u/redfoxsilverwolffang

Get fucked.

-love google

Hello, I didn't mean to find myself here lol.

I bought an espresso machine 3 years and 3 months ago, I know this because it broke 3 months after warranty... So I found myself on the market for a replacement. For the last 3 years I would just throw in the same Cuban espresso grind from the store and mostly drink it straight or diluted with water. No complaints no fuss.

Well, the new one I got from the same store sucked and smelled absolutely toxic, so I googled plastic free options and landed on the first suggestion from the first Reddit thread I saw, And now I'm the soon to be owner of a Wirsch machine (I'll let you know)

The issue arises as, I saw in the online shop that they had a bundle deal with a decent grinder, and I thought, heck why not, I like the idea of grinding some beans.

Unfortunately that led me to researching more about espresso, and the first thing I noticed, is everyone(irony) speaks in absolutes, it makes it hard to not be skeptical of 'acceptable' information and opinions.

The idea I had in mind previously, I'd buy some beans, throw a serving in the grinder, and then in the machine, and then in my mouth..

Then I find out about pressurized and non pressurized baskets, discover the old machine had pressurized baskets, makes sense, new one too, sure, makes sense as well.

My inclination would be just keep it the same but with fresh ground coffee instead of pre-ground. But apparently this is an impossible task and I will "surely burst into flames if attempted".. which is easy enough to ignore.. but idk you guys also sound pretty convincing, talking about cO2 and back pressure and stuff.. Don't get me wrong, it all sounds like a bunch of bologna, but its said with so much conviction I kinda believe it...

After spending the last two or three days researching while I wait for the mail, I've reached the conclusion, that if I read everything literally, I would have been better off not buying a grinder at all.. because now I'll need new baskets and new portafilter and spikey things and scales and tampers, and screens, and then, and only then, can I temporarily sit and enjoy a cup.

I wasn't really looking for another hobby or money pit..

I guess my question is, can I really not just use fresh ground coffee in a double walled basket? And if not, realistically what is the least effort I can put into an espresso habit now that I've broken the seal...

Their brand used to have good will with me, based off their original glue (which I don't use because it's messy, but I can't deny it works) and duct tape that lives up to it's inflated price tag. I took my experiences and their marketing in mind, and genuinely trusted their namesake.

But so far every time I go out on a limb with their other products I get burned. From spray contact cement that WILL NOT bond ANYTHING no matter what. To their "30 second" construction adhesive that is still not holding my baseboards to the wall 30 mins later. Entirely wet still. I have pressure applied with weights and I wouldn't be surprised at all if it's still wet in the morning.

Am I crazy? I used to speculate maybe South Florida is too humid for their products or something, because how can they just not work AT ALL? I want it to be user error but I think they might just suck.

Remind me to be a Loctite fanboy from now on

Just wondering, I already offered to refund him anyway. I was kind of unsure whether I felt ethically obligated to.

He sent a picture of a leak in a solder joint that I did that didn't leak till after I left. I apologized and said I'd come back to fix. And he said he already called somebody else,

Which I kind of understand as far as his peace of mind for future leaks before he concretes over everything.

He didn't ask for a refund, just "letting me know"

I know given the circumstances I'm probably not legally obligated to do anything, and I did offer to come back and fix it.

But I still said I'd send him the money back minus supplies. Which kind of sucks because I treated it like play money and already spent it..