Home barista having an identity crisis, requesting emotional support.

I've been perfectly happy with my Expobar Office Lever and Baratza Vario for about 8 years now but they're starting to bug me. Never suffered from upgrade-itis before today and now I've got a bad case....

We are vacationing in Waikoloa village and open to any suggestions where to pick up Kona beans or prepared Kona coffee. Obviously while in Kona almost all coffee is trying to capitalize on the name and it's not all created equal. The one place I really like that I've been to...

Hey all

I'm thinking about pulling the trigger on a la Spaziale Dream or Vivaldi. Leaning towards the tank version, not the plumber in version, but still undecided.

From all I've read I don't think I'm interested in an E61 machine. I've been mainly looking at none E61...

Moderator's note: split from Hacking the DF64 exit chute

I have used df64 with VFD. i use panasonic VF0 series 0.75 kw. it also has low rpm torque boost feature. i can drop the rpm up to 650 rpm reliably with out stalling.

i found this VFD second hand. and it cost about...

I typically let my Full City roasts rest about a week before pulling shots, but that lag time really puts a damper on experimenting with roast profiles. Is there a faster method to roast/brew/taste, like, same-day? The tasting notes just need enough veracity to provide general...

Total tear down of a '87 Cremina. GH was particularly gnarly. Only hair-puller was getting the front piston rod pin out. I pulled out the ultrasonic bath to speed things up. The small parts went in plastic tubs in a 60C bath. Cafiza did its job in minutes vs hrs. Descaling also...

I am at a loss. I am getting sour undrinkable shots. I have not changed anything that I can identify. I am using the usual beans I purchase from a local Italian market and 18 grams of coffee in a VST 20-gram filter. I pull 1.5 oz in 26-28 seconds. I am also getting wet pucks...

I've read a lot about these two machines and I'm aware that a selling point for the GS3 in home use is the MP conical valve that allows flow profiling, which has its advantages for lighter roasts.

My question is- if your main interest is comfort blend espresso (chocolate nut...

Hey friends, this morning when I fired up the burner under my Huky I found there was no way to keep just the burner filament lit, rather I had flames dancing on the filament up to the bottom of the drum. Nothing different today than any other day. I think it has to do with the...

I'm getting ready to churn out 15 sample roasts of this Private Collection Auction co-sponsored by Anacafe and Alliance for Coffee Excellence.

I'll try to document my experience here and perhaps make for a useful discussion about sample roasting and tasting.

Hi, I'm searching for resources and tips on how to learn/train to recognize and differentiate tastes in espresso. Do you have any tips to share?

Hi, I just received a Lido Basic grinder, and would like some advice on whether my expectations were perhaps too high?

With that said, I've been making and grinding coffee for about 5 years now, and have owned a host of hand grinders, none of which would constitute high-end...

There are a few posts here about the Profitec machines, I thought it may be helpful for others to read about my journey and how I find the Profitec 600. I hope you find this useful!

Background
The Profitec 600 is my third espresso machine, my first real espresso machine was...

Hi again, folks, I am trying to disassemble the mushroom on my ECM. I have taken the mushroom out of the E61 group and I am trying to take the mushroom itself apart, to check screen inside. It would not come apart. I am gripping the mushroom stem and I am going counterclockwise...

Hi Community, first post here so please bear with me :).

My first espresso purchase was what looked like a 1967 La Pavoni Europiccola. Looking at many of the resources online, it did look and feel like one.

However, after further inspection I have some doubts and would like to...

About to take the plunge with a Decent. It Looks like the 18g basket is included with the machine, What other sizes would be recommended with the Purchase? What about third party baskets, should I consider them instead?

Hello has anyone taken a look at this video from one of ECM's authorized retailer? Around 8.32 of the video, it states that it is recommended that no more than 4 oz of water be dispensed from the water spout to avoid running the risk of overheating the hx heating element. Is...

I have only had my ECM Puristika for 2 months, but already decided to upgrade various parts. So the first thing to go was the rubber grouphead gasket. Thinking that I should get the same size as the original one, I ordered the blue Cafelat 8.5 mm E61 gasket. However, it was too...

Someone in my house messed with the grinder while cleaning unbeknownst to me and somehow unlocked the adjustment ring. When I started the grinder it spun itself to full lock and seized. Since then I've been able to remove the inner burr and clear it of coffee, but the outer burr...

Bought a brand new Breville Barista Express.
Was flushing the machine, running water through steamer, hot water spout and group head until I emptied the entire water tank.
I noticed fine white flakes in the cup I was using and figured out they were coming from the steamer wand....