Not as impressive as some of the “sick rigs” on this sub, but I’m having fun and making tasty drinks.
Coffee StationMind providing that link? I’d love to give it a watch
I had this to start as well. Great machine for the money spent and absolutely nothing wrong with it. Be proud and enjoy
having fun
tasty drinks.
The only two important things when making coffee.
I started my home espresso journey with a Barista Express, and once I got a better grinder for it (as you have), I loved it! I used it happily for 3 years before I succumbed to upgraditis. Have fun with yours!
Your machine is asking you to empty its drip tray.
Empty Me!!! My wallet screams the same
i think this is why people should skip the express and get a bambino instead. a lot of us outgrow the grinder and being able to sell it off is such a huge plus for a separate machine and grinder combo
Fantastic milk work. Great to see humble kit and proper skill.
Thanks! Got this machine for $100 on Craigslist and it’s doing me good!
That's the thing some miss. The whole point of this is to make coffee that you enjoy. You don't need the nicest machine in existence to pull good shots and steam good milk; shit I'm just gonna mod my DeLonghi Stilosa with a Rancilio steam wand bc I like the shots it can pull! That is a wonderful setup and a great-looking drink!
Great machine that I had for half a decade
We all have to start somewhere. And that’s all that matters that you are having fun doing it and making good drinks as well. Enjoy your machine!
That’s a great setup! 👍
Mine died a slow death after just over nine years of faithful service. Some engineer took it for parts or to rebuild. I hope it is servicing him well now.
i think the driptray is full
What, did it tell you that or something?
With any hobby or interest, it’s best to start out small in case you find that it’s not really for you. Why bother spending like 5K + for something you may not even end up liking? Having fun and making tasty bevvies are what it’s all about.
Absolutely agree. As much as I lust over some of the top tier machines, I’d be honest if I didn’t tell you that I’m a little irked when they’re accompanied by “my first setup!” Or “just getting into espresso, anyone have any tips”
I mean, it’s their money and they’re obvs entitled to spend it to their liking, and there’s always gonna be people with more money than skill, so I guess this post is a reminder to myself and maybe others that it’s not about the gear lust, or gear acquisition syndrome. Just have fun with it!
Man! I have that same machine. Have for a couple years. I wanna get a new grinder to get some better shots. Can a manual grinder be better than the grinder that’s built in??
Immediately, the manual grinder felt better. There is more fine tune adjustments with this grinder, less clumpy and static when put into my porta filter, and I can take it camping for my pour overs/French Press/Nitro Cold Brews
I’ve been given 300 bucks to get a new grinder for my breville… I dunno what to do! Maybe I can do this and save some money towards other stuff
If I was given money, sure, I’d get a Varia VS3 in a heartbeat, but I also have made my espresso making very ritualistic (which most on this sub have), and the manual grinder really connects you with your beans. How firm they are, their size and hardness. Makes you think about the roast differences and the millions of microscopic fibers it took to make your forearms sore 💪🏽
Awesome! Yeah I’ve been trying to decide between the variant vs3, euros mignon notte and a manual one
All good choices... Check this out
Yes! All that money they use to build the motor etc. goes into the burrs. You can find wonderful manual grinders for under $200 and less if you go used (the way I have bought the one I own). Can be harder to grind lightly roasted beans, but there are some hacks.
That's all that matters! Happy for you and great art work. it's a scientific art..
I snagged mine for $250. I’ve been beyond happy with it. Is it as good as a lot of the machines on here, no, but I also spent $250 and not $5500.
I will gift one to my father this year christmas
He wants real espresso(he has a cheap bean to cup) but not all the hassle modern espresso has been associated with
So i found one for 150eur barely used and full functional
Good starting point. You can do good milk textures with the right technique, and tempersture stability is a given PID and thermocoil heating element
People who have "sick" setups paid many times you spent, and the espresso is only marginally bettter. A good grinder and decent espresso machine go a long way. You have both. Nothing is stopping you from making great espresso. Just buy good quality and freshly roasted beans, and you are doing better than most!
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5mo
Thanks junkie, this tamp has been good to me, just knowing each basket tamp is level, and always the same pressure removes a critical variable from the process, allowing me to focuse on the other steps. It’s very solidly built, quite heavy actually but it feels good in the hand
What grinder is that? I've been looking for one and wasn't sure between manual and electric.
1zpresso, Jmax
That looks awesome! I have the same machine. Share are your settings for pulling your shots?
Sure, which settings?
The most realistic setup I have seen.
Where is that cup from? :o
It’s my feeble attempt at a latte cup in ceramics class.
It is beautiful!!
I sometimes feel behind when I see all the prosumer machines here but I recently watched a Hoffman video comparing ~$1500 machines and it really stuck out to me how feature packed breville makes their machines