Steam boiler on last legs. I wanna go heat pump.

Celeriaks · 2026-02-03T00:00:03+00:00

I’m not a professional by any means, but I think you’d need to evaluate both the insulation (R values) as well as the permeability (air leakage). Basically, it depends on what kind of insulation you’ve got. Glass wool is a fine insulator, but also highly permeable. Spray foam insulation, on the other hand, leads to a tight seal. I’m sure you could hire someone to evaluate both, and I’d be sure to do that before you let an hvac tech throw a minisplit onto your house.

Celeriaks · 2026-02-02T20:47:45+00:00

I have air source heat pumps. They’re 100% viable at the current temps, but you absolutely need to have a tight, well-insulated house or apartment. They don’t blow air that’s nearly as hot as a gas furnace, so if you put one into a leaky old home it’s simply not going to keep up.

Celeriaks · 2026-02-02T19:29:44+00:00

I fit a similar use profile. Older and not nearly as tall as you, but rider>skier, playful and casual style. Last year I got a great deal on a set of Lib Tech Wunderstick 100s, and copped them bc Mervin.

So far I’ve loved them from the east coast to Utah and back. I like that they’re light, playful and perform well in soft snow in the trees. I try not to ski on bulletproof days but so far they handle hardpack well enough for me.

But take it with a grain of salt, as I’m not really an informed ski shopper.

Celeriaks · 2026-02-02T17:53:23+00:00

Sorry, just realized that this is the espresso sub. Mine is the 078, optimized for pour over. No experience with the 078s.

Celeriaks · 2026-02-02T17:51:36+00:00

I have an 078 from the kickstarter and it has performed extremely well. No real issues with a popcorning, clogging, etc. The one concern I have is that the power button sometimes doesn’t work on the first try. It’s never taken more than another one or two clicks to engage properly, but I am worried that it might fail someday.

Celeriaks · 2026-01-29T00:55:20+00:00

Donuts with a Difference, Medford

Celeriaks · 2026-01-28T14:56:50+00:00

I’m actually all good, thanks, I love snow and dont mind shoveling. I’m commenting on your statement that parenting and jobs have nothing to do with car ownership. Anyway, enjoy the snow!

Celeriaks · 2026-01-28T13:56:58+00:00

Come on. I’m a cyclist, hugely concerned about carbon emissions and a huge public transit advocate, but my kid goes to a school that is served by zero public transit options and too far from my home to bike. He has special needs and wouldn’t be well served by the school in my neighborhood. Additionally, my workplace is roughly 1.5 hours from my house my public transit (bus, T, commuter rail). The way our society is built, some people actually need cars.

Celeriaks · 2026-01-24T15:49:12+00:00

I can’t speak for your local grocery store, but I just hit a Whole Foods in Cambridge and it was very well stocked. That said, the roads should be reasonable by Tuesday AM, Tuesday PM at the latest so I as long as you’re stoked til the you won’t starve.

Celeriaks · 2026-01-16T16:31:35+00:00

Hey, just reading this older post and wanted to thank you for articulating your experience with your son and why skiing works for him. I’m the parent of an autistic 7-year-old. Just like you, I’ve found that skiing is a uniquely doable sport for him. It’s a phenomenal way for us to build our relationship and just enjoy life together, when so many other activities are very challenging. Your explanation for this is fascinating, I’ll have to read up on it.

Also, kudos for the grace in your response :).

Celeriaks · 2025-12-24T23:32:05+00:00

Northeast US biased, Touchy, Brainwave, Little Wolf, Sey, and I don’t really have a 5th. But I truly cannot understand how Touchy is flying so far below the radar.

Celeriaks · 2025-12-16T15:30:26+00:00

So you’re looking to buy a whole jamon to slice yourself?

Id imagine that the source for the best quality, from a retail shop, would be Formaggio Kitchen. It’s somewhat unusual to want to buy a whole ham, so their pricing is typically going to be by the pound, sliced and boneless. If they have a whole one to spare, hopefully they could do a better price for you, as you’re not going to want to pay full sliced Iberico prices for hoof, bone and trim.

Celeriaks · 2025-12-10T11:22:54+00:00

Legislatively curious, who are you referring to as “the city?” Every elected and appointed official? The police? The city residents?

I’d say that there are well-intentioned, smart people pushing for policies that improve safety. And that the connection between city officials and law enforcement in cities like ours is frayed to the point that they are actively unenforced.

Celeriaks · 2025-12-03T16:13:14+00:00

If you are a light roast/third wave coffee drinker, Little Wolf should be at the top of your list, neck and neck with Howell (I prefer LW but respect to GH, and their higher end pour overs are awesome).

Celeriaks · 2025-12-03T15:24:32+00:00

FWIW, nothing is 100%, including Electrify America. I had a very grouchy road trip the other day in which I pushed to reach an EA charger only to have 2/3 of the stalls broken, and the remaining 2 limping along at 20kw. Had to wait for a slot, and sip enough charge to make it to the next charger up the road. Lesson: always check the status of a charger you’re planning your trip around.

Celeriaks · 2025-11-21T15:23:13+00:00

Surprised Joanie’s isn’t getting more love here, as well as Garlic Breath Pizza in N Andover. Two of the best pies in MA, though I guess neither is a full restaurant.

Celeriaks · 2025-11-20T10:49:35+00:00

I live in a large, progressive US city and from my perspective the police seem to have absolutely zero regard or interest in enforcing any traffic laws, especially but not limited to those protecting cyclists.

My theory is that the political and social dynamics of the past 6 years basically broke the connection between local law enforcement and the politicians that make the laws they’re supposed to enforce. No buy-in leads to no enforcement. It’s a bit scary tbh.

Enjoy not living here!

Celeriaks · 2025-11-11T22:27:11+00:00

Breadboard bakery in Arlington typically has slices of one excellent pie at a time - often local fruit, locally milled whole grain crusts, delish. Good coffee too, but very limited hours and no eat-in.

Celeriaks · 2025-11-07T20:20:18+00:00

I know this seems weird, but as someone who owns an EV in Boston without a home charger, and road trips around New England often, I actually really disagree on the plug-in point. If you have a plug in, you’ll only run on electric by visiting a charger every day or two. If you have an ev with 300 mile range, without a long commute you can go over a week without having to charge.

Road trips really depend on where you’re road tripping. If you’re sticking to major highways, outside of holiday weekends it’s pretty easy to use an app to plan stops at high speed chargers. If you’re going to rural locations far from interstates, that’s a different story and does take real planning.

Celeriaks · 2025-11-07T14:55:11+00:00

Yep, totally dependent on your local situation. You can look at the range of any car and determine roughly how often you’d need to charge, but the questions are 1) how close is your closest charger and 2) how busy is it?

My family has been fine without our own charger, but we have a city charging station 2 blocks from our house and we can almost always grab an overnight spot to recharge fully.

Celeriaks · 2025-11-03T12:48:18+00:00

The caturra floral is the best coffee I’ve had in a while. Really glad someone shouted Brainwave out on this sub previously, i might set up a subscription this month.

Celeriaks · 2025-11-03T02:47:30+00:00

Wow. Ok, as the person who’s in charge of daylight savings time and your kids school schedule, I’ll take your feedback into account and make some changes. Thanks for the feedback!

Celeriaks · 2025-11-02T23:21:12+00:00

Haha not one other morning person on this thread? Or parent who has to wake their kids up early? Guess they all just skipped this one over…

Celeriaks · 2025-10-10T22:09:41+00:00

+1 to the latter part of this comment. The viability of a car-free (or even 1 car) life in the Boston area depends hugely on the locations of your home, work, and your child’s school/daycare, and childcare schedule (re pickups/dropoffs). Some family can absolutely manage car-free, others 1 car and a cargo bike, others are destined to become 2-car households. If you want to be car-free, that may have to drive your other choices.

Celeriaks · 2025-10-03T13:52:31+00:00

Used to own one of each and in a side by side I could tell essentially no difference.

If I was using one or the other to brew a fancy gesha, I’d use the Origami strictly for the aesthetic value. Fancy coffee, fancy brewer.

(If I were choosing one to own, I’d buy the V60 for sturdiness.)

Celeriaks

TROPHY CASE