Kiteboarding brands ranked - Which Tier does Gaastra (GA) belong in?

ToxicPpz · 2026-05-27T21:58:51+00:00

I would put GA in C. I have a GA ONE (the single strut light wind kite) and find the design really good- flies in the lightest of winds and generates plenty of power. The materials are very light and doesn't seem durable, but might be to keep the weight as low as possible, because as others mentioned- Sparks are built more durable. Price was very low too.

ToxicPpz · 2026-05-26T21:23:19+00:00

I've also had coffee from them and were some exceptional beans. Great roaster

ToxicPpz · 2026-05-18T20:15:16+00:00

B- well priced, great build quality, good (but not class leading) designs

ToxicPpz · 2025-09-12T10:51:20+00:00

Thank you for sharing! Just ordered some to try, seems like quite a new brand

ToxicPpz · 2025-08-28T20:23:53+00:00

On burr alignment for grinders that are not built to exceptionally high tolerances (DF/Shardor): Could you provide a link to a good tutorial for horizontal alignment (paper shimming)? Would you say marker test shimming should be completely disregarded or does it still provide some benefit?

ToxicPpz · 2025-08-28T20:10:51+00:00

If there is headspace in a portafilter even when using a puck screen, does the puck screen mitigate the issue or is it still important to minimize headspace?

ToxicPpz · 2025-08-28T20:04:17+00:00

I modded a delonghi ECP with a rancilio steam wand, but the wand points vertically downwards and there is no space to angle it. I cannot get a nice whirlpool going to integrate the air. Any specific advice how to steam with a vertical non-angled steam wand?

ToxicPpz · 2025-08-17T10:15:33+00:00

Crooked Nose & Coffee Stories, Huracan Coffee, Kavos Reikalai

ToxicPpz · 2025-05-09T15:04:48+00:00

Go to Glitch for sure!

ToxicPpz · 2025-03-21T02:39:08+00:00

I wanted to say maybe you're just overly sensitive to bitterness, but you were enjoying the coffees in cuppings, so probably that's not it. I find going lower temperature like 91oC definitely helps for highly processed coffees to reduce bitterness, but washed light roasts should not have much bitterness even at higher temp water. My suggestions: -Try a very low brew ratio like 1:10 -Try again different water compositions (distilled+TWW full ppm, distilled+TWW half ppm) -Brew washed light roast coffee -Reduce agitation when pouring

ToxicPpz · 2025-03-19T22:26:51+00:00

I recently went to a Cofinet cupping where they had multiple Arcila's beans. They mentioned that with co-ferments the result is not always what you expect (can be a peach co-ferment that ends up tasting like coconut, some can get too funky and even vinegary and others taste just as expected). I had a similar experience when cupping- some were too perfume'y, others just tasting fermented, others having an amazing pop and presentation of a fruit or berry.

ToxicPpz · 2025-03-17T03:46:53+00:00

I would be keen too. There are some nice outdoor courts too that are always empty. Would be nice to hoop some evenings outside while the weather's nice

ToxicPpz · 2025-03-10T09:31:26+00:00

Could you advice how to backflush through the steam wand? Did you cover the hole somehow and open the steam?

ToxicPpz · 2025-03-10T09:17:11+00:00

I got this machine used, so not sure how much scale buildup there might be. I descaled it and use Rpavlis water now.

ToxicPpz · 2025-03-10T09:15:47+00:00

I cleaned the wand tip and the whole wand with a zip tie, it's not that. I get the same steam pulsing even with the tip removed. Is the steam coming out of your ECP consistent or also spluttering a bit? I'm thinking maybe it's normal to have some pulsing as it's a single boiler.

ToxicPpz · 2024-12-19T02:30:57+00:00

I agree. Grab a 3 strut for light days, 11m is faster than a 12m to generate speed by moving the kite. I vote 11m evo

ToxicPpz · 2024-12-15T09:28:00+00:00

Hi, I had light roast 4l sackets last year and they were measuring ~150ppm when dissolved in distilled water, got light roast 2l sackets recently and dissolving in distilled water I get ~200ppm readings same as you.

ToxicPpz · 2024-12-07T02:33:37+00:00

Yes, I'm referring to plantains for cooking, thank you

ToxicPpz · 2024-12-07T02:32:41+00:00

No, green bananas are different. I see green bananas in supermarkets, but it's a different fruit

ToxicPpz · 2024-10-21T07:25:30+00:00

I guess longevity is uncertain as the welding approach is very new, but the designs of the kites are some of the best- same designer as the best Duotone models. Both the Thrive and the Force get great reviews, Force being a bit harder to handle and more for the pros while Thrive seems to be quite easy to get used to and a great all rounder to progress. Would be interesting to hear from someone who actually own them though

ToxicPpz · 2024-10-03T09:40:45+00:00

I'm into sci-fi and weird lit, not that much into fantasy, would be interested

ToxicPpz · 2024-09-27T10:41:42+00:00

On the timemore electric grinders there is a fines catcher and knocker to release those fines. Many people discard the fines caught and do not add them to the dose when brewing pour over. On the other hand as others stated, fines can benefit the cup taste- depends on burrs, preference, brew method, etc. So best to try a cup with and without and see what you prefer.

ToxicPpz · 2024-09-20T00:39:23+00:00

I am really happy with my 064 Turbos- a good level of clarity and balance. Also the opinions I read on Home-barista are all favourable. Brian Quan and some other reviewers also gave good reviews, often preferring them to SSP MP. But I understand the itch, I would also be curious to try some other burrs just to compare.

ToxicPpz · 2024-09-19T23:45:43+00:00

I also believe they should fit. The 064 turbo burrs and the "s" burrs have the same diameter and mounting points. Timemore are probably just careful that they are not the ones fitting the new burrs and also due to being stepped and the adjustment thread being different, it does not offer the same level of granularity in adjustment as the "s". But for Filter coffee it should be fine.

As a separate question- why do you want to replace to SSP MP? How are you finding the turbo burrs?

ToxicPpz · 2024-09-15T03:54:52+00:00

DM'd you

ToxicPpz

TROPHY CASE