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    Iron Heart Fall/Winter 2025 Collection Preview - Now Live

    WAKE UP AND COFFEE

    General Chat
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    • NorKN
      NorK
      Raw and Unwashed
      Joined:

      I did @neph93, I can't drink a lot of coffee so I make it count  😃
      Plus I love the steampunk aspect of a nice machine.
      Off coffee for six weeks  ???  I'm not operational without my morning coffee, couldn't do that.

      Price is forgotten, quality remains.

      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • Paul9221P
        Paul9221
        啓蒙家
        Joined:

        @neph93:

        Although all coffee looks delicious to me right now, I've been off it four six weeks  :o

        New years resolution?

        Blanket-line all the things!!!

        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • neph93N
          neph93
          見習いボス
          Joined:

          Nah… not my thing. Trying to work out the cause of a digestive issue, so Doctor’s orders. Or at least she asked me to cut down to one cup a day, and I’m all or nothing when it comes to this kind of thing.

          To be fair I was on a regime of two cups of aeropress in the morning, half a liter of filter coffee after dinner, and a couple of cups of work crap in the day, so a break was probably a good idea anyway.

          I’m surprised how quickly I adjusted. The first week I was a wreck until lunchtime, but after that I’m enjoying the new smooth ride into awareness that caffiene free mornings afford me.

          «Stevie Heighway on the wing!
          We had dreams, and songs to sing…»

          • Dame Vera Lynn
          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • Paul9221P
            Paul9221
            啓蒙家
            Joined:

            That makes sense. Coffee also punches up your anxiety which can lead to irritable bowel syndrome.

            I've been thinking of stopping coffee just because it's been making me extra anxious lately, even though I usually only drink 1/4 caff.

            Blanket-line all the things!!!

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

              Only now discovered this thread - awesome!

              In the “stranded on an island” scenario, my coffee machine would definitely score high  😃

              Mostly drinking single dosed specialties as Espresso and/or Cappuccino.
              When I drink coffe, I like to take my time and „celebrate the process“.
              So I really enjoy to hand grind with my Comandante. Also keeps the kitchen clean  😉

              Use it or lose it.

              last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • J
                Jett129
                見習いボス
                Joined:

                What a great shot of that shot of espresso coming out. Bet it was delicious. New category…Espresso Porn.

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

                  We have recently emerged from a lockdown since before Christmas.  The last two days I have went out and purchased two espresso’s from local coffee cafes.  They both tasted like …..

                  I’m tired of mediocre espresso and looking at a home machine.  Currently looking at Rocket, but need advice.  At this point all I know is that the machines are expensive as hell, and I’m afraid of putting the money out on something that is not worth it.

                  PLEASE HELP!!!

                  "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
                  • J
                    Jett129
                    見習いボス
                    Joined:

                    Pulling a great shot of espresso is definitely an art,and I don’t,personally, know of any place where I can get one. My brother in law is a total coffee geek/chemist and his espresso shots are off the charts,which is why I’m spoiled and don’t get them anywhere else. It took him a while to master it,but at this point he’s like a 5th degree Black Belt in espresso making. I don’t know what his set up is but he’s recently started roasting his own beans,which only adds to the experience.

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

                      @Jett129 You’re not helping (actually you are  :D).  If you can let me know his machine I would appreciate it.  I’ve been reading about this for years, and all I know is it’s half chemistry/and half art.  Grinders, machines, roast’s, grams of beans all make subtle differences.

                      My palate is meh at best, but on a few occasions I’ve had an almost out of the world experience with the perfect espresso.  I chase it to this day.

                      "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
                      • J
                        Jett129
                        見習いボス
                        Joined:

                        I’m totally with you on that. I’ve recently been reading about certain waters that can make a difference in the Crema and smoothness of an espresso shot, and I tried one of them at home with my pour over set up ,and felt there was a difference in the mouth feel over my tap water, which I have to filter. Going to bring it to my BIL next time I go down there. I’ll get the info and report back to you.

                        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • BrockB
                          Brock
                          Raw and Unwashed
                          Joined:

                          I’m in the same boat! Following along for some inspiration. Looking forward to seeing what he has [mention]Jett129 [/mention] we’ll need pics of course

                          Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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

                            Thank you!  I also appreciate any insight that adds to this quest!

                            "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
                            • J
                              Jett129
                              見習いボス
                              Joined:

                              @goosehd He uses a Rancilio Silvia,to which he added a PID kit to control the temperature,and he also uses a triple basket with a naked Portafilter. Hope this helps.

                              last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • J
                                Jett129
                                見習いボス
                                Joined:

                                If you google it distilled water is highly advised against,as it will damage/ruin your machine.

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

                                  @Jett129 Thank you!  Will start researching.

                                  "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
                                  • NorKN
                                    NorK
                                    Raw and Unwashed
                                    Joined:

                                    Indeed the Silvia is the perfect machine when you want to enter the espresso world. It's sturdy, and you'll taste your technique so that's perfect to learn  🙂 It's so popular you can easily find one used.

                                    It's like buying a camera, you have to learn the technique and practice a lot, otherwise going expensive won't give you better results.

                                    Price is forgotten, quality remains.

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

                                      @NorK:

                                      Indeed the Silvia is the perfect machine when you want to enter the espresso world. It's sturdy, and you'll taste your technique so that's perfect to learn  🙂 It's so popular you can easily find one used.

                                      It's like buying a camera, you have to learn the technique and practice a lot, otherwise going expensive won't give you better results.

                                      I 100% agree to this!

                                      I’d recommend the Silvia to anyone entering and looking for an affordable option.

                                      After budget, second most important question is your drinking behavior.

                                      If you only drink espressos: Stick to a single boiler machine (e.g. Silvia / ECM Casa)

                                      If you love to drink milk drinks such as Cappuccinos, go with a Heat Exchanger machine (best bang for the Buck: Bezzera Magica / Rocket Apartamento, or ECM Mechanika for the premium touch)

                                      And if you want to go all out, look for a Dual Boiler (ECM Synchronika / LaMarzocco Linea Mini)
                                      Those are basically overpowered for 99% of us all. But hey, we’re wearing 25OZ denim, right?  😃

                                      I find PIDs especially helpful in machines where the brew water comes from an „independent“ (no HX) boiler.
                                      So -> Single Boiler / Dual Boiler
                                      And it’s one of those features only 1% really need. Get the basics right, before fiddling with temperature 😉

                                      Rotary pumps are only really helpful when you want to use your machine plumbed.
                                      Vibration pumps are a bit louder, but you won’t taste that in your espresso 😉

                                      Recommended:

                                      ECM would be the Iron Heart of coffee.
                                      Overengineered, but timeless classics that will serve you forever. German construction, easy to repair, nice to look at.

                                      Profitec is a „low cost“ sister company of ECM.
                                      Solid machines without the overengineering.

                                      Almost everything Bezzera or Rocket is a solid option you cannot really go wrong with.
                                      They‘re relatively affordable, yet feature-packed.
                                      It’s more about aesthetics here, I guess.

                                      Grinder:

                                      The grinder is equally important!
                                      Just as with cameras & lenses. If the lense is crap, there’s nothing to do really…

                                      Comandante hand grinder would be the cheapest grinder that delivers top notch grind quality (grind size consistency etc...)
                                      Again, German construction, nice build, repairable....

                                      PERFECT for Single Dosing

                                      This was rather randomly put together, hope it helps some of you 😃

                                      Use it or lose it.

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

                                        @Jett129:

                                        What a great shot of that shot of espresso coming out. Bet it was delicious. New category…Espresso Porn.

                                        Thanks! I took like 100 shots in burst mode to get this one right  😃

                                        Use it or lose it.

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

                                          I've been very interested in one of those Rancilios for a while now… this thread isn't helping 😃

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

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

                                            Breakfast & coffee.

                                            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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