MediumRoastSteam

Thanks! I have had a Niche Zero for a couple of years. Recently got myself a Lelit Mara X (v2) to go with it. The Mara X was second hand and it has a few minor niggles needing ironed out (I am most likely going to be posting some questions on this in the coming days), but has made some delicious espresso so far!

    Greetings! Been a reader of Coffeetime for a while and appreciate the exchange of thoughts here. Also regularly on HB under the name “Junior.” Live in Portland, Oregon, US. I own a Cimbali Jr. for about 18 years (it was already 20 years old when I got it through a government surplus auction). Also have a Faema Faemina and a Mazzer Major (also from a surplus auction) (converted to single dosing). Started visiting here when considering a switch to one of the newer hybrid levers from Nurri and ACS.

      19 days later

      Hello all,

      so I have been a long time viewer of the forum and finally got round to joining 🙄😂

      my coffee story is short-my wife got me a sage barista express 18 months ago (I didn’t get myself a machine because I am a nightmare with new hobbies and going OTT 🙄)

      I am saving for a Lelit Bianca v3 and tomorrow will be buying the DF64 gen2 (thanks Tom for the code) maybe the grinder will improve the espresso from the sage until the Bianca arrives.

      Thanks for having me 👍

        Hi all! Happy Christmas and new member post :D

        Been following for a while but never managed to join- looking forward to the rabbit hole that is everything coffee!

        Currently upgrading from an SB Dual Boiler to an E61- the choice is pending- and SB Smart Grinder pro- looking at single dosing options.

        James96 I’ll never sell the Niche just for the workflow and lack of having to use bellows. Also not as noisy

          @Uncletits Quality/taste wise much difference? I’m still loving the Gaggia by the way. Just looking an upgraded grinder now

          I take milk and rarely just espresso so probably best for me not to comment - one other area is cleaning and calibration which is simple on a Niche

          Here I am, I’m signing up because I want to follow DaveC’s advice and I think this is his personal forum. This morning I was about to buy Lelit Mara X but they sent me into a crisis, suggestions not to do it. So here I am.

            DavecUK thanks Davec, about 30 minutes ago I purchased the Lelit MaraX, in the end I decided because the seller confirmed to me that it is still built in Italy, I was scared because I had read about the sale of the company to Breville. Thanks for the welcome.

              4 days later

              Once upon a time an Aussie moved to Berlin. Later he realised he really missed sitting in the sun, sipping a very coffee that made everything good…

              My coffee journey started with about 9 years as a barista. Later I would go back to basics with a french press, then a shitty Breville/SAGE, Gaggia Classic pro + Sette 30 and now… Mignon Specialita with ACs Minima.

              I landed on the Minima because @DavecUK work on it and general internet comments on good double boilers. Thought behind it, simplicity, ability to repair and price point; just ticked all my boxes. The Gaggia could barely make two milk coffees, now I’m sipping sunshine.

              I have been a coffee fan for quite a while, since my aeropress gave up the ghost I have bought a Mokka pot and a Greek coffee pot.

              My Graef grinder and espresso machine are now both well past there sell by date and I have started to look on line at replacing them, the advancement in equipment since I bought my old espresso kit is amazing. I also have a Rok set up which I am slowly getting the hang of, any tips would be welcomed:-)

              It looks as if I will have to save up for a long time to get up to date. High tec machines like the Decent, the MaRa and pressure profiling on the Lelit Bianca all look very interesting while the grinder market is growing so fast it is hard to keep track of.

                DCJ Welcome to the forum. There are so many interesting machines/grinders on the market nowadays, it can be confusing and hard to choose. The only way to get the "right machine, is to think about your unique use situation and needs. Also be very honest about how interested you are in the “process” and "experimentation of making coffee. Super complex or nice and simple, especially with regard to maintenance (cleaning, servicing etc,,).

                That path should lead you to the right machine.

                P.S. Usually the more complex a machine, the more sensitive it is to bad water, so don’t forget that aspect.

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