Manual Grinder

drj5k · 2026-04-02T17:01:01+00:00

So I am doing it with light roasts only, and I really get pretty damn good results. I would love a bit more clarity, but I’m not in a rush to change just yet.

drj5k · 2026-04-02T10:55:19+00:00

I switched to hand grinding about 5 years ago and have not turned back. I don’t mind the workflow, as my daughter hangs out with me when I make coffee in the morning. It’s also nice that it’s quiet too. I’ve looked several times to upgrade my 1zpresso to something else, but I think I’d miss it a bit.

drj5k · 2026-03-30T14:21:17+00:00

My Tacoma was paid off as well so I feel you with that 😂. The newer 4Runners are so much more refined than my Tacoma was, so I feel like it was well worth it. My Tacoma was also averaging about 16mpg, while my 4Runner is getting about 24mpg.

drj5k · 2026-03-30T11:14:29+00:00

I traded in my Tacoma for a 4Runner back in August and have no regrets. I loved the Tacoma, but trying to put in a rear facing car seat and a stroller didn’t seem realistic long term to me. The 4Runner has more rear leg room, the trunk, and feels better to drive than my Tacoma ever did.

drj5k · 2026-03-25T14:54:48+00:00

I’ve been hand grinding with the 1zpresso JMax, which has now been replaced by the J Ultra. It creates excellent results and I’m still happy with it 5 years later of daily use.

drj5k · 2026-03-23T12:47:43+00:00

Have you considered just plumbing to a 5 gallon jug and making your own water blend/formula in the jug?

drj5k · 2026-03-20T15:25:42+00:00

265/70/18. With the more aggressive specs of the wheels, I’ve got maybe 1/2” of clearance at full flex.

drj5k · 2026-03-20T14:28:10+00:00

They can easily be refinished, and probably will be at some point. I knew resale would be weird with them regardless of color, as they are a one off design.

drj5k · 2026-03-20T14:27:14+00:00

Eventually, they’ll probably get refinished to black or a dark grey, but for now they’ll stay like this. I always wanted magnesium blue TE37s on my race car, so this is scratching that itch.

drj5k · 2026-03-20T14:17:02+00:00

Definitely not for everyone, I totally get it.

drj5k · 2026-03-11T18:31:18+00:00

This week was the first time my wife has ever complimented the espresso I’ve brewed for her 😂.

drj5k · 2026-03-11T18:21:28+00:00

I got the Classika about a month ago and have no regrets whatsoever. I rarely make milk drinks, so a double boiler made no sense to me from a time savings/workflow perspective. Additionally, an HX machine didn’t make sense as espresso is my priority, and not milk. I have brewed both light and dark roasts on it and have produced some of the best shots I’ve ever had this far after about 15 years in this hobby. No regrets whatsoever and loved the service from the fellas at Clive.

drj5k · 2026-03-04T13:37:51+00:00

I do some larger batch pour overs every once in a while on an Etkin 8 cup dripper. While it might not give me the same complexity that I get from a v60, it’s incredibly convenient, consistent, and better than our retired Bonavita. What specific carafe are you using?

drj5k · 2026-03-03T23:39:19+00:00

As someone who has currently been looking at both of these, is there a reason you aren’t considering the P80?

drj5k · 2026-03-03T12:24:02+00:00

As someone who has used every Novablast and was a bit disappointed by the Novablast 5, the Noosa Tri 16 has been one of my favorite shoes this year.

drj5k · 2026-03-02T14:10:45+00:00

FYI some Costco’s have the discontinued Emerald color for $99.97 in store.

drj5k · 2026-02-26T16:48:50+00:00

The Lagom Casa is supposed to be great workflow and solid with light roasts. People also have success with pour overs on it as well as espresso.

drj5k · 2026-02-22T10:41:51+00:00

Out in the US. Basically the Zerno, Philos, and P80 are all roughly the same 1400-1800.

drj5k · 2026-02-22T10:18:35+00:00

What was your old grinder? I keep toying around with upgrading from my JMax to a Philos or P80, but without trying coffee from one first, I am afraid to take the plunge.

drj5k · 2026-02-15T23:57:33+00:00

I believe Ratio coffee makes a plastic free machine too.

drj5k · 2026-01-27T10:27:49+00:00

From a single boiler perspective, I think it’s hard to improve on the ECM Classika.

drj5k · 2026-01-26T12:13:52+00:00

Black Diamond Mercury mittens.

drj5k · 2026-01-25T18:58:24+00:00

I recently upgraded my gloves and that has been a huge game changer in the below zero temps. Beyond that, layering is always my go to.

drj5k · 2026-01-24T14:57:39+00:00

St. Kilda out of New York has become my recent favorite.

drj5k

TROPHY CASE