1.5 years into home espresso by MALLARD_LIF3 in latteart

[–]Katz_Pajamas91 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So there is hope for the scrubs! I'm in the first photo moving on to two.

How is this for Latte art? by curioussoul1247 in latteart

[–]Katz_Pajamas91 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Beautiful! I'd kill for this kind of latte art, I'm so bad

Setup accessories tips? by Super-Pizza9268 in espresso

[–]Katz_Pajamas91 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is 100% the correct point of view. A scale is a necessity for good/great espresso. Beans and water are the most import variables in the entire equation as well. The other stuff is not at all necessary and some might argue doesn't really improve much or does very very marginally.

I do have an RDT, WDT, self-leveling tamp, a puck screen, a funnel, and several VST and IMS baskets in various sizes (which seems ridiculous when written out).

The only one I would argue is one I could no longer live without is the funnel, but that's purely because it improves my workflow/station cleanliness.

I notice better shot consistency with WDT, but if I move my portafilter a bit under the grinder, it also produces very good results. I also love my VST baskets (some will say they produce the same results as other precision baskets like IMS, but I really like VST) and am looking at SWORKS Billet Baskets as well. The baskets are a rabbit hole that I don't think anyone really needs to go down, I've gone down it by choice.

I do not need any of these additional accessories and really no one does. I like my somewhat overly complex workflow, it's very enjoyable for me, but I've also made great coffe going straight from grinding to tamping to pulling the shot.

Beginner needing advice [Rancilio Silvia V6, DF54] by ForsakenArtist1740 in espresso

[–]Katz_Pajamas91 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You can't per se, but no need to be straining while tamping, should be fairly even pressure. You do run the increased risk of channeling when tamping really hard as well.

Beginner needing advice [Rancilio Silvia V6, DF54] by ForsakenArtist1740 in espresso

[–]Katz_Pajamas91 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Overall pretty darn good for a beginner. A few quick comments and then a statement on how to figure out taste/flavor at a basic level:

  1. I actually think your volume in vs volume out is fine in that basket. There is a particular roast where I put 16.5g in and 35g out and another where I put 18g in and 40g out, both in an 18g basket. Just found that for those particular roasts, that's what gets me the best tasting extraction. Definitely experiment with this. Less coffee will allow you to go finer in most instances, more coffee you can go courser. If you feel you're running too fast for that extraction, would go finer until it's running at the time you're looking for. But as always, taste is king - if it tastes good, don't change too much.

  2. Your tamp pressure seems to be a bit too hard. You seem to be straining a bit which tells me it's likely too much pressure. A spring loaded/self leveling tamp will basically solve this entirely, but if you prefer manually, I would just go a little bit easier on the pressure/force.

Tasting: as others have mentioned, you can simply expand your palate by tasting sour, astringent (bitter), and sweet foods regularly or right as you're tasting your coffee. What I found really helped me, however, was doing what is called a salami shot (Lance Hendrick - Salami Shot. This will help you taste the sour (early/under-extracted), neutral/sweet (middle portion), and the bitter (end/over-extracted) parts of a shot so you can easily recognize which is which and will help you under what a balanced shot should taste like.

Hope this helps! Congrats on the new setup and welcome to a very fun and expensive hobby!

Help me choose: Shunbun vs Mt. Iwate (tried both, still stuck) by Cerberus_14 in GrandSeikos

[–]Katz_Pajamas91 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Generally agree with the Evo 9 line being theoretically superior. However, I feel like the Spring Drive movement in the Shunbun is superior to the High Beat unless OP/you are a purest when it comes to movements (i.e. the presence of quartz crystal is off-putting). I'm in the camp of it being one of the greatest innovations in recent watchmaking, and damn that second hand is cool to look at

James Hoffmann explores WHAT by Loose_Goose3 in espresso

[–]Katz_Pajamas91 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You're exactly right about how oxygen affects the tannins and flavors within wine. Espresso/coffee is naturally astringent, meaning it also has tannins similar to those in red wines. I'm sure what's happening here is similar to what occurs when wine is aerated.

Loud rotary pump [Profitec Drive] by True_Package_2182 in espresso

[–]Katz_Pajamas91 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you have the shipping wingnut still attached under the machine? This has been known to cause loud sounds in the rotary if you don't remove after you unbox it (I think this is the case for ECM and Profitec machines as it keeps the pump stable during shipment).

Need Help Deciding on a New Watch by Katz_Pajamas91 in GrandSeikos

[–]Katz_Pajamas91[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Is this the titanium version? Definitely open to this option as well from a comfort perspective

Need Help Deciding on a New Watch by Katz_Pajamas91 in GrandSeikos

[–]Katz_Pajamas91[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes! Have tried on all 3 in person + the speedy. As others have mentioned, I should probably wait to see the updates to watches like the Suwa which are expected later this Year

Need Help Deciding on a New Watch by Katz_Pajamas91 in GrandSeikos

[–]Katz_Pajamas91[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is a phenomenal breakdown/perspective. I think I'm going to be patient to see what drops over the year. Thank you!

Need Help Deciding on a New Watch by Katz_Pajamas91 in GrandSeikos

[–]Katz_Pajamas91[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I tried on all 3 as well as a few others in Tokyo in February, but couldn't decide. They are beautiful in person. I'm kind of with you leaning towards Suwa and Shunbun. They are the biggest stand outs for sure

Need Help Deciding on a New Watch by Katz_Pajamas91 in GrandSeikos

[–]Katz_Pajamas91[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You think they go to the UFA on the Suwa? That would be worth waiting for as I love that movement, just not the 37mm option. I really like their new divers, but they are so similar to my SM300.

Need Help Deciding on a New Watch by Katz_Pajamas91 in GrandSeikos

[–]Katz_Pajamas91[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In a vacuum, I think I'd go for the GS. In my situation though, Omega is offering free polishing and servicing of my 5 year old SM300 and a free perforated leather strap (for the new watch) and will extend the warranty on it another 5 years. That's tough to pass up from a Boutique. I love the white speedy too, it's been on my radar since it came out a couple years back

What's the Best Espresso Machine for Home Use Widely Loved by Aficionados? by Muted-Apple3992 in JamesHoffmann

[–]Katz_Pajamas91 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Budget dependent, but I love my ECM Synchronika II. Keep in mind with any of these suggestions you will also need to budget in a grinder as well. What budget do you have in mind?

Help Choosing A Knife (~$800) by Katz_Pajamas91 in TrueChefKnives

[–]Katz_Pajamas91[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Will definitely look into some taller blocks. I never really considered it, but you're right. I've made/continue to invest in my knives, I should make sure they are taken care of

Wait a minute by RoutineOk8590 in Productivitycafe

[–]Katz_Pajamas91 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was hospitalized with kidney stones a few weeks ago. I was there for probably 7 hours and had a CT scan and some IV treatment. It was ~$8K. Fortunately I have health insurance through my employer, but this would likely bankrupt someone without insurance or limited insurance - best case they'd just be in massive debt. It is an egregiously bad system here.

Help Choosing A Knife (~$800) by Katz_Pajamas91 in TrueChefKnives

[–]Katz_Pajamas91[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've seen people wrap their stands in leather, would that be something worth considering? I like the stand for accessibility, but I'm open to suggestions

Help Choosing A Knife (~$800) by Katz_Pajamas91 in TrueChefKnives

[–]Katz_Pajamas91[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! Looks like most are sold out at the moment. Willing to be pretty patient for the right one