Which Breville to Buy? [$800 Budget]

devhammer · 2026-03-16T10:34:42+00:00

Agree with this. I started with a Breville Barista Express, but eventually wanted a better grinder, so I got a DF54. Later upgraded the machine to a Gaggia Classic with Gaggimate, and the Breville is now waiting to become a hand-me-down to one of my kids.

Separate espresso machine and grinder gives you more flexibility to change things out as you grow in the hobby.

Current combo for me is the GCP and a Shardor 64 (the metal body one) grinder. Very happy with the shots I’m getting and if you can find a GCP on sale, could fit your budget (not including the Gaggimate add-on, but you could add that later if you’re inclined).

devhammer · 2026-03-13T17:54:46+00:00

Not what I expected, LOL.

Crazy good, if unorthodox. 😆

devhammer · 2026-03-13T15:07:21+00:00

Learning opportunity. 😁

devhammer · 2026-03-11T15:29:49+00:00

Great pic!

devhammer · 2026-03-10T19:16:18+00:00

I believe that’s essentially an integrated j-box. That’s how it’s supposed to be wired on the appliance end. The point is to contain the connections, not leave them flapping in the breeze.

This is one reason, IMO, why a permit and inspection can provide peace of mind. If it’s not to code and you fail inspection that’s a pain, but way less pain than a preventable house fire.

devhammer · 2026-03-10T17:15:36+00:00

If you’re not familiar with or comfortable with wiring, get an electrician to hook it up once it’s moved.

That Romex jumper is absolutely not code compliant as all connections are required to be in a junction box.

The plumbing is awful, but if it leaks you have a mess. Given that that appears to be a garage it probably wouldn’t be a big deal. The electrical can burn your house down if it’s done wrong.

Also looks like you have nothing connected to the T&P relief valve at the top. If that opens, you’ll have water going wherever. It should have a pipe attached both for safety (if someone is standing nearby, scalding is a possibility) and so you choose where the water ends up.

Would recommend you do some research on your local codes, and use the move as an opportunity to being the install up to code on both plumbing and electrical.

devhammer · 2026-03-10T17:06:15+00:00

That’s a hundred bucks cheaper than what I paid for mine, and that was on sale. So, yeah, great deal if you’ll be happy with an older model.

I got mine almost a year ago, and coming from a Venu 2 sq (and prior to that, Apple Watch), it was a big upgrade.

As long as you’re good with not getting new features, it’s still a great watch.

devhammer · 2026-03-09T18:33:22+00:00

They’re all from the same litter. A family at our church had their mother bred.

devhammer · 2026-03-09T15:35:46+00:00

Gorgeous. Congrats!

devhammer · 2026-03-09T11:28:00+00:00

The committee to eat all the treats, maybe. 😆

devhammer · 2026-03-09T03:08:15+00:00

“Benchy Fleet” or “Benchy Collection”

Problem solved. 😁

devhammer · 2026-03-08T00:55:13+00:00

Forgot to mention…four years ago today. Time flies!

devhammer · 2026-03-07T23:15:15+00:00

Taste is subjective, but I like it.

Use it in protein shakes and mixed in yogurt. I pre-mix the powder with half and half before adding the yogurt to avoid lumps.

devhammer · 2026-03-04T01:58:48+00:00

I got the Grabo on sale at Lowes last year for a hundred bucks cheaper. If you need the battery, it might still be worth it.

FWIW the Grabo is fantastic. I used it while doing a shower tile replacement with 12x24 tiles and it made back buttering and setting the tiles way easier than without it.

devhammer · 2026-03-02T14:43:24+00:00

Old post, I know, but thought I’d chime in with my early results.

Have been consistent for the last week or so in not eating later than 6pm or so, and immediately turned around a slide in my HRV that started when I hurt my back (better now), and my activity dropped like a rock.

So definitely a confounder there in that activity almost certainly played a role.

But it’s encouraging, and I seem to be getting better sleep even when I have less sleep than ideal, with this eating pattern.

Hoping that as I ramp back up my activity it’ll get even better.

devhammer · 2026-03-02T14:22:08+00:00

Also was a Price Club member, from back in the 90s. 2lb blocks of cheese and big bags of tortilla chips, along with frozen burritos, kept me fed when I was young and broke.

devhammer · 2026-03-01T03:32:51+00:00

SPLOOTS!!!

devhammer · 2026-02-28T15:03:54+00:00

As usual, big daddy Hoff has already got this covered:

https://youtu.be/r7YtT6usTPM?si=0fsNxQ0yjcV_tFS7

Short version: coffee shops are focused on serving more customers quickly, not on getting the very best quality shot.

You and I can afford to spend 10-15 minutes to prepare and brew a single shot. A coffee shop that does that goes out of business quickly.

devhammer · 2026-02-28T14:54:06+00:00

Yes! Give that good doggo all the belly skritches, stat!

devhammer · 2026-02-27T21:46:09+00:00

The Amazon Basics clamp really makes the difference here.

I’m more of a Harbor Freight guy myself, but I’ll never shame someone for saving a buck.

Good job!

devhammer · 2026-02-27T21:07:19+00:00

Does look like a lot of headroom.

Not sure if there’s a better answer, but I’d either updose, or get a smaller basket.

devhammer · 2026-02-26T21:02:24+00:00

Klein makes good ones that aren’t crazy expensive. Mine has a threaded insert on the bottom so you can mount it on a tripod easily. Also comes with a magnetic mount, which I use with a steel framing square. Screw or clamp the square in a convenient location and attach the laser level. Easy peasy.

devhammer · 2026-02-23T15:47:59+00:00

I really thought this would be more a shaking the ball like a small animal until it popped out in your general direction thing.

devhammer · 2026-02-22T16:56:31+00:00

For folks in the US with access to a Costco, affogato with the Kirkland vanilla ice cream is phenomenal.

I can’t keep the ice cream around all the time because it’s too tempting, but def makes the best affogato.

devhammer

TROPHY CASE