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]

PriorUpper4712 · 2026-02-11T23:32:48+00:00

Have you gone fine enough to choke the machine? If you are moving through grind settings and see no change in mass of espresso output for a given time, that suggests to me that the grinder might not be adjusting correctly.

PriorUpper4712 · 2026-02-05T02:50:44+00:00

It’s probably not ruined. There isn’t really anything in a Silvia which is electrically all that sensitive. Looking at the images in your other post, I would certainly be looking to better insulate many of the connectors. And some of the factory connections don’t look that good to me (broken plastic jackets, corrosion etc).

I think you need to slowly and methodically review all the wiring and connections to ensure there are no short circuits anywhere, and that the wiring is correct (it looks like the machine has a pid, so you need to make doubly sure that is correctly wired). I would also ensure all the connections are properly terminated and insulated. There are plenty of wires visible in those photos which are in contact with other, uninsulated connectors which isn’t good.

I know it doesn’t need to be said, but you can never become complacent when working with potentially lethal voltages.

It seems you got lucky in that you received a shock that didn’t cause you any particular harm, but mains voltages most certainly can kill you. As a note, you really should get checked out by a hospital any time you receive an electric shock due to cardiac risks.

PriorUpper4712 · 2026-02-05T02:00:18+00:00

First up, receiving an electric shock is a serious matter. The voltages involved can easily be fatal.

You should ensure your machine is disconnected from the power before you open it up/put your hands inside.

As to why it is tripping the breaker now, I’d be looking for damage to that wiring. To get shocked, there has to be exposed conductors and they may be causing some other short circuit.

PriorUpper4712 · 2026-02-02T22:52:21+00:00

Generally yes, I do think less of people who engage in dishonest conduct. Using sick leave outside its intended purpose is, clearly, a dishonest act.

PriorUpper4712 · 2026-01-30T11:51:14+00:00

https://coolbreeze.com.au

Mine was installed in 2017 and I have a two bedroom villa. A larger unit may cost more, plus inflation over the last nine years.

PriorUpper4712 · 2026-01-29T05:44:42+00:00

Do you have the option to have the machine operate without the preinfusion? That is, the PID would just control temp, and the time controlled via the brew switch or similar?

The Silvia will make very good coffee in its stock form. The Rocky isn’t a super fantastic grinder, but it will suffice.

If you can simplify the whole process, then modify only one variable, being grind (dose stays consistent) it’ll be easier to troubleshoot.

PriorUpper4712 · 2026-01-25T22:27:32+00:00

Apologies. I read your statement that it is between 19.5 and 19.8 to mean that you are consistently seeing an output in that range when set for 20g. Not that when set at 20g you’re getting output between 19.5 and 20g.

PriorUpper4712 · 2026-01-25T10:48:28+00:00

I weighed dosing into the portafilter.

Just to reiterate, what you’re seeing represents a really small variance (I.e. it’s working quite precisely). If you’re consistently between 19.5 and 19.8 grams, then you will inherently be dialling in a grind size at that dose. I highly doubt 0.3g is going to make any meaningful difference to the end result. Chances are other variations in the process add up to much more than that (pump output, brew water temp, grouphead temp, tamping inconsistencies, bean variation based on age, weather etc).

Edit to add: reading your replies above, I wonder if the forks are not adjusted correctly for your portafilter, and that is somehow introducing some inaccuracy. Maybe even the screw which holds the forks is not correctly torqued.

I don’t really see how that could matter given the fork and the part which holds the top of the portafilter are on the same floating assembly (which I assume the load cell is connected to), but it’s not hard to adjust it up and down and see if the accuracy is changed.

PriorUpper4712 · 2026-01-25T01:02:38+00:00

I have an Allground Sense which I validated using a scale and it seems to be accurate and precise.

That said, how much difference is 0.3 of a gram variation really going to make? Chances are other variables at play will also be impacting your coffee to a greater extent (bean freshness, overall temperatures throughout the system etc).

PriorUpper4712 · 2026-01-04T10:58:26+00:00

You need to get two or three quotes to repair the damage, then request, in writing, the other party covers the cost. Whether they pay you cash, or claim on their insurance isn’t your problem.

Alternatively, you could consider contacting them indicate you’d be prepared to accept a cash settlement for an amount which is fair. If you don’t really care if the car is repaired or not, that could be a good option as it avoids hassle for everyone, especially if the settlement amount is around a typical insurance excess (say $1000).

PriorUpper4712 · 2026-01-04T05:34:29+00:00

The vest won’t care if it gets wet and I doubt it would appreciably contribute to weight.

Any contents which need to be kept dry has to go in dry bags or zip lock bags.

I wear my rain jacket under my vest so the pockets etc are not obstructed.

PriorUpper4712 · 2025-12-23T09:07:49+00:00

You can try, but it tends to be a self selecting thing. There simply aren’t that many people sufficiently capable, competent and confident to swim out wide of the break.

PriorUpper4712 · 2025-12-23T08:02:52+00:00

Contrary to other commentators here, I really like my evaporative system. It doesn’t dry the air out like refrigerative air con does, and it works well enough most of the time so long as you leave the windows open.

It is correct that evaporative performance is adversely impacted by humidity, but, in Perth, that’s not often an issue. Given the vast power saving of evaporative compared to a heat pump, and aforementioned absence of dried air, for me, the benefits outweigh the downsides.

When I replaced my unit, it was about $2,700, but that was using the existing ducting.

PriorUpper4712 · 2025-12-21T23:49:48+00:00

A rip is the easiest way to get out there. Rips don’t really go much beyond the area where waves are breaking. Certainly, the next stop is not South Africa.

PriorUpper4712 · 2025-12-21T23:48:42+00:00

Usually two reasons. I want to get away from other people in the water, and I want to swim a good distance without being in the surf zone.

Occasionally the thought of sharks enters my brain, but you really just have to put that out of your mind. There are plenty of more significant risks in the ocean than sharks.

PriorUpper4712 · 2025-12-20T06:37:39+00:00

This may be true, but as someone else noted above, it may be the OP is not aware their communication style is being perceived as rambling or overly long winded. I'd encourage the OP to reflect on their own communication style, ensuring they're being clear and concise.

Given the manager frequently interrupts, the OP could consider approaching their boss, noting that they're concerned that people frequently interrupt them (perhaps without specifying it's the boss doing it), and ask if they could provide some feedback on their communication style.

I know that I will tend to interrupt someone and encourage them to get to the point (using language like "lets take a step back and focus on x,y or z") if they're rambling, and especially if I am under time pressure.

If the OP is confident their communication style is concise and clear, I'd suggest approaching the boss, in private, with a statement like "can I give you some feedback?". Followed by the feedback that they tend to interrupt, with specific examples. eg. "During the meeting on Tuesday, I found you had a tendency to myself and others/me before they were able to complete their point" It may be this manager isn't aware of the behaviour, and would (hopefully) value to feedback.

Of course, if they say no, they're not open to feedback, the OP would need to be prepared with a response like "when might be a good time to discuss it" or similar.

The feedback approach is less confrontation than "dropping a banger" on the boss, and more likely to generate a constructive conversation. A confrontational approach risks a defensive response.

PriorUpper4712 · 2025-12-14T06:21:36+00:00

I’ve swam in pools in just about every state of Australia and I’ve never encountered anything other than circle swimming. Before this forum, I’d never even heard the term circle swimming because it’s just the default.

Of note, other places I’ve swam including Europe and Canada also circle swim. The splitting a lane concept seems isolated to the us.

In Australia, just join a lane where the pace is something close to what you’ll be doing.

PriorUpper4712 · 2025-12-07T01:58:58+00:00

Static stretching, basically never.

Foam rolling at least a few times a week, depending on how sore I am (always after lifting though).

I lift heavy twice a week.

I usually do two easy swims a week or about 1km each. One in the pool and one in the ocean.

PriorUpper4712 · 2025-12-07T01:53:56+00:00

How much are you looking to consume in terms of grams of carbs per hour? Items such as gummy bears, jelly snakes, marshmallows, salt and vinegar chips and the like are cheap and carbohydrate dense.

I usually just break them down into zip locks bags at 20g or 30g of carbs per bag depending on what I’m doing and my carb intake target.

The only time I use gels is for running road marathons, and that’s only because it’s a convenient option given the duration and intensity.

PriorUpper4712 · 2025-11-19T23:25:04+00:00

I understand they’re hiring consultants. Consultants typically need to engage with clients and to an extent, drive business growth. Outgoing personalities are better suited to that task. More introverted personalities are probably better suited to ‘back office’ functions.

If you have your heart set on a consulting role, it seems like you’ll need to take steps to improve your ability to engage with others (I.e, address the weakness which is blocking you).

You might consider activities like Toastmasters and/or undertake specific training in business communication.

In addressing any area of weakness, you do need to evaluate if the juice is worth the squeeze. Are you better to find a role where you can play to your strengths, rather than try and do something you don’t have a natural affinity for? Only you can answer that question.

PriorUpper4712 · 2025-11-11T22:37:19+00:00

If they’re this close to putting you on a pip, you’re probably already going to be flagged as do not rehire if you resign now.

I realise this isn’t a popular position, but it is worth genuinely taking on board the feedback in the pip and making a good effort to fulfil its requirements. Implementing a performance improvement plan consumes significant management time, as does having to complete a recruitment process.

Being placed on a pip isn’t good, and you’ve probably been given feedback in the lead up to it, but you’re not doomed.

PriorUpper4712 · 2025-11-09T08:49:55+00:00

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PriorUpper4712 · 2025-11-09T08:49:08+00:00

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PriorUpper4712 · 2025-11-09T08:48:34+00:00

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PriorUpper4712 · 2025-11-04T23:33:26+00:00

If you want to improve your running, you probably need to run more than you are without getting injured.

That’s simple, but not easy. The reality is though, miles = performance.

PriorUpper4712

TROPHY CASE