15 bar" device.

Frankly, that's nonsense. First of all, nearly every vibe pump machine, from $150 to $1500 and up, is utilizing the same Ulka 15 bar pump. From there, there are two criteria by which a "15 bar appliance" can indeed make great espresso:
A) there has to be an unpressurized basket/portafilter option available for it
B) the owner/user has to be willing and able to modify it.

That's it. The mods are simple: a cheap digital thermometer ($20 for a pack of five on Amazon), and a lamp dimmer ($10). The thermometer allows accurate temperature surfing, and the dimmer allows flow control. Get the right starting temperature for your shot and then control the flow correctly, and you get a very good shot of espresso.

But of course, the choir of those who've spent thousand$ on their espresso station, and need to validate that to themselves, are in the business of convincing the uninitiated that massive expenditure is required. Imagine you're a beginner seeking to enjoy some espresso, and your first stop is a thread that says a tool to stir the grinds will cost you $475!!

If you see value in that expenditure, go for it. But if you're subsequently gonna go on a forum and brag about it, don't be surprised if you face a bit of 'needling' over it . It is, after all, $475 for a few needles to stir a small filter of coffee grinds.

Just a note about what I wrote here: I would see immense value in a sticky thread that lists inexpensive machines known to have available unpressurized options and be easy to modify as described. I'd wager a lot more people would have a lot less difficulty in purchasing, as well as in actually making a good cup.

My entire espresso station cost less than that Weber gizmo.

Strawman, TL;DR

Graymatters wrote:The repetitive mention of their "witty" moniker for the product, insinuating that it's merely a moneygrab, is unhelpful, condescending towards people that see value in it, and (if nothing else) tedious.

May I suggest that if in fact you have a Moonraker, do some testing with it and share your information, good and bad. That's how most of us here tend to decide if a product is worth trying.

Graymatters wrote:Strawman, TL;DR

If you did not read it - not surprising, as it's a staggering eighty pages, well beyond the capacity of the average reader - how could you possibly know whether it's a strawman or not? Which it's not, of course... but whatever. By all means, continue to feel condescended-to by folks having a bit of fun with the idea of a $475 needle-twirler.

coyote-1 wrote:If you did not read it - not surprising, as it's a staggering eighty pages, well beyond the capacity of the average reader - how could you possibly know whether it's a strawman or not?

Based on your first sentence - easy peasy, lemon squeezy. Claiming bad actors elsewhere doesn't justify monotonous, retaliatory dullardry here.