Hey everyone! I met Dave at WOC Milan and had a great, long chat with him. I had been meaning to swing over to this site for a while, but kept losing time because I am actually rubbish at time management. I wanted to field any questions you all might have, whether critical or not, with this post. I see there are some, well, mixed feelings about me here, along with some vitriolic comments. That's OK! I knew putting out videos would subject myself to some pretty intense critique. Firstly, I wanted to say re: my Niche video- if I gave off that I though the Niche is not a good grinder, that is a mistake. My point of the video was that it is not the grinder it is cracked up to be (read some miraculous grinder that can do everything perfectly). As for using Wendelboe in the video, as all content creators do, this part is for show. I had had a Niche for well over a year prior to making the video. Secondly, I wanted to ensure people know I am not in cahoots with any manufacturer unless otherwise stated. It is a legal formality (should probably use a stronger word here) to make aware connections I have when making a video. If no connection is noted, no connection is there. Thirdly, I have never once made a video just for controversy or clicks. If subscribers, etc, were my goal, I would be playing the game a lot harder with heavily clickbait titles, going over more general subjects, and doing the shorts game constantly to grow. Instead, I have purposefully kept my full time job with Onyx Coffee Lab to ensure what I do on Youtube is steeped in what I enjoy and what I want to do. If I ever do what I think would appeal to a massive audience, I likely wouldn't be having fun anymore. Anyway, like me or hate me, I am happy to hear from you! Especially from one user who seems to really dislike me from an email exchange ;) Cheers, friends! And seriously, don't feel the need to hold back. I want to get better and meeting Dave, I think, was one step in getting there.

@"lancehedrick"#p30542 Welcome to the forum Lance! Great to see you here! Your “how to steam steam milk for latte art” was excellent! Please take your time to familiarise yourself with what we had discussed re-Niche one year review. https://coffeetime.freeflarum.com/d/811-niche-zero-one-year-in-review/4 Am sure a lot of our members will chip in!

Hello! I'm Lance Hedrick and I'd like to address some things!

lancehedrick

LMSC Totally! I read through the thread. Wanted to just be able to field questions or critiques here instead of trying to catch up there! And welcome any other comment/critique here. Saw loads of opinions on how I present, so would like to hear more pointed critique so I might be able to glean something from this group of hobbyists!

Cuprajake

I applaud this post, the fact that you have taken time to come on here and even address it, to me shows your more than just a content creator.

You do have a some what quirky style of presentation,

But it’s nice to have some one who’s knowledgeable joining the forum, hopefully you’ll stick around with input

Giphy - studying short circuit GIF

lancehedrick

Cuprajake absolutely! I genuinely do try my best to be the in between of, say, Dave and Hoffmann. Meaning, quirky entertainment and deep dives. I don’t feign to have the knowledge or experience of Dave, nor the affability of Hoffmann, but I have helped a lot of people and that makes me happy. Thanks for dropping a note!

CoffeePhilE

lancehedrick absolutely! I genuinely do try my best to be the in between of, say, Dave and Hoffmann. Meaning, quirky entertainment and deep dives. I don’t feign to have the knowledge or experience of Dave, nor the affability of Hoffmann, but I have helped a lot of people and that makes me happy.

One of the best things about Youtube is the diversity of both opinion and presentation. Personally, I’ve viewed quite a few videos from all three of you (and others) and I wouldn’t do that if I didn’t enjoy watching, and find them useful. The difference in style and approach only helps that.

It’s good to see you here. If nothing else, it means I can say thanks, for some excellent and very helpful material. Keep it up. ;)

Rob666

Lance, thank you for that, you are most welcome here. As a long term Niche owner I might disagree with some of your conclusions but you obviously care about coffee.

lancehedrick

Rob666 certainly! And, again, I feel many glossed over my continual “its ok to like coffee from the niche” (paraphrase). The video was not meant to diss anyone. I’m happy people love pourovers and light roasts and whatever else on the Niche. I just had not seen a negative review and feel people see Hoffmann, Spro, Buckman, etc, all who drink darker coffees, and conclude the niche does it all. Anyway, again, not my intention to be dismissive! Apologies. thanks for watching!

DavecUK

Good to see you here, as we form part of your audience. I think it’s universally accepted your latte art stuff is great. In my opinion it’s some of the best on YouTube and I always recommend it. My suspicion, it’s so good is because you’re totally in your comfort zone.

You have branched out now and crafting your own unique style where you feel totally comfortable. It’s a lot harder than people realise to review machines and grinders. The reviewers world is a tough one when you have the likes of Hoffman out there. We all feel entitled to take a pop at YouTubers, I certainly don’t have the coconuts to want to appear on video trying to be interesting and engaging. I’m pretty sure I couldn’t do it.

Rest assured we moan about Hoffman and others as well…not every video he produces touches everyone, same for all the reviewers/YouTubers..

I have been girding my loins to watch your Linea Micro review you did…only because I have a thing about the looks of the LMLM and LM do make some hugely overcomplicated design decisions.

If you’re at Rimini in Jan (very big exhibition), I’ll make you a coffee…cos I’m too cheap to buy one 😉

lancehedrick

DavecUK I won’t be- i’m stuck for a while due to visa issues. But thanks! And, the “comfort zone” was moreso because I had taught the same courses online for 8 months. Doing these courses was the impetus to starting the Youtube. Since everything is off script, it might seem i’m less comfortable, but reality is, the first videos were quasi scripted due to my teaching them so often. Anyway, I knew coming into this some would like what I say and others not! I do, to be sure, consult with electrical engineers and our favorite astrophysicist and chemist (Gagne and Samo) before posting videos. My goal isn’t to replicate what you do (I.e. full teardowns)- That’s just not as interesting to me; instead, my goal is to give a solid look at a machine’s reliability and rough taste profile, with hopefullly the clear spoiler that I have a bias towards lighter roasts, though I am fully calibrated on darker roasts with loads of roasters, green buyers, etc around the world from my decade in coffee.
Anyway, I know I come off with strong opinions, and perhaps that is the American way (which I relish).
Glad to have open discourse here!

tompoland

lancehedrick know the feeling. It’s easy to get kick back from people who have invested their hard earned when someone else shares an opinion of their kit that is anything less than favorable. Understandable too.

Cuprajake

Yeah but Hoffman is probably one if not the most polished coffee presenters on yt.

So we edited, but he has a set, and staff and alot of expensive equipment to make that happen.

lancehedrick

Cuprajake oh absolutely. I was with him on set one day. it is truly impressive the resources he has! I’d love to be able to buy all of my equipment as he does, but sadly, i’m already in a hole financially. I have to come out even soon or my wife is going to kill me. Built the studio in our garage (because i do YT stuff while kids are sleeping since i work during the day) and bought cameras- like $20k of investment. I’m a bit nervous about it all, but i’m having fun.

DavecUK

lancehedrick The expense and lack of a set and staff is why my production quality is rubbish. Which in fairness I do warn people about.

My next objective is a better phone to shoot my stuff on…🤣

dfk41

Indeed, as others have said, you are most welcome. You are a big boy Lance, and know if you do not stick your head above the parapet then you will not get noticed, and if you do, you become a target…..such are the niceties of the internet! I have had 3 or 4 Sage Dual Boilers and I know them to be capable machines, except for two things….longevity and lack of a decently supply chain for spares. Over here, Sage only have one authorised repair firm to cover the whole country! Therefore I am slightly surprised at your love for them. It is fine having 5 stars in several areas but to only have one star in others must bring the average down!

lancehedrick

dfk41 Ahhh yes. So, I have literally never had to replace anything (except a couple O rings) on my BDB. nothing at all on the bambino or pro. additionally, there is a community of BDB users I have found where a few of them have 8-10 year old BDB (some from the original shipment) that are still kicking. If one buys a BDB, which is insanely priced for a 3- PID, saturated group, controllable pp for Pi, and joins the community/follows the guidance I posted in the caption of my BDB video, they should be golden. Also, perhaps they do a better job with service in the USA, so the people I know with them could be a tainted pool. I can’t speak as much for sage, of course. Though, John buckman, who was not happy with me for my BDB video nor my custom one, has also sung the praises of the BDB over the years as a truly capable machine and a great steal.
Also, there are obviously forums like this in the states and BDB is highly touted as well, there.
Regardless, little scoop I heard while doing the LH Breville (which i did NOT get paid for nor did I get to keep)- their parts will soon all be commercially available.

lancehedrick

dfk41 (also, yes, i’m a “big boy,” but your disgust of me seems a bit too personal haha)

lancehedrick

DavecUK don’t need a better phone! Just grab a tripod and a couple of small lights!

tompoland

DavecUK your phone produced stand out quality on your last trip.

DavecUK

lancehedrick don’t need a better phone! Just grab a tripod and a couple of small lights!

The kitchen videos are not the problem, I use a tripod and it’s often daylight. It’s specifically low light or artificial light video when I’m in factories and exhibitions doing walk arounds, especially panning.

Watched the Linea Micro video, very good, especially when you opened the machine up and your summing up. Few cringy bits…but I grit my teeth and got through them.

One thing, home users use the machine in a particular way and the SCAA scace protocols aren’t really suitable for a prosumer machine in home use, might be worth coming up with your own to reflect home use.

It’s what I did helping Lelit with MaraX and Elizabeth.

dfk41

lancehedrick For the record, I do not dislike you matey. I admire to a certain extent, anyone who tries to make money from Youtube or other social media sources. It is a competitive arena to enter. The reference to ‘big boy’ was meant to suggest that you have gone into this venture with your eyes wide open!

lancehedrick

dfk41 oh i’m referencing some of the other comments i’ve seen from you haha! but I could also just not be used to the ire of Brits (I sometimes find myself scratching my head at my brother in law who is from Saffron walden). Yes- YT has been quite difficult, especially as a side quest. two kids, I co own a water company (lotus), work full time in wholesale at a coffee roastery, consult, and try to manage all these damn social media pages. good thing I have insomnia otherwise i’d probably be in a grave currently lol

Cuprajake

You’ll get used to dfk he’s got the deplommecy of a nuclear bomb 🤣

lancehedrick

DavecUK Yeah- the scace bit was to ensure people knew unequivocally this should not be seen as a cheaper commercial option (it is commercially certified). Thanks for gritting your teeth ha!

JHCCoffee

@lancehedrick tompoland
Tompoland has a valid point.

Its a double edged sword. If you choose to put yourself out there in the media, you do (by that choice) open yourself to equally public criticism and comment, especially if you (in the media) make comments that are perceived (by your viewers) to be inappropriate.

The other side of that sword is that viewers (like me) should only respond in that same venue, in this case YouTube. If I had done that (responded on your Youtube channel), you would have had a chance to reply. By my criticizing you here, you did not have that chance to reply. So my fault there, @lancehedrick ; my apologies.

What I do love about this forum is the absence of “trolling” and also the fact that there does not seem to be any egos here. Everyone is prepared/happy to just help each other out. Lets just get back to doing just that.

So, my apologies lancehedrick . Welcome to the forum. I do hope that I can converse and exchange ideas with you as I have with others. And look to you for advice. Talk again soon.

Back to making coffee …. Unfortunately my Eureka Mignon is sold, but my older Sette 270 is acting up (won’t grind fine enough to handle the waterflow/pressure from my Lelit E., even after shimming), so I will have to pour pour-overs or MokaPot or overdosed espresso shots, until my NZ arrives on Thursday. Then we are into a dialing in process all over again. My wife thinks I am nuts. She’s right; it is abit of an ever better espresso chase addiction.

tompoland My daughters fiancé is from a small oceanside town west of Perth. They currently live in Whistler BC, with my 7 month old Grandson. They are … sigh … moving to Margaret River, where they bought an affordable house. So I will soon be spending time in Oz, and searching for good roasters in Margaret River. And they make pretty decent wine there.

tompoland

lancehedrick very professional and even-handed response Lance.

Its a reminder to people like me need to remember that you’re a real person and to think twice before jumping to baseless conclusions.

“Good on yer mate”, as we say here in Australia.

PS think about running for president maybe?