Home-Barista.com

Frustrated newbie here. After studying up on here and elsewhere, I acquired a used Rancilio Silvia with PID and a barely used Mignon Silenzio. I've used the grinder daily, primarily for french press (set on its coarsest setting) and then using it every couple of days on about...

Stéphane Ribes recently posted a puck prep technique study on the (private) Decent Espresso web forum. I believe his findings deserve a wider audience, and he graciously gave me permission to repost them on H-B.

video showing visual uniformity of extractions

slide...

I have seen a lot of instruction where ratios are given rather than volume. Makes sense to use weight since crema can be thick or thin. I understand the principle, what I don't understand is that this information is not enough.

I assume that water weighs more than dissolved...

I am trying to figure out how to improve consistency when pulling light roasts (usually beans I've roasted my self, naturals <30s out of first crack).

I have a Lelit Mara paired with a Mazzer SJ + aligned SSP. I have thermometry on the group of the Mara which has helped....

Machine is a 51mm La Pavoni Europiccola, new OEM double basket (not IMS or anything special), new Cafelat bottomless portafilter. The basket is a bit loose in the PF, and falls out when trying to knock out the puck. Same thing happens with an older basket, so I think it's a...

Recently got really into espresso and got myself a linea mini and niche zero grinder which was a significant upgrade from the breville barista pro I have been using for a long while. Based on the reputation of these machines, I thought transitioning will be a breeze. How wrong...

Hello Everyone,

I'm new to the home espresso game and I'm looking for some help with dialing in / channeling issues using my bottomless portafilter. I'm working with an ECM Synchronika, Ceado E37S, Bravo tamper & distributor, yogurt cup funnel, and cake tester for WDT. All of...

So I was wondering if anybody has any tips or tricks when making straight espresso with honey processed coffees. I myself love honey processed coffees, but sometimes feel like I am extracting the wrong flavors of the coffee.

I've been doing some reading on the forum and my takeaway so far is that if you grind finer you're providing more surface area and are able to extract more flavour compounds (by more do we mean more sugars, acids, bitters, caramels or more of everything?). But it sounds like...

Hi guys!
I'm pretty new to the game after getting a delonghi dedica ec685 espresso machine about a month ago. I'm enjoying learning the dark art of espresso and have been reading up and watching some advice vids over the weeks.

My machine only came with pressurized portafilters...