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White screws, white grip on steam wand, are both in the works. White USB cable... sure, why not.
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500th Decent Espresso Machine Shipped!
Thanks to Darin Epstein, visiting from Minneapolis, for bringing us a 500th-anniversary cake.
-johnComment
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Decent Coffee Stand
I did a bit of Photoshopping with our "diner" tablet app skin, to turn it into a wrapper for our little IKEA conversion project. Each foam board is held in place with 4 magnets.
This idea provides a bit of advertising for who-ever might have this stand out, and also hides the tubing and clean/dirty water tanks.
You might also notice our tinkering with a back-illuminated panel for the DE1XL.
There’s an ultra-bright LED in there, under software control (BLINK BLINK BLINK YOU WILL BUY COFFEE) for a "Manchurian Candidate" effect.
I don’t like how the mounting features on the back panel are visible, though, so this idea still needs more work. My goal is for customers to be able to specify their own back-lit logo for their white DE1XL.
Another improvement to make would be for the front-facing foam board to be a little wider so that it covers up the white edges of the side panels. Also, thinner magnets would help the side panels sit under the bamboo ledge, instead of protruding slightly.
What do you think of the menu I made: espresso, latte, tea…. advice. :-D
-johnComment
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Suitcases refreshed
A bit over two years ago, I took the plunge and ordered 550 suitcases to use in shipping our espresso machines. A year later we finally started shipping, and now, we've finally used up all those suitcases.
So, it's time to order another 500 suitcases. And since I'm at it, I want to make some improvements.
I've written here about how our v1.0 espresso machines sometimes were damaged in shipping. A common problem was the shipper dropping the box on its corner. You can see that in one of the photos. In the new suitcase revision, we've added 1cm to each side so we can slide in a shock absorbing styrofoam corner.
Inside the suitcase, we've installed a zipper in the fabric. And behind that, a large and thick sheet of styrofoam (same stuff as in bicycle helmets) is put in with double sided tape.
I'm pretty sure that one flaw with the v1.0 suitcases was that the extensible handle could transmit impacts (since it's metal) directly to the espresso machine. Now, we have foam that is thicker and higher than the handles, to keep that from happening.
The 4 wheels were also a problem with the old design, as they caught corner-impacts and transferred the shock to the machine. We've now made styrofoam "socks" that fit over each wheel and then nestle into each corner, to try to avoid that.
Where-ever possible, I've replaced everything with black, black black, and no more silver fabric. I couldn't convince the manufacturer of the telescoping handle to make the telescoping part in black (it's still silver) but on my next order, I'm pretty sure I can wear their resistance down and get everything in black. <grin>
These slightly improved suitcases will arrive here at our factory in about 10 days, and there'll be a brief couple-of-days pause in shipping as we finish the last 25 v1.0 suitcases we still have here and await their replacements.
-johnComment
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Nothing of value here....
In February, for the first time ever, we had espresso machines stolen during shipment. All with UPS: two in the USA, one in Canada.
In the end, UPS paid us back for what we'd insured the machines at (USD$100) and even reimbursed the shipping after some more nudging. The loss rate would have to exceed 1 in 15 shipments, for it to be worth insuring at full value, which is why we only insure at $100.
Our shipper advised us to not put "espresso" on our boxes.
They said that thieves could easily "google us" and see that it's a high-value item. I'm dubious of that logic. We're required to include an invoice with each shipment, stating its value, and that's included in the little plastic pouch with each box. I think it's easier for a thief to look at the invoice in the pouch than it is to google us.
But, no matter.... our new boxes now just say DECENT on them. "Espresso" has been banished. Sigh.
Next, we have been putting stickers on all our espresso machines, indicating "this side up" and "fragile". Those icons are now pre-printed on the box as well.
However, given this photo I was just sent of the boxes being loaded up in our container, I'm not sure "this side up" is going to have any effect whatsoever. <grin> Not a single box in this photo is right-side-up. Now, they're just empty suitcases, so maybe this guy doing the loading knows that the direction doesn't matter at the moment.
We're down to just 8 suitcases here, so I'm happy to see the truck being loaded up with replacements.
-johnComment
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What's "This Side Up" in Hanzi?Comment
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Not sure of the logic of insuring a 3k object for $100. I must be missing something..Comment
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One would think that it reflects the relative cost of the insurance and expected loss rate. I know that it sounds like one may as well not insure at all, but I'd imagine that having some insurance on items shipped changes the incentives of, and information flow from, the shipping company (though in my personal experience it can change the incentives of local delivery chaps in the wrong direction).Originally posted by JMcCee View PostComment
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Clutchit stand
Just got the Clutchit from Amazon and tried it out today on our espresso machine case, instead of the Steelie Stand we usually use.
It's USD$25 at Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/ClutchIt-Orig.../dp/B06XSY13CC
It's a drop in replacement for our Steelie stand. Even uses the same 3M backed steel plates.
It does manage to hold the tablet up in mid-air, but the magnetic link is not that strong. If you glue the 3M metal pad on the top of the DE1, it works perfectly, but then it's ugly.
There are small neatness issues with their approach, namely that the magnets and metal plates don't line up perfectly unless you really fuss at it.
On the other hand, it's nice to have the tablet angle be adjustable.
-johnComment
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No wire hanger
I’ve been working with my designer João Tomaz on a (hopefully) elegant (and optional) cup-holding wire for the DE1XL model. Here are yesterday’s renders: I think we’re making progress.
-johnComment
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I've been lurking around this thread for such a long time, I wonder if anyone in Perth has had one delivered yet that would be willing to show theirs off
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You are welcome to come and play with mine. BYO roast and grinder if you wish, or put up with one of my Mahlkoenig Varios and a light / medium SO roast. Not really into showing anything off. I unpacked it on 10/2/19 and am finally coming to grips with it (family medical issues means that I haven't had a chance to have an uninterrupted play yet). FWIW, I am writing a mini review however the same time issues means it will take a few days / weeks yet I suspect.Originally posted by lemoo View PostI've been lurking around this thread for such a long time, I wonder if anyone in Perth has had one delivered yet that would be willing to show theirs off
Feel free to PM me and see if our schedules can align.
TampIt
PS: Thinking, thinking, perhaps Grant can have another CS meet at Woodvale and I can show it to interested CS'r's there. This place has such a small kitchen that it is quite difficult to get any idea how to use it.Comment
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"boy can that machine produce some tasty shots!"
An interesting report from a coffee enthusiast's meetup in Oregon. Tasting comparison between a Slayer a DE1, and looooots of different coffees.
Read more at:
https://www.home-barista.com/cafes/c...rt-t58096.htmlComment
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Originally posted by decentespresso View Post
"boy can that machine produce some tasty shots!"
I totally agree. I saw a David Walsh talk (on wet grinding, of all things) a while back where he said that coffee had a whole pile of different flavours available, and it may be possible to select which ones to highlight. The DE can do that in spades - different settings can really alter the flavour in the cuppa substantially, including introducing flavours that you have never had from that roast before. Controlling what you get is another issue.
So far, it is a bit "good news / bad news". Consistency is amazing from shot to shot unless you alter a setting. Then all my bets are off in terms of what you get next in terms of highlighted tastes. Usually tasty, often not what was expected at all.
My own severe lack of time - the most shots in a day so far would be 5, widely separated in time - means that I am personally finding it hard to tame the beastie as experience is the only answer. I am almost fantasising about sitting down for a few hours and having a "concerted push".
TampItComment
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I think the 100 was probably included “for free” in the cost. I run an online store and when I was first starting I spent about 5000 dollars in insurance before making my first claim...a 30 dollar purchase that would have been covered anyway. They denied the claim anyway because they said it showed delivered despite the local office submitting on letterhead that the gps showed the carrier dropped it off at the wrong address...since then quit insuring and not a lost package to date. My biggest fear for him would be if he uses the same offices or passes through the same screening area and someone planned a large lift of multiple units. Even then probably would be less expensive not insuring anywayOriginally posted by JMcCee View Post
cameras and other technology have made shipping pretty trustworthy now.
The real question for me is how the heck are you all deciding between de1 and the pro... I keep putting the pro in my cart but by the time I add my accessories I’m over 3500 and hesitate, then switch to the de1, do the same thing and break 3k...then kick myself saying I don’t want to spend over 3k on the cheap materials...and so I keep waiting, indecisive and just thinking to wait on the new group head at the end of this year and maybe make up my mind then...don’t know how the rest of you are making the decision
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