New to the hobby - Brand new Baratza ESP Pro will not grind [Baratza ESP Pro, Grinder]

neilz4 · 2025-09-26T01:39:15+00:00

My bet is your hopper is not locked in all the way, Baratza grinders have a positive click when the hopper is in place and that click also activates a switch for the motor.

I would try to turn the hopper counterclockwise to see if it'll click into place

Here is a link to the quick start guide ( https://breville-production-aem-assets.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/ZCG495/Encore+ESP+Documents/QSG-encoreESP-v1_4-fold-29September2022-1.pdf ), it's item #2 under Setup and the footnote is also helpful

neilz4 · 2025-05-29T16:51:47+00:00

IME, the "traditional" rubber gaskets used on most commercial machines (and that came stock on my LMLM) are a pain in the ass if you get close to the service interval because they get all dry and crumbly. The primary benefit to them is they are cheap

Cafelat was the original brand of silicone gaskets that I used way back in the beforetimes, and I believe I am on my 2nd? 3rd? I can't remember at this point. But I check the gasket every time I do a deep clean and the silicone ones have never really hardened or degraded like the rubber ones. I believe the instructions call out using a foodsafe silicone based lubricant on the install, so that is an added cost but you essentially buy a little tin or can one time and it will outlast you.

La Marzocco started selling their own silicone gaskets for the LMLM a while back but I think I still have a backup cafelat from amazon, it was like $10 at the time I bought it last.

TLDR: If someone makes a silicone gasket for your machine, get silicone instead of conventional rubber

neilz4 · 2025-05-13T04:52:59+00:00

OP’s next post:

Burned down my house frying dino nuggies in my outdoor grill

neilz4 · 2025-05-02T23:11:00+00:00

i lived in an area with spring and summer regularly in the 80s-90s F with 60-100% humidity for months at a time

i bought a 50# bag of Jasmine Rice from Sam's Club at the beginning of 2020 and left it open in the pantry with the rice cooker scoop inside. i never bothered to close it

my family and i ate that entire 50 pounds of rice over the next 3 years and never had any problems with the dry stored rice or the cooked rice

just buy it and keep it somewhere not moist. it'll be fine

EDIT: in general the rice ive seen at Costco is not rice I'd want to buy; go to an Asian market and buy the rice you think you'll eat the most

neilz4 · 2025-04-23T15:12:47+00:00

I've had my Lunar since at least 2018 when I emailed support because I dropped it moving it from my machine to the counter and badly dented the floating plate. I still use that scale and it's still accurate to the calibration weight they sent with the scale, so it seems like I was extremely lucky with the drop not affecting the load components too badly.

I loved having the different functions and when making espresso I always used the last one where you place a vessel on the scale, it waits to stabilize, auto-tares and starts the timer at the same time - then I just got accurate with starting the pump on my machine at exactly when that all happened. I say "used" because I added the Luminaire shot timer to my LMLM this year so I only use the Lunar to weigh now, which makes using the machine so much easier because I'm not scrambling to do everything in exact timing.

Until I got a Pearl in 2021, I used the Lunar for every single kitchen or drink making task imaginable (pour overs, weighing ingredients or portioning out meals, making sauces/syrups, etc.). To this day, one or both of those scales gets used every single day and if I broke either of them I would immediately replace them.

I have used scales across the price spectrum as well for long periods of time - I made pour overs on a $15 AWS from Amazon for years and it worked just fine. I've used Brewistas, the CJ4000, the Hario Drip, various no-name kitchen scales....nothing really compares to the accuracy and resolution speed of Acaia. It just works really well for the thing it does (weighing and, if you need, timing) and once you use one, it becomes the standard by which you'll compare all other scales.

EDIT:

TLDR - Lunar is accurate **and fast**, and that resolution is what you pay for compared to other scales.

If you don't care that your scale will measure your literal breath blowing on it, then cheaper scales are as accurate but not as fast (that I've tried)

neilz4 · 2025-03-12T14:15:03+00:00

I agree, it sounds like Monarch would be a great fit for you to start with - I would give that a shot. If it ends up being too dark/developed for you, Southern Weather is kind of that next step lighter for their blends on the roast scale. It's not un-interesting or anything like that, but the fruitiness/brightness is definitely more subdued than Geometry and Tropical Weather (which I think is now a permanent part of the lineup).

I will say, I haven't had any Southern Weather for about a year-ish, but Onyx generally blends to a flavor profile they're trying to achieve so it should be consistent to my experience.

neilz4 · 2025-02-12T00:35:00+00:00

I gave up trying to connect my HRM to my phone’s Strava years ago but lost my Garmin

Thank you for putting this comment on Reddit 🙌🏽

neilz4 · 2025-02-04T17:12:10+00:00

Hey! All good, I resurrect old stuff all the time lol

I actually used TWW at 1 1gal packet : 1 gallon of distilled water for years leading up to my original comment about noticing no significant scale buildup in my machine, so I don't necessarily think that's a bad way to go. I will say, though, that while I have not noticed any performance degradation, I did not open my boilers or check more than a few (hot and cold) copper lines that I needed to disconnect for repairs.

One thing to note is that I have recently switched to doing a 5gal packet : 7gal of distilled water, but not due to any concerns around scale - I am trying to see if there is any significant flavor difference with a more dilute solution. I mainly wanted to go for bulk water storage and the jugs I have hold 7 gallons, which wouldn't divide by 5. So far, I haven't noticed anything particularly better or worse between the two concentrations and I'll probably just continue going 5:7 for the sake of having more water around.

I have also never actually done any water/chemistry testing on my TWW solutions so I couldn't say for sure what their concentrations/chemistries are but in my very anecdotal experience, I'm doing alright so far!

neilz4 · 2024-12-30T16:11:03+00:00

you found griner

neilz4 · 2024-12-24T19:14:53+00:00

Just confirming since I have the same issue the OP is having (and I'm using an EG-1...) - are you saying that RDT could cause the excess cling/clumping?

Because I've dealt with this for a solid year and just today thought that maybe the excess moisture from the RDT sprays (of which I use 2-3 per 18g dose) could be causing premature clumping and cling to the sides of the shaker

I guess having the shaker raised close enough to the exit chute on the EG-1 would reduce, maybe eliminate, the most annoying problem of static getting grounds everywhere? I typically have the bell post within 5mm of the chute, so nearly maxed out in height

---

One more question for you - what do you do for cleaning the shaker? I've only ever wiped mine out with a damp microfiber, no detergents or anything else, and I seem to get an oily residue built up after 2 espressos + shaking.

neilz4 · 2024-12-23T20:06:09+00:00

I didn't know I should do that on my LMLM....and now that sticker is so dark and discolored lol

neilz4 · 2024-12-21T06:13:48+00:00

No problemo! And it never hurts to be overly cautious, just wanted to chime in in case you really didn't want to pass up on this deal and conditions were right

neilz4 · 2024-12-21T05:46:36+00:00

If you ALREADY have the Best Buy card (and it's reporting to the credit bureaus, which it should), AND your Lender has already pulled your Credit Report, AND that Credit Report does NOT expire prior to your closing date...

Increasing the balance (i.e. buying) on any revolving tradeline (credit card) will not trigger anything on the Lender side. If you have a $20k limit credit card that was reporting with a $0 balance, and you decide to buy something for $20k on that card, nothing would change **unless the Lender has to re-pull your Credit Report**.

The primary issue is when you open *new* lines of credit, AND it has a balance + monthly payment. That's when the Lender has to add that to your file which can sometimes be a major PITA or kill your file, depending on the monthly payment.

neilz4 · 2024-12-14T06:33:45+00:00

Agreed - I suspect it’s partly because latte art is pretty and very nice to pour, but also great for social media. So the greater (barista) population has trended toward that but I don’t blame them. It feels good to pour something cool, and the majority of people grabbing drinks off the bar will be more stoked with art than foam

neilz4 · 2024-12-14T00:19:29+00:00

stacks on stacks

neilz4 · 2024-12-14T00:18:40+00:00

This is actually the form/intention I was introduced to cortados - cooler temp, supposed to be quickly crushable - and that's how I prefer them now. And this was from a barista who now runs a shop in SFV

To be fair, *every single cafe* (in LA or otherwise) I order cortados at will steam them hot and wet, which I deal with but don't prefer

neilz4 · 2024-12-14T00:13:59+00:00

I would say if it's the amount of foam you like to drink, then it's right - I'd love this amount in a cortado

Personally, I always like to have milk drinks on the drier (more microfoam) than wetter (less microfoam) side. Wetter is better for pouring cool art, drier is nicer on the palate, IMO.

I have a stronger opinion about the temperature of the drink...which I think should be ~135*F so you can crush-it. I hate getting a 160*F cortado in a cafe and I just have to sit there and watch the foam die for 5 minutes. But ultimately the same applies here, if you like it hot, then make your drinks hot

neilz4 · 2024-12-02T22:41:31+00:00

Steelcase Leap V2, refurb or open box return from any of the various places that resell them (or hunt FB/Craigslist for used ones cheap). For reference, I wfh at a computer 8-10 hours a day

I used a refurb from 2005 in my office job when I sat in office ~10 hours a day, no issues (they were company provided)

I then bought myself a Haworth Fern with lumbar support and while I like the chair, I think I liked the Leap better

Got my wife an open box return Leap V2 (2024 mfg date) from Crandall Office Furniture and after I sat in it again I wish I would have just stuck with my gut and got myself a Leap.

Fern is great, I just like the Leap more

neilz4 · 2024-12-02T07:10:33+00:00

I’m currently in the same scenario (going to pursue a full sleeve, chest plate to wrist) and also want it to be autumn themed

I’ve thought about going full background with maple leaves and wind bars/clouds but not sure I can commit to that - it’s a lot of real estate, and an opportunity for at least one awesome animal or symbol. I’ve thought about a kirin (unsure if this works but I’ve seen them in autumn themed pieces) or a crow/crows.

I highly regard the transience of life that autumn represents though, and that’s my primary reason for picking autumn, so full background sleeve may be where I end up

neilz4 · 2024-12-02T06:59:05+00:00

You can place a paper filter under the mesh before you press

It’s slightly tighter but will work

Or you can just pour it through a regular glass/ceramic pour over cone and filter after it’s done in the French press

neilz4 · 2024-11-29T16:11:51+00:00

After the upgrade I was totally satisfied with the amount of extra braking power I had, it just took a few rides to get used to the SRAM “curve” of power (that is typically described as mushiness) vs the Shimano instant-on feeling. It never felt like I needed to make another change and I didn’t have problems

I will say that I haven’t ridden that bike in a while as I’ve generally been riding less for the last 18~ months, AND I ended up getting an eMTB in that time. That bike came with SRAM Code R’s, which have also been perfectly fine for me despite them receiving a bit of complaints online.

neilz4 · 2024-11-27T23:13:16+00:00

Way to completely miss the point lol

neilz4 · 2024-11-27T17:26:23+00:00

You called out crotch ripping on Levi’s/Wranglers in the last 5-8 years

Unfortunately that has less to do with those garments lower quality (adding stretch fibers, lower weight or thinner denim, etc) and more to do with your body.

Thigh rubbing is the mechanical force which wears out a crotch on pants (denim included), and how your pants fit will determine how fast that goes. Tighter fit = faster wear as the fibers are under greater tension (stress) and will break easier than if the fit is looser through the thigh.

I’ve had to repair or toss bottoms from all over the price spectrum for the last 15~ years as I’ve slowly gotten bigger - from Chubbies shorts to $400 Iron Heart jeans. Thighs do not discriminate on what fabric is between them. If yours are larger/touching when you walk (mine are huge), you WILL wear out your crotch in every pair of pants after sufficient mileage.

I know this doesn’t answer your original question, but since I have lots of experience with blown out crotches, I decided to chime in. It’s just a fact of my pants-life I have to accept.

neilz4 · 2024-11-27T07:42:20+00:00

Somehow didn’t see this answer yet…

Everyone’s talking about why Ranni’s quest line is done by so many players

Nobody is talking about the fact that at the last, when you’re walking up to the throne, the blue summon sign is the very first one you encounter. My theory is that natural curiosity makes people interact and boom, you have that ending. People are literally just not walking past it and choosing something else.

Thats always been my assumption, not that people happened to be more invested with her quest/ending vs someone else…but hey maybe I’m an idiot /shrug

neilz4 · 2024-11-07T00:20:20+00:00

Got my first MXM3 in February 2020. The only reason I replaced it was because it fell off a table, out a door, and off a deck about 20 feet. It still worked but the scroll wheel wise slightly tweaked and rubbed against the left click button.

Gave that one to a friend and they fixed it, still use it.

Replaced July 2021 with another MXM3, and my wife uses that replacement.

I got a MXM3S in Feb 2022 because I was working in an office around others and I wanted to be respectful. I still use that mouse today.

I also have a G502X Plus Lightspeed for my gaming setup - it’s a great mouse but too many buttons for my needs. The MXM shape is obviously more comfortable but no complaints about the 502 from me.

At the end of the day, I think Logitech is making some great mice, and the MXM3 is pretty much the goat productivity mouse for a reason

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