HemiSam

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

I need that 911! Want me a GTS in blue w/ a stick...bad. Allocations suck... HS

Nice choice, naamanf! I'm not keen on the Ford interiors either. Fortunately they didn't go all southwest/cowboy on the TRX's like RAM has on some trucks. Who the hell needs a saddle bag thingy in a truck...LOL. HS

That is a serious score IMHO. You're going to be happy. What color did you order? I bought my Trackhawk $5k off which was pretty good considering it was almost exactly what I wanted (the panoramic sunroof is a waste but otherwise ticked every box including color and interior) and had only been on the lot a few weeks. There's was the year earlier model on a lot I was offered $10k off of but I paid the $5k for the year newer one...and looking back glad I did. In this environment and with supply chain being what it is, $10K off for an ordered vehicle is a rocking good deal. Again, might be because of a lack of orders after satiating demand for a very specific type of vehicle...let's face it, not everyone wants that much truck. I think they're kick ass and I am shocked by how nice the interiors are. vroom vroom... HS

That's great. What it might be, and I saw this with the Jeep Trackhawk's after their first year, is the folks that want and are willing to pay for a supercharged / $100K vehicle...that demand gets satisfied largely in the first year. Then the second year of production takes a pretty good dip. I would think the truck market is a good bit deeper than for a supercharged Jeep Grand Cherokee, but what do I know... HS

LMAO! #WINNING!!!! HS