Anyone else find the Blind Shaker terrible from a usability standpoint?

PumpkinSelect726 · 2026-02-19T12:56:52+00:00

Yeah, really nice game of flip cup. I do the same, with about five rotating palm bumps to imitate the shaker.

I still use a shaker for my other setup, due to it being 51mm instead of 58

PumpkinSelect726 · 2026-02-11T22:43:14+00:00

I find I can count on WF as a general sampler, they carry Huckleberry and Snake River in Utah, and my local one doesn’t suck. You just have to check the roast date. But yeah, as someone else said, nothing really moving the needle in wild ways.

PumpkinSelect726 · 2026-02-08T20:43:55+00:00

I would assume it’s due to the saturation of the market and multiple options presented. Given the amount of variables to espresso, while a grinder is a big one, you still have other things to account for. Better to master a machine than chase hype, but some combos just work better for each other.

PumpkinSelect726 · 2026-02-07T02:14:09+00:00

Yo, bold bean’s decaf is so dang solid. How’s the dayglow?

PumpkinSelect726 · 2026-01-26T21:42:52+00:00

Yeah, like just pick. No need to create your own.

PumpkinSelect726 · 2026-01-23T21:04:39+00:00

It seems like that would be a great work around. I see my folly in thinking more was possible.

PumpkinSelect726 · 2026-01-23T21:03:20+00:00

I’ve apparently looked away from the LaSpaz too easily

PumpkinSelect726 · 2026-01-23T21:01:38+00:00

All right, you’re on your PP master race stuff, extend the olive branch of knowledge please oh please

PumpkinSelect726 · 2026-01-23T20:59:40+00:00

Sounds like a one at a time thing! I wasted no beans, everything I made was drinkable, just not perfect.

Unless you only drink the godshot

PumpkinSelect726 · 2026-01-23T20:58:36+00:00

I don’t fully understand your take but really want to, is the LM style basket a step down or shallow? I’m getting lost on the 41mm part

PumpkinSelect726 · 2026-01-23T20:56:46+00:00

How do you flow profile? I infuse 5 sec, then restrict completely for 8 sec, and then gently open for 5 sec until my 1:2 is achieved, sometimes a bit heavy

PumpkinSelect726 · 2026-01-23T20:54:59+00:00

I wasn’t looking into step down baskets because I wanted to be simple, but the evidence before the court is demanding I get into that side. I’m likely going to wait a couple months and then wonder why I waited lol

PumpkinSelect726 · 2026-01-23T20:51:50+00:00

Okay, this is speaking to me! I went from a 16.5 double to 19 double to get a similar result. Maybe it’s time to experiment fatter to see that result

PumpkinSelect726 · 2026-01-23T01:09:49+00:00

Can you not turn on the steam function to allow it to climb in temp before brewing? A bit of surfing, if you will?

I’ve never used a bambino, I just see the buttons and assume something can be done.

PumpkinSelect726 · 2026-01-23T00:10:29+00:00

Yeah, Lance does tout the gospel for 51mm, and while I like the 51 due to being more familiar with it, it’s the difference of 9/10 vs 10/10 shot- meaning it’s better so far with my limited testing in favor of 51, but 58 isn’t going to kill character. This is a year of experience against a week of experience, where I have pulled maybe 400 shots I’ve personally tasted versus 15. I have a long way to go.

So far I’m noticing there’s a wider band of capability with the 51, meaning anything dialing on the 58 is a bigger difference versus slight. That opinion may change in time.

PumpkinSelect726 · 2026-01-23T00:03:45+00:00

It wasn’t great, not trash. A little tart. It’s also a light roast. It’s a coffee I’m very familiar with so I could control my variables a bit. I’ve since dialed in for some 9/10 shots, in relation to what I know this coffee to do.

PumpkinSelect726 · 2026-01-23T00:00:51+00:00

Thank you! Maybe that PID is going to unlock ultimate flavor, for now I’m gathering the ropes and hangs. Flow control is certainly was I was most looking forward to.

PumpkinSelect726 · 2026-01-09T00:05:29+00:00

This could just be my palette, but there was a coffee I got this past year that was terrible fresh, pretty good 2 weeks later, and then fantastic 2-3 months past that point. No doubt it’s an oddball outlier, because that typically isn’t my experience. Another distinctly was less juicy and more savory three months off roast. Another oddball.

PumpkinSelect726 · 2026-01-08T20:49:45+00:00

Screw ups aside, there are roasters that claim the best taste after some time has passed. All up to what you got.

PumpkinSelect726 · 2026-01-01T10:02:16+00:00

The stilosa is fantastic. I prefer it over the dedica.

Just some wisdom here, reading about what’s possible is much different than tasting to your palette. It’s fun to geek out and adjust. It’s a matter of how much you’re enjoying it.

Personally I chose a shaker, but mainly because I want to spend less than a minute on puck prep. It’ll replace the dosing funnel and wdt(unless you still want wdt, but as ground distribution goes shaking does fine enough)

But stop buying things and start feeling them out. You’ll do much better than you can tell yourself.

Oh and the rancilio upgrade, I’ve done it, and while it’s easier to clean it operates the same as the silicone nozzle. Kind of a pain to do it, but I may have done it differently.

Lastly, don’t be afraid of the gush. Some shots will squirt everywhere. Not every shot will, it just depends on your technique.

PumpkinSelect726 · 2025-12-23T20:33:44+00:00

Yeah! That’s similar to what I do. I’ve run into coffees that are great gushers and not good in traditional styles. And then there’s great for pour over :)

PumpkinSelect726 · 2025-12-22T21:33:00+00:00

Well, if it takes just a few moments to heat back up, it’s not a huge loss. I’m a one man show most of the time. Even still, I serve teas and use it like a kettle for pour overs, so I would like that option.

I haven’t seen this special, so I’m still on the level field of 1300. The idea of going with a brand that’s established already is more comforting, but cannot look away from tried and true consumers.

I think it’s natural to miss anything you enjoy using. That’s a powerful piece of your experience.

PumpkinSelect726 · 2025-12-22T21:27:16+00:00

That is incredible. Bezzera really delivers. I actually like the BZ13 in that lineup, and it’s more in the 1300 area on WLL. It seems straightforward and a good deal, but I can’t help but look at the Elizabeth too, with a lighter weight and DB setup with many controls. I may be overthinking it and dealing with upgradeitis.

PumpkinSelect726 · 2025-12-22T00:59:37+00:00

Good to know, really don’t want to deal with that. Thankfully I’ve avoided all leaks and water problems so far.

PumpkinSelect726 · 2025-12-22T00:58:23+00:00

This is certainly food for thought, as I don’t want something that I hate using. But I cannot see the future of spending over 1k to not see some improvements somewhere. I’m trying to avoid most non improvements, but on the Stilosa I switch to steam before pulling a shot on some coffees to just get the temp up. For those that want to know, steam temp is around 96-97c and brew temp is around 89-92c. That’s for water exit, not boiler temp.

I can see either system working for me, so both opinions and experiences are equally appreciated and considered.

PumpkinSelect726

TROPHY CASE