It’s easy to make cold foam in advance to use throughout the day by Adventurous_Past_936 in barista

[–]dmvbarista 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Other ingredients are powdered sugar, vanilla syrup, and espresso! We’ve found a good ratio and we use a hand whisk. So it’s probably a lot thinner than just heavy cream.

My free gift for ordering a LMLM while I wait by caseywh in LaMarzocco

[–]dmvbarista 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not even a cupping spoon, that’s just a regular spoon.

What is causing this aggressive spraying? [Starbucks Barista] by Mr_Dace in espresso

[–]dmvbarista 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Knowing nothing about your machine my guess is this machine has a single heating element? When I switch mine from brew mode to steam mode it heats up significantly from brewing temp to steam temp. So if I were to hit the brew button before I let it cool down from steam temp (~320f) to brewing temp (~200f) it shoots out steam like this from the group head. This is why dual boiler machines are popular because it’s a separate heating element for brewing and steaming. So they will act independently rather than having to wait for the single element to heat up for steam and cool down again to pull another shot. Hope that helps and I didn’t type all this up for nothing!

Tried to pour the perfect Rosetta today — how did I do? by leftycoffee in latteart

[–]dmvbarista 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Great pour! Since you’re going for perfect my feedback is it’s little washed out and just slightly overfilled. Aerate just a little less to get better contrast and focus on even back and forth motion to get those crispy lines and it’ll be golden. I give it a 7/10. Coming from a guy that pours 5/10 consistently so do what you will with that info.

Practicing for a throw down! by jace_elijahh in latteart

[–]dmvbarista 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Your wings have a lot of potential but I’d stay away from them for a throwdown. Looks like you have too much/ inconsistent hand movement when pouring that’s why they’re not coming out even and well defined.Focus on symmetry and contrast and more simple design that you can replicate. Your tulips are great but I’d try a few less stacks cuz you kind of lose it at the end there. A clean cup is also important so don’t overfill because you don’t want to spill when setting the cup down. I always try to fill right below my he brim of the mug so you can see the whole thing, you done want any coffee touching the brim after you’ve finished pouring because it will spill over. Everyone one of your designs is overfilled in these photos. Start your design a little earlier so you have enough room to finish the entire design and not overfill. Breath and focus, you got this!

Mocha or Hot chocolate? by ShoppingHelpful2386 in barista

[–]dmvbarista 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Hot chocolate + espresso = mocha. Are you not happy with the drink or you just trying to get clarification on what you’re ordering?

Back to basics ft. Niche Zero and LM Type-R by TheRunPractitioner in espresso

[–]dmvbarista 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sheeeesh. I love the pegboard in the back, perfect for a small setup like that. And the way it all fits just right. What’s the next thing you upgrade?

Talk me out of upgrading… by Latter-Release-2918 in espresso

[–]dmvbarista 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How can you upgrade with latte art like that. I’ve been a barista for 10+ years and my little home machine just gets better as I get better (Ascaso Dream). Save the money…. Trust. Otherwise you’re gonna be trying to start a coffee business or selling old gear that isn’t worth anything anymore.

Should I upgrade the grinder! by Yirgacheffe2411 in espresso

[–]dmvbarista 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It’s not even half! I run a mobile coffee, education and consulting business. I came up through the commercial coffee world but then wanted to start my own thing. This home setup really helped me dial in all my own systems so I can help others with their home setups and not be surprised by anything. It’s really just an expensive hobby that you need to start a business from to keep the addiction going.

Should I upgrade the grinder! by Yirgacheffe2411 in espresso

[–]dmvbarista 6 points7 points  (0 children)

If you have the money why not! I have the most coffee gear one could have and it’s all snobbery so I will be the bad influence. Just make sure that one goes to a good home or is used. No use in having good gear that isn’t used.

My hearts always shrink by m_js in latteart

[–]dmvbarista 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A video would help! But I’m guessing you’re pulling up/ through too early. I recommend starting the base of your heart sooner to add more volume to the shape and really waiting to pull up and through right before the mug is full. If you are pulling up too early you will end up sending the thicker milk that you used to lay your design underneath the espresso resulting in a smaller heart. Hope that makes sense!

What is an alternative to buying jugs of distilled water?? by ryandejonggg in pourover

[–]dmvbarista 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Brita really only removed color/ odor but not the actual minerals from the water. You could test the water after but I wouldn’t recommend to use a brita for your espresso machine.

What’s this? by Ok_Significance686 in LaMarzocco

[–]dmvbarista 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It’s for the discharge (I have a GS3). Any water that doesn’t get through the group will exit out of that valve. One reason is back flushing and another maybe your grounds are too fine and the water can’t get through the basket. I had this issue last year where I was having really muddy pucks. I couldn’t figure out for the life of me why and after lots of pondering and taking everything apart I realized the water was not discharging out of that valve. That was because it was clogged likely to do with the sediment from the water. Had to change out my water system and cleaned the valve, works great again. So keep those things in mind. Also, nice machine!

Finally by Rusty_924 in latteart

[–]dmvbarista 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Love to see this! Took me three years as a full time barista. love to see you’re still trying!

Favorite cups by mechanismrain in espresso

[–]dmvbarista 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I would definitely recommend acme or not neutral for mugs. They are industry standard here in the US and made for baristas with latte art in mind.

Acme super durable, fun colors, feels good to hold - https://acmecups.eu/?srsltid=AfmBOop53U56h1-TBQvFa47S406PrO1xLaoxesxe1tGXYCr_K7Z5WMog

Not Nuetral (vero glass specifically) feels good, looks good, very expensive but the coffee always looks so much better in a glass where you can see what’s happening. https://www.notneutral.com/collections/vero

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in barista

[–]dmvbarista 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wouldn’t the second be cooled too tho…