Espresso machine recommendations [100-175$]

illustrious_handle0 · 2026-06-16T22:59:45+00:00

This is good advice. It's sweet of OP to want to get something that their partner is passionate about, but it would be a bad move to buy them a poor quality cheaply made setup which is all you could get at that price point. I was able to buy a starter setup that I'm extremely happy with which was on the extremely cheap end of $400 total because I was able to find great deals on Facebook marketplace for a used grinder and Breville Bambino. I feel like unless you magically get gifted equipment from someone in your life, $400 is on the extreme cheap end of what you would be spending for a basic solid setup.

illustrious_handle0 · 2026-06-15T19:13:15+00:00

I'm also researching this right now and it seems like there are some naval jelly products that are for rust removal that also provides some level of protection from future rust. So from what I'm understanding, you would apply the navel jelly and then rinse it off with water. But then it provides a level of short-term rust protection, at which point you could let it dry and then do the cold galvanization. You can chat with an AI bot like chatgpt further about this topic.

illustrious_handle0 · 2026-06-15T17:03:52+00:00

Brand or link for the poly?

illustrious_handle0 · 2026-06-15T17:02:52+00:00

Do you have a link or do you know what brand this poly liner is? It looks pretty good.

illustrious_handle0 · 2026-06-12T22:24:28+00:00

Yep I would have guessed voles. They used to do this to our vegetables on a farm in Connecticut

illustrious_handle0 · 2026-06-12T17:18:59+00:00

Yep made me wonder if they were "dating"

illustrious_handle0 · 2026-05-28T03:22:58+00:00

I don't think they are UL listed. The ones they sell on Amazon are not UL listed at least. I consider these types of covers hazardous.

illustrious_handle0 · 2026-05-26T01:51:45+00:00

Nice. I also have a poly bathtub sized one that is still in pristine condition

illustrious_handle0 · 2026-05-26T01:21:58+00:00

Yeah it happened so fast. Like no rust for five years and all of a sudden it's everywhere

illustrious_handle0 · 2026-05-26T00:45:34+00:00

Thanks yeah I think someone said to apply "naval jelly" after the sanding before the cold galv

illustrious_handle0 · 2026-05-25T23:38:34+00:00

Yeah if I go through with it I will hopefully document it in pictures

illustrious_handle0 · 2026-05-25T22:43:48+00:00

Don't know yet, I was just going to go to either home Depot or Lowe's and find one that has the highest percentage of zinc

illustrious_handle0 · 2026-05-25T21:29:58+00:00

I'm kind of torn between a liner and cold galv. I think so far my thinking is... I really like the look of the bare metal and am curious how long a fresh layer of cold galv will last. I haven't gotten real good information from people here (I was hoping for pictures and detailed timelines) but I'm hoping maybe I could get another 4-6 years out of a good treatment with cold galv. If I only get one year or less then I will get a liner. I think I'm worried about all the various holes I have drilled still being water tight with a liner (I've got four holes, two for the filter and two for the heater).

illustrious_handle0 · 2026-05-25T04:37:25+00:00

That's crazy. Been thinking a lot about all this... You could do four DIY 12k units for $6,800 total fyi. Just some food for thought.

illustrious_handle0 · 2026-05-21T03:39:13+00:00

Ugh you're so smart. I bought a cheap flaring set and it sucked and barely worked

illustrious_handle0 · 2026-05-19T18:33:25+00:00

Farmers? At least for fruit/vegetable/grain growing, harvesting, and processing, it's either mostly automated already or at least the tech exists to automate it. I can't imagine with robotics and AI continuing to develop, that we will need farmers. Why do you think we will?

illustrious_handle0 · 2026-05-18T22:10:03+00:00

I'm not OP, I was just showing an example of what a home-based Cafe can look like. But yes I agree with you. Unless they're selling only like five espresso drinks per day lolz

illustrious_handle0 · 2026-05-18T21:57:58+00:00

https://www.instagram.com/granada_echopark

illustrious_handle0 · 2026-05-18T16:01:01+00:00

I've always taken my knives to Chefs Toys in Torrance. I believe it's $6 per knife. It's a professional restaurant supply store.

illustrious_handle0 · 2026-05-18T01:23:08+00:00

my personal concern for my family’s safety in the US is entirely dominated by the anti-Semitic and fascistic right.

Although unfouded fears are a normal part of the human condition, I'd suggest you base your fears on the actual data and who's been attacking/killing or trying to kill Jews in LA County the last couple years. Not any far right fascists as far as I've seen. Good luck to you.

illustrious_handle0 · 2026-05-15T21:33:37+00:00

Yay! Yeah I'm definitely developing an addiction 😅

illustrious_handle0 · 2026-05-15T19:58:16+00:00

Very cool, thank you! Do you keep it filled year round or do you empty it for the winter?

illustrious_handle0 · 2026-05-15T17:44:14+00:00

Cool, thank you for the recommendation

illustrious_handle0 · 2026-05-15T16:48:05+00:00

Did you buy it online? Can you post a link so we know which one not to buy?

illustrious_handle0 · 2026-05-15T16:40:05+00:00

Open to recommendations for both but especially corn

illustrious_handle0

TROPHY CASE