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    Iron Heart Fall/Winter 2025 Collection Preview - Now Live

    WAKE UP AND COFFEE

    General Chat
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    • ChapC
      Chap
      見習いボス
      Joined:

      With coffee beans of good quality and roast and a good grinder you can achieve awesome coffee on many ways. Pour over, French press, Bialetti aso. if you want a perfect cafe espresso it is more difficult, you need a good machine and some time to get calibrated to her….
      … and then:

      God has blessed you richly, so get down on your knees and thank him. Don’t forget the less fortunate or God will personally kick your ass. I’d love to do it for him, but I can’t be everywhere. Willie Nelson

      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • goosehdG
        goosehd
        Mod Squad
        Joined:

        @Chap Very nice crema and it looks like you have your machine's dialled in very well.  🙂

        "I don't give a shit what anyone else is doing, we will do what is best for us and our customers" - Giles P. :)

        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • ChapC
          Chap
          見習いボス
          Joined:

          @goosehd:

          @Chap Very nice crema and it looks like you have your machine's dialled in very well.  🙂

          Thanks @goosehd yes when I score good tamping and perfect coarseness she does a great job

          God has blessed you richly, so get down on your knees and thank him. Don’t forget the less fortunate or God will personally kick your ass. I’d love to do it for him, but I can’t be everywhere. Willie Nelson

          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • AnesthetistA
            Anesthetist
            見習いボス
            Joined:

            [mention]weftyarn [/mention] thank you for your recs and input, it is much appreciated. I have been using the Minipresso and oldschool stove top espresso makers but I want to up my game. I’m fairly proficient at pourovers, chemex, and aeropress so I figure this is the next big adventure.
            As for grinders, I was using a Baratza but have upgraded to a Commandante and it has changed the game for me. I friggin LOVE this baby and although the price is a little shocking, it is worth it.

            Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

            IG: bluehandsslim

            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • AnesthetistA
              Anesthetist
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              Which machine is that [mention]Chap [/mention] ?

              Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

              IG: bluehandsslim

              last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • popvultureP
                popvulture
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                I'm gonna pick up a Comandante soon, been eyeing one for a while. I'm also espresso machine curious but haven't been quite ready to take the plunge yet price-wise. Seems like a grand barely gets you in the game — I do know that I bought a Breville machine years ago that was expensive (or at least what I thought was at the time) but was complete dogshit. That was my first lesson that getting something simply usable is pretty costly, and then just up and up thereafter. Rancilios have caught my eye, gonna have to check out that ECM. Will follow along!

                WTB
                IHSH-IHG-BLK XXL
                Sugar Cane Coke Stripe SS L charcoal

                last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • AnesthetistA
                  Anesthetist
                  見習いボス
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                  [mention]popvulture [/mention] that’s my line of thinking exactly. I might just save up and try to get something that I will enjoy for a long time, at least until my heart gives out from all the caffeine I take in.

                  Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

                  IG: bluehandsslim

                  last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • popvultureP
                    popvulture
                    見習いボス
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                    I'm also curious what people do as far as water goes… do you run a line into your machine, or just fill up a reservoir? And with that in mind, do you have a filtration system in your house? How do you go about keeping your machine in good shape calcium-wise? I know people descale them but I also just wonder how far they go as far as the water going in.

                    WTB
                    IHSH-IHG-BLK XXL
                    Sugar Cane Coke Stripe SS L charcoal

                    last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • ChapC
                      Chap
                      見習いボス
                      Joined:

                      @popvulture:

                      I'm gonna pick up a Comandante soon, been eyeing one for a while. I'm also espresso machine curious but haven't been quite ready to take the plunge yet price-wise. Seems like a grand barely gets you in the game — I do know that I bought a Breville machine years ago that was expensive (or at least what I thought was at the time) but was complete dogshit. That was my first lesson that getting something simply usable is pretty costly, and then just up and up thereafter. Rancilios have caught my eye, gonna have to check out that ECM. Will follow along!

                      Comandante is the best choice if you don't want to invest in a machine grinder

                      God has blessed you richly, so get down on your knees and thank him. Don’t forget the less fortunate or God will personally kick your ass. I’d love to do it for him, but I can’t be everywhere. Willie Nelson

                      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • ChapC
                        Chap
                        見習いボス
                        Joined:

                        @Anesthetist:

                        Which machine is that [mention]Chap [/mention] ?

                        Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

                        Olympia Cremina from Switzerland

                        God has blessed you richly, so get down on your knees and thank him. Don’t forget the less fortunate or God will personally kick your ass. I’d love to do it for him, but I can’t be everywhere. Willie Nelson

                        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • ChapC
                          Chap
                          見習いボス
                          Joined:

                          @popvulture:

                          I'm also curious what people do as far as water goes… do you run a line into your machine, or just fill up a reservoir? And with that in mind, do you have a filtration system in your house? How do you go about keeping your machine in good shape calcium-wise? I know people descale them but I also just wonder how far they go as far as the water going in.

                          My Olympia has a water tank and I fill it with descaled water

                          God has blessed you richly, so get down on your knees and thank him. Don’t forget the less fortunate or God will personally kick your ass. I’d love to do it for him, but I can’t be everywhere. Willie Nelson

                          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • weftyarnW
                            weftyarn
                            啓蒙家
                            Joined:

                            @popvulture @Anesthetist I totally get what you’re saying. Exactly that “might as well go for the real deal” led me to the ECM Synchronika. Yes, it is a lovely machine and I will never have to upgrade. Yes, it is completely overpowered in 90% of the cases. But in the 10% cases where I have to prepare multiple Cappuccinos and serve them all warm, I’m happy I got it.

                            I can second the testaments on the Comandante. It’s the Iron Heart of Hand Grinders. In fact there’s even a special version they called Iron Heart 😉

                            With the “Red Clix” upgrade it is also well suited for single dose espressos and can save you some serious money over buying an electric grinder, without sacrificing on grind quality. In fact, that setup is exactly what I’ve been using the past 2.5 years together with my Synchronika and I really love it.

                            My dream electric grinder would be a Niche. Anyone got it and can report experiences?
                            I’ve only heard good things thus far.

                            Putting in the effort of hand grinding also makes you appreciate the espresso even more. It’s a bit like going through a painful UHR breakin to be rewarded with fades.

                            Regarding water: here in Munich we have water with stupid high hardness. I only use Volvic water as a consequence. It has a rather “flat” taste, but it works wonders preventing scaling in the machine!

                            Use it or lose it.

                            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • AnesthetistA
                              Anesthetist
                              見習いボス
                              Joined:

                              Any opinions on Rocket Espresso? Found an open box at a decent price. Reviews seem positive.

                              Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

                              IG: bluehandsslim

                              last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • goosehdG
                                goosehd
                                Mod Squad
                                Joined:

                                Curious as well.  I've read quite good things about the company and the quality of the machines.  Would like to hear any feedback that you guys may have.

                                @Anesthetist Are you looking at the Rocket Appartamento?

                                "I don't give a shit what anyone else is doing, we will do what is best for us and our customers" - Giles P. :)

                                last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • AnesthetistA
                                  Anesthetist
                                  見習いボス
                                  Joined:

                                  @goosehd:

                                  Curious as well.  I've read quite good things about the company and the quality of the machines.  Would like to hear any feedback that you guys may have.

                                  @Anesthetist Are you looking at the Rocket Appartamento?

                                  Yessir, that’s the model exactly.

                                  Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

                                  IG: bluehandsslim

                                  last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • weftyarnW
                                    weftyarn
                                    啓蒙家
                                    Joined:

                                    A good friend bought an Appartamento few weeks ago and seems to be happy thus far.

                                    From what I’ve read, you can’t really go wrong with it.
                                    Apart from the comparably small boiler (1.8l vs e.g. 2.2l ECM Mechanika Slim) and the fact it’s made of copper rather than steel,
                                    It’s more of an aesthetics decision here, I think. I love the side panels of the Appartamento, gives it a nice touch!

                                    Use it or lose it.

                                    last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • weftyarnW
                                      weftyarn
                                      啓蒙家
                                      Joined:

                                      Profitec Pro 300 might also be a great option for those looking into an affordable dual boiler!

                                      Profitec is a sister company of ECM,
                                      the build quality is top notch!

                                      Use it or lose it.

                                      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • Mike_Lima_PapaM
                                        Mike_Lima_Papa
                                        Haraki san Prodigy
                                        Joined:

                                        I, too, am a home-barista-in-training and have enjoyed seeing the beautiful machines posted here. I've been working on my espresso setup (and skills) for a little over a year. Started with a Flair 58 and graduated to an Ascaso Steel Duo a few months back. It's not a "grail" level machine but it punches above its weight class for sure. Also have a Eureka Specialita that I converted for single dosing.

                                        Anyway, I work in the coffee industry (roasting, packaging) and would love to answer any questions folks here may have!

                                        Sent from my SM-G781U using Tapatalk

                                        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • steelworkerS
                                          steelworker
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                                          you people are gonna get me in trouble  😉

                                          Those are my principles, and if you don't like them…
                                          Well, I have others.

                                          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • DmartD
                                            Dmart
                                            啓蒙家
                                            Joined:

                                            Im as well in the market. Torn between the Appartemento and Lelit Mara X.

                                            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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