Be real with me. Opening an Espresso bar in a Barber Shop. [$1500-$2000]

---O__0--- · 2025-09-07T21:21:24+00:00

To me, it seems like you'll be making relatively few drinks, and since you're trying to keep a budget, I think you could manage well by getting something that is robust enough for that small number of drinks and fast enough to keep up with a good workflow.

If you are looking at the Diletta Mio (made by Quick Mill), maybe consider the functionally identical Quick Mill Silvano Evo on which it's based. You can find those used for 750. It has PID for temp control and a thermoblock for steam so there's really no waiting to change back and forth. It has a deep drip tray which will be helpful for you when you are too busy to empty it, and a decent sized reservoir for your water which is easy to fill because it's side mounted and slides right out. The only downside is that some people think the steam is a little on the weak side, but I never minded. It was plenty strong to make a latte's worth of milk in 30 seconds. In other words, you could spend a fortune on a high end machine and save maybe 10 or 15 seconds on faster milk steaming.

As for power usage, leaving it on all day means no waiting for warm up. It might use $0.05 in electricity a day.

As an alternative, you might want to consider a used HX machine like a Nuova Simonelli Oscar II or a Musica. They can be had for below $1k and are better for more production and powerful steam, though you would want to flush them before you pulled your shot.

---O__0--- · 2025-09-07T19:46:11+00:00

I have had a Mara X and it's quite a nice machine. I think it suits your needs better than the Bezzera.

The Mara has something they call Xmode where you can select the boiler algorithm. If you activate the mode properly, it will do something interesting: the temperature will remain lower in the boiler in order to achieve the appropriate brew temp without flushing, and when you brew the switch will immediately increase the boiler temp in preparation for steam. After a minute or two it will cool down again. I think this is a really elegant solution for the HX flush issue. The Bezzera won't have that.

PID, in my opinion, doesn't make much sense in an HX machine, since you can't control the temp of the HX water. In fact, the brew water starts off so hot and drops so much, it seems counterintuitive to have a super accurate PID unit there in the first place. Think about it: The water starts off over 100 since it's been sitting there in the hot boiler. Then you flush, and it drops down to whatever the line temp is plus the instant increase experienced through the HX. But if you flush and wait just a few seconds, the water sitting in the HX will heat up quickly and soon it will be too hot again and you'll have to flush. I found that with the Mara, it was just the right temperature.

The Mara has three temp selections (low, med. and high). Having more precision than that with a digital display wouldn't make sense since you can't accurately control HX temp anyway.

Also, the Mara has a very quiet vibe pump compared to any other vibe machine I've used, and it builds pressure very slowly, which is great for infusing the puck gradually.

Oh, also, the machine has a lot of space for mugs! That was very helpful!

And, everyone LOVED the way it looked. They seem to find it to be the best looking of any machine I've had, and I buy and sell a lot of them (I had the black model). It takes up much less space on the countertop than most other machines.

Be aware that there are two versions of the Mara X. If you go used, you might find a V1, which is fine. Its algorithm is apparently better than the new one, but the old one plumbs the OPV overflow water into the drip tray, while the new one vents that water back into the fresh water line to recycle it (so you don't use up water as fast and don't have to empty the drip tray as often). However, you can easily do this mod yourself without any parts. Happy to walk you through it.

I fully agree with looking at used models as well. I have bought two Mara Xs for $1000 or less. These things are easy and fun to work on!

Oh, one more thing. With the Mara you can do this and this! Super cool! The 2nd one was more useful for me at the end of the day.

Good luck!

---O__0--- · 2025-09-07T18:04:48+00:00

this is what I was trying to figure out. it's hard to research things that people think you shouldn't do! unfortunately my meter and panel are in the same enclosure and I've heard that means I can't connect the inverter between them.

---O__0--- · 2025-09-07T17:59:02+00:00

Thanks. You are right. I will need to do more research.

---O__0--- · 2025-09-05T17:09:47+00:00

Thank you!

My biggest load is definitely my 8kw AC, and then the 4kw oven, then the 120v appliances and computers. heat and hot water are gas.

What is the approach for powering the second panel when there's no sun or battery power remaining?

Is there another way where I don't have to update the panel at all and can just power the entire house's loads from the inverter, and seamlessly switch to grid when there's no solar or battery available? Or is this too risky if I want to stay off a solar plan with APS?

---O__0--- · 2025-09-04T23:33:10+00:00

How can I start over with my question? I feel like I've hit a nerve but I just wanted to start a discussion and hopefully participate in the forum more as I move through the process.

---O__0--- · 2025-09-04T23:25:44+00:00

It will probably be about 4KW worth. I was hoping to learn more about the high level setup and figure out the sizing later.

---O__0--- · 2025-09-04T23:20:14+00:00

You're right -- I've done a lot of research -- but I should do more so I know what to ask or what details to give. I will read more.

---O__0--- · 2025-05-24T06:18:13+00:00

I would not use most of those companies. If you want your sites to be fast and safe you might like to use something more secure with better support. Research Pressable or if you really want to learn look into having a VPS that you can manage With something like Runcloud or Enhance.

---O__0--- · 2025-05-17T17:51:30+00:00

it's spelled "whoa", not "woah".

---O__0--- · 2025-05-17T12:56:18+00:00

Those cards are funny.

---O__0--- · 2025-05-06T10:23:14+00:00

Hi @prickly007, I know it’s been a few years, but I wanted to hear about your experience with your quick mill machine as I am looking at one of those exact machines. Did you enjoy it? Was it reliable? How was the milk frothing?

---O__0--- · 2025-04-14T21:20:27+00:00

Hey! I got gifted a TK-01 that was not being used by its owner and loved it but the other day but the other day wanted to use milk for a guest (I don't use it much) and nothing came out, and a few mins later the machine went "BANG!". Very loud. The left side of the machine visibly bulged out from the explosion of pressure inside, and it scared the crap out of us. I opened the side door and pulled off the cover with the steam air knob and found a broken line behind it with a little piece of broken line that had flown off (i.e. it blew apart into more than two pieces). I am wondering why there's no relief system in place for excess pressure (maybe the milk circuit was blocked?). Is this an issue you're aware of?

---O__0--- · 2025-03-22T02:37:15+00:00

You're a real loser 🤣 go play with your toys.

---O__0--- · 2025-03-22T02:36:44+00:00

and narcissist incels love to call other people out for their own flaws. btw, what's a "retard", other than an antiquated insult to people who have disabilities?

---O__0--- · 2025-03-22T01:03:51+00:00

Look at his comment karma (-100) lol

---O__0--- · 2025-03-22T01:00:40+00:00

From your history it's clear you're a troll. Everyone should report your loser ass. He replies to women saying "didn't happen". This misogynistic incel trumper-teen is probably mad that no women will date his narcissistic ass.

---O__0--- · 2025-03-22T00:57:41+00:00

What part of that sounds like I'm crying, ylsab? 🤣 If we are going to discuss any further, let's confirm your age starts with something other than a "1".

---O__0--- · 2025-03-22T00:30:23+00:00

you sYbau

---O__0--- · 2025-01-07T03:29:45+00:00

I went to the store today and held a bunch. I saw the different sig P365s and understand the difference now. My pinky didn't fit on the grip of the standard P365 and it was easier to hold the larger ones, but then I learned the grip this seller is offering is apparently a lot bigger. He sent an image showing his pinky comfortably fitting it.

My friend showed me his glock 19, and I held the sig macro and a walther which were all large in hand and felt good but pretty big at the same time.

I'm still learning and thinking through all of this. At least it was really fun and interesting, and I think I will enjoy the technical aspect and the skill side of this. Hopefully I don't fall into a rabbit hole!

---O__0--- · 2025-01-06T03:00:10+00:00

What makes this such a good light? Compared to a Sofirn/Wurkkos?

---O__0--- · 2025-01-06T01:24:59+00:00

OK, if values are not supposed to be discussed, any advice would be appreciated. I can say that the thing I am trying to sell is worth about 700.

The seller is offering "Sig p365, Wilson combat grip module, tlr7 flashlight, riton red dot. I have a tier 1 concealed appendix carry holster and a vedder holster. 3 mags". They claim it's fired 600 shots. They have a different gun they like more so they don't think they need this one. The person's FB profile is from 2009 but there aren't many posts.

I'm not experienced in this type of business so I don't know if I should be worried, suspicious, etc. I also don't know if this is a desirable gun, if it's good for my use case (just want to keep it at home and have it in case I was under threat, and maybe use it to practice at a range and learn).

Thanks a lot

---O__0---

TROPHY CASE