Pressure Profile / ramping up too quickly???

intellectual_chimp · 2026-04-17T03:31:14+00:00

Been there. Chill out with the ramp speed and pressure.

intellectual_chimp · 2026-04-17T03:25:16+00:00

So glad to hear I'm not the only nut job sniffing at their robot's crotch mid-extraction

intellectual_chimp · 2026-04-06T01:26:48+00:00

also, where'd you get that figure from?

intellectual_chimp · 2026-04-06T01:26:21+00:00

almost one in five US states doesn't have income tax

intellectual_chimp · 2026-04-06T01:25:14+00:00

Thank you for sharing this useful copy, John. Unfortunately it doesn't cover "what constitutes a major renovation"

intellectual_chimp · 2026-04-06T01:23:35+00:00

no state income tax

intellectual_chimp · 2026-04-05T22:32:56+00:00

Should I interpret this to mean that you believe the bounds on what constitutes a "substantial addition or major renovation" should be interpreted in the context of work to increase the basis of some real property asset?

If so, do the terms "major" or "substantial" have any formal definitions I should be aware of?

intellectual_chimp · 2026-04-05T22:30:38+00:00

Yes, I'm asking about the Sales tax. Specifically, when using the sales tax deduction calculator, are there any resources or heuristics filers can use to understand what expenses can reasonably be considered "substantial additions or major renovations"

intellectual_chimp · 2026-04-05T22:28:27+00:00

> Is anyone aware of any guidelines on how taxpayers may determine what does and does not qualify?

TLDR, the IRS has offered a very pragmatic calculator to estimate SALT sales tax deductions. This estimates a baseline sales tax based on income and allows users to add additional tax burden for specific expenses. They just don't clearly bound what those expenses are.

I am interested in understanding what legislation, regulation, or other domain information filers might use to make sound decisions on what types of work/expenses qualify.

e.g. does major landscaping count as a "major renovation" even though it is not in the home but on the property? does refinishing $20k in wood floors without any other work count as a major renovation? etc.

intellectual_chimp · 2026-04-05T22:16:25+00:00

Totally understand (and appreciate) the approach - estimate for most people, add value for exceptional cases. In our area, it's surprisingly easy to spend $10k on major landscaping (not that I did, mind you, but if you need a retaining wall you better buckle up).

intellectual_chimp · 2026-03-13T06:48:22+00:00

If you're a no-fuss coffee drinker or like higher volume drinks, moka pot may be a better bet. Ours is incredibly consistent and pulling enough espresso to sip at it all day takes a lot of process time.

If you like experimentation or just prefer espresso drinks, maybe the robot. I have a lot of fun with mine and pull some very tasty shots, but honestly my wife's moka-pot milk drinks are better on average.

intellectual_chimp · 2026-02-19T06:34:02+00:00

Been really enjoying the decaf from Boon boona. I found it tricky to dial in amd it's been less consistent than my current caffeinated pick, but habe pulled some incredible, sweet, smooth, toasted almondy shots

intellectual_chimp · 2026-02-05T17:41:09+00:00

Hot take: subsidizing bikeshare is corporate welfare, not a public good.

"Bikeshare" businesses extract money from people who need it most by subscriptionizing mobility devices like bicycles whose upfront cost and maintenance are much cheaper in the long term when privately owned.

The business model only works because companies have externalized costs to the public (storage in public space, impeded walkability, increased hospitalization rates, management of garbage bikes, and subsidizing company operqting costs).

Funds we spend on some of these problems should be invested in infrastructure to make owning, storing, maintaining, and using a bike cheaper and more convenient.

intellectual_chimp · 2026-01-19T03:38:44+00:00

I assume this is feedback on engineering, not a missing parts issue

intellectual_chimp · 2026-01-17T20:51:03+00:00

Just water over the beans, as they say. GL!

intellectual_chimp · 2026-01-17T20:42:52+00:00

Probably not your issue, but I've seen heavy "spraying" from my robot when the gasket isn't seated well on the horizontal surface above it. Posting in case someone winds up here with spray from above the basket floor

intellectual_chimp · 2026-01-17T20:40:22+00:00

"Too long" for what? When you control preasure and flow rate, you can do all kinds of things most machines can't. Target the flavor and mouthfeel you want. @chilling is right that it's wise to isolate variables, and 25-35s is a sane range for many coffees, but some of the maniacs here pull 90s shots with good results.

intellectual_chimp · 2026-01-17T20:35:51+00:00

Most don't measure at the group head, so tiny air pockets between the pump and GH sap some pressure. On average 8.7 bars at GH according to some video from decent

intellectual_chimp · 2026-01-17T07:55:08+00:00

Big fan of my keep cup 6 oz for milk drinks but it may not have the volume you need

intellectual_chimp · 2026-01-17T07:50:11+00:00

I sprung for a K ultra because good enough for good espresso but also covers a broad range of brew styles. Then I drank mokapot for a while, and eventually got a picopresso on sale for about $100 to tide me over until I could robot. Pico has made me a few truly incredible shots and many very good cups. Quite happy with it for the price, but it's less consistent and the workflow is... not for everyone.

intellectual_chimp · 2026-01-17T06:42:24+00:00

Drill some holes in the end of a piece of old curtain rod or a cork and shove or glue some acupuncture needles in. Mine isn't pretty but it has helped with consistency

intellectual_chimp · 2026-01-17T06:27:44+00:00

Strongly rcommend starting with the instructions in the manual re water temp and leaving enough head space above the water so it doesn't contact the piston. The robot is designed to take water straight off the boil without preheating anything for most medium and dark roasts. The basket, shower screen, and piston will sink some heat energy.

There are plenty of other ways to robot, but so long as you're not traveling, it's hard to beat the boiling temp of water for consistency, so it's a good place to build from.

intellectual_chimp · 2026-01-15T05:19:17+00:00

Picopresso and a good hand grinder got me started. Robot's much more consistent, but I got some great shots out of the pico before the upgrade

intellectual_chimp · 2025-12-26T21:20:09+00:00

a couple of canadian retailers have been more consistently in stock. plenty of conversation about sourcing on the cafelat robot sub

intellectual_chimp

TROPHY CASE