Filling the emptiness inside of me with expensive material goods (New Setup)
This is a tale of extreme scope creep and slippery slopes. I needed a new office due to baby #2 arriving and kicking me out of former extra bedroom/wfh office. Looked at relocating the fam to bigger houses in the area (HCOL) and realized it would be much cheaper to figure out a way to renovate my house to add an office. While in architecture design, I realized I'd have to pay to move a bunch of plumbing anyways, so might as well add a half bath in the new office. Figured, if I'm paying for a half bath anyways, might as well add a coffee station! And if I'm doing a coffee station, might as well ensure it kicks ass. Further slippery logic ensures.
This is my 2nd espresso setup ever, first was an old Breville Roma that I actually enjoyed a lot for many years. Then, I drank drip and cold brew only at home for a few years. Then for whatever reason my demographic profile/browsing habits, I watched a few James Hoffman videos on youtube absolutely randomly. Ended up on this subreddit, and the rest is history.
I have used La Marzocco's machines at my work place, so not completely new to pro/prosumer level machines. For awhile I was pining for a Decent, also looked at Lelit Bianca, but I looked hard within myself and realized I actually don't want to be experimenting and turning dials/nobs everyday to make coffee. I wanted quality, consistency, and bling, so LM Micra it is.
So far, my espresso really sucks but its probably only 50% on me. I tried using my old plastic Bodum burr grinder, the grind size is laughably large at espresso setting. Then I drove to Whole Foods and ground a bag using their house grinder at 2nd to last fine setting, still way too course. Then yesterday I was scouring CL/FB marketplace hard for a respectable interim grinder, and snagged a Eureka Perfetto in great condition for $350. Will have to report back, haven't tried it yet. Depending on how hard it is to dial in, I may keep or sell when my Zerno hopefully comes Feb 2025.
Linea Micra, Eureka Perfetto, Rhino Pitcher Rinser w/ hot water, Filtered water spout
