Coffee Appreciation

That's a fair price - I just paid that much for a DF54.

Some interesting additions to the corpus of decaf knowledge in here. You can skip the first half (11:42), it's all just background stuff.
https://youtu.be/1xbn6l8fhnM?t=702

Great stuff, gonna try all that.

Having read the previous page and the discussion around small dose grinders, has anyone seen or used the (new?) Fellow Opus? Separate to the Ode Gen2, it claims to do everything from espresso to cold brew grinding and is about £100 cheaper. Does seem to be plastic rather than metal construction, likely part of the cost saving.

I’d been all set on the Ode Gen2 (and Origin have 15% off currently), then saw the Opus and was intrigued.

At that price bracket, I'd be considering the Baratza Encore ESP too. No experience of the Opus but they're natural competitors and I really like the M2 burr from Baratza.

If you're not doing espresso, Ode Gen 2 is about as good as it gets til you get into mega money.

Yeah no espresso at home, just Aeropress or moka pot. Ode Gen2 seemed to get positive comments from Mr Hoffmann and (shallowly) I think looks pretty good being small black and metal vs many other tall plastic options.

Lance Hedrick reviewed the Opus, so that might be worth a watch.

...Speaking of Odes. Since the arrival of the DF54, my Gen 1 Ode is now sadly surplus to requirements. It's ground around 200g a week since purchased new last October. Still in amazing condition, with cleaned burrs, packed it in its original box with the little brush - any interest for £120? Pick up from E5.

Extra info: this is the original Gen 1, it can take the Gen 2 burrs (£75) but not the SSP

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Cheap Filtropa for all you Technivorm headz

The gushing description alone is worth the purchase

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i didn't get on with these JG beans - the Chapin was too dark for my taste, an La Roca too light and acidic.

https://www.lfgss.com/comments/17428473/

I think JG Formula 6 is the one that I've enjoyed most so far, however I've retreated back to YB and Square Mile for the time being.

Will a new pump in my rancillio silvia make the bloom underneath the basket more pronounced or could there be something else I need to change or clean?

Any interest in the self leveling tamper for the Cafelat Robot?

I prefer the normal one, so it's sitting around not getting used.

As an advocate of the self levelling tamper I’d suggest someone jumps on this.

Unless your current pump has an issue then it should all come down to puck prep.

Above all though, remember to always taste your shots and change steps in the process solely based on that. Different beans, levels of roast, machines, pressures etc might end up looking very different but not necessarily right or wrong for it.

On a different note, is there still a forum discount code for Yellow Bourbon? Keen to try their Espresso blend once I go through the lovely (for my Italian palate) JGC Chapin beans kindly donated to me by @ChasnotRobert who also recommended I try it out.

code: DOASKID

I’m also keen to try yb coffee. Never had it before. Everyone on here raves about it

I’m considering getting a Wdt. But I can’t see what’s so special about it and some convincing

It's hard to fault @Stevethecoffee 's coffee.

N’aww you guys….

I found WDT does make the results more consistent and predictable, would recommend! You can get one + a basket collar (to avoid spillages) on AliX for about a fiver all in, definitely worth a go!

YB has been unbeatable for quality/price. I’ve tried others but always come back because I can buy 4 or 5 different bags at once, it’s always an interesting selection without any clangers, and then get through one a week while they’re still fresh/good because the roast dates are always so close to the ordering date.

My very cheap, neighbourhood drug dealer spec scales from eBay are on the way out after a couple of years of decent service. What are the benefits of proper coffee scales? I may just go for the same cheapo ones again but I'm tempted to upgrade for something that will hopefully last a good while longer before ending up in landfill.
These are a bit slow but I've got used to the delay in showing the right weight so can account for it as I go. I also like the fact that they're small enough to slip under a cup in my grinder as pictured.

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Thanks for this explanation, makes sense.

Also puck screens, what’s the vibe there? Necessary, not necessary, will a wdt solve my problems.

So many variables

Definitely don’t need, but again, it’s a £2 AliX purchase. Grab it with your WDT+chute order but wait to introduce it until you have repeatable, consistent shots with WTD only and see how it changes things, then decide if worth the hassle. One variable at a time 👍