Jump to content

Recommended Posts

  • 2 months later...
Posted (edited)

For anyone who cares, a long term impression of the Niche Zero and Breville Dual Boiler: I couldn’t be happier. My Breville issues were caused by buying used, nothing inherently wrong with the machine. It’s super easy to use and makes just absolutely delicious espresso. Temperature is spot the fuck on. I have no desire to do the Slayer mod, but of course I have a Flair 58. 

Regarding the Niche, it took me a little while. I didn’t love it compared to 64 SSP burrs, at first, but I have come around to it. Using it is of course foolproof. Workflow is perfect. Shots are round and unctuous and delicious. 

I honestly don’t want to “upgrade:” I’m perfectly happy. I have a routine that I go through twice every morning, and I enjoy the coffee every time, even when I fuck up on coffee selection (I found a light roast Yirgacheffe somehow so porous I have to grind on 0, but it just barely pulls a traditional shot: I normally just turbo it, though: it’s still good).

Both machines are older, but quality hasn’t been affected by the appearance of competitors: I would buy both again, here in 2024. Maybe I would get the Duo, if I were buying new now, but I’m unlikely to “upgrade” from the Zero to one: it’s a great grinder. 

Edited by EdipisReks1
  • Like 4
  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

Love my niche zero.  There's something about it...the design is simple.  It weighs enough that it's substantial which for whatever reason one often correlates to quality.  It's uber low maintenance.  The wife hasn't said much so apparently it's not a big eye sore.

Great purchase IMHO.

I bought a bunch of Intelligentsia coffees.  The Celebration has been really good....so much so I gifted a bag to our neighbors.  Definitely better value for money than Onyx Coffee, but I keep going back to them now and again...

HS

  • Like 2
  • 2 weeks later...
  • 3 weeks later...
Posted

James Hoffman says the Niche Duo tastes the same as the Niche Zero, which is good enough for me to not “upgrade.” I’m sure the SSP burrs are better, but that’s an additional expense, of course. 

  • Like 1
Posted

I'm shopping for a new "full size" scale.  Very pleased with the small Acaia Lunar that was an incentive to purchase my espresso maker a few years ago. 

I tried replacing my Amazon scale of 10 years with another and it drifts...not bad but I'm over it.

Looking at the Acaia Pearl.  Looks like plenty of scale for my needs (i.e. think pour over in a Chemex).   I'm struggling to understand whether the Acaia Pearl S is worth the add'l cost, and I'm thinking it's not worth the delta.

https://acaia.co/collections/coffee-scales

Thoughts?  Thanks in advance!

HS

  • Like 1
Posted (edited)
On 3/12/2024 at 4:04 PM, HemiSam said:

I'm shopping for a new "full size" scale.  Very pleased with the small Acaia Lunar that was an incentive to purchase my espresso maker a few years ago. 

I tried replacing my Amazon scale of 10 years with another and it drifts...not bad but I'm over it.

Looking at the Acaia Pearl.  Looks like plenty of scale for my needs (i.e. think pour over in a Chemex).   I'm struggling to understand whether the Acaia Pearl S is worth the add'l cost, and I'm thinking it's not worth the delta.

https://acaia.co/collections/coffee-scales

Thoughts?  Thanks in advance!

HS

I have a pearl, a Luna, and the Pyxis. I would buy a timemore black mirror, honestly. The Acaia scales are great, and are nicer than the Timemore scales (I have the full size and the nano: I have a lot of scales), but it’s not $100 better. Attached is a picture of the Pearl, Black Mirror, and Luna, for scale (no pun intended).

IMG_0705.jpeg

Edited by EdipisReks1
  • Like 1
Posted

I think my art is getting better. At least more consistent, if still bad. I waggle the pitcher too much at the beginning. This shot was too coarse and spat a lot, as you can see the from the rim, but it was a tasty cup. Califia oat barista milk. 

IMG_0802.jpeg

  • Like 3
  • 2 weeks later...
  • 3 weeks later...
Posted

i mean, it’s not any of the things it advertises. 

 

most home roasters can handle 300g, mine easily does 1kg.   if you want 1 touch roasting the ikawa seems good

  • Like 2
Posted

I exchanged some coffee with someone with an ikawa once, and I was impressed with the complexity of flavors it achieved.  

 

That said, my roaster isn't much more complicated, once you've dialed in your recipe.  And I can roast a lot more coffee at once.

Posted
3 hours ago, grawk said:

I exchanged some coffee with someone with an ikawa once, and I was impressed with the complexity of flavors it achieved.  

 

That said, my roaster isn't much more complicated, once you've dialed in your recipe.  And I can roast a lot more coffee at once.

Dan, how are flavors added traditionally to coffee? For example our local grocery chain has something that is sold as:

a medium bodied coffee with sweet cream and vanilla flavors inspired Inspired by the sweet, decadent flavors of a Tres Leches Cake.

 

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.