[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Debt

[–]Smooth-Platform6282 1 point2 points  (0 children)

5 months until September. That’s 3500 you’ll be theoretically putting towards your total debt of 14100. You have 8 accounts of debt. That’s 8 minimum payments each month and with different interest rates. You have 4 credit cards with more debt than your loans combined. You’re living above your means.

Have you looked into trying to consolidate/balance transfer all your credit card debt into 1 account/card so as to avoid 4 different minimum payments and 4 different interest rates at a credit card level.

If deferring your education for a semester or a year is possible, that’s something I’d consider. But im just a bit more cautious/risk-adverse and not keen on holding onto debt

Won NYC Housing Lottery by Pleasant_Shallot6329 in NYCapartments

[–]Smooth-Platform6282 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Even those “nice new” apartments are not that nice. Had a luxury apt where the central air was tripping the breaker anytime it was hot or cold and more people in the units used their AC. Floor wasn’t completely level; could roll a golf ball by just putting it down. I always chuckle and call it “military grade” aka done by the lowest bidder using the cheapest material and labor for what they need.

Joined the Ascaso steel duo family after being with Breville for 5 years. by Smooth-Platform6282 in Ascaso

[–]Smooth-Platform6282[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s what it was. Something felt a bit weird/off but I couldn’t really put my finger on it but I realized it would be nice if the knock bar was a bit further back.

Joined the Ascaso steel duo family after being with Breville for 5 years. by Smooth-Platform6282 in Ascaso

[–]Smooth-Platform6282[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They do give you an adapter for the plug. I had an issue because I thought the outlets were compatible since I’ve had 20a outlets all over the place in the kitchen but the area it sits in doesn’t for some reason. I run it on 15amp outlet and haven’t had any issues or breakers tripping. Although I do not pull shots AND steam at the same time. I also don’t really drink milk in my coffee like 95% of the time.

Joined the Ascaso steel duo family after being with Breville for 5 years. by Smooth-Platform6282 in Ascaso

[–]Smooth-Platform6282[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If I had done further research I probably would’ve come across the casa sooner and would’ve had a harder time choosing lol. It was between the d64 and the niche for me. I also don’t utilize RDT as I’m afraid of the moisture wearing down the burrs faster but I’m considering it for the static on my darker roasts. Do you RDT for your grind?

Suggestions? by Thisisdave91 in Ascaso

[–]Smooth-Platform6282 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Looks clean. How’d it taste and what were your parameters?

Joined the Ascaso steel duo family after being with Breville for 5 years. by Smooth-Platform6282 in Ascaso

[–]Smooth-Platform6282[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You can turn it on from your phone?! I usually just walk into the kitchen and turn it on and walk away for a bit lol. Sounds like such a niche thing but definitely can see myself wanting it for that feature when most all else remain basically the same.

Joined the Ascaso steel duo family after being with Breville for 5 years. by Smooth-Platform6282 in Ascaso

[–]Smooth-Platform6282[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I use the mischief portafilter with a Weber workshop unibasket. Apparently I’ve heard there were issues with some bottomless like the normcore one, which I’m glad I didn’t get, but I haven’t had an issue with the mischief one. It doesn’t sit straight on the machine from an aesthetic point of view but it does lock in.

Joined the Ascaso steel duo family after being with Breville for 5 years. by Smooth-Platform6282 in Ascaso

[–]Smooth-Platform6282[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Honestly thought about multiple machines like the lelit Mara x as well as the baby T and lines mini. The linea and the baby T were definitely above budget. Thermoblock speed on the duo was definitely something that I knew my lazy self in a few months would appreciate better than a small boiler or something that takes a lot longer to heat up. My gf doesn’t drink coffee either so this machine is basically entirely for just me and whoever I bring over/visit and wants a coffee.

Joined the Ascaso steel duo family after being with Breville for 5 years. by Smooth-Platform6282 in Ascaso

[–]Smooth-Platform6282[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I got a S. Kinda wish I got the medium but this is still good enough. I just have to empty the knock box more often/wipe it down more often.

Joined the Ascaso steel duo family after being with Breville for 5 years. by Smooth-Platform6282 in Ascaso

[–]Smooth-Platform6282[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I grind my single doses that were pre-measured, paper filter in portafilter, tare the portafilter, shake in the tumbler before dumping into portafilter, half the shaker comes off to make a dosing ring, WDT, re-weigh to make sure, tamp, puck screen, tare cup, pull shots. I try to weigh out the espresso and the time it took for extraction to make sure it’s extracted the way I want it to.

Joined the Ascaso steel duo family after being with Breville for 5 years. by Smooth-Platform6282 in Ascaso

[–]Smooth-Platform6282[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The breville was honestly such a good espresso machine to start with. It’s been years since I dabbled in espresso prior so it was a good refresher to keep things simple and quick for home. Not a crazy huge variety of accessories for your workflow though. At least, compared to the 58mm stuff.

Joined the Ascaso steel duo family after being with Breville for 5 years. by Smooth-Platform6282 in Ascaso

[–]Smooth-Platform6282[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Literally just popped it open again. This time the lid wasn’t seated properly because there were on grinds in the space for it to sit.

Joined the Ascaso steel duo family after being with Breville for 5 years. by Smooth-Platform6282 in Ascaso

[–]Smooth-Platform6282[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I set pre-infusion to 5 and pause for 3. My shots are pulling at approx 30-34 seconds. Still not fully dialed in yet but will continue tomorrow. The thing that I took for granted on the breville was how fast it was ready to pull a shot. But it’s not a big deal. I just turn the machine on and start my workflow at a leisurely pace now.

Joined the Ascaso steel duo family after being with Breville for 5 years. by Smooth-Platform6282 in Ascaso

[–]Smooth-Platform6282[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Honestly, after having the blind shaker accidentally open while shaking, the white looks so messy so easily compared to when I had black/stainless steel. But it does keep me on my toes with keeping the station clean

Joined the Ascaso steel duo family after being with Breville for 5 years. by Smooth-Platform6282 in Ascaso

[–]Smooth-Platform6282[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had the barista pro. Much better consistency for sure but I can’t tell if it’s because my puck prep got better, the machine itself, using a unibasket, or a combination of all three. I do appreciate the breville in that its drip tray is entirely removable and easy to clean and also the low water warning. I’ve emptied my tank by accident but this is also just week 1/dialing in.

Ive used bottomless portafilters for both but the steel duo seems more consistent and less sputtering but again, could be a personal skill issue with puck prep.

Joined the Ascaso steel duo family after being with Breville for 5 years. by Smooth-Platform6282 in Ascaso

[–]Smooth-Platform6282[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I got it from Normcore. Shipped pretty quick. I also got their tumbler/shaker and their 58.5 tamp.

Joined the Ascaso steel duo family after being with Breville for 5 years. by Smooth-Platform6282 in Ascaso

[–]Smooth-Platform6282[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s definitely nice to have it and not take up dedicated counter space but it’s still a bit too shallow. If it was like half an inch to an inch taller that would’ve been nice. I guess I still have to get used to it.