I have well over two grand invested into espresso in our house. We probably pull shots once every two months.
~~~if you don't use the machine, why not sell it?
To answer the questions of the naysayers, yes, I can pull a good shot. Due to the infrequency of us pulling shots, it does usually takes two or three to get it dialed in again.
I simply like coffee better. If I do pull a shot, it is often after I come home for lunch, and only if I remember to turn the machine on.
~~~not that you or anyone else asked but, I leave my espresso machine (HX) on 24/7, but then I'm pulling shots with it every day
Espresso is not a relaxing hobby to learn, especially if you do not have local guidance.
~~~FWIW, I never had 'local guidance' and I learned just fine....if you truly want to learn how to do something (in this case, learn how to make espresso at home), so long as you have the initiative, you will learn how to do it, unless the person in question has learning disabilities. If you can spell your name, you have the ability to learn how to make espresso at home. If you can write your name (correctly), then you will be able to make 'great' espresso, so long as that is your goal. You're only as smart as you feel
If you are any bit of a perfectionist, like myself, hundreds of shots will be poured down the sink and many vulgarities repeated in the process.
~~~that's the definition of insanity, repeating the same mistake again and again
I've given up on espresso-- at least until after the kids are out of the house. It's not that I dislike espresso; it's just that I don't have the time to dedicate to it right now.
~~~look...I'm not picking on you Eric, but some of what you say here just doesn't add up, and why I'm replying to it. I've seen these types of espresso threads here in this forum and elsewhere time and again, and the excuses are all the same "don't have time for it". It's like the guy that has a race bike (motorcycle) sitting in his garage, and he never goes to the race track with it. If you're not going to ride it, sell it! Of course, you can let your espresso machine sit there and collect dust, but don't try to convince any of us you don't have time to learn how to make espresso...I'm not buying it
I think, and I'm speculating here, some in the coffee hobby will buy a machine (like an espresso machine), because they feel it's part of the hobby. They don't buy it because they want to make espresso. No, they feel obligated. And let me make myself perfectly clear, I'm not saying this is the reason Eric bought his espresso machine
When I spent time on the shaving forums (you think you guys are f'd up?), most over there started and stayed with double edge razors, and some of them strayed to the dark side and tried straight razors, but most of them soon found out they really weren't cut out for the straight razor life style. I think the coffee hobby is a lot like the shaving hobby. There are those that are better off using double edge safety razors and then there are those that like and shave with straight razors
Espresso machines as a metaphor are like straight razors. Fun for some to try, but they really are better off with a safety razor. Others may have better and different ideas
Best,
Jake
Reddick Fla.
