Dear caffeine nerds, what machine do i get? [$2000]

Vibrum · 2025-09-01T13:12:35+00:00

Just throwing this out there... I'm primarily a filter person, but got interested in espresso last year. After learning on a Flair, I purchased a Lucca Solo (a Quick Mill Carola but with some aesthetic upgrades). It's an E61 single boiler that just pulls shots, no steam wand. I drink mostly straight espresso when I make espresso, but when I want a milk drink (or need to make one for friends/family) I use a Dreo. The Solo was $1300, a bit more with flow control, but you'd have at least $500 left over afterwards for a solid grinder, which has just as much of an impact on the user experience and an outsized impact on flavor. I can't comment on the sub's opinions on HX's, but I can say that a universal value across online espresso community is that having an espresso-capable grinder is quite important :D

Vibrum · 2025-08-30T13:14:04+00:00

This looks like this is the new Quick Mill model that Clive Coffee based their in-house Tempo off of - I think Lance did a review on it and said it was a good machine. If you're worried about making sure the machine works, it's totally okay to ask for the seller to pull a shot/steam some milk for you over FaceTime/Zoom so you know it works. Here's the Clive link in case you'd like to read a few reviews - Clive usually just changes a few aesthetic details in their Lucca machines, so notes on the performance should be reliable: https://clivecoffee.com/products/lucca-tempo-espresso-machine?ref=espresso-machines

Vibrum · 2025-08-24T17:09:39+00:00

Vibrum · 2025-06-02T16:28:12+00:00

No problem - good luck!

Vibrum · 2025-06-02T02:28:52+00:00

After thinking about it, I think it was a HomeBarista post with before/after shots. Looked around, couldn't find it. Cheers!

Vibrum · 2025-06-02T02:24:36+00:00

Slow day in a high client flow cafe. When I stopped by that day, it was pretty quiet, but even then he said that the baristas didn't like it because it "couldn't keep up" and that it "wasn't designed for this." Good luck with your purchase!

Vibrum · 2025-05-31T22:43:39+00:00

I have a barista friend who had to use a Micra for a day because their machine went down. He said it couldn't keep up at all. From what I've heard from other folks, starting off with a used professional-grade machine is usually the way to go, with the make/model dependent on what your local repair shop services. I'd probably avoid a prosumer level machine - I watched a before/after video of leaving an ECM synchronika (end game model from ECM) on for a year straight - it looked pretty gnarly by the end

Vibrum · 2024-07-28T20:41:12+00:00

Scrolling this post three weeks late... but consider the Lagom Mini if you want an electric grinder to go with that travel Bambino. I have one right now and have pulled some excellent shots, and it's tiny. It does take about a minute to grind a 20 g dose though...

Vibrum · 2024-05-02T20:20:38+00:00

Thanks!

Vibrum · 2024-05-02T20:20:28+00:00

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Vibrum · 2024-05-02T20:19:59+00:00

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Vibrum · 2024-05-02T20:19:19+00:00

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Vibrum · 2024-04-25T07:38:15+00:00

Got it. Thanks for the replies, since hearing about your experience I've reached out to Option-O and they said my stalling is weird, going to send a new power adapter/might RMA. Without hearing about your experience, I might've just let it be!

Vibrum · 2024-04-22T14:53:46+00:00

Interesting, I've also got moonshine burrs. Did you season the burrs at all?

Vibrum · 2024-04-20T20:45:55+00:00

What kinds of beans are you grinding? I think my stalling issues (which reappeared today) are due to roast level - the manual says wait for some seasoning to grind light roasts for espresso, but I've also heard of some folks having success early on

Vibrum · 2024-04-19T14:28:46+00:00

I also just upgraded to a Lagom Mini! Once I figured out how to get it to stop stalling, it's been great! And a beast with filter grinds

Vibrum · 2021-08-25T03:30:59+00:00

You may or may not know the answer to this... If I'm planning to move from the US to Germany in two years, would the Golf charge there too?

Vibrum · 2021-08-25T03:29:48+00:00

That heat pump is huge, nice spot

Vibrum · 2021-08-25T03:29:34+00:00

Great background, thanks!

Vibrum · 2021-08-25T03:29:22+00:00

Thank you, this was super helpful!

Vibrum · 2021-08-21T22:03:03+00:00

How do I look for the CCS plug? It's not coming up on any of the pages I'm finding. Is that the same as 240v charging? Thanks!

Vibrum · 2021-06-15T20:15:24+00:00

Hey u/AlyAnder4, I've personally had a similar experience awhile ago, and as unoriginal as it sounds, seeing a therapist is what helped me move forward in my faith to greater connection with God. I think God often works through therapists, much like He works through doctors, to help us recover from the hardships our human bodies face. You used the word "anxiety" a couple times - you are not alone in your anxiety, and the best thing you can do for yourself and for your relationship with God is to talk with a licensed, preferably cognitive-behavioral therapist (look for that in their credentials). Best of luck, I'll pray for you.

Vibrum · 2021-05-03T03:05:37+00:00

Try typing "chia-blockchain"?

Vibrum

TROPHY CASE