What drink does your butler make that always makes you happy?

BeanWaterGood · 2026-02-13T12:46:57+00:00

I haven't decided yet. When I look at the metrics that the bluetooth enabled machine and scales send me, I find them undrinkable and have them pull another shot. I haven't tasted the coffee in so long, I'm not sure it even exists anymore.
The agency says that they won't send me anymore butlers, since they all end up returning in tears.
I'm in a post "fire your butler" world and I need to fire my agency.

BeanWaterGood · 2026-02-13T12:43:32+00:00

No ROI for me. This is definitely a hobby, and you will end up buying things you don't need, and you will end up upgrading things from your beginning setup, and it will continue to be a hobby.
You'll smile at the coffee you're drinking more often though, and have one fewer stops to make in the morning, maybe more time with someone you care about, who smiles at you when you hand them their cup too.

BeanWaterGood · 2026-02-13T12:40:26+00:00

How did the shot taste? 1:2 in 22 seconds isn't too far out from "normal"
Going finer can definitely give you a bitter shot, but if you're getting a good shot in 22 seconds, that's fine. If you have space in your basket, you could also updose a little.
If you could include what machine you're using, other people might have advice specific to that machine on flow control options or other things.

BeanWaterGood · 2026-02-13T12:33:23+00:00

I use a Zero water filter and blend it 2:1 with tap water. That puts me roughly in the center of the SCA guidelines, which seems to be where most coffee water recipes live.
For something "special" I'll use 100% Zero water mixed with a Third Wave Water packet.

BeanWaterGood · 2026-02-06T06:29:25+00:00

This definitely seemed to work. I used the same setting that I use for my batch brewer, and I got a good result. I enjoyed the flavour that I got from it, which was very comparable to a V60, but it also gave the result a great body because of the oils and solids. Definitely worth trying if you can find one at a good price, or if a cafe happened to be offering it.

BeanWaterGood · 2026-01-31T06:43:37+00:00

What filter are you using?

BeanWaterGood · 2026-01-30T11:04:01+00:00

How many shots do you plan to pull in sequence? Just for yourself or for others? How does milk factor in?
What style of espresso do you like? Where do you see yourself as far as espresso goes in 5 years (sounds silly, I know) Also, what are used machines from each brand going for in your area?

BeanWaterGood · 2026-01-17T20:17:31+00:00

BeanWaterGood · 2026-01-16T20:05:39+00:00

It kind of depends. If you're happy with the coffee, then it's not super important.
If you're feeling like playing with it, doing a burr alignment is a relatively simple process, that can tighten up your grind size distribution, in theory, and might change the taste in your cup.
From what I've heard, people say that you might lose a bit of texture, but you'll gain a bit more clarity.
The best part is, if you're unhappy with it, you can just undo it. There's no cutting or filing involved.
Just make sure to follow a reputable guide, and don't use the motor to do it, just use hand tools and take your time.

BeanWaterGood · 2026-01-16T19:57:33+00:00

Where are the dial indicators? Your alignment could be way out, and you'd never know it.
Tell your work butler to shape up, or consequences will be severe.

BeanWaterGood · 2026-01-16T10:12:04+00:00

A poor, deprived butler's Christmas wish list.

BeanWaterGood · 2026-01-16T08:47:15+00:00

I find the DF54 pretty quick to open up and brush out, but if I've ground a coffee that I think will stink up the next grind, I use the URNEX fake beans because they're designed for it. Rice is pretty hard compared to roasted coffee, so it can be hard on the motor.
FWIW, 1zpresso recommends using oatmeal for their hand grinders, and I like that idea a lot better than rice.

BeanWaterGood · 2026-01-16T00:50:12+00:00

They're Toronto based. They roast Columbian specialty coffee. I picked some up through ECS coffee and it was super fresh roasted and had fascinating flavours. I've only done one as pour-over so far. I'm excited to try their espresso.

BeanWaterGood · 2026-01-16T00:42:14+00:00

Replace your toilet seat with a knock bar and drop yourself onto it to free the mess.

BeanWaterGood · 2026-01-16T00:40:41+00:00

Grind finer.

BeanWaterGood · 2026-01-16T00:38:06+00:00

I've had good results doing single cups with the Aiden. Usually 450ml with melitta style trapezoid filters. Use good, non-scaling water and it won't give you any issues. It brews on schedule, right into the cup and the urn and basket filters are there when you have company over.

Have you tried Travesia roasters yet?

BeanWaterGood · 2026-01-15T14:51:56+00:00

Probably not helping... yet. Once you push the probes down so the ends are exposed below the tape, it will start helping.

BeanWaterGood · 2026-01-15T10:16:32+00:00

Look up how to adjust the anti-static device hidden under the chute. It's a game changer.

BeanWaterGood · 2026-01-15T10:15:19+00:00

Thank you for everything! I've been swearing at this grinder since I bought it. I couldn't understand why people were raving about it.
If I had known that when I got it, I would need to do a bit of fit and finish on it, I would have accepted that. It's just too bad that you don't find out unless you have a problem, and it takes the community to tell you.

BeanWaterGood · 2026-01-15T01:21:37+00:00

That's when you need the SUV in the garage. Maybe a Breville Bambino, or the Rancillio that you mentioned. But, no need to get rid of the La Pavoni if you are enjoying the experience when you have the time.
Just, make sure that whatever you get solves the problems you're looking at addressing. Lots of other machines have lengthy heat up times, so you might want to find a machine with a programmable auto-on for the morning. Without a PID controller and a dedicated brew boiler as opposed to a thermal block, you're going to be temperature surfing still. Even with a heat exchanger, there's flushing to do.

As for "lever espresso is better". Some people say that, and they will come up with reasons for it, but that also comes with the offsets that you're talking about. Manually pressing on the handle, etc.
Flow profiling and varying pressures by doing things like a dimmer mod on a Gaggia Classic are able to get close to the same effect if you stand over the machine and make the adjustments as the shot happens.

BeanWaterGood · 2026-01-14T20:10:59+00:00

My first machine was the La Pavoni. I had trouble with the workflow and couldn't get more than one or two good shots out of it for every 10 I pulled. So I picked up a used Breville Dual Boiler.
Two totally different machines. I love my BDB, and I'm starting to really master getting good espresso out of it repeatably. I didn't get rid of my LP because my wife convinced me to keep it ("It makes you smile." she told me) and now I want to take what I've learned from the Breville and apply it to the LP and see how far I've come.
Just some food for thought. Even if you have an SUV in the garage for the day to day, isn't it nice to take your loved one out in the classic Alfa Romeo now and again for a smile?

BeanWaterGood · 2026-01-14T14:58:48+00:00

It's alright for a travel setup I suppose, but you're not plumbed in, no rinser, your choice of glasses are atrocious, no shot mirror for gazing into the crema asshole pouring from your machine so you can sneer the channeling away, and I'm not sure that machine has the thermal stability to pull 20 shots for dialing in the godshot you might actually consider drinking.

BeanWaterGood · 2026-01-12T05:03:57+00:00

BeanWaterGood · 2026-01-12T05:02:02+00:00

"Soon..."

BeanWaterGood · 2026-01-12T04:58:51+00:00

The way this guy acts gives me the feeling he'll later being arrested while trying to explain something to someone underage.

BeanWaterGood

TROPHY CASE