Coffee Appreciation

Yeah, the plastic internals is my primary concern with my grinder (and I guess other Baratza grinders). Though the replacements are cheap and look easy to replace: https://www.baratza.com/shop/gearbox-kit

Would happily pay a few times more for a more sturdy replacement kit. It's all well and good now, but 10-20 years down the road, the replacements may not be so easy to get.

Though at this point, with doserless, low-retention grinders becoming more common, I'll likely just aim to pick up a more commercial grinder that I can rely on for a long lifespan and eternally available spares (one of my big reasons for loving the La Pavoni)

I haven't had any Hot Numbers beans in a couple of years but try to visit the Cambridge cafe every time I visit mates.

The cafe is great and i remember the beans being really good, though I've not tried any of the others you mention so couldn't compare them. Defs worth a go.

Some gearing is plastic to make it sacrificial - cheaper to replace plastic gearing than a motor!

My big industrial food mixer has a sacrificial gear - either brass or a special plastic depending on the model. They often go, but they’re a lot easier and cheaper to replace than other failure points in the drivetrain.

That said, I find it very reassuring having a Mazzer Super Jolly as my grinder, the thing is an absolute tank.

Valid point! I remember in my early fixie-skidder days I got myself a fancy Dura Ace lockring which I immediately used to strip the threads on my OTP rear hub. Arguably the most important lesson I learned when studying engineering...

Mont58 advent calendar is now live on Instagram. Leading up to Christmas, we are celebrating a different coffee each day by offering it half price. Check out daily posts and stories to get your half-price favourite coffees!! 🎄🎄🎄🎁🎁🎅🏽🎅🏽

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Not completely coffee-related but I’m hoping there’s some crossover knowledge in here..! My partner doesn’t drink coffee spits Does anyone have any recommendations for milk frother things for making hot chocolate?

Think there are some folks on here who have those little stove-top milk frothers. They look pretty decent

A cafetière works really well. Hot milk in, plunge vigorously a couple of times, frothy milk!

https://www.nespresso.com/uk/en/order/accessories/original/aeroccino-3-black

These work well, makes milk warm and frothy.

I use an aerolatte for that. Much better at making hot chocolate smooth than making froth for cappuccino imo.

I had a lovely cup of your Catford Blend this morning. Really hits the spot as filter.

Although I might have had a tablespoon of cream in it. That's just between you and me though.

Get. Out.

Yeah, condensed milk only or gtfo >>>>>

Bought some coffee from yellow bourbon for the first time this week - arrived very quickly and is bloody delicious thanks

Would you do a calendar that had 20g of coffee for each day? Different origins, roasts, blends etc etc. I’d buy one of those

Crankhouse Coffee do this kind of thing each year, this years one is finished now though. Fun idea.

https://www.crankhousecoffee.co.uk/products/twelve-days-of-crankhouse

Also these guys - had one at work and there were some tasty numbers

https://www.instagram.com/coffee_yule_love/

The YB natural Brasil is excellent. Enjoyed it so much I got a 1kg bag and I'm powering through it.

Anyone got any reason why beans would produce crema for one cup but not another. Basically I whacked some beans into the grinder this morning and the first coffee looked flat, like bad instant coffee. The second one was fine though. Anyone know why this might be the case?

Had the machine gotten up to pressure/temperature?

Does the grinder hold some old ground coffee in the chute?
There can be many reasons to pull a few shots and chuck them before dialling in to a good one.

Does anyone have direct experience of this very cool looking 9Barista stovetop espresso maker?

Obviously you still need a grinder, but for my camping kit I reckon this (if it works as advertised) looks pretty impressive.

They have been mentioned, maybe @JB had one?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcZMGx15QBU