HemiSam

Jacob, If I were you I'd leave that beautiful Niche at home. It's heavy and there's more downside than upside there, particularly with your travels down the rabbit hole on grinders...ya got options. Sam

LOL. Good stuff, ER. I'm already looking forward to the weekend so that I can have the Bianca kicking my arse again... Some equipment has showed up that will make my life easier like the tamp/leveler you recommended and I have a nice stainless milk steamer pitcher vs the coffee cup I used last weekend. HS

Definitely use it, ER! Have fun. I might be tamping a bit too hard and I might have the grind a bit too fine. Who the heck knows...LOL. I'll have a few more shots at it tomorrow. Need to decaffeinate before I hit it again. Fun... HS

Sweet, Jacob...that looks fun! HS

It's official...I suck at steaming milk as well...LOL. I did make a cappuccino / latte of sorts. Wasn't terrible but if I'd have paid for this I would have been disappointed to say the least. The shot was definitely better today with fresh coffee that came with the machine. I need a week off...or more to play with this thing. I'm headed out today to buy a bunch of medium roast coffee based on some good advice I received here and see if I can't get a smidge better before the weekend is over and I'm back to the office. HS

It's official. I suck at making espresso... Recalibrated the Niche Zero...that helped a good bit. At least the grind was fine enough to build pressure... More work to be done. It's going to be a good challenge. HS

More is moar.... HS

They look like a serious outfit, ER. I went with Clive Coffee. They are reputable and are offering a Pearl with purchases over $1500...thought a good scale would be a nice to have. HS

I am leaning towards this beauty given the wifey has provided an option with more counter space. Any thoughts? I like the looks and the idea of flow control. But then again...that's all in my head at this point. https://prima-coffee.com/equipment/lelit/pl162t-lelit-sp HS

That would be something. 71lbs of espresso machine...woof. Watched a good bit of James Hoffman today between to-do's. HS

I just bounced the espresso maker off the wifey given usurping add'l counter space. Game changer...she had a great idea of giving me the entire area under our cookbook shelf. Way more space to work with...woot! HS

$4k is definitely an investment. Sadly, the comment about inflation is spot on...craziness. If I were into the art like I am say into automobiles, then all day long. Few pleasures in this life is how I see it. At this point, though, I need to ease into the water a bit and size is a real consideration. I'm trying to be practical but I'm not very good at it... Really appreciate all the comments! Also, please forgive me for not going back through this thread to see everyone's thoughts on varying machines. It is where I should have started. Been toying here between family commitments. Bent on buying a machine... HS

The Breville Bambino Plus has a small footprint... Half the weight. https://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/breville-the-bambino-plus/?pkey=cespresso-makers

It does look pretty damn cool. What all am I going to need besides the machine, Jacob? Scale(s), etc... I've got a good grinder...LOL

This might be an option, Jacob... https://www.totalespresso.com/collections/home-machines/products/lelit-victoria-pl91t

I love the idea, Jacob. The additional equipment less so...LOL. One day we'll upgrade our kitchen / home. Likely after retirement though given how good my commute is. HS P.S. the Breville is one inch too tall for my cabinets...just measured. Bummer.

Jacob, It is a bit on the largish side but I might get away with it...handsome machine as well which I like. The reviews seem to indicate it doesn't last as long as one might expect for the cost, though. A bunch of folks have them fail after a couple of years. Maybe the new ones are less problematic, but looking at the Seattle Coffee Gear site it looks to be a thing. Sam

Thank you, Jacob. I am looking now at the Breville...thank you. And correct, sir...no lever for this camper. Sam

I am officially curious about espresso machines. We are a bit counter space limited. Not awful but not great, especially with the older lower cabinets over the counters. I prefer a more manual machine so I can explore a bit and learn. I don't need the machine to have a grinder. I do want a steam wand. In stock would be better than not. Love the look of the Lilit Bianca PID V2 but I think it's too big for us. The Rancilio Silvia could be an option. A face only a mother could love...LOL. Thoughts? HS

That milk steamer looks interesting, Jacob. I use an older version of this jobbie (Chef Star or the like is the brand) and it does a good job for what I need. Not a lot of flexibility but I find it functional and easy to clean. I bought a second when the dairy kept breaking down...even after two different half n halfs. Turned out it was the dairy so I gave the second to my folks and they love it. https://www.amazon.com/EZBASICS-Chocolates-Cappuccino，Electric-Stainless-Steel，Automatic/dp/B08Q3X72D6/ref=dp_prsubs_2?pd_rd_i=B08Q3X72D6&psc=1 HS

I have only had the Kenyan Peaberry thus far but very tasty. Spicy and chocolatey. Some fruity finish on the back end which I really like. It's rich. Not as rich as some of the OTT more modern techniques used of late can yield, but it definitely stands up to anything anyone would like to add. Great start. HS

You bet, ER. I am a fan of Onyx's coffees. They went a bit Neiman Marcus on packaging and weight for me, but the quality was undeniable. Tomorrow morning is mine. No way I am awaiting the 24 days till X-mas... HS

The Onyx Christmas coffees order showed up. I’m stoked. HS

LOL...no no no. Sorry....911. Stick car although the PDK is the most amazing automatic I've ever driven by far. HS

Full sized gal with the big booty. HS