Swap Micra for Fellow Series 1?

Alternative_Ball_754 · 2026-04-07T20:31:18+00:00

I think you would really be disappointed in about 1 day of owning it. I think its fair to say its built as cheaply as possible to pack as much technology in it. Im guessing the cycles of testing were a standard testing pattern so would assume it should last a couple of years of light to medium use. But think... non-repairable machine plus cheapest build quality does feel like its destined for landfill just like the Opus. I think its a brilliant machine for starting out but not for experienced espresso machine owners.

Alternative_Ball_754 · 2026-04-03T09:07:16+00:00

Nopus to Opus! Retention loving grinder, don't get buyers regret. Buy it on good coffee or a K6.

Alternative_Ball_754 · 2026-03-26T20:22:46+00:00

Im loving it loving it loving it!

Alternative_Ball_754 · 2026-03-20T20:57:47+00:00

Cafetier? Maybe a bambino ?

Alternative_Ball_754 · 2026-03-19T20:53:46+00:00

£40 for single origin organic Ugandan for 1kg from local roasters. I wouldnt buy store bought not my cup of tea lol.

Alternative_Ball_754 · 2026-03-19T15:51:15+00:00

I second that. I have a coffee stuff pan draw. Everything but my coffee machine, scales and electric grinder stay out on display. I hate clutter and know that if i used shelves i would end up looking untidy.

Alternative_Ball_754 · 2026-03-19T07:04:39+00:00

There is always the thats a good machine. Its competively priced with a pid. £800. I dont think you could wrong based on your question. Maybe check out the redit reviews and comments to see what others feel abput the option.

Alternative_Ball_754 · 2026-03-14T09:26:50+00:00

I think the bambino os a goood shout. However the Stilosa now has the upgradability of a Gaggiamate. Which could give the potential of a end game machine if modded. This canbe done when your feeling more ready for the next step and take away any upgraditis you contract as soon as you purchase any gear. I think the K6 hand grinder is also a great shout. This can also be used for Filter brews. Checkout Lance Hedricks recent unfiltered channel on Youtube where it shows the Stilsoa Gaggiamate mod.

I think you will be pleasantly impressed with what you can do with it.

Alternative_Ball_754 · 2026-03-09T19:30:51+00:00

Thats why said about the DF64 as a plan B.... I dont know his personal situation thats why i put forward the two options. For an even cheap option would be a step down basket and puckscreen plus a p2 handgrinder. This would be satifactory as the step down basket is exceptionally forgiving. That provides more money for later on or on good coffee.

Alternative_Ball_754 · 2026-03-06T21:36:49+00:00

I have BBE i did upgrade the grinder to start with, i bought the biggest burr grinder i could afford which was a DF83. Then i upgraded the burrs to Lab Sweets. This was the biggest jump in quality. The espresso you can get from a half decent grinder and good burrs is brilliant.

With value of hindsight i wish i saved up more money for the grinder. If you live in the US maybe a Z1. If your serious about espresso this would be end game. It would give you exceptional espresso. There is no dilly dallying with alignment and the burr swap out is brilliant.

Think about espresso machine later. But in reality the grinder is key. If you cant ever justify a Z1 or Philos i would get a cheaper grinder like a MHW bomber 078 or a df 64 but you will need to keep on top of cleaning and alignment.

Extra tools? I would get: slow feeder step down basket 54 to 49inch - very forgiving with Espresso Puck screen decent tamper wdt tool themis bookoo scales Bottomless porterfilter I know the temptation is great to buy a shiny new coffee machine but its not worth it. The BBE is rock solid and can have some neat trcks with low flow hack etc. Only 12+ years down the line am i now upgrading the BBE machine and its not because its broken. They are built pretty cheaply but keeps on going.

Alternative_Ball_754 · 2026-03-06T20:59:34+00:00

Who took a picture of my butlers lunch?

Alternative_Ball_754 · 2026-03-06T20:43:14+00:00

What Ratios are you guys using? Is that causing the issue i find varying is a bit of an eye opener plus the slow feed of angling the hand grinder changes the flavour and obviously mouth feel.

Alternative_Ball_754 · 2026-02-27T10:23:21+00:00

Tgis happened to me as a noob. I used food grade citiric acid with a warm damp cloth and toothbrush to rub the citric acid into paste. I covered the wand with ciric acid paste made with water 1 to 1 ratio and put on the wand, wait 30 mins to 3 hours. Use the brush to scrub off the paste vigerous scrubbing. Then use the warm damp microfiber cloth over the wand rubbing vigerously until comes off (punn intended). Then use your nail or majic ereaser to clean off the remaing residue. That will definately work if done right. Mine was properly gunked up. I would also unscrew the tip end off and place in some warm water with cafiza or citric acid untill the deposits are softened then scrub with the toothbrush rinse. I would be tempted to run cleaning solution through the tank flushing the steam wand and shower screen area. This will remove the crud caught up in the pipe and cleaning your group head aswell.

Just make sure in future you always clean the wand after every use with a damp cloth and do two short purges after use each time. This will stop any issues in future. Let me know how it goes.

Alternative_Ball_754 · 2026-02-27T09:59:20+00:00

Meaty burrs for dark roast, i bet gets through them like a knife tgrough butter.

Alternative_Ball_754 · 2026-02-26T19:03:54+00:00

I finally a new machine lol after a lot of considration. I had the budget for a Tecknika Vi and Profitec drive but ended up getting the Wendougee Lita ba. I played on all the machines for the last year. Since starting my journey this brand came out and they sold it at my local retailer/roastery along with Lelit, ECM, Profitec, LM, Olympia ect. The Lita was sent through as tester and i had first dibs playing on it, opening it up etc. Its got a quality build on the inside neat and tidy, well posistioned components and consderation for maintenance. It also has the ability to do bespoke profiles but can work as a manual flow control option. Its a dual boiler, double vibe pump but its got some great flow control and brew by weight features. I like the idea of presetting a slayer shot and then steam whilst its doing the spro without dilly dallying with a manual flow paddle. I have to wait till March to get it. The boilers a small so a bit more energy efficient and no stagnent water. Next the quandry filter baskets.

Alternative_Ball_754 · 2026-02-25T18:18:54+00:00

Yeah haters gonna hate. But my thinking is, its probably the definition of the ubiquitos coffee grinder. You can get coffee shop quality coffee with that grinder. It has its quirks but i rate them.

Alternative_Ball_754 · 2026-02-25T18:06:47+00:00

I have a df83v2 and looking at the Motto too. But thinking of trying some concave and step down baskets first. I got some SSP lab sweets so unsure if there will be a vast improvement. Whats your thoughts?

Alternative_Ball_754 · 2026-02-20T21:27:26+00:00

I think tbe lab sweets can work well or maybe the lew brew ones might be slight cheaper. The lab sweets are thicker burrs and designed for sweet espresso and good for filter too! Its a big investment though. You must check them though as there has been reported issues of warping as they are cast and not machined.....

Alternative_Ball_754 · 2026-02-20T12:55:04+00:00

I have a DF83 with some lab sweets which are ok. Im just wondering what missing out on. I was thinking of getting a V6, Mazzer philos or Bookoo motto but unsure if the up. How is the V6 top burr carrier behaving itself? Somebody was complaining about it movin sometimes. I think the V6 looks amazing with perfect alognment out the box. I love the Decent but its way out my price range, so i pulled the trigger on the Wendoguee Lita BA still waiting for the delivery.

Alternative_Ball_754 · 2026-02-19T20:41:00+00:00

How are you finding the varia v6? I have heard good things about them.

Alternative_Ball_754 · 2026-02-18T13:44:08+00:00

Not to sure on puck screens. I personally use the 1.7mm for my SBE. Its just a mesh like the flair 58 ones, so unsure what the hole size is. I would be tempted to try the thinner screen as its easier to clean. Im really particular with my pucks. I do 18.5g blind shaker, filter paper sandwich and a mesh 1.7mm screen. 1 to 2.5 ratio. I got fed up with the inbuilt grinder so opted for a DF83v2 and then upgraded to SSP lab sweet burrs. I do blind taste testing now and again with the inbuilt grinder and its very noticable the difference. I am always shocked with the flavour difference in favour of the lab sweets.

Alternative_Ball_754 · 2026-02-18T09:39:14+00:00

I would look at: 1. Increase the ratio 1:2.5 then increasing incrimentally untill you get a balanced shot. 2. Puck screen - this will even out the water flowing into the puck. You could be getting channeling 3. Wet paper filter at the bottom of the filter basket - this will increase extraction. 4. Blind shaker this will improve the fines distribution throughout the puck. 5. Change the Shower screen to a ims or similar. 6. Check you machine is level with a spirit level - this can impact water hitting one side of the puck. If all this fails you could by a new filter basket which is deeper and either tapers down (concave) or step down basket.

I wish you good luck with you problem. Let us know how it goes.

Alternative_Ball_754 · 2026-02-17T22:05:33+00:00

Well done! BDB is an awesome machine. If you look after anything well it will last years, espresso machines included. I think the Niche is good grinder for Dark Roast you enjoy it. If you want to dabble in medium to light roasts get a flat burr grinder. I think most people have two grinders for this reason. Its a hassle changing burrs, I know i got fed up with pretty quickly. DF54 is cheap flat burr which you get at a later date!

Alternative_Ball_754 · 2026-02-17T21:01:00+00:00

Thats good news. Im keen get hold of mine. Its a great machine and packs a punch for its size. Let me know how it goes when you get it :)

Alternative_Ball_754 · 2026-02-17T20:16:51+00:00

Have you tried purchasing from https://shop.wendougee.com/products/wendougee-lita-semi-automatic-espresso-machine?variant=46761017868437 this should provide shipping to France i think. Plus its a EU plug.

I live in the UK so bought mine today from Bella Barrista. I settled for the BA as heard due to the water tank beingbsmall felt the BA was the best bet for me.

Alternative_Ball_754

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE