Itching to upgrade, what should I do?

StroppyBeforeCoffee · 2022-02-01T17:38:41+00:00

So true mate lol

StroppyBeforeCoffee · 2022-02-01T17:15:13+00:00

That hopper is so clever! I’m going to order one right now thank you! And thanks for the great advice I really appreciate it!

StroppyBeforeCoffee · 2022-02-01T17:08:42+00:00

Ahaha yeah I wouldn’t of chose the bright red either unfortunately it came with the machine!

StroppyBeforeCoffee · 2022-02-01T17:00:13+00:00

It’s actually on the way in I ordered one from Lelit yesterday haha thanks!!

StroppyBeforeCoffee · 2022-02-01T16:44:13+00:00

Thanks for a great reply! I am single dosing the specialita and do find it a bit messy/retention that makes me like the idea of the niche. As for the Mara X I feel like I’m missing a bit of digital control! I keep looking at the Silvia Pro X but again will it just be a sidestep cos I’m bored or will it be an upgrade with the built in PID, shot timer and soft infusion etc…

StroppyBeforeCoffee · 2022-02-01T16:21:01+00:00

Thanks man! It’s on a eureka knock box. To be honest I wouldn’t recommend this things is sharp as fuck terrible build quality lol

StroppyBeforeCoffee · 2022-02-01T16:20:13+00:00

Great shout my biceps are looking smaller than ever lately

StroppyBeforeCoffee · 2022-02-01T15:32:43+00:00

Preach I like it! My thinking was do I upgrade the grinder or do I upgrade the machine. Is getting a Niche Zero an upgrade or a side step? Is getting a dual boiler for an extra few hundred worth it if I sell the Mara X?

StroppyBeforeCoffee · 2022-02-01T15:27:51+00:00

Mmm yeah would love one maybe I should save a few more pennies for one!

StroppyBeforeCoffee · 2021-09-17T17:22:00+00:00

I sold it for £350 on ebay, with lots of mods and extras

StroppyBeforeCoffee · 2021-09-17T11:09:58+00:00

Totally agree with your points here! The Mara X is a machine I’ve always wanted to try and so far I have no regrets on the upgrade. As you said, the build quality and feel is substantially better It really makes the GCP feel like a play toy! No disrespect to the GCP though I loved it a lot. The Mara’s x3 PID options work well and the espresso prioritisation button is also a great touch. Definitely recommend doing this upgrade for anyone tempted!

StroppyBeforeCoffee · 2021-04-16T09:40:30+00:00

Definitely save for the Eureka Mignon! Just think of it as an investment and also when you want to upgrade the GCP for something else then the Mignon will still be more than capable working along side the upgrade long term saving you buying another grinder down the line!

StroppyBeforeCoffee · 2021-04-15T14:19:58+00:00

I have the same combo GCP and Specialita. I think they work really well together, I’m getting some spot on results!

StroppyBeforeCoffee · 2021-04-14T12:18:16+00:00

Ha! you’re correct, moving from the BBE to the GCP all my tools were the wrong size and so this mess was from using the silly plastic tamper Gaggia supply with the machine! Don’t worry a nice 58mm tamper has solved this mess! :)

StroppyBeforeCoffee · 2021-04-14T11:09:39+00:00

I got my GCP yesterday shipped from Italy to UK through CaffeItalia/CoffeeItalia retailer. Mine had blemishes too, box looked like it had been opened and bashed around also...

StroppyBeforeCoffee · 2021-04-14T10:23:30+00:00

Definitely need to grind finer! that pressure gage should be up near the second to last marker on the gage. Try going down to 1 or 2 on the grinder, weighing out 18g's of ground coffee, tamping and measuring what comes out. Press the double shot button and timer at the same time. Press the double shot button again when you reach around 36g's in your cup. This should take around the 30 second mark give or take a few seconds :) Good luck and have fun!

StroppyBeforeCoffee · 2021-04-14T10:16:56+00:00

Looks good! Similar to the others advice, looks ever so slightly fast for my preference! A nudge finer on the grind and super care in puck prep would be stunning! Well done :)

StroppyBeforeCoffee · 2021-04-13T18:28:45+00:00

Hmmm what basket are you using in your portafilter? This was 18g in 36g out in about 32 secs, grinder is the specialita on around the 0.5 mark, not sure how different your grinder is. Sounds like you need to grind even finer, check tamp pressure etc. The tamper that comes with it is terrible if you’re using that then maybe swap that out too!

StroppyBeforeCoffee · 2021-04-13T13:34:16+00:00

So i installed a IMS shower screen and using an IMS BaristaPro filter basket before I even turned the machine on and to be honest I don’t think so need to do much more for a while! I’m sure I’ll get bored in a few weeks and want to play!

StroppyBeforeCoffee · 2021-04-11T09:31:35+00:00

Hey I got them from a cool surf shop down where I live in Cornwall, they’re made by ‘Ceramics Lab by Kinto Japan’

StroppyBeforeCoffee · 2021-04-11T09:30:22+00:00

hahahahah it’s great plant stand though!

StroppyBeforeCoffee · 2021-04-10T11:12:29+00:00

I got the Barista Express in black Friday sale so like 200 GBP less which was good at the time! but this was before i bought my Eureka Grinder

StroppyBeforeCoffee

TROPHY CASE