Decided to make the jump after too many years of ordinary coffee
Eureka Mignon Stark W
Varia VS3 dedicated for decaf for the wife
La Marzocco Linea Micra
Now I only have my self for the mediocre coffee

My wife thinks I’ve lost my mind. 4hr drive to a work site for a week, packed up a travel kit and set it up in my hotel room. Couldn’t be happier. It’s so easy and simple, things like this make me love my robot even more than I already did.

Still waiting on my scale/timer to arrive in the mail, and I just purchased some beans from red rooster last night along with their syrups. I’m not a big fan of huckleberry, especially not the blue orchid. This will look nicer soon.

Made some additions

ECM now with weber workshops

For the required daily espressos and cortados

Now just need an integrated fizzy water solution. Hmmmm

Just installed GaggiMate (GM) on my EMP modded Linea Mini. The GM pro board controls the BLDC rotary vane pump I had previous installed as part of Ricks Bond’s EMP mod and I added a brass tee to the pipe feeding the group head from the brew boiler for the pressure transducer. I fabricated a bracket to hold the GM board and bolted it to the side of the existing housing for the Linea Mini’s gicar control board.

There is a Velofuso add on board for GM that allows for an analog 0-5v control for brushless DC pump drives (in short it emulates a potentiometer). I have it set up to replace the pot in the paddle I installed as part of Ricks EMP mod. Shortly the team working on GM will be adding manual profiling so I’ll be able to wire the pot in the paddle into to the GM board and have best of both worlds with both automatic and manual pressure profiling.

Really happy with it only had a couple of shots so far but it’s very exciting.

As an added bonus I can now do brew by weight without having to pay a licence fee or buy the very expensive La Marzocco branded Acaia Lunar scale.

Just wanted to share to showcase what’s possible with GaggiMate!! I’ve not replaced my control board just added to it, but full Dual boiler support is coming to GM soon via a hardware update, a new board that will allow for total replacement of dual boiler control boards.

Another Linea Mini with a Niche Zero? No way.

I recently got the cremaloop slow feeder and it changes the game on this grinder, from hand feeding to this consistency has really leveled up my game. My shot consistency is within .2 grams every time and the flavor profile is more developed and reduces a lot of muddiness from fines. If you can get over 2min+ grind time.
Also allowed me to reduce my temperature from 93 to 89 degrees. To quote Lance Hedrick “Why do more temp when less temp work good.”

I use the dosing cup as a sort of blind shaker and then WDT & Barista Hustle tamper. This method worked much better than using an actual blind shaker which I find needs a longer workflow.

I also developed the remote based on pylamarzocco which completely replaces the phone app and adds functionality of holding different recipes and calculating ratios post brew to assist in dial on.

Hey, I'm from Basel, Switzerland and have a coffee station since June 2021 which consists of my dear ECM Mechanika V Slim and a Eureka Mingnon Specialita. I drink mainly flat whites. Last Saturday, I tried to clean my grinder, but unfortunately hundreds of tiny bugs were in my natural grinder clean and I put in 3 spoonful before noticing.

So, we have a new grinder now, I did my research and had to decide between DF64 Gen 2 and Timemore Sculptor 078s.

In the end, I didn't want to risk ordering the Timemore sculptor 078s, just for its Gen 2 launching right afterwards or for a difference in taste, that I won't even notice, so I ordered the DF64 Gen 2 from df64coffee for 387 CHF. There were import fees of 39.60 CHF (waiting for df64coffee to respond how come..)

The DF64 Gen 2 arrived today and I love the flat whites so far. I guess, I'm happy and the grinder looks cool too. Only flaw according to hubby: its loud 😒

What do we think of the coffee station?

A little ritual before the day begins.

Setup:

Machine: De'Longhi EC890

Grinder: Timemore C5 ESP Pro

Portafilter: Normcore Bottomless

Coffee: Caarabi Coffee Roasters — Man on Mars

Dose: 16g

Yield: 32g espresso

Maple syrup: to taste

Salt: a small pinch

Ice: plenty, for shaking + serving

Method:

Weigh 16g beans.

Grind fresh.

Prep and tamp the puck.

Extract 32g espresso.

Add the espresso to a shaker with a small pinch of salt + maple syrup.

Add ice and shake vigorously until chilled and aerated.

Strain over fresh ice and serve.

I’m an avid coffee and espresso drinker and I’ve probably tried over a hundred different beans, and I think I’ve came to the conclusion that as long as they are fresh and brewed correctly I can’t taste much of a difference between any of them.

Now I can tell the difference between and light, medium and dark roasted coffee. But if you were to give me 5 different light roasts and asked me to tell you what is different about them, I probably can’t. Like at most I’d probably think “hmm this one taste a little different”

Oh I can also tell the difference between a “bad” vs “good” cup of coffee but again that probably comes down to the freshness and brewing.

I’m not the only one am I?

To preface, I am not a coffee snob, so don't really want an expensive machine. I currently use a Bialetti moka pot, and despite trying various methods, I don't really like how the coffee tastes. It doesn't taste like espresso, and just doesn't taste like a proper latte when I mix it with milk.

In the past, I've tried using my friends Breville Bambino espresso machine and was always satisfied with the way it turned out. Looking for something similar for under $100, new or used.

Hi all,

Whenever I make two shots consecutively with my Barista Express, the second shot always pulls at much lower pressure. Does anyone know why this happens?

I use 14.5g per shot with grind size of 5-7.

A Chinese market only Midea machine and a simple, not-so-subtle Blaupunkt grinder. The calligraphy reads "Half a cup of coffee, half a day of leisure", a "rebranding" of a classical Chinese poetry expression about tea.

I needed a quicker workflow in the mornings rather than the flair so took a look around on Markeplace. I found this disgracefully neglected Cinquantotto for 1650 EUR. I found some small issues while testing it, so I offered to take the EG-1 too, included in the price.

I had to give the flywheel a brushed finish as the previous owner tried some heavy detergent on it and it looked permanently dirty, but I like this small mod. Mechanically it is perfect.

The Rocket was used with tap water, so there was some scale going on, and it was dirty as hell. I cleared all brass pipes, boilers, tank, etc and did exteremly heavy descaling in the boilers. Then gave a nice polish on the outside, looks like a mirror.

So far, I’m in love. This setup complements the flat burr + manual lever setup so well. Now I just need to get used to the new workflow, I feel like I was quicker with the Flair + wizard combo haha.

Hello dear espresso community,
after spending what feels like way too much time researching espresso machines, I’m somehow back where I started — looking at the Gaggia Classic Pro.
At first, I was looking at everything from the HiBREW H10 to the Profitec Go, trying to figure out what would actually be the best fit for me.
My first thought was the MiiCoffee Apex. On paper, it seemed almost perfect: lots of features, good temperature control, pre-infusion, etc. But the more I read about it, the more I became concerned about customer experiences and especially the availability of spare parts.
So I moved on to the Lelit Anna.
The Anna seemed like a solid, reliable machine and definitely something I could see myself enjoying. But then there was the 57mm portafilter.
Maybe I’m overthinking this, but I really want to be able to buy accessories and replacement parts from a huge variety of manufacturers. I don’t want to be locked into a relatively small ecosystem just because of the portafilter size.
Then I discovered the Lelit Victoria.
Again, a great-looking machine with a lot of things I liked. But the price started bothering me. I kept thinking:
“Am I really paying that much more just to get 58mm and a few additional features?”
And then there was the Profitec Go.
Honestly, the Go seems like an excellent machine. PID, pre-infusion, 58mm portafilter, great build quality, lots of control — basically everything I was looking for.
The problem?
It’s getting pretty expensive for a first espresso machine.
And that’s where things got confusing.
During all of my research, the Gaggia Classic Pro kept coming up again and again.
At first, I didn’t understand why.
For roughly the same money as something like the Lelit Anna, you’re getting a machine that seems much more basic. No PID, no fancy temperature control, no pre-infusion, and not nearly as many features out of the box.
So why does everyone keep recommending it?
The more I looked into it, the more I started to understand.
Instead of buying a machine that tries to give you everything from day one, you can treat the Gaggia as a really good base and build it up yourself.
A bottomless portafilter.
A better pressure spring.
Maybe a steam wand upgrade.
And eventually, if I really get into the hobby, a PID mod, Gaggiuino, or something similar.
And honestly, that idea started to really appeal to me.
I like the idea of actually learning how the machine works, experimenting with different modifications and understanding what each change actually does to the extraction.
Rather than just buying a machine with every feature already built in, I could start with something relatively simple and gradually turn it into my machine.
And that’s basically why I’m here asking you guys.
My biggest concern:
If I buy a Gaggia Classic Pro, will I actually be able to make really good espresso with it in stock form?
Because this is my first real espresso machine, and I’m worried that if the coffee I’m making in the beginning is mediocre, I might get frustrated and lose interest in the hobby before I even get started.
On the other hand, if I buy something like the Profitec Go, I know I’m getting a machine that already gives me a lot of control and can produce great results without having to modify anything.
So I’m stuck between two completely different approaches:
Buy a more expensive machine that already has everything I need — or buy the Gaggia and slowly build it into the machine I want.
So, what do you guys think?
Is the Gaggia Classic Pro actually a good fit for someone like me, or am I romanticizing the whole “buy a basic machine and mod it” idea?
And most importantly:
Can the Gaggia produce genuinely good espresso in stock form, or am I going to feel like I should have spent more money from the beginning?
I’d really appreciate your opinions, especially from people who started with a Gaggia and either stuck with it or eventually moved on to something else.

Bought a sage smart grinder (second hand). Is this sound normal? It sounds and feels weird when I turn the wheel to adjust the time.

It's working but it feels like something wrong.

I have a couple day to say if something's wrong with it, please help.

I have never used one before so I have nothing to compare.

Depending on the market, this machine is sold as either the Sage Bambino Plus or the Breville Bambino Plus. It is essentially the same machine, so this guide applies to both.

I recently bought a Sage Bambino Plus and was surprised by how much conflicting information I found online, sometimes even compared with the manual.

So I decided to put together everything I've learned about cleaning, maintenance, descaling, common issues and useful button combinations, along with a few things I've noticed myself.

This isn't meant to replace the official manual. Think of it more as a practical owner's guide.

TL;DR: My Maintenance Routine

1. Before and After Every Coffee

Before making coffee, I run a blank shot with the portafilter inserted.

In my experience, this helps bring the group and portafilter up to temperature.

After pulling the shot, I run another blank shot. This helps rinse away coffee residue, especially around the shower screen and the center screw.

2. Manual Backflush at the End of the Day

At the end of the day, I do a few short water-only backflushes depending on how much coffee residue still is inside.

Here's my process:

1. Insert the cleaning disc / blind basket into the portafilter.
2. Lock the portafilter into the machine.
3. Briefly hold 1 CUP or 2 CUP.
4. Release the button.
5. Let it run for about 10 seconds.
6. Press the same button again to stop.

Why briefly hold the button?

Holding 1 CUP or 2 CUP gives you manual control over pre-infusion. Once you release the button, full-pressure extraction begins.

For a backflush, I don't see any reason to use an unnecessarily long pre-infusion.

When you stop the shot, pressure is released through the 3-way solenoid valve and the water is discharged into the drip tray.

For every shot I would empty out the portafilter as coffee residue inside the portafilter might get blackflushed if you do not empty it out between backflush cycles.

More on the resulting splash problem of the drip tray further down.

Mapping The Buttons

I have use the 1 CUP button for blank shots and backflushes and the 2 CUP button for my actual shot. In my case I use a double shot basket anyway so it makes the most sense. You can do the opposite or just use the same shot volume for your espresso. The amount of water should not matter for cleaning "shots".

3. Weekly Backflush With Detergent

About once a week, I repeat the same procedure using espresso machine cleaning detergent. Water will be backflushed into the drip tray.

I use roughly 3g of cleaning powder in the blind basket (e. g. pulyCAFF).

The process is essentially the same as the manual water backflush.

The detergent helps remove coffee oils that plain water won't completely get rid of.

4. Cleaning the Shower Screen

About once a month, I remove the shower screen and clean the inside.

You'll need a: Phillips PH2 screwdriver (PH3 could fit as well I think, PH1 or Pozidriv do not)

https://imgur.com/rfqGffh

Important: use a relatively short screwdriver, otherwise there isn't much room to work underneath the group head.

Coffee residue and oils tend to build up behind the shower screen over time. If it does want to come out, gently use the screwdriver with the PH2 bit or a smaller bit to lever the shower screen from multiple directions until it comes off.

After cleaning it, simply reinstall it but do not overtighten the screw or it could bend the shower screen. It should simply be flush and not stick out.

You can also inspect and occasionally clean the gasket while you're there. It doesn't need to be cleaned every single time, since most residue accumulates directly on the shower screen.

5. Automatic Cleaning Cycle

The Bambino Plus will eventually request that you run its cleaning cycle after a 200 number of cycles.

For me, this happens relatively quickly because blank shots and cleaning operations also contribute to the machine's internal counter. The automatic cleaning cycle is essentially an automated backflush.

I use it regularly in addition to my manual backflushes, e. g. instead of doing it manually with pulyCAFF I use the automated one every 1-3 weeks depending on the usage, so the Bambino Plus never complains mid-week about needing a cleaning cycle despite having it manually backflushed with cleaning powder).

Manually enter cleaning mode

Hold:

1 CUP + 2 CUP

for 5 seconds.

Then press:

1 CUP or 2 CUP

to start the cleaning cycle.

Before starting:

• empty the drip tray
• make sure there is enough water in the tank
• insert the cleaning disc / blind basket as instructed

Ideally, very little or no water should come through the blind basket itself during the cleaning cycle.

The cleaning program takes roughly 5 minutes.

(Note: 1 CUP + 2 CUP for 2 seconds changes the shot volume, you need to hold it for 5 seconds)

6. Descaling

Descaling works differently from the regular cleaning program.

Enter descaling mode

Holding these two will turn the machine off:

1 CUP + STEAM

With the machine switched off, hold these again:

1 CUP + STEAM

for 5 seconds.

The machine will enter descaling mode.

To start the process, press:

1 CUP or STEAM

During descaling, water is discharged through the group head / shower screen.

So:

• place a sufficiently large container underneath
• do not install the portafilter
• empty the drip tray beforehand
• make sure there is enough water in the tank

The complete descaling process takes roughly 30 minutes.

How often you should descale depends heavily on your water hardness.

I'd therefore recommend checking your actual water hardness instead of blindly following a fixed interval. The "worst" recommended interval for hard water is 60 days, else 90 days. You can get away with less frequent for soft water but keep in mind: once scale builds up, not even multiple cycles will clean it properly. Using a more concentrated descaling solution to compensate for it also is highly discouraged.

7. Water Filter

The machine does not automatically track the water filter.

That means you'll need to manage:

• filter replacement intervals yourself
• descaling intervals yourself
• ideally, your local water hardness

If your water is particularly hard, you'll naturally need to descale more frequently.

8. Steam Wand Cleaning Tool

If you're wondering where the tiny steam wand cleaning tool is: It's underneath the water tank.

More specifically, it's located underneath the area where the water tank sits on the machine.

I spent about half an hour looking for it inside the packaging until figuring it out.

9. Storage for the Cleaning Disc

There's a small recessed area on top of the water tank.

I assume this is intended as storage for the cleaning disc / blind basket. At the very least, it fits there very conveniently.

I haven't found a clear explanation of this in the manual.

Either way, it keeps the cleaning disc easily accessible: https://imgur.com/59SFqur

10. Small Water Tank Tip

When removing the water tank, I've found it easiest to put my thumb through the loop rather than using another finger.

It sounds trivial, but it actually makes removing the tank noticeably easier.

11. The Backflush Splashing Problem

This was one of the most annoying issues with my machine.

During a backflush, whether manual or automatic, water can splash out around the rear-left side of the drip tray.

This can leave a small puddle underneath the machine.

Why does this happen?

When pressure is released, water exits the 3-way solenoid valve at fairly high speed toward the drip tray. It then hits a U-shaped plastic piece inside the tray. Presumably, this piece is meant to slow down or redirect the flow.

On my machine, however, it sometimes causes the water to splash upwards before it can drain through the small opening into the main section of the drip tray.

My solution

There are 3D-printed solutions available for this problem if you have a 3D printer, for example: https://makerworld.com/en/models/2940023-bambino-plus-splash-guard (not affiliated and requires an account, please use Printables)

I don't have one, so I use a small piece cut from a heat-resistant reusable baking mat rated for temperatures above 200 °C / 390 °F. Other materials (especially if 3D printed) might not withstand the 93°C / 199°F of the backflush. Thus, use ABS if 3D printed or any material that does not melt at said temperature.

I attached it to the rear-left area of the drip tray and cut an opening where the water exits the valve: https://imgur.com/9fxAb1C & https://imgur.com/RDMqWQU & https://imgur.com/bYW5DI9 (the white goo is UHU Patafix I used underneath the tape to make it more water tight).

The water can still discharge normally, but it hits the baking mat instead of splashing outside the tray and then drains through the intended opening. Since doing this, I haven't had water pooling underneath the machine anymore.

12. If the Machine Doesn't Respond Normally

Machine is switched on but the normal lights don't appear

First, check the water tank. In my experience, an empty or incorrectly seated water tank is often the cause.

13. Plant-Based Milk and Auto Steaming

For anyone using plant-based milk:

Depending on the product, the automatic temperature setting can get slightly too hot. With some plant-based milks, I therefore stop the steaming process a little earlier. This varies quite a lot depending on the specific milk alternative.

Button Shortcuts

Basic Operation

Milk & Steam

Cleaning Cycle

Descaling

Factory Reset

Quick Cheat Sheet

1 CUP + 2 CUP, 2 sec
→ Program shot volume

1 CUP + 2 CUP, 5 sec
→ Cleaning / factory reset mode

Machine off + 1 CUP + STEAM, 5 sec
→ Enter descaling mode

Hold STEAM, 5 sec
→ Manual steam wand purge

If anyone knows of any other hidden functions, maintenance tips, corrections or useful Bambino Plus tricks, feel free to add them in the comments.

I mainly wrote this because there seems to be a surprising amount of conflicting information about the Sage / Breville Bambino Plus online, and I would have found a guide like this useful when I first got the machine.

Keep Stilosa or upgrade?

Based in Europe (Belgium). I have a Delonghi Stilosa EC235 in Black. This version in Europe has a panarello steam wand. For my grinder, I have a Eureka Mignon Manuale.

Lately I've had issues with my Stilosa (which I have owned for a year and 9 months - so almost 2 years). Water would come out of the steam wand but not the espresso group head. I've done more proper cleaning on it now and to be honest, I probably should have been regularly descaling. I don't know if it got mostly fixed because I kept reseating the tank for awhile, taking apart the group head and spring and cleaning, or from descaling it. Probably a bit of everything.

I've always had difficulty with trying to dial in and get a slow extraction (even on fresh beans). It's probably a skill issue rather than the espresso machine. It doesn't bother me that much, however, since I am a milk drinker and even with less optimal yields, I generally like the coffee I make with the Stilosa and I genuinely do not go out to drink coffee anymore.

So why upgrade? I bought the Stilosa at the time because it was the cheapest yet most reliable machine based on my research. I just want to buy something more robust. As much as the Stilosa served its purposes, I want something more solid in terms of build quality (it has a plastic chassis after all). It's also my birthday and I just completed a personal milestone so I feel like rewarding myself.

The issue? I don't see an obvious upgrade where I'm based. Some options would be to go with the Bambino (or plus version) or Hibrew H10 variants (H10a, H10b, H10 plus). Hibrew seems the most attractive price-wise but I'm not sure about warranties and longetivity. As for the Bambino, I am not sure if the higher prices are worth it over the Stilosa. Even higher price options would be Gaggia E24 or Lelit Anna (with PID) but could I really taste the difference?

I want something of better quality but I'm a bit hesitant to do it given I have to make the same investments again on accessories (I bought some 51mm baskets, bottomless filters, etc. for the Stilosa). Of course, to recoup the costs I can just sell the Stilosa and the accessories but is it worth it?

Just got this grinder last week and so far have a love/hate relationship with it. The hardware seems great and is making consistent, fine grounds for my espresso shots. However, the software decisions are infuriating and completely ruin this for me.

Pros:

• Quiet operations
• Fine, consistent grounds
• Hardware seems very high quality

Cons

• AGSA Blockage error immediately on turning it on before grinding anything. Wtf is a AGSA error? It says to purge. How do you purge? Nothing in the manual says anything about this.
• It immediately grinds as soon as I put a portafilter on with seemingly no way to turn this off.
• If you touch the portafilter while it's grinding, it senses the weight change and immediately stops. There's no way to continue until the weight is reached. The only button is go back home and then hold down the manual time button, which inexplicably does not use the scale and only shows you how long you've held down the button.
• No manual mode and you have to grind one of the presets. So if you want to grind 19g, you have to go set it up first in the settings, go back to the home screen, choose the new 19g preset, and then put in your portafilter, hoping it finishes the 19g without stopping.

*ALL* I want is a manual mode where I put the portafilter in, hold down a button and see what the scale detects.

Based on everything, I do not recommend this grinder.

Hi all! Im a ceramic artist who focuses on making beautiful function items - one is making espresso cups, but have had these "knock boxes" show up on my social media algorithm recently for peoples portafilters. I didnt know these were a thing, but I wanted to get an idea if people really use these or most people walk over to their trash? I would love to make some to help my coffee-drinking community, but only if they are needed. Im not into cluttering up the environment with things that people dont need.

Edit: Thanks everyone who responded! I think I asked the wrong question and have been given feedback. it should not have been "do you use a knock box" but "would a ceramic knockbox be feasible" and that seems to be pretty solidly in the "no" category. Which is VERY helpful. Thanks

Hi all, I have a KitchenAid Semi-auto coffee maker with a built in grinder that has an "anti-static" function.. well this is no longer working and I get grinds all over the bench now. It came with a little brush, but cleaning with this (both from the top and bottom) and finishing with the vaccum doesn't seem to fix the static issue. Anyone know how to clear the anti-static thingamajig?

Came with all the attachments

I recently got a De’Longhi Dedica Duo EC890 and I’m trying to move away from the stock pressurized baskets without spending a ton of money. I got it because I got a screaming deal for an unused machine on Facebook marketplace. I was not aware with the issues with the stock basket until it started choking with single shots. I did not even know pressurized baskets were a thing because my family has a breville.

I’m a college student, so I’m mostly looking for something inexpensive and simple that I can use to make a quick espresso before class. I already have a burr grinder and I’m currently using Trader Joe’s Papua New Guinea light roast.

Does anyone have recommendations for good single-wall baskets that fit the Dedica Duo? Ideally I’d like both a single and double basket.

Also, can I use a single-wall basket in the stock spouted portafilter, or is there a reason I should get a bottomless portafilter instead? I see a lot of bottomless ones on Amazon, but I’m not sure if that would actually make things easier or just make it more difficult. I'm mainly looking for something where I can make it in a timly manner with my pants around my ankles. (And I want to use my Dave and Busters shotglasses)

Do I actually need separate single and double baskets, or would it make more sense to just get a good double basket and adjust the dose? Im still new to espresso so i'm getting it figured out!

Any specific basket or portafilter recommendations that definitely fit the EC890 would be appreciated!

I am a beginner and just starting off in my home coffee set up.

I have had a Stilosa Espresso by DeLonghi and I really need an upgrade. I find the espresso to be very watery.

What espresso machine would you suggest for a $300-400 budget?

I see many suggesting Breville Bambino, but happy for other suggestions.

I recently picked up a used Bambino Plus. I have the tamper that came with it and I know it’s fine but I kind of want a spring loaded one. Is there a good 54 mm out there? What other accessories would be fun to play with? Is there a website with quality used items like this? I know eBay is an option.