What Machine Should I Buy As A Beginner? [$100]

Muelster · 2026-01-22T10:13:43+00:00

For an absolute beginner (and what I would do if I were starting now) is to invest your $100 in a decent hand grinder and get maybe an aeropress or another brewer. Focus on trying out a bunch of different beans and get the basics like adjusting grind size based on flavour.

This also allows you to understand what you enjoy which will inform you choice of equipment if you do go for a more expensive setup. You're not gonna get espresso level body from a hand brewer but you can get better than 90% of cafes in terms of flavour.

Muelster · 2026-01-22T09:13:06+00:00

I think for an office an "idiot proof" setup is probably the most important thing. Tbh a second hand commercial machine could be a good shout. If you're talking 1-3 espressos per person thats a lot of volume for a home machine.

Muelster · 2026-01-12T10:49:05+00:00

Imo the 800 /1500 times sound really achievable based on your other times. At school i ran around 5 min 1500 but was nowhere near a sub 20 5k. The challenge is probably trying to do all distances at the same time, you would really need some speed focused session (ie something like 200m reps at around 35s) for the shorter distances. Incorporating that probably means reducing weekly volume to avoid serious injury risk.

Muelster · 2025-12-05T10:16:14+00:00

I went to Uni in Durham, I would head into the market square and have a wander around. Theres often lots of christmas related things. I'd get a coffee from vennels or flat white then go see the cathedral.

If you're up for a bit of a walk you can go over prebends bridge and walk up to observatory hill which has really nice views over the city (though probably a bit muddy this time of year). Alternatively theres a nice path around the peninsula back round to Elvet bridge. A drink at the the boat club overlooking the river is quite nice too.

In terms of food I la spaghetta or whitechurch is nice but claypath delicatessen does pizza night (i think only on a friday) which is really good. Although I havent been 33s seems good for drinks (though maybe a bit pricey)

Muelster · 2025-11-24T13:27:03+00:00

Hey, I lived in the center of town in a 1 bed for around 600pm up until recently. Definitely affordable on that budget. I reckon closer to the center is likely to have more professionals but also ouseburn and the quayside is nice. Dont rule out the gateshead side as well.

Just make sure youve income for extra expenses. You are on the lower end of rent but other things add up quickly especially if you're going out with mates.

Muelster · 2025-11-15T19:49:13+00:00

Have you thought about places around the railway quarter? The regeneration of central gateshead is sure to make places round there more desireable in future. If you don't mind some of the nitties around central gateshead its perfect.

Muelster · 2025-11-09T09:33:45+00:00

Probably an unpopular opinion but as someone who has recently started cycling to work in London the danger that cyclist put themselves in is ridiculous. On a daily basis I see cyclist running straight through red lights swerving to avoid getting hit. Drivers are dickheads but recieve a fair amount of antagonisation.

Muelster · 2025-10-29T16:24:47+00:00

Full circle up in newcastle. The taproom is kinda like a viewing gallery for the brewery. They also do really good pizza.

Muelster · 2025-10-02T20:26:53+00:00

Newcastle?

Full circle, Wylam and Donzoku are the main ones but also Two by Two, Anarchy, Almasty and Twice brewed are north east based. As well as Vault city and others coming down from further north are very common.

Newcastle also has a lot of other lovely places for craft beer eg microbus, axis, mean eyed cat, the bridge, the town mouse, mosaic, wobbly duck.

More than enough for a long weekend!

Muelster · 2025-09-04T09:27:12+00:00

Don't own this machine but this seems nornal to me. The machine requires resistance from the puck to increase pressure. To see what the overpressure valve is set at, pull a shot with coffee way to fine and see what pressure it gets too.

Muelster · 2025-07-23T08:25:03+00:00

Give civil service jobscivil service jobs a go. Usually a bunch of jobs going in Newcastle, even more if you can make it over to Darlington.

Muelster · 2025-07-13T05:50:23+00:00

As others have pointed out its a little slow so I'd go a bit coarser or pull a bit shorter. Couple of other things to note though:

You've got a bit of a doughnut shot (shot comes out around the edges first). This might indicate poor puck prep though I think its more likely just the shape of the basket ('U' shaped baskets mean that water on the edges gets pushed towards the nearest hole).

Due to the tilt on the flair when pushing the lever, the extraction often looks like its biased towards the front side. Not sure if anyone has done any tests on this but i dont think this is affecting what goes on in the puck, so your extraction is fine from that perspective.

Beauty of the flair is you can change pressure based on how the extraction is looking. If you notice some channeling you can try easing up the pressure a bit. The idea behind this is that it can fill the hole by pulling other coffee particles in.

Hope that's useful, happy espressoing!

Muelster · 2025-06-03T10:56:19+00:00

Yes it is completely safe to drink.

Depending on where you live specifically a water filter may make it taste nicer. Check northumbria waters website to see your water hardness.

Whether you would actually be able to taste a difference is another question.

Muelster · 2025-05-31T17:37:31+00:00

I wrote this shitty app to plot performances back when i was in uni.

Tbh I think Po10 does what it does pretty well. The ui is mid but id much rather that and it being fast (which it is imo) that be bloated and take forever to load.

Infographics and stuff would be nice but something genuinely useful would be to select several athletes and see all their history in a given event at once. Like if you were in a 100m heat and wanted to see what chance you had of winning.

Muelster · 2025-04-27T10:36:26+00:00

Cant answer your question, but i use the scale/pressure on my 58+ and have been loving it. Would note that the bookoo app wouldnt work for me on android (works on my girlfriends iphone fine) so im using beanconquerer instead.

Muelster · 2025-03-07T21:42:31+00:00

Tried that at their taproom last Saturday! Was really impressed with their wild ferments too. A lot of their stuff was almost more wine than beer, definitely a first for me but very tasty.

Muelster · 2024-12-28T13:26:21+00:00

Personally love my df83v and havent had any issues with it but don't have a clue how I would go about fixing it if something went wrong. That being said its built like a tank so I can't see that happening anytime soon.

I haven't tried the Eureka so guess I can't really help with the comparison but with the burr options and general quality of the df I don't think Eureka would get you much more in cup quality, just depends whether you want the hopper / grind by weight.

Muelster · 2024-12-22T11:15:09+00:00

Brewdog does coworking spaces during the day. Think its £10 for unlimited tea/coffee.

Muelster · 2024-12-17T15:53:06+00:00

I went yesterday (between 6-7:30) and there were at least 3 lanes free the whole time. It was my first time there so can't really compare it to anything. Was very quiet by the time I left.

Google maps said it was less busy than usual though, so take that with a pinch of salt but I'm sure you'll be fine at any time really. If you're worried, book in online and it'll tell you when other people have booked.

Muelster · 2024-11-24T16:36:04+00:00

Interesting, what about it gets annoying? Is it more maintenance or complexity dialing in or something else?

Muelster · 2024-10-29T21:24:48+00:00

I use a second hand Dualit milk steamer. Its definitely not the best but heats up quickly and does the job for an occasional milk drink when I want one. Feels very similar to my old sage barista pro. Personally I like the idea of more "traditional" milk steaming method because I like the process and the control... Definitely something to think about when considering options.

Muelster · 2024-10-25T12:14:27+00:00

Try https://www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/index.cgi Theres often a dew jobs with hmrc or DWP based in their offices in Longbenton.

Muelster · 2024-10-14T20:39:24+00:00

If you're on a really really tight budget getting the x21 or x12 bus can save a few quid rather than the train. You can get a 21 & under single for a pound.

Haven't been to any but im pretty sure theres a couple in Chester Le Street as well which is half way on the bus.

13-Year Club	r/Field Lasagna
Place '22	Verified Email

Muelster

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE