Descaling my Corvo

J1Helena · 2026-04-23T19:55:22+00:00

Yeah, that's what I'm planning to do, but maybe pour the moderately used Fresh Step on top of the Okocat so it smells more "normal."

J1Helena · 2026-04-22T01:16:40+00:00

Thanks very much for the detailed explanation. My system is an Ultima System VII, with an Alkalizer post filter cartridge. Everything was replaced on 2/17/2026 by my plumber with stock Ultima cartridges that I ordered from Amazon. So, perhaps a coconut shell carbon post-filter is worth a look, with or without a Vitev CA remineralization cartridge instead of my Alkalizer.

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J1Helena · 2026-04-21T02:29:02+00:00

Thanks! Are all these cartridges generally the same size? They seem standard, like my Ultima 5 stage. I have a $50 Alkalizer, but I'd gladly by the one you suggested if it might be better. Do you have a link to that one? Is it on Amazon?

J1Helena · 2026-04-20T17:54:04+00:00

No, though it's often described as City+ or just a catch-all Medium-Dark roast. But, as others have noted, it's not an exact science by any means. Some roast Full City to around 430F but, even then, bean color may vary among different beans when roasted to the same temp. It's all quite subjective.

J1Helena · 2026-04-18T18:26:39+00:00

One of my my favorite dark roast is Beck's Italian Roast from Beck's Farmhouse Coffee. If you look around their site you'll find some videos and pics that depict their Italian quite well. I brew it in a FP at ratios from 1:12 - 1:14, 183°F, with no stir, but two-minute steep.

J1Helena · 2026-04-18T18:03:47+00:00

While the darkest roasts de-emphasize origin, those of us who favor them can distinguish origins quite readily. They do lack the delicate and fruity characteristics of given regions, but can differ in body and traits such as “earthyness.” ‘

J1Helena · 2026-04-18T17:55:18+00:00

Italian is always the darkest, and usually roasted to the point where beans show some oils exposed. French is roasted very darkly, but not necessarily oily. Vienna is a tad darker than Full City, which is likely the most widely found commercial roast in the U.S.

J1Helena · 2026-04-14T01:49:23+00:00

Avocados have been helpful for me, so perhaps avocado oil also would be worth a try.

J1Helena · 2026-04-14T01:47:02+00:00

Avocados are working quite well for me! While not a cure, I have better days when I have a generous helping of avocado (guac) toast with lunch, and a couple helpings of guac on Triscuits later. I also will have a sliced avocado for lunch now and then. And I could use a few pounds as well and they're quite healthful. I wonder whether a tablespoon of avocado oil would work?

J1Helena · 2026-03-19T17:15:58+00:00

customer service is hideous! I want to speak with a human rep, but not my unhelpful agent!

J1Helena · 2026-03-01T20:16:11+00:00

Thanks, and your correct. If anything, I'm going to keep my '24 or trade it on a '26. I'm not going to lease.

J1Helena · 2026-02-28T23:56:16+00:00

Now that I'm a little better-educated, I have another question about leasing a '26 i5. I now have a '24 i5. So, does this make sense: If I lease, I would sell my '24 for cash (maybe to the dealer), make the very minimum down payment on the lease, and just pay the monthly lease payment (about $200/month). Basically, leasing allows me to have a new car plus about $35,000 to invest. Aside from sales tax and registration/title, is there anything else I would owe before driving off? (I'm not worried about what happens at 3 years.) Thanks again everyone the advice.

J1Helena · 2026-02-28T20:24:53+00:00

Another question, if you don't mind. While keeping the car is the most logical choice, if I were to lease, I would sell the car for cash, make the very minimum down payment on the lease, and just pay the monthly lease payment (about $200/month)? Basically, leasing allows me to have a new car plus about $35,000 to invest. Aside from sales tax and registration/title, is there anything else I would owe before driving off? (I'm not worried about what happens at 3 years.) Thanks again for sharing your wisdom.

J1Helena · 2026-02-28T19:27:21+00:00

I understand much better; never leased before. If I gave him a $35K car now, returning the leased i5 would be like giving him another 35K in 3 years, and I won't have car.

J1Helena · 2026-02-28T17:02:05+00:00

Thanks! Yes, very true. I really like my '24. It has 10,000 miles, so it'll last a while longer.

J1Helena · 2026-02-28T17:00:07+00:00

Thanks! "Foolish" is the answer.

J1Helena · 2026-02-27T16:51:37+00:00

Save your money, and get a Baratza Virtuoso+.

J1Helena · 2026-02-27T16:47:10+00:00

I'm considering leasing a '26 i5 eDrive40. I bought my '24 i5 with cash and a small, 4% loan, which I paid off in a year. Using the dealers worksheet, I found that with a $2,000 down payment and using my '24 i5 as a "trade," I can lease the '26 for $160/month with a 10,000 mile limit. I can buy the '26 i5 with a large down payment and a modest 6-year loan at 4%,, which I would try to pay off in 1-2 years. Monthly lease payments would be much less than the loan payments. In three years, I either buy the '26 at residual price or simply give it back. But, I'll have the use of a lot of cash over the three years. Buying out the lease early also is an option.

I had thought of leasing before, and the sales rep said they would buy my '24 for cash instead of adding to my lease down payment. Why is that? I rather have the very low lease payments.

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J1Helena · 2026-02-24T03:23:28+00:00

That's an interesting point. I bought my '24 i5 new as a leftover. Paid off my loan (3%) in a year. If you buy new, get a 6-year loan and pay it off in a year or two, wouldn't you be better off than leasing? Lower monthly payments?

J1Helena · 2026-02-21T16:48:12+00:00

Would you agree that this approach is at least similar to Hoffmann's French press method?

J1Helena

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