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Coffee - do you and how do you consume it?

Linea Mini
Is there a PPL for all of its components?
Would you be able to tell us - exactly - how many parts make up the LineaMini?
ty
[I have a machine that numbers 104 piece-parts in its PPL, for reference.]
 
Is there a PPL for all of its components?
Would you be able to tell us - exactly - how many parts make up the LineaMini?
ty
[I have a machine that numbers 104 piece-parts in its PPL, for reference.]
I didn’t work for LM, but I’d imagine the techs there could provide both if requested. They have extensive knowledge and are pretty much an open book about their machines. :)
 
All that said, I’d go with a Decent…
I hadn't come across them before...

I like.

:)

Not a fan of the water tray, though, and an extra $200 for hard plumbing to an RO tank or using the catering kit is a little infuriating to consider adding on when every other machine on the market at that price point comes ready to hard-plumb with the flip of a switch. *shrugs
But every machine has its quirks and even the ~3k price point which the Synchronika and Bianca exist in is no different.

I figure, realistically, I'm hoping to upgrade my espresso rig within the next 10-18mos. This is definitely on my list to check out in greater depth!
 
I figure, realistically, I'm hoping to upgrade my espresso rig within the next 10-18mos. This is definitely on my list to check out in greater depth!
I can't remember (after 100pages in this thread) but it sounds like you just can't stop trying the next new machine... and that is only after modifying your current rig!
What do you do with the old ones?:) Is there a website where people sell/trade used espresso machines?
 
I can't remember (after 100pages in this thread) but it sounds like you just can't stop trying the next new machine... and that is only after modifying your current rig!
What do you do with the old ones?:) Is there a website where people sell/trade used espresso machines?
I've only owned 2 machines since something like 2008 or '10. The first was an "upper tier" entry-level DeLonghi. Made so-so Espresso. The Rancillio Miss Sylvia is just about 5 yrs old with only the Pump being replaced for a similar model featuring brass fittings rather than plastic. That and adjusting the pressure to the Group Head. (Oh, and the shower screen and basket were changed out.)

The Sylvia is a pretty good machine, especially for the cost. I really wanted to get something as an upgrade to it which I can play with a little more. I'm not so into the all out manual experience which is why the Bianca started really appealing to me as it has a fully programmable PID that will do very detailed shot profiling.
The Decent is effectively all digital, so nothing to do from the perspective of paddles or knobs... but right now I'm just a flip switch on and off anyway... so I could change that out to a touch screen or whatever and be fine. But being able to set up a full profile is very enticing. Being able to pre-infuse, pause water while maintaining pressure at the puck, then brewing... adjust pressure and flow rate... Could be a lot of fun!

I should be able to sell the Sylvia. Dunno what it will fetch, but if I could get 300-400 for what will be a well maintained 6yr old machine I'd be stoked. :D
 
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I can't remember (after 100pages in this thread) but it sounds like you just can't stop trying the next new machine... and that is only after modifying your current rig!
What do you do with the old ones?:) Is there a website where people sell/trade used espresso machines?
facebook marketplace is pretty common, especially if you join the pages for used coffee gears in your country. yes scams are common but as long as you are careful and don't pay anything before hand, you're pretty safe.
like with audio, there are always statements by new owners saying thing like "my new fancy machine immediately pulled better shot than the old (very good) machine I've had for a few years". of course that can be explained by the honeymoon period, but without intensive, objective measurements you can't never be sure and wonder what's out there.
 
Recently spent a few days in San Diego. Discovered Jaunt Coffee Roasters and bought a bag of Colombian Sidra from them. Oh my word, the flavors!!!!! It's like drinking flowers with a hint of vanilla. It was so fresh too, entire kitchen was filled with a gorgeous, sweet smell.

I made it in Aeropress: 11g coffee / 200g San Diego tap water at full boil / 5-6 clicks on 1zpresso K-Ultra / inverted / 2 minute steep + swirl at the end

Very little acidity, sweet, intensely floral, smooth vanilla mouthfeel. Highly recommended. Those who hype it up as the next geisha seem to be onto something!
 
Cant resist sharing my 'excellent' results:

I just received my Orb One today (almost a year late, but....) from the Kickstarter project.

Since I can only drink decaf after noon, I dug up some 6 mos old, grocery store, ground decaf, to try out in it, frankly not expecting much.
But boy was I impressed!! I haven't smelled and tasted that 'speshul' coffee flavor in a long time, especially since losing most of my sense of taste and smell during covid...but I could actually smell and taste this!!
Cant wait to try it tomorrow morning with fresh roasted beans (True Coffee Roasters plug)!!

8138.png


PS. I also (oddly enough) received my Final Press V2 pledge earlier this week, and while it is simpler, and more versatile, it lets too much 'grit' through into the brew (IMO). Still, I can see it as being quite handy for portable use. In comparison, the Orb is in another flavor universe, though.
 
I just received my Orb One today
Interesting. Just looked that up.

Looks a bit fiddly - how long does it take to brew each serving? (For comparison with my traditional espresso E61 group machine it takes about 5 minutes to make our 2 morning lattes, including grinding)
 
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Yes, a bit, but after a couple uses it gets easy - not really any fiddlier than a big machine.
You start by heating the water up a bit in the 'pan', then drop on the rest of it (assembled) on, screw down, and heat up.

Total time is (I have not timed it!) about 5 minutes for a full cup (~200ml)....depend a little on burner setting and/or type (small, large).

The one downside is that then you have to let it cool down (it's all metal except the handle) before making another one.
So far (only two made) the 'shorter' brew is very much espresso identical, and the richest (! by far!!) tasting.

The 200ml sized one (max size) didn't strike me as vastly better than what I make with my Jura automatic, the short one yesterday definitely did.
Still working on fine tuning grind size (Jura does that by itself), though.

I didn't buy it to replace the Jura - my 'big boy vietnamese cuppa' in the morning - but to make a small espresso (decaf) in the afternoon, or a caffeine 'extra' hit later in the morning, but without the need to have a second (real) espresso machine on the counter.
(The Jura is hopper fed, so changing out beans to decaf for a short one later is a pain).

The machining (and general) quality of this thing is impressive. Very happy with it, though will need further experimentation and experience.

Kickstarter is full of odd ball coffee making devices - this one is worth it, in my view.
I have a closet full of 'inexpensive' coffee devices - so far the only real 'keepers' are the Jura, this one, and the Mocca Master (for AM full thermos...when I was working, now retired itself).
The rest, from pour overs, to push type, to cold brews, to cheap espresso machines, (no pods, thanks...oops, forgot the Illy one) are too fussy or fiddly for what I got out of them...not bad necessarily, but all of those have ended up in the 'dead bean' closet. ;)
 
no pods, thanks
With you there. I've never (literally never) had an even halfway decent cup out of a pod.

I think I'll give the orb a miss - that cool down makes it a non starter for anything other than a one person device.
 
That Orb-One is a very interesting design exercise execution. Seems to be a take-off from a MokaPot concept.:facepalm:
I am guessing a user cannot expect to squeeze-out quad-shots (= 2 dopio-pulls at ~16gm/each) of espresso grind... w/o 2nd degree burns.
It also appears to satisfy many users w/an AiO design that supposed to be able make espresso shots to drip coffee!:oops:
Looks a bit fiddly - how long does it take to brew each serving? (For comparison with my traditional espresso E61 group machine it takes about 5 minutes to make our 2 morning lattes, including grinding)
Bit jealous: From start of staging to end of clean-up (50gms of grind, a quad for me, a dopio for mate, both w/turbinado, and milk-froth) is a labor-of-love which takes me 14 minutes total.:)
Interesting. Just looked that up.
Link
 
I came across the following current facts about how "Americans are highly caffeinated":
Data extracts from National Coffee Association report, Fall/2023:
  • They drink 2.8cups [8oz.] of coffee/day
  • In a week, 61% of Americans have 'traditional' coffee and 53% have specialty coffee (latte/espresso/cappuccino top 3 choices)[?]
  • Consumption of iced coffee - very hot trend - is up 64% since January 2023, and 60% drink it regularly[?]
  • 30% of Americans drink flavored coffee in a week[?]
  • 65% of young Americans (25-39y.o. << more than any other age group[?]
  • 38% of Americans have coffee in the morning, 15% w/lunch, 19% in afternoon, and 7% w/dinner[?]
Data extracts from National Coffee Association report fall/2023
*[?]=new math?
Heather Perry, has been drinking coffee since she was 8 years old. o_O
She won the nation's "Best Barista" in 2007 - while still a teen and went onto win 2nd spot in Tokyo World Championships...
Why would I tell you that << She knows the people that know the people who can acquire Geisha beans ["13 varieties"] for her company Katch Coffee, roasting their beans out of Camarillo.
Their entry-level Geisha is $20/6oz. and their best is going for $106/6oz.
-------------------------------
Bonus Factoid for the Brits in the crowd: "Coffee is nudging tea aside in the UK’s affections. What can this civilisational shift mean?":eek:
 
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I don't use anything fancy (like those coffee beans plucked out of monkey poop).

I used to drink a lot more before retirement; they had a Starbucks stand right down the hall from my lab. Basic black for $1.85/cup. I used to bring a giant ESD-rated mug (probably 24 oz.) and filled it once a day.

Now I have one cup in the morning using a french press, using hot water from our Keurig machine. I'm less of a caffeine junkie these days...
 
I'll work on perfecting the Orb use and report back - I'm a pretty busy bee here tho, so it'll be a couple more days at least.
My guess is that with the right potholders/gloves, keeping it warm whilst 'loading up the next batch' might actually speed things up a good bit.

BTW, I had an old single cup keurig pod machine I bought but never used, so gave it to someone else recently....but before doing so I got some fancy new 'pods' and gave it a try, and was actually surprised at how much better this one was, compared to others I'd tried. Almost pallatable.
The Illy pods were not very good, darned expensive, and wasteful as all get out...as they all are.
I'd rather invest in quality beans than unrecycleable (generally) capsules and convenience/marketing/hype.

Very happy with the Jura/Orb pair, with Mocca Master as a 'road trip' backup. :)
Others just go into my 'museum of interesting ways to make coffee'.
:cool:
 
Bit jealous: From start of staging to end of clean-up (50gms of grind, a quad for me, a dopio for mate, both w/turbinado, and milk-froth) is a labor-of-love which takes me 14 minutes total.:)

So my 5 minutes didn't include staging (by which I assume you mean "getting ready") nor clear up. I'd checked the 5 minutes to assess the impact of having to make additional coffees when guests are round.

However I've just timed this mornings run, including set up and clean up and it ran to 7 minutes. This is for around 34g (two doubles) grind, and about 300ml (10oz) milk steaming - and I multitask, pouring milk into the jug and warming cups while grinding. Refilling tank and filter jug, and rinsing drip tray included.
 
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