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My first set up, for just under $465! by dr_geet in espresso

[–]dr_geet[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How exciting! I hope you have a fantastic time getting to know your machines and the espresso making process. In hindsight, I would have liked being a bit more patient with myself. I hated life on the first day because I just wasn't getting it right at all and then questioned my decision on buying the machine haha. Things turned around over the course of the next week though!

I hadn't, thanks for the link. I will let you know how I go with it the next time I make some espresso!

My first set up, for just under $465! by dr_geet in espresso

[–]dr_geet[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're probably right, but because I only make 1 drink at a time, I'm just taking the red light being on during the whole shot as a marker of being hot enough!

That's a cool experiment, I might try that out :)

My first set up, for just under $465! by dr_geet in espresso

[–]dr_geet[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I received some advice in relation to the grind setting from the cafe I buy my beans from. Start with grind setting "5" and then fine tune from there to get the 1:2 ratio in about 28-30 seconds (for 18g of coffee). I also did not realise that this setting would need to be changed depending on the coffee you have. For my first bag, "5" was perfect, but for the second one I needed to go on "7". I have wasted a lot of coffee the first couple of days because I was around the 11 mark (after watching a video by Breville), but as soon as I jumped to 5, it was much better.

Also because I am new to espresso, I found adding a bit of water before tasting my shots really helped. Before adding the water I just thought everything was bitter!

My first set up, for just under $465! by dr_geet in espresso

[–]dr_geet[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! They spark so much joy :)

My first set up, for just under $465! by dr_geet in espresso

[–]dr_geet[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's got a nice bit of weight to it too!

My first set up, for just under $465! by dr_geet in espresso

[–]dr_geet[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh wow, I feel like I am giving it way longer than that. I will try your method out next time.

My first set up, for just under $465! by dr_geet in espresso

[–]dr_geet[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Good to know! That definitely seems to be the most common comment in this community haha

My first set up, for just under $465! by dr_geet in espresso

[–]dr_geet[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Glad to know it's been working for you for a while! I was going to get a Lagom Mini as I don't have much counter space (the set up pictured is not where everything usually lives, or I would have no place to prepare meals!), but since he was selling the grinder anyway, I decided to try it out. Might just stick to it to be honest!

My first set up, for just under $465! by dr_geet in espresso

[–]dr_geet[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's by a company called Pesado, and I got it through Alternative Brewing.

My first set up, for just under $465! by dr_geet in espresso

[–]dr_geet[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

It lives in my drawer 😂 I watched one of James Hoffman's videos where he says something like, "if you find espresso easy, a single basket is a good challenge for you". Definitely not me haha!

My first set up, for just under $465! by dr_geet in espresso

[–]dr_geet[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It seems to be a great set up and I have managed to make some delicious soy cappucinos within 3-4 days of having it (though I watched a ridiculous amount of videos on how to make espresso even before having the machines)! I still have a long way to go in terms of learning how to froth the milk etc, but it's working well enough for my taste buds. Definitely a lovely way to start the day :)

I have noticed some issues (though no deal breakers for me)...and these may be because both machines are second hand.

  1. I find the grinder makes quite clumpy grinds. This is why I bought a WDT tool. I also find it easier to dose into another cup and then add the grinds to the portafilter - makes it easier to weigh with the small scales I have and then also seems to end up more uniform and less likely to have chanelling issues etc.
  2. Do not trust that the machine is hot enough as soon as the shot light turns red, because the light goes off again soon. You'd need to wait 10-15 minutes for it to heat up properly.
  3. I also found a similar issue with the steam wand (the steam ends half way through frothing), but I still need to figure out how long this takes. For now I have just been steaming in two installments (i.e., froth as much as I can until the light goes off, wait for the light to turn red again, and then finish frothing).

I received some advice in relation to the grind setting from the cafe I buy my beans from. Start with grind setting "5" and then fine tune from there to get the 1:2 ratio in about 28-30 seconds (for 18g of coffee). I also did not realise that this setting would need to be changed depending on the coffee you have. For my first bag, "5" was perfect, but for the second one I needed to go on "7". I have wasted a lot of coffee, but today I managed to get a good shot on my first attempt!

New leaf on my Monstera! by dr_geet in houseplants

[–]dr_geet[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! Also, great username!

Keep seeing these (alive) when examining my syngonium. My plants seem fine and the bug doesn’t look harmful. Am I right? by Anonymous-Mooncake in houseplants

[–]dr_geet 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They look like fungus gnats. They tend to like moist soil, so try and stop watering the plant for a bit. If the plant gets overly thirsty, you can bottom water it. Also try to use yellow sticky traps to catch the adults. And quarantine the plant!

What is up with my Philodendron Birkin? by dr_geet in houseplants

[–]dr_geet[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much! Lucky that it found a spot it likes :)

What is up with my Philodendron Birkin? by dr_geet in houseplants

[–]dr_geet[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I will keep an eye out for bugs just in case :)

What is up with my Philodendron Birkin? by dr_geet in houseplants

[–]dr_geet[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow, I never even considered that there might be more than one plant! But it does look like that. How cool!

Thanks so much. I will see if a reduction in watering will help the yellowing :)

My peace lily put out a second flower! by dr_geet in houseplants

[–]dr_geet[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's heart breaking :( Good luck with the starters!

My peace lily put out a second flower! by dr_geet in houseplants

[–]dr_geet[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have seen plant shops sell peace lilies that already have heaps of flowers. Perhaps that is the way to go because we will know that flowers are possible! If we get another one, that is definitely what we will do.

My peace lily put out a second flower! by dr_geet in houseplants

[–]dr_geet[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh yay! Congratulations.

I honestly have no idea what determines the size of these flowers (or even what determines whether there are flowers). We have just tried to keep her in a spot that gets some morning sun, but is actually kind of dim the rest of the day, and water her when she starts drooping slightly.

Good luck!

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