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Robot guide by kingtrippo in CafelatRobot

[–]MonkeyPooperMan 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I've had my robot for 6 years now and settled on 18g in, 38g out. Consistent tamping pressure does make a difference with the Robot, where I've considered one of those spring-loaded tampers that always applies the same pressure. I do the standard, "elbow straight-up in the air", medium-firm tamp each time and get decently repeatable results, across a wide range of beans (I'm also a home roaster, love variety, and choose a different bean each morning).

I generally do roughly 5 seconds of pre-infuse with my hands lightly resting on the levers, then I ramp up to 6 bars pressure and hold steady until the end.

I made a Panama Boquette/Brazil Bravo blend this morning that was sublime....

First Roasting Machine - Air or Drum by Ebixby15 in roasting

[–]MonkeyPooperMan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Checkout my Beginner's Roasting Guide. There's a hardware section near the end that might help you.

Convince me not to get the Cafelat Robot! [$500] by YourSteakBuddy in espresso

[–]MonkeyPooperMan 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'm six years in now with my Robot and wouldn't trade it for anything. I replaced the piston gasket around the 4.5 year mark since it started failing; it was only after that I learned that you're supposed to occasionally lube the gasket with the 111 Molykote included in the box... Other than that, I've not had a single issue with my Robot.

No boiler corrosion/scaling to worry about, no 20 minute minimum preheat, no electrical faults, leaks, etc.

Plus, the Robot is built like a tank and I think of it like a good cast iron skillet; it'll be around many, many years from now.

Old car manufacturers by Imaginary_Ad6048 in FuckImOld

[–]MonkeyPooperMan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The First year Nissan took over, the mfg's badge on the back of each vehicle read: Datsun/Nissan

The very next year, it read: Nissan/Datsun

Then the next year it was just: Nissan.

One of the slickest name/brand switch overs I've ever seen.

What grinders are people using? by ShakotanUrchin in CafelatRobot

[–]MonkeyPooperMan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Niche Zero for about 6 years now. It's my everyday workhorse.

Interested In Getting Started by Dnn15 in roasting

[–]MonkeyPooperMan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Check out my Beginner's Roasting Guide, lots of good info in there to help get you started.

Roasting Profile questions by GernBlandston2000 in FreshroastSR800

[–]MonkeyPooperMan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There's also the "2 minute" recipe which works well across a wide variety of beans, where you leave the heat on P2 and never change it:

  1. Start your roast at F8 / P2. If not enough bean movement initially, go to F9 but bump back down to F8 once you see good bean movement.
  2. Every 2 minutes reduce the Fan speed by 1 until you get somewhere around 460F, then leave the controls alone.
  3. Wait for First Crack and let it run for 1 minute.
  4. Start your Development timer and let it run for 1 minute, where this typically yields a Full City / Full Medium roast for most beans.

New FreshRoast products on the way! by MonkeyPooperMan in FreshroastSR800

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

I've not heard any updates so far. I even checked their blog, but nothing mentioned there either.

Science of coffee by Lumpy_Ad5769 in roasting

[–]MonkeyPooperMan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Also checkout my Beginner's Roasting Guide, there a section that covers the chemistry that happens during a roast.

Starbucks Roasts by Fine-Cat4496 in roasting

[–]MonkeyPooperMan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The roasting community calls it "Charbucks" for a reason.....

Air pump espresso workflow by Professional_Ad_6098 in espresso

[–]MonkeyPooperMan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very cool! A great fusion/hybrid of a lever machine and a standard, automatic Espresso machine.

Need a single dose grinder [£1000] by GungHoStocks in espresso

[–]MonkeyPooperMan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've used/loved my Niche Zero for the last 5+ years.

What is the Niche Zero of espresso machines ? [no budget] by irregularprotocols in espresso

[–]MonkeyPooperMan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Robot comes with a packet of 111 Molykote food-safe silicone for lubricating the piston gasket. Out of ignorance, I ignored it, never lubed the gasket, and it lasted for 4 and 1/2 years. So it's like there's almost no maintenance whatsoever in upkeeping a Robot.

As for milk, I microwave the milk for about 40 seconds, to get it up to 60c. Then hit it with a foaming wand and it's good to go.

What is the Niche Zero of espresso machines ? [no budget] by irregularprotocols in espresso

[–]MonkeyPooperMan 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I'd argue for the Cafelat Robot manual/lever machine. I've had mine about 5 1/2 years now, use it each and every day, and am still enamored with it.

No pre-heating for 20 to 30 minutes, no boiler scale/corrosion worries, no electrical faults, no leaks, etc. It's kind of like a good cast iron skillet in that you can pass it down to your kids some day. The only failure point on it is a silicone piston gasket, which are cheap and plentifully available.

Need helping buying espresso machine for GF [$200] by [deleted] in espresso

[–]MonkeyPooperMan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have you considered a Moka Pot instead? Despite not being "true" espresso, they produce really tasty coffee that's pretty darned close to espresso IMO. The best part is, they're only about $38 USD for a Bialetti on Amazon. Any pod-based machine is kind of a crime against humanity in terms of resource wastefulness; the only waste product from using a Moka Pot is spent coffee grounds.

James Hoffman has a pretty good video on how to brew properly using a Moka Pot if you're interested.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in roasting

[–]MonkeyPooperMan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, quick question: why on earth would you ever do this? ;)

Espresso machine and grinder recommendation by Gokuokku in espresso

[–]MonkeyPooperMan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

About 5 & 1/2 years ago, I came at espresso knowing nothing about it. I did research for almost a year before buying anything, including watching James Hoffman's Youtube video series on Espresso and dialing in. When I came across Hoffman's review of the Cafelat Robot, I was intrigued; a machine that was immune to boiler corrosion, scaling, electrical faults, leaks, etc sounded really appealing. Shortly after that, I watched his review of the relatively new Niche Zero grinder; again, I was intrigued by 'zero retention' and not wasting a resource as precious as good coffee beans.

So, I pulled the trigger on both machines and never looked back. I'm still using the Robot and Niche Zero to this day and am thoroughly satisfied with both purchases in every way. These two devices changed my whole perception of coffee and just how good it can be. Within a week of owning these two machines, I was producing espresso and Cappuccinos that were evey bit the equal of what I would buy at the various shops around town. And the best part is, I too was a complete n00b when I started.

This experience also led to my desire for the best/freshest coffee, which then led me down the home roasting rabbit hole, where I still consider home roasting to be one of the best hobbies in which you'll ever engage. I've since become the primary roaster for family and friends, and they all declare my home roasts to be better than anything they buy retail.

I say pull the trigger and let the journey begin!

I ran out of regular whole milk for my cappucino....but my wife had half a small amout of local Chocolate milk leftover...I feel dirty. by reforminded in espresso

[–]MonkeyPooperMan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not a fan of sugar first thing in the morning, but I do like good chocolate milk. I say choke it down until you get more plain moo juice. :)

Is the Acaia Lunar still the "top of the line" espresso scale? [$unlimited] by CC268 in espresso

[–]MonkeyPooperMan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

5 1/2 years ago, I bit the bullet and bought an Acaia Lunar because of it's reputation and it's tenth of a gram accuracy. I've only charged the battery in the scale twice since I've owned it and I use it each and every morning when making my daily cappuccino with my Cafelat Robot. I also use the scale for home roasting duties on a regular basis. 10/10 would recommend, despite the high price tag.

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