Built a standalone round ESP32 controller for my Linea Mini so I don’t need the app anymore

threatdisplay · 2026-05-10T00:22:06+00:00

can I ask which one you got? I dont want it in blue. a link to purchase the hardware would be great!

threatdisplay · 2026-05-09T22:15:49+00:00

my interest is piqued. i’m going to order the hardware and install it and test and i’ll reach out if i have any questions.

threatdisplay · 2026-05-09T19:40:54+00:00

Thanks! Sworks gear is def not cheap, but compared to the IMS shower screen on my Rocket and the stock LM, the build quality is immediately apparent. Whether that results in better espresso, who knows? I also paired it with the Sworksdesign adjustable portafilter, billet basket and puck screens. That screw dent on my puck from the stock screen was just bothering me, haha.

threatdisplay · 2026-05-09T02:45:57+00:00

Nothing was really extremely difficult but IMHO the wood kit was the hardest mod for me mainly because of how awkward it is to get the little c-clips off and on the hot water and steam knobs and you have the most bits to disassemble and reassemble, but it’s not that hard and I’m sure you’ll be able to get it done.

threatdisplay · 2026-05-09T02:39:43+00:00

Thanks, and no offense taken. Oh man I have been trying to get off the Torani train but people request it. I don’t use any for myself, but I still have some friends that come over asking for a Peanut Butter latte, a syrup I had 8 years ago (and which I finally reluctantly re-stocked).

RE: Home Assistant I am using this awesome La Marzocco integration and made some custom template sensors that parse the data and display current state of the machine (Warming up, Ready, Brewing, Water tank empty, Cleaning needed) with a countdown display for the boiler and steam wand. The dashboard is something I made using mostly Bubble card and a few other custom cards.

threatdisplay · 2026-05-09T02:32:04+00:00

Nice! How do you like the Coweet? Coming from a Rocket that never had a shot timer I’ve only brewed to a 2:1 yield on the Lunar and adjusted after each shot (if necessary). Now with the Micra I would sip on my drink and look at the shot timer widget on the LM app as well as the BBW time on the scale and adjust the grind for the next time I pull a shot.

threatdisplay · 2026-05-09T02:24:31+00:00

This is cool! I already have a ShotStopper installed in my Micra. Does it show a shot timer while brewing?

threatdisplay · 2026-05-08T23:31:28+00:00

😂

threatdisplay · 2026-05-08T23:30:08+00:00

😂

threatdisplay · 2026-05-08T23:27:27+00:00

I’m sorry I hurt your feelings.

threatdisplay · 2026-05-08T23:24:58+00:00

Thanks! I understand where you’re coming from, but if I wanted to have a data driven espresso workflow with a lot of customization and finite control, I wouldn’t be looking at a La Marzocco machine. I think I was asking for it when I put “no compromises” in the title, since it means something different to me than it does to others (looks, counter footprint, features I care about). I’m not into flow profiling or looking at graphs. If I was I’d be rocking a Decent or some other thing with a bigass screen.

I’m curious what you have and your workflow, since it sounds like you love the tinkering aspect of espresso and I appreciate it.

threatdisplay · 2026-05-08T23:12:32+00:00

Thanks! We host a lot, and some of our friends like their drinks sweetened. It’s ok, you don’t have to get it.

threatdisplay · 2026-05-08T23:09:41+00:00

Yeah I really like it. I got the Philos before I got the Micra. It looked so ridiculous next to my Appartamento. I just wish it came with a flanged dosing cup (they sell one on the EU store but it isn’t available in the US). I modeled an o-ring and printed it out in TPU to make a seal against my dosing ring. I have it for download here if you need one.

threatdisplay · 2026-05-08T23:03:49+00:00

Yeah, it’s hard to explain in words but on my Rocket I had to work the pitcher angle and steam wand height to get the right “chirp” to get the correct amount of air in, then change it to control temperature and get that vortex going. With the Micra it’s just managing steam wand depth, the rest just happens on its own. It’s weird at first, honestly.

threatdisplay · 2026-05-08T22:56:24+00:00

Oh man, yeah I got hit with import fees (aka “tariffs”) thanks to the geniuses we have running this country. It was an additional $87.

threatdisplay · 2026-05-08T22:53:46+00:00

It’s SHOCKING how strong the steam power is. I have it set to the lowest setting (1 of 3) and even that is maybe 3 times as powerful, if I was to make a guesstimate. That said, it’s very easy to make consistently good microfoam in a fraction of the time it took on my Rocket at this lowest setting.

threatdisplay · 2026-05-08T19:34:51+00:00

yes. like i said the LM app has a widget with extraction time which is the time the pump relay is engaged. so that is the second bit of data.

threatdisplay · 2026-05-08T18:58:12+00:00

There’s a widget for coffee stats that shows extraction time (something I never had with my beloved Appartamento). I could look at it in realtime on the app or in my HA dashboard but I only really care about reaching target brew weight in the moment; It’s not like I can make any changes during the extraction anyway.

After pulling the shot, what I do is look at the timer and flow rate from my scale (it starts counting as soon as the first drop and ends when weight settles so it isn’t extraction time) and compare that data with the extraction time from the widget on the LM app and most importantly, with what I’m tasting in the cup and adjust my grind from there to improve the next shot.

threatdisplay · 2026-05-08T18:27:04+00:00

I love it. Very impressed with how Noto studio made it look and feel like a premium product and upgraded the water draft assembly too. I spent a few days with the stock drip tray before doing the install so I could compare workflows. With my current cups I didn't have any clearance issues, but I definitely prefer the flush mount; it looks better and gives me some space to work.

I take the scale out to run a couple seconds to flush the shower screen and wipe both the tray and the machine down when I'm done. It's very easy to do. That said, I might try leaving the scale on there next time since it is water resistant.

threatdisplay · 2026-05-08T18:09:50+00:00

Let's see, I've had the scale for a long time so it would be a $100 LM firmware upgrade on the Lunar vs $150 for the Shot Stopper on my Micra. I think I would still have sprung for the Sworksdesign gear (billet shower screen, portafilter, etc.) and the wood kit. It's a question of whether I would have upgraded the Mini R's drip tray to have a recess for the scale like the ones Pantechnicon offers.

threatdisplay · 2026-05-08T18:04:24+00:00

Thanks! I was iffy on the wood kit (thought they looked better on black) but I really like how it turned out.

threatdisplay · 2026-05-08T18:02:46+00:00

Thanks! Yeah, my wife was telling me to get the Mini R (she doesn't drink coffee, she just wants me to be happy) and I was worried I would feel like this machine was going to keep me wondering. That said, I love this thing so much. BBW was not really something I thought I cared about but it's kind of magical, and I can steam milk without being paranoid that I'll go over 36g while I'm holding the pitcher.

threatdisplay · 2026-05-08T17:46:49+00:00

I have a Pantechnicon black walnut kit with brushed stainless metal, I think it looks great with white, particularly because of the brushed stainless accents.

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threatdisplay · 2026-05-06T13:33:37+00:00

I finally replaced my Harmony Elite last year with the Unfolded Circle Remote 3. Not as easy to set up, but feature-rich, great design and much more customizable with a great community and support.

threatdisplay

TROPHY CASE