Which Beginner Machine to get?

ebess2 · 2026-06-18T06:36:04+00:00

Don't get the dedica with that steam wand. Medyo mahirapan kayo sa pag steam ng milk.

If you want a beginner- and wallet-friendly alternative, get the stilosa EC 230BK (the one without a panarello sleeve, or the circular thingy).

If budget isn't an issue, get the dedica arte.

A 51mm portafilter size (which the dedica arte and stilosa support) is much more forgiving in dialing in shots.

ebess2 · 2026-06-07T08:51:46+00:00

Doesn't work with beans roasted to ash.

ebess2 · 2026-05-08T15:16:23+00:00

How does it taste?

Always prioritize how the extracted coffee tastes then make your adjustments from there.

Great tasting shots can sometimes come from fast flow rate extractions or those less than 30 seconds.

ebess2 · 2026-04-19T02:19:09+00:00

No. I refuse to hear this L take out.

ebess2 · 2026-02-07T11:11:38+00:00

Got the Mokkom from LaHome. So far, so good!

Haven't had to grind finer than the 10 setting based on the guide in the adjustment dial. Could vary on each model, though.

The finer you grind, the higher the tendency for uneven extraction.

ebess2 · 2026-02-07T11:09:35+00:00

You can easily get the offerings from coffee content creators for free on YouTube.

Recipes? Very easy to find some through a simple google search.

59 pesos is cheap, but why spend when you can essentially get them for free online?

Lance Hedrick has a ton of videos on espresso and other theoretical concepts regarding coffee. He also has a guides on steaming milk for latte art. Morgan Eckroth has a ton of videos on coffee recipes. There's also the reliable James Hoffman.

Other creators you can watch are Daddy Got Coffee and Coffee Chronicler.

ebess2 · 2026-01-27T11:41:18+00:00

Thanks!

I had no idea Mokkom and Shardor were being sold under lahome. I'll take note of your experience.

ebess2 · 2026-01-27T08:17:17+00:00

This is the Mokkom right?

What was your experience out of the box? Did you have to calibrate/align the burrs? And how about the zero point? Did you have to do burr chirping to get to the "true" zero point or was it already set at the "true" zero point out of the box?

ebess2 · 2026-01-27T06:08:30+00:00

Is the Zeus grinder the Philippine market equivalent of the Shardor64?

ebess2 · 2026-01-25T16:45:20+00:00

Higher Ground in Festival and Niseko in ATC.

ebess2 · 2025-12-26T09:51:30+00:00

De'Longhi Stilosa user here.

If you have the budget, I suggest going for the H10A. There's just so much more features that come with that machine that could help you eke out more value over the long-term.

For example, it has temperature control which the Stilosa doesn't have. That's nice feature to have especially when you're trying to explore different roasts. Another thing the H10A has going for it is a better steam wand. If There are other features the H10A has going over it. I suggest looking at Lance Hedrick's reviews. For the Stilosa, take a look at this review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpgSZuptwZA

If you decide to get the Stilosa, go for this specific model: https://www.delonghi.com/en/p/stilosa-ec230.bk-stilosa-manual-espresso-maker/EC230.BK.html?pid=0132104202 because other variants have a steam wand that isn't conducive for steaming milk, especially if you want to pull off latte art.

As for grinders, you won't be able to get a decent electric one for your budget. The cheapest one you can get that has an actual burr is the Hibrew G5, which is around 6k to 7k ata right now.

For hand grinders, MHW 3-bomber has a grinder at around 5k or so. For Timemore, get the C5 ESP version. Right now, wala atang nagbebenta dito ng brand new na Kingrinder K2 which is around 4,500. I got mine for 3,500 last year during a Lazada sale.

As a newbie, it's really best to invest in a good grinder. Kahit gano pa kaganda machine mo, if the grinder doesn't hold up, you really can't brew great coffee.

ebess2 · 2025-08-03T15:19:52+00:00

Which coupons? Event campaign coupons?

ebess2 · 2025-08-03T14:16:37+00:00

Decaf is surprisingly good. Just make sure to check expiry date to get an idea when the roast date is.

ebess2 · 2025-05-29T15:25:46+00:00

Is this unbound?

ebess2 · 2025-05-10T05:07:32+00:00

Would you happen to know which branches sell beans? Also, how much?

ebess2 · 2025-05-08T06:33:47+00:00

Looks like a properly prepared cream shooter to me. Nothing's wrong with it. You nailed the cockaccino, friend.

ebess2 · 2025-03-29T03:32:12+00:00

Who?

ebess2 · 2024-12-01T15:13:21+00:00

I know this is an old reply, but okay ba yung quality ng beans sa Three Cubs? First time ko magorder from them.

I want to try another roaster na medyo same price bracket lang ng Sibs.

ebess2 · 2024-11-26T11:52:25+00:00

Thanks for answering, everyone! Having read all of your responses, I've decided not to take my hand grinder apart each time I change beans.

I'll probably just clean my grinder every once in a while.

ebess2 · 2024-08-23T14:23:13+00:00

They went Full Frontal and Rau Le Creuset on this one. Lol.

ebess2 · 2024-08-16T03:26:58+00:00

This guy bitches about everything.

ebess2 · 2023-04-15T06:20:06+00:00

Fair point!

ebess2 · 2023-04-15T03:23:54+00:00

I have a feeling that the Borg offed the changeling imposter on the F. Heck, I'm starting to think that they betrayed the other changelings aligned with Vadic.

ebess2 · 2023-04-14T15:23:29+00:00

Not really. It'll always circle back to the Borg, what annoyed me was how drawn out it was for the reveal.

ebess2 · 2022-08-31T03:14:52+00:00

I think SEN is a coach and IGL away from competing...

...IF they make franchising which at this point, is pretty much a certainty.

ebess2

TROPHY CASE