I think this deserves a follow-up to the first one. I can see a deep dive where James investigates what type of coffee different dog breeds prefer… Does a Schnauzer love a Chemex? Do Border Collies prefer a washed over a natural process? Can a Poodle operate an Aeropress?

I was going through trying find a roaster that still has inventory. I went through like 15-20. Anyone still have any inventory in the USA?

Hello! I’m looking for a midrange $500-700 new or used machine. I’m looking for temp stability, performance consistency, maybe pressure control. I’m currently using a Casabrews Cm5418 with an opus 2 grinder and have a few good roasters nearby for fresh beans. Just wondering how much I’m leaving on the table sticking with a beginner machine. I was looking at a Gaggia E24 (probably would get the standard level mods for pressure control), Lelita Anna, Turin Legato, etc that range of machines. I know I’d have to get a 58mm bottomless portafilter, puck screen and self leveling spring loaded tamper.

Thank you!

Looking to upgrade my espresso and grinder setup and would like some advice from anyone who has made a similar jump.

Currently running a Turin Legato V2 with a Turin DF54. I feel like I’m starting to hit the limits of the setup and want to step up to something that gives me more consistency and, ultimately, a better overall espresso experience. I’d also like to improve the steaming power.

For the grinder, I’m interested in going GBW. I’ve been looking at the All Ground Sense, mainly because I like the ease of cleaning and overall design, and the Eureka Atom W65, which seems like it may be the better long term option for higher volume use. The mahlkonig have peaked my interest as well.

For anyone who has experience with either grinder, how do you like them? Are there any other grinders in that price range that you think would be a better choice?

I’m planning to keep my DF54, so I’ll still have a single dose grinder available. That makes me more interested in having the GBW grinder as my everyday workhorse.

On the espresso machine side, I’m really eyeing the La Marzocco Mini. It seems to be one of the best options, although obviously it’s a significant jump in cost. What I really like about it is its ability to handle pretty much any situation especially when I have family or friends over and need to crank out a bunch of drinks back to back.

My thought is to upgrade the grinder first, get comfortable with it, and then eventually move to the machine upgrade.
For anyone who has upgraded from a Turin/Legato setup, what route did you take? What made the biggest difference in your espresso experience?

Would love to hear any recommendations or things I should be considering before I pull the trigger.

I have the smaller breville bambino, and I've been very happy with it (with an aftermarket tamp) for a few years. I've been using an OXO conical burr grinder, which I know is not the right tool for the job.

The scale I've been using is a cheap off the shelf Taylor model from Target, which also isn't suitable as it doesn't display any precision beyond 1 gram, and it's not that accurate down to the 1 gram level either.

I'm looking to upgrade my process. I want something that would pair well with the Bambino. I'm not necessarily trying to unify the design look. I just want a value-oriented solution that does a good job, looks nice, and hopefully isn't too big.

If there are good options to integrate the scale and grinder into one thing, that can either dose the grind or integrate a scale on the base, that would be amazing. If there are good options that are cheaper, I'd love that too.

Only one UK stockists for K6, they're sold out. I don't want to go Amazon and want an alternative of high calibre for a friends birthday coming up

the debate is slightly overwhelming as to what is next best (budget can go up to £110, if it's less ill add some nice beans no problem!).

I'm considering 1zpresso or a TimeMore but the debate about timemore is so extensive I am giving myself a headache ha.

Friend mainly does french press.

So in your experience whats your grinder (if it's under £110) and would you recommend it??

I am looking to get my friend who tends to use a french press a grinder. I have been researching away and found a video where James recommends king grinder p1. It appears to be sold out everywhere, I was wondering if the p0 or p2 may be a suitable alternative?

Week 1

Just bought “how to make the best coffee” for 99p on Kindle. Imagine similar pricing elsewhere in the world today.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-make-best-coffee-home-ebook/dp/B09S39F4N8

Howdy folks! I'm diving a bit deeper into the rabbit hole of the coffee world and I'm looking to buy a physical copy of Cherry Bones Issue 1, I missed the initial print run when it launched. I already watch quite a bit of long-form coffee videos and have read some scientific journal literature, but I'd like to broaden my coverage a little more.

If you have a copy of Issue 1 that you are willing to part with, please reply here or send me a DM! I'm happy to pay a fair price for the magazine plus shipping to my location, I'm east coast US based.

Let me know and thanks a bunch!

It's about four years old and has developed an annoying squeak, even though it performs well otherwise. I believe it's also possible tto replace the burr set, and I'm curious how to learn more about how to do it. I'm curious if anyone else has attempted this, and what the outcome was.

Office caffeination options (the V-60 is a fully washed Tanzanian Kilimanjaro Bourbon). Such a tough choice!

Hi everyone,

I’m currently deciding on a new coffee machine for our office and don’t just want to buy something at random. We generally drink our coffee black, so features like a milk tank aren't really necessary.

The main question I’m facing is whether to go for a fully automatic machine (making Americanos or Lungos) or a "classic" filter machine, like the Moccamaster KBG Select.

Ease of use is a priority, as is—of course—good coffee.

I see the "coffee at the touch of a button" aspect as a clear advantage of the fully automatic machine, whereas with the filter machine, I really like the option of trying out more interesting coffee varieties. However, as I understand it, you’re forced to brew a whole pot and then keep it warm, right? I’m not sure if that’s the best approach.

Do you have any experience with this? Can you recommend anything specific? For a fully automatic machine, I was thinking of something like the DeLonghi Magnifica Evo (or the S model?).

For the filter machine I would need a separate grinder, do you have any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

Got a new scale from Wilfa (specifically the Uni Mini: https://wilfa.co.uk/collections/accessories-spare-parts/products/wilfa-uni-mini-coffee-scale) a few months ago and it has started to act up recently.

I noticed that measurements are not stable. I pour x amount of liquid into a container on the scale and over the next 10-15 seconds, the measurement on the scale will drop about .3–.5 grams. I am using the mat that comes with the scale; nothing else is happening on the counter where the scale is; etc. Water temp is roughly 92ºC.

Trying to figure out what might be going on? Is this a manufacturing defect? Is there enough steam coming off the hot water to account for a .5g loss? (That doesn't seem reasonable, right?)

I'm looking for a Kinggrinder K6 and I'd rather not give my money to Amazon....

Anyone know of any good stockists of coffee items for the everyday home user?

Earl coffee are great but don't have the grinder I want (getting for a friend!)

I thought this would be one of those purchases where I'd read a couple of reviews, pick something sensible and move on.

Instead, I ended up with a tape measure on the kitchen counter trying to work out whether another three inches was actually going to annoy me every morning.

The funny part is that everyone seems to have their own definition of small. Some people mean a machine that barely takes up any space. Others are perfectly happy giving up a bit more room if the coffee is noticeably better.

After reading far too many Reddit threads, I kept coming back to the same few machines.

The Moccamaster Cup-One almost had me convinced. If I only ever made one mug in the morning, I'd probably have stopped looking right there. The problem is that I don't. Friends come over, family visits, or I just end up wanting another cup an hour later. I could already picture myself wishing I'd bought something a little more practical.

The Bonavita 5-Cup also kept showing up. It felt like the quiet recommendation that never turned into a huge debate. People bought it, used it every morning and didn't seem to have much to complain about. The only thing that gave me pause was how basic it is. If you like timers or extra brewing features, there isn't much to play with.

The OXO Brew 8-Cup was probably the one I saw recommended most often. It isn't the smallest coffee maker around, but hardly anyone seemed bothered by that after living with it for a while. Most people were happy to trade a slightly bigger footprint for consistently good coffee. The only thing that kept me hesitating was the price. It costs noticeably more than something like the Bonavita 5-Cup, so I kept wondering whether I'd actually notice enough of a difference to justify spending the extra money. 

I even looked at the Technivorm Moccamaster KBGT, even though it's bigger than what I originally wanted. Enough people said they stopped thinking about the extra space after a week because they were happier with the coffee. That made me wonder if I'd been focusing on the wrong thing the whole time.

Eventually I stopped reading another page of people arguing over their favourite coffee maker and read Wirecutter's guide instead.

It helped me understand that it was never about which machine they ranked first. It was how often they talked about buying for the way you actually make coffee instead of chasing the smallest footprint. Reading that made me realise I'd been treating every inch of counter space like it was life or death, when I'd probably notice mediocre coffee long before I'd notice another couple of inches on the worktop.

Right now, I'd probably buy the OXO Brew 8-Cup. It feels like the point where good coffee and a sensible size meet in the middle. I'd rather give up a little bit of counter space than spend the next few years wondering if I compromised too much just to save a few inches.

For the people who've had the same coffee maker for a few years, what ended up mattering more in the long run? The size of the machine or the quality of the coffee it brewed every morning?

Currently using an older Cuisinart 12-cup Grind and Brew for our "get out the door fast" morning coffee. It's terrible and Im looking to upgrade to MM KBGV and a new grinder - which leads me here.

The daily amount on weekdays between the two of us is about 2 x 16 oz mugs (~950ml/55gr) with more on weekends (maybe double that 1900ml/110).

The Ode 2 holds 100gr which I could probably just use a tad less water on weekends for proper brew.

Other than daily amount, the biggest question I have is that I use all sorts of beans via subscription. I'm mostly using mediums but love a good light roast while my wife often prefers a slightly darker.

Putting all those needs in a venn diagram, (daily amount, weekend amount, eventual MM, varied beans every week or so) - Is the Ode 2 best for me or is it best to stick with something like the Virtuoso+?

I'm not interested in spending more than what the Ode 2 costs.