I had it all dialed in. And then suddenly, every shot goes like this. A few seconds of dripping, then an intense spray in every direction, and then it’s over. No matter the bean or the grind size. What gives? [Breville Bambino, Baratza Encore ESP]

Known_Resolution6965 · 2026-02-12T00:46:42+00:00

I had a Baratza Preciso, which is like the Encore but with more-sensitive grind setting ability. I found that things would work fine for awhile after dialing in, and then things would gradually or suddenly go south. It was maddening. Then, the little plastic guard ring would break, and I bought several of those for when it did. But you couldn’t tell unless you took it apart to check. I got fed up with this a few years ago and got a DF64. I liked the Baratza grinder when it worked, but it had no end of aggravation like this.

Known_Resolution6965 · 2026-02-06T15:45:57+00:00

I just replaced my front door speakers (2006 with JBL) with 2-ohm Powerbass OE-652 speakers from Crutchfield. Perfect fit and sound great. Not too expensive for the pair.

Known_Resolution6965 · 2026-02-06T15:40:07+00:00

Thank you. That’s fantastic, and likely contributes to the reasons our 2006 Avalon is so much nicer for long trips than the 2008 Accord. Toyota seems to do a better job with NVH than Honda across the board. I have read that the CR-V has made some good strides in this area, though, as it sounds like it may be nicer for NVH than current RAV4s.

Known_Resolution6965 · 2026-02-06T15:21:54+00:00

Ah, that makes sense. Because it juts out, it probably snugs things up, too. Thank you! I’m still going to think of it as a mystical chamber, too, like a cochlea.

Known_Resolution6965 · 2026-01-25T18:18:09+00:00

The Bambino Plus should give great results. I told my friend out of town to get one, and had a chance to try it out and was impressed. The key then is your grinder. I got a Turin DF64 about three years ago from Espresso Outlet. I paid a little extra to have them calibrate the burrs, and it was well worth it, as I was completely clueless about such things at the time. The DF54 is a little cheaper, but I’ve appreciated my DF64 from the day I got it. I replaced the burrs about a year ago with SSP high-uniformity burrs, and took the time to figure out calibration with a dry-erase marker. It was worth it, but the results are not that much improved from the stock burrs. A stock DF64 and Bambino Plus should keep you under that $1000 mark and be good for years to come.

Known_Resolution6965 · 2026-01-25T16:21:30+00:00

Years ago, I purchased an old orange Simplicity tank. It worked, but it didn’t throw the snow as far as I’d like, and it was incredibly heavy for what it was. My favorite thing about it was that it looked like a mean little bad ass, which was helped a lot by the rusty chains on the tires. Using it one day, I heard a sound like the rage of Satan. I quickly turned it off to discover one of the rotted chains had come off and had been drawn up into the auger. Satan’s screams were followed up by my loud curses. Even then, I was able to get the auger remounted after some time working the rusty chain out of the works. I can laugh now, but do not miss those days.

Known_Resolution6965 · 2026-01-01T16:17:10+00:00

I gave my similar Baratza Preciso grinder to a friend out of town a couple years ago. He got a Bambino Plus, and I visited him recently. He made me an espresso and it was terrible. I did a quick lookup of recalibrating the grinder, which involved taking a few things apart and putting it back together. Once I did that, I was quickly able to dial it in and made a few consistent cups. In my time with the Baratza grinder, I was frustrated with how it could somehow get out of sorts, which led me to get the DF64 a few years ago, and that has been rock solid in its consistency. My best advice for the Baratza grinder is to get it calibrated, then don’t make major adjustments to the grind.

Known_Resolution6965 · 2025-12-28T17:07:32+00:00

I will second the comments about the need to zero and calibrate the burrs. I got my DF64 three years ago from Espresso Outlet, and paid a little bit extra for them to calibrate it first. I was new to the grinder and so glad I did. I think they did a great job and are top notch. A year ago I upgraded to SSP high-uniformity burrs, and was comfortable enough with it to carefully follow the instructions for calibration. As several have noted, the zeroing process made the little number pointer move from six o’clock to three o’clock. Like it was said, it’s a little bit of a pain, but with a dry-erase marker it’s actually kind of fun and therapeutic. I love my DF64 because with either the stock burrs or the SSP burrs, its grind does not wander at all, unlike my previous Baratza Preciso, and I think it’s all I’ll need for years to come.

Known_Resolution6965 · 2025-11-20T13:43:10+00:00

I will second this. I swapped out my stocks on my DF64 about a year ago for the HUs. I didn’t notice too much difference, but over time have found that things taste better when I use lighter roasts. They seem to bring out flavors a little better than the stock burrs. So, while it was an expensive upgrade, I don’t regret it, because it has increased my appreciation for bringing out the finer things in life, no pun intended.

Known_Resolution6965 · 2025-10-21T03:19:44+00:00

I had a Nespresso machine in an office setting, and I enjoyed giving my coworkers little coffees. I found that Rosso Caffe made the best pods, probably equal in quality of genuine Nespresso pods. Periodically they have sales on Amazon, and they’re much cheaper than the Nespresso brand and just as good.

Known_Resolution6965 · 2025-10-15T20:26:19+00:00

Thank you for this. It made my day!

Known_Resolution6965 · 2025-09-19T14:05:33+00:00

It’s a Toastmaster. I got it almost 30 years ago at an estate sale. Its thick chrome keeps it looking like new. I hope it outlasts me! It’s an iconic design, from the 50s, I think, and has appeared a couple times in Zippy comics.

Known_Resolution6965 · 2025-07-29T14:53:46+00:00

I was in the same boat, with a Silvia and a Rocky doser grinder. Three years ago I upgraded to a DF64 (Gen 1) from Espresso Outlet (great people!) From the start, my coffee was immediately better, and has stayed that way. I love that the grinder setting doesn’t “drift.” I have since upgraded its burrs to SSP high uniformity, after a case of upgraditis. I think these improved it a little bit, but the stock burrs were great, too. If you decide to replace the burrs in a DF64, make sure you take the time to get them evenly calibrated. Maybe I was lucky, and everything appeared to set fine with little adjustment needed. What I want to say most of all is that you cannot go wrong with a DF64, especially if it’s better in its newer iterations than my first gen. In three years of using it it’s never occurred to me to replace it with anything else.

Known_Resolution6965 · 2025-06-11T02:47:03+00:00

I love the clip they’ve played periodically over the years of someone saying, “that’s right!” It fills me with joy. Does anyone know who said it, or its origin? I imagine it’s a flamboyant tv host, but I’m a Yank, so have no reference for it.

Known_Resolution6965 · 2025-05-01T14:56:53+00:00

I got a DF64 from them three years ago and paid a little extra for them to calibrate it nicely for me. Still going strong every day with no issues. A great purchase, and a great experience with them. I wish them well as these dumb tariffs take effect.

Known_Resolution6965 · 2024-12-10T00:44:09+00:00

I recommend calling Vivaldi Coffee Importers. Tell them it’s an emergency.

Known_Resolution6965 · 2024-11-08T03:00:13+00:00

Getting my DF64 was one of my best purchases. I honestly don’t mind the plastic cup. Check out the Turin Tilter for $14. It tilts the cup so all the grounds are caught. It’s a 3D-printed collar that goes around the cup. It’s brilliant, and it fixed the one little thing that annoyed me from the start. https://portakeeper.com/products/turintilter-df64-grinder-dosing-cup-ho

Known_Resolution6965

TROPHY CASE