Nostr notes by CoffeeGeek

Hey folks! The xBloom Studio automates pour over from whole bean ...

2026-07-03T09:48:22Z

Hey folks!

The xBloom Studio automates pour over from whole bean to cup, grinder, scale, kettle, and oscillating, vibrating pouring arm included.

We posted a full overview over on CoffeeGeek/.com (sorry for not posting a real link, but visit the front page of the site!). Even though this isn't a true First Look or full review, I've tried to cover a lot about this amazing machine. In the meantime, here's some photos!

RE: https://flipboard.social/@coffeegeek/116697002196369539 Still ...

2026-06-05T21:52:17Z

RE: https://flipboard.social/@coffeegeek/116697002196369539

Still hoping to get some feedback on this cupping form we designed.

quoting
note1rl2…y6tr

So we have an exciting (for me at least) feature coming up on CoffeeGeek. Our senior writer Natia has written a great How To on having a home coffee tasting party, or a "home coffee cupping, with friends" guide (we're still working on the title).

I'd LOVE some feedback from y'all. I worked with her to make a single page scoring form that is 100% approachable for consumers. What do you think? Did we get it right, or miss something?

Incl: form, Natia's description of the form, and her intro.

So we have an exciting (for me at least) feature coming up on ...

2026-06-05T10:22:20Z

So we have an exciting (for me at least) feature coming up on CoffeeGeek. Our senior writer Natia has written a great How To on having a home coffee tasting party, or a "home coffee cupping, with friends" guide (we're still working on the title).

I'd LOVE some feedback from y'all. I worked with her to make a single page scoring form that is 100% approachable for consumers. What do you think? Did we get it right, or miss something?

Incl: form, Natia's description of the form, and her intro.

I am busting out a SEVENTEEN year old bag of Beloya green coffee ...

2026-05-18T02:54:20Z

I am busting out a SEVENTEEN year old bag of Beloya green coffee that was vacsealed and frozen all that time, to roast tomorrow.

When I heard Beloya was disappearing back in 2008, I bought 20kg of green in various microlots, had them pkged into vacsealed bags, and froze it all. Every few months (then years), I'd bust one out and roast it. Did not disappoint, for years - even a decade. But by about 2023, the last time I did this, it had declined a bit.

We'll see with this one, tomorrow.

So I am way behind on my photography work needed for CoffeeGeek, ...

2026-05-17T04:46:07Z

So I am way behind on my photography work needed for CoffeeGeek, because I have been in full on writing mode this entire week; it just sometimes happens that way.
I've learned that if I am in "writing mode", I need to go with it, and get it all out.

This week I've revised four old How Tos we used to have on CoffeeGeek. The one I'm most proud of is the complete top to bottom re-write of the How to Roast Coffee with a Popcorn Popper guide. Still in draft stage, but check this section out!

It's been a while since I busted out the awesomesauce Quest ...

2026-05-13T21:53:39Z

It's been a while since I busted out the awesomesauce Quest M3 coffee roaster, but did so today, doing three "tuning" roasts to re-familiarize myself with this fantastic device. A bit dark, but it was a tuning roast. 2nd and 3rd turned out better.

I absolutely love the completely manual, hands on nature of this powerful little drum and airflow roaster. It's basically the Flair 58+2 of the roaster world, and built like a tank.

Working on our blog introduction post for the xBloom Studio. I ...

2026-04-30T06:27:44Z

Working on our blog introduction post for the xBloom Studio. I literally spent 30 minutes massaging the intro. (writers out there will totally get where I'm coming from on that). Had the idea, just couldn't make the words flow...

Until they did.

cuz a lot goin' on. (built in grinder, instantaneous water ...

2026-04-25T08:42:39Z

In reply to nevent1q…c3rt
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cuz a lot goin' on.

(built in grinder, instantaneous water heater, motors, a lot more). But it's not super tall, just it's skinny, so looks taller. 43cm tall, 17" Should fit under most kitchen cabinets if you're inclined.

Oh there's definitely fermented coffees. One of the first ...

2026-04-24T22:18:40Z

In reply to nevent1q…l444
_________________________

Oh there's definitely fermented coffees. One of the first processed with intended fermentation was Ethiopia Beloya, back in 2006. Mind blowing coffee. Fruity juice bomb. No acidity. I still mark that as one of the best coffees I've ever had.

Stunning, and capable way to wake up in the morning. The xBloom ...

2026-04-24T22:17:16Z

Stunning, and capable way to wake up in the morning.

The xBloom Studio, in Sage Green. The definitive super auto for brew coffee.

I definitely understand the concerns about AI, and we have a ...

2026-01-24T08:02:45Z

In reply to nevent1q…48x5
_________________________

I definitely understand the concerns about AI, and we have a clearly stated AI policy on our website (it's in the about section).

If this assuages your concerns a bit, here's how this current use went down

a) I work occasionally with an illustrator on some other projects. She's good and usually quick

b) I had a vision of what I wanted the hero image for this article to be. We were on an incredibly tight deadline - we only started this project after a long and tearful Zoom call with me and my writers on Tuesday.

c) I couldn't communicate the full vision of the hero image to Aria, the illustrator. We had a friday publication deadline. So we met for coffee, and created some prompts in Gemini to produce images. One was the basis of this illustration.

d) Aria took the image and mainly used it as an underlay (not unlike a "paint by numbers" or "tracing" sketch starter piece. She went to work in Penup (her choice app).

e) she sent me two drafts; I sent notes back. (AI can never seem to do an espresso machine accurately, and Aria's not a coffee geek). She finalised it. It is her art, but with an assist on some background stuff and the overall layout and concept from AI.

f) she refused payment (she, like the writers of this article, did it for the purpose, not for income; all three of my writers refused payment for their contributions).

I am not opposed to AI as a tool or an assist. I am opposed to content created with AI. This is covered on our AI policy page. We use AI to apply our decades-developed Writing Style Guide (we have a specific Gem programmed for that) to all our content. I use it for initial research (fortunately, I almost always know more about the products we research in AI, so I can immediately spot when it's wrong). We use it to build specification tables, other mundane bits of research and tabulation that I have done myself for decades before and always hated.

And... in very few cases, we WILL use AI to generate images. This too is outlined in our AI policy page (TLDR: we will use it if we are boycotting something and do not want to spend money on props from that boycotted company).

We used a local artist I've worked with in the past. Because ...

2026-01-24T01:02:42Z

In reply to nevent1q…f59l
_________________________

We used a local artist I've worked with in the past. Because the timing was short, she did use AI to assist the initial pencilling (with my prior approval). She only had 36 hours to get it done.

In this case, I'd ask if you don't focus on that, and instead focus on the subject matter.

And confirmed - this has brought our website down, posting this ...

2026-01-23T21:45:41Z

In reply to nevent1q…qxjg
_________________________

And confirmed - this has brought our website down, posting this URL via our account. Give it 3-5 minutes to come back online.

We're taking a stand, uncovering how fascist policies are ...

2026-01-23T21:41:38Z

We're taking a stand, uncovering how fascist policies are reshaping the coffee world and beyond, and what you can do to change the course of history for the better.

NB, posting this here in the fediverse will most likely result in the MastoDDos effect on our website, meaning it can be "down" for as much as 5 minutes or longer as 1000s of fediverse servers hammer our website in milliseconds. But this post is very much worth it.

#fascism

https://coffeegeek.com/opinions/state-of-coffee/silence-is-no-longer-an-option-why-coffeegeeks-must-reject-fascism/

Thank you Tom. I sincerely appreciate your comment. My team and I ...

2026-01-23T11:07:55Z

In reply to nevent1q…s4kr
_________________________

Thank you Tom. I sincerely appreciate your comment. My team and I rushed this - we started writing it only about 48 hours ago - but it was so important to us, we put everything we had into it.

I'm guessing you didn't read the article.

2026-01-23T10:50:39Z

In reply to nevent1q…t7dx
_________________________

I'm guessing you didn't read the article.

The JPG is too big to post here, sorry. It's my google drive ...

2026-01-23T10:50:12Z

In reply to nevent1q…ey44
_________________________

The JPG is too big to post here, sorry. It's my google drive link.

We are about to publish an article on CoffeeGeek, taking a stand ...

2026-01-23T09:33:51Z

We are about to publish an article on CoffeeGeek, taking a stand against the growing fascism in the USA right now.

It will most likely cost us readership. It might cost us advertisers. It might even put a target on us.

But the time for silence is done.

Here's a preview of the full article, in jpg format.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Qr5tN-a23HtFtWjuOdbVnYtict1ZQm1x/view?usp=sharing

Hiring: WordPress & Server Specialist for CoffeeGeek I am ...

2026-01-21T21:53:08Z

Hiring: WordPress & Server Specialist for CoffeeGeek

I am looking for a proactive technical partner to manage the backend of CoffeeGeek and my other hosted sites. This is a monthly retainer role + occasional big projects for an experienced pro who can take ownership of server health and site performance.

You must have:

- Deep expertise in WordPress Multisite & Elementor
- Strong cPanel & PHP troubleshooting skills
- Proven ability with speed optimization & technical SEO
- The initiative to spot and fix errors before I do

I need someone who acts as the lead on technical issues and manages host tickets directly. If you are a problem solver who enjoys digging into the backend, please reply to this and I'll pass on an email address for you email me with your rates and experience.

I would prefer to work with someone based in Canada (for business and tax purposes) but open to working with someone located elsewhere in the world as long as you can maintain hours that work with Pacific Standard Time ranges.

Another beastie on the review bench for a Snapshot Review on ...

2026-01-03T10:57:57Z

Another beastie on the review bench for a Snapshot Review on CoffeeGeek: the Flair Wizard, the nifty milk steaming solution they have for their lever machines, that works on all sorts of heat sources, including some quirky Asian-sourced butane burners we bought for the task.

Full Review coming soon!

The Kruve Propel is the well deserved defacto standard when it ...

2026-01-03T09:59:04Z

The Kruve Propel is the well deserved defacto standard when it comes to espresso cups for tasting and evaluation. But they are big, and fragile.

Kinto of Japan has hit the market with several double walled glass cups that could bring the fight to Kruve. We're evaluating them for CoffeeGeek soon.

That's just a recipe for Cowboy Coffee, which I've made ...

2026-01-03T09:57:53Z

In reply to nevent1q…ldy2
_________________________

That's just a recipe for Cowboy Coffee, which I've made several times. 😉

The hardest thing for me, going from the 6DMkII / 5DMkIV to the ...

2025-12-22T00:41:33Z

In reply to nevent1q…xslr
_________________________

The hardest thing for me, going from the 6DMkII / 5DMkIV to the Canon R6 MkII:

No top mount display of the camera's settings. I forgot just how much I relied on that top mount LCD to show me the Camera's active settings, and change them on the fly.

I think it's a UI mistake to drop those.

The OutIn Nano and Wacaco Pixapresso are decent travel spro ...

2025-12-22T00:34:24Z

The OutIn Nano and Wacaco Pixapresso are decent travel spro gadgets. But MHW-3Bomber’s new X-Press58 aims for serious espresso, and we got one.

It uses standard 58mm baskets and a huge 13,500mAh fast charge PD battery. Though priced at $350, it includes the metal stand, tamper, and travel case, which others charge +$ for.
Is it a gym weight or a portable USB-C prosumer machine? We’re testing heat up times, temps, cycling, usability and espresso taste now.

First Look coming soon on CoffeeGeek.

#NCP This year, I finally made the jump from dSLR to mirrorless, ...

2025-12-22T00:32:00Z

#NCP

This year, I finally made the jump from dSLR to mirrorless, retiring my Canon 6D MkIIs and 5D MkIV, and going with the Canon R6 Mk II as well as a Canon R8 as a backup body.

Lookit how cute this little pancake 28mm f2.8 is! Also got the 35mm F1.8 STM and 85mm F2 STM as my starter lenses in the RF mount. But the main tool is the Meike EF lens adapters I also go (I got two, one with a slide in filter, the other with the Canon Control Ring built in), so I can use the best lenses I own: Sigma 35mm f1.4 ART EF, Sigma 50mm f1.4 ART, and a Canon 100mm F2.8 EF).

We’ve taken a First Look at the MHW‑3Bomber F74 Navigator, a ...

2025-11-05T23:47:17Z

We’ve taken a First Look at the MHW‑3Bomber F74 Navigator, a grinder that has specialty coffee enthusiasts buzzing. With 74 mm titanium‑coated burrs, a 400 watt brushless motor, variable RPM control, and ultra‑low retention, it promises espresso‑level precision and pour‑over clarity at a surprisingly accessible price. Could this be the prosumer grinder that changes the game?

Visit the front page of CoffeeGeek./com today to read all about it!

#coffee #espresso #grinders #coffeegeek

They had to close down their shop at the museum because of the ...

2025-11-05T01:25:16Z

In reply to nevent1q…fq2a
_________________________

They had to close down their shop at the museum because of the long labour strike; I talked to Sam the owner about this, and for now, he's concentrating on his one main shop (open later now) and the wholesale business.

It's 2025, so we have an established AI policy on CoffeeGeek, ...

2025-11-05T01:24:19Z

It's 2025, so we have an established AI policy on CoffeeGeek, publicly available in our About Us section.

I know many in the fediverse are adamantly opposed to AI. At CoffeeGeek, it has become a time saving tool for our editorial staff and writers, because we're easily able to apply the CoffeeGeek style guide to all articles, and use deep research modes to facilitate research on topics we cover. As the senior editor at the website, it has helped my workflow immensely, giving me more time to create new content and test more equipment.

We do not use AI for content creation, and never will. Our use is clearly outlined in this policy paper. We believe in complete transparency with our readership.

Here is the policy page, since I cannot post URLs to mastodon.

Hey, I still write How Tos for CoffeeGeek as well. I've been ...

2025-10-23T10:31:13Z

Hey, I still write How Tos for CoffeeGeek as well. I've been up all night polishing off my new How to for the Caffè Correcto!

Again, because I love the fediverse, here's a sneak peak at the intro, and the History sections. I'll save the dead simple step by step for the actual article publication. Not to mention the variations, which includes an insanely alcoholic Scandinavian version.

Our Senior Writer Natia just keeps pounding out the quality ...

2025-10-23T04:40:00Z

Our Senior Writer Natia just keeps pounding out the quality content.

One of my secret espresso-based drink loves is the Caffe Misto. Turns out Natia likes them too. I tasked her with doing a full how to on the drink (I'm taking the photos), and she submitted her draft this eve. It's brill.

Because I love you Fediverse, and because I feel constantly bad I cannot post actual hyperlinks here (until the MastoDDos effect is fully solved), I like to share sneak previews of our content. Here's the first page from Natia's submitted article - the intro, and most of her recipe!

We get accused of it from time to time. I also get articles ...

2025-10-17T05:22:40Z

In reply to nevent1q…sxgl
_________________________

We get accused of it from time to time. I also get articles submitted several times a week (unsolicited submissions) that are clearly AI written. When that happens, they get a boilerplate reply, pointing them to our AI policy.

Glad that works for you, but it'd probably be a good idea to ...

2025-10-16T20:47:54Z

In reply to nevent1q…ueaw
_________________________

Glad that works for you, but it'd probably be a good idea to still have something on your blog about this.

We have a pretty broad audience, and I manage a team of seven active writers, as well as guest authors. It is important for us to have a well defined and transparent policy posted on this.

In 2025, every website that produces original content should have ...

2025-10-16T08:21:53Z

In 2025, every website that produces original content should have a clear and transparent AI policy page published, to keep their visitors and readers informed.

We have one up at CoffeeGeek. (remove the / before the .com to visit the link). Screenshot included below (sorry for the broken link, but yeah, MastoDDos)

https://coffeegeek/.com/about/artificial-intelligence/

So I get a bit pissy when people accuse me of using AI or faking ...

2025-10-15T23:59:39Z

So I get a bit pissy when people accuse me of using AI or faking images. I try my hardest to create interesting photographic results using real studio tools. I was accused of using AI and digital backgrounds in our Hero image for the recent Feature Guide on Manual Grinders on CoffeeGeek.

So I grabbed the image, and asked Gemini if the background was digitally added. It did get the technique I used wrong (the background is translucent perspex, and I have a main bank of RGB lights to illuminate it, and a spot to wash out the middle). But other than that, it is spot on with the techniques and lighting I did. This shot too about 75 minutes to stage, a few minutes to shoot, and maybe 5 minutes in post to finish.

The paradox of modern coffee: We want third wave quality, but ...

2025-10-15T10:25:57Z

The paradox of modern coffee: We want third wave quality, but with push button convenience. Breville’s new Barista Touch Impress tries to bridge that gap. It features Baratza burrs, an intelligent dosing system, and automated milk frothing for alternative milks. It’s a stunning piece of tech on paper. But how does it work in practice for someone who knows their way around a portafilter?

Our detailed First Look is now live on CoffeeGeek (remove the extra slash) https://coffeegeek/.com/reviews/firstlooks/breville-bes881-barista-touch-impress-first-look-review/

Some commercial grinders with auto dosing, auto timers, etc, have ...

2025-10-07T23:38:26Z

In reply to nevent1q…x26d
_________________________

Some commercial grinders with auto dosing, auto timers, etc, have firmware that can be updated. This was probably one of them.

Sorry to hear about the cancer battle :( :( One idea I'm ...

2025-10-04T19:57:33Z

In reply to nevent1q…qjhn
_________________________

Sorry to hear about the cancer battle :( :(

One idea I'm toying with is revitalizing the siphon coffee maker travel kit I did for the website many years back, and that, combined with the nifty ultia compact folding table I have in the boot may make for some very unique parking lot / beach parking coffee experiences!

I'm still trying to sus out the ultimate coffee gear for the ...

2025-10-04T05:33:11Z

In reply to nevent1q…c6nf
_________________________

I'm still trying to sus out the ultimate coffee gear for the car. I can easily pack the Lagom Mini with the USB-C power bank as the grinder, a JetBoil for the hot water, but haven't decided on the brewer yet. I even have a fold up table and two stools so I can brew all civilised, no matter where I go.

NCP I guess I'm finally a "car guy". I got coilovers ...

2025-10-04T01:55:59Z

NCP

I guess I'm finally a "car guy".

I got coilovers installed in my JDM Mazda MX-5 Roadster (Miata over here), two weeks ago. Did their followup adjustment today. The 20 year old suspension in the sports car was tired, lots of bouncy bouncy, corner roll etc. No more. These are tuned for dampening, ride height, and camber. The car dropped about 2.5" and looks way, way better now (what do you think - see the before and after photos).

Ride comfort is surprisingly good, and the car now feels like it is on rails, glued to the pavement, even on the twisty back road / farm roads of the Saanich Peninsula of Vancouver Island. Cost about $2300 (CAD, parts, labour, alignment), and well worth it.

MX-5s, especially the NA-NC models, look like they're on stilts with the factory shocks and coils (see the second pic for my "before" photo). First pic is how the car looks today.

$300 with BYOC is IMO, a fantastic price for this, considering ...

2025-10-03T00:17:42Z

In reply to nevent1q…gkfy
_________________________

$300 with BYOC is IMO, a fantastic price for this, considering the build quality and tech inside. Same price as the Baratza Encore ESP Pro, but way better output (mind u, the Baratza has other benefits, including large batch brew grinds).

The original Lagom mini carved out a space between manual ...

2025-10-02T07:23:26Z

The original Lagom mini carved out a space between manual grinders and bulky electric ones. The new Option-O Lagom mini 2 keeps the same minimalist design but improves everything that matters: burrs, power, workflow, reliability.

You get a travel-friendly grinder with filter-first focus, a smarter motor, and wildly capable USB-C portability. CoffeeGeek has the full story.

Here's the link (remove the ./ to visit)

https://coffeegeek./com/blog/new-products/option-o-lagom-mini-2-first-look/

Speaking of the Lagom Casa, and the Mini, here's how they ...

2025-09-29T22:13:05Z

Speaking of the Lagom Casa, and the Mini, here's how they compare in size. Front view - not too much different in terms of "counter space", but side view tells a radically different story.

And keep in mind, the Lagom Casa (the black grinder) is SMALL, compared to what else is out there. But the Mini is TINY.

Been really putting the new grinders from Option-O -- the Lagom ...

2025-09-29T22:10:13Z

Been really putting the new grinders from Option-O -- the Lagom mini 2, and the Lagom Casa -- through paces this week. Also discovering every single difference between the original mini and the mini 2. Some big ones (USB-c powered, different burr, auto-off, very usable power brick), some very subtle:

- etched Option-O logo not on mini 2 base
- etched Option-O brand name not on the side of the mini 2 base
- zero point indicator not on mini 2 (the smaller hollow dot). (second photo)
- Grind setting marker (the drilled dot on the main grinder body) smaller on the mini 2 compared to original mini. (2nd photo)

I actually loved the subtle branding on the original mini, sad to see it gone on the mini 2.

#coffee #espresso

Long post ahead - and I'm soliciting your feedback. I'm ...

2025-09-29T00:25:26Z

Long post ahead - and I'm soliciting your feedback.

I'm toying with the idea of changing how we review and score products at CoffeeGeek.

Here's our current baseline:

90-100 Best in class
85-89.9 Very Recommended
80-84.9 Recommended
75-79.9 Good Product
70-74.9 Acceptable
Under 70: Not Recommended

Here's the new structure my team and I discussed. We settled in on "Benchmark" and "Exceptional" to replace the "Best in Class" segment.

95-100: Benchmark. A truly category-defining product that sets a new industry standard. This score is reserved for items that we believe will remain top-of-the-class for years to come.

90-94.9: Exceptional. A top-tier product that demonstrates clear superiority over its competition. While not a benchmark setter, it is an unequivocal leader in its class and a definitive "best buy".

85-89.9: Highly Recommended. An excellent, high-performing product with very few, if any, minor drawbacks. A confident purchase you are unlikely to regret.

80-84.9: Recommended. A solid and reliable product that performs its job well and represents a good value.

75-79.9: Good, with Caveats. A competent product that works, but has notable compromises in usability, features, or build quality that should be considered.

70-74.9: Functional, but Flawed. While the product operates as intended, it has significant issues that detract from the overall experience.

Under 70: Not Recommended. We do not recommend purchasing this product due to critical flaws.

It will be a bit messy changing historical reviews, so I may leave them alone; I worry about confusion between the old and new. But I am liking the new structure I discussed with my team. It still gives us the headroom we want (reserving anything 95 points or higher for exceptionally rare products), keeps our "best in class" still reserved for 90-95pts, and is still very kind for products scoring in the 80-90 range.

What do you think? I'd love to get your thoughts.

Jane Black, over on the Consumed Substack Magazine, did a feature ...

2025-09-25T00:40:02Z

Jane Black, over on the Consumed Substack Magazine, did a feature on coffee: Called Coffee: A Buying Guide. An excellent resource for anyone new to specialty coffee, looking for some good basic information on how to find, as she puts it, your "forever coffee". (nb, subscription required - and worth it!)

https://consumed.substack.com/p/coffee-a-buying-guide

A bit of a scoop for y'all. Not much info out there about the ...

2025-09-24T10:38:10Z

A bit of a scoop for y'all. Not much info out there about the successor to the entirely unique and capable Lagom Mini grinder, but that's about to change, thanks to your coffee geekery friends at CoffeeGeek!

We have the Lagom Mini II in the CoffeeGeek Lab, and are putting it through all the right paces. What's new?

- USB-C powered!
- Comes with a USB-C mini 100W power brick that has additional plugs for your other USB charging needs!
- Auto Off feature!
- Less static, less retention than the original Mini
- A bit more quiet too!
- Can be purchased WITHOUT the power brick (BYO, but it has to be 100W, PD compliant) for under $300!

We'll have a lot more to say, very soon.

Dunno why, but I just love this photo of the 1Zpresso X-ultra ...

2025-09-23T08:09:49Z

Dunno why, but I just love this photo of the 1Zpresso X-ultra grinder, broken down.

I took it for our review on CoffeeGeek, published a few months ago. Buried a bit in the article. So I wanted to highlight it here.

Sorry to hear that :(

2025-09-23T05:58:13Z

In reply to nevent1q…s7c9
_________________________

Sorry to hear that :(

Yeah, but my wife uses it about 50% of the time, and she would ...

2025-09-23T05:57:50Z

In reply to nevent1q…j6pe
_________________________

Yeah, but my wife uses it about 50% of the time, and she would have no confidence in any repair I effected. I am offering up for free (or a $20 donation to Food4Farmers) to anyone who wants to give it a go themselves, or craft a wood handle for it, or something.

Today, I am forced to retire the OXO BREW digital pour over ...

2025-09-22T21:38:40Z

Today, I am forced to retire the OXO BREW digital pour over kettle.

After an incredible 14,450 cycles of heating water in it, since April 5, 2018. Yes, that may cycles, because it gets used around 5 times a day, every single day.

And I'm not retiring it because it finally failed. Nope, still works great. I'm retiring it because I stupidly knocked it off the counter, and the handle broke. I've tried to crazy glue it a few times, with no luck.

WHAT A WORK HORSE of a product. This is one of many reasons why I firmly believe this is the best pour over kettle on the market, ever.

Sadly, it looks like it MIGHT be discontinued; not currently listed on Amazon.

We reviewed it years back. Here's the slightly hacked url (sorry for the /. in the middle, remove the slash when cutting and pasting)

https://coffeegeek./com/reviews/fullreview/oxo-brew-pour-over-kettle/

Note to self: stop reading Reddit commentary in the coffee ...

2025-09-21T10:40:55Z

Note to self: stop reading Reddit commentary in the coffee related groups.

There is *so much flex and 'look at me, I'm an expert, go f**k yourself if you think different'* crap in those subs - talking the espresso group especially, but also pour over, aeropress, and even offshoot groups like flairespresso.

A lot of what's posted is factually wrong too. For instance, when a new product comes out, based on just watching a few youtube vids or reading what others have said in reddit, people who have zero experience or hands on with a product will go on and on and on about the product and how much suckage it has (or if they're fanboys, the opposite). All from 100% anonymous, unknown entities (other than posting a lot of crap to reddit).

Just. so. incredibly. frustrating.

Appreciate the feedback! From my own perspective, have been using ...

2025-09-18T22:12:45Z

In reply to nevent1q…9734
_________________________

Appreciate the feedback!

From my own perspective, have been using the C2 off and on since 2020 (or maybe earlier) and the lid is still in good shape. C3 ESP Pro since 2022, and ditto. If I had to guess, have about 30lb thru the C2, and about 20-25lb through the C3.

Manual coffee grinders have come a long way since the Porlex Mini ...

2025-09-18T08:19:11Z

Manual coffee grinders have come a long way since the Porlex Mini days. Our Best Manual Grinders of 2025 guide is live on CoffeeGeek./com (sorry for the weird link), featuring compact travel grinders, espresso dial-in champs, and everyday workhorses.

Every grinder tested, reviewed, or owned by CoffeeGeek staff. Ready to see which made the cut? Visit our front page today to read all about it!

#coffee #espresso #coffeegeek

A grinder that feels like it was honed from a single billet of ...

2025-09-17T00:27:38Z

A grinder that feels like it was honed from a single billet of solid aluminum by Jony Ive himself, in some ultra-secret underground coffee and espresso design lab. The Option-O Lagom Casa.

- 65mm Mizen conical burrs
- Low RPMs
- Auto Off
- Supreme particle distribution
- Quiet.
- One touch op.

Now that is some anal retentiveness, and I am here for it. (truth ...

2025-09-16T05:39:50Z

In reply to nevent1q…z8zm
_________________________

Now that is some anal retentiveness, and I am here for it.

(truth be told, I obsess myself over details like this in design and function).

diff strokes for diff folks I guess. :)

2025-09-16T00:27:21Z

In reply to nevent1q…g0fn
_________________________

diff strokes for diff folks I guess. :)

So here's some inside baseball. First photo is my setup shot ...

2025-09-15T22:55:40Z

So here's some inside baseball.

First photo is my setup shot for the Best Manual Grinders guide. I actually did a half dozen layouts, but settled on this. Took the shot and really studied it.

- spacing too tight
- fingerprint smudges
- handle positions
- front lighting needed improvement
- dof needed more (1st shot was f8, went to f11)

Corrected all of that, set my background lighting, and got the final photo (2nd shot) which I ended up only having to do a couple minutes' post processing on.

It's coming. Very soon. ...

2025-09-15T11:09:37Z

It's coming. Very soon.

We have a really cool long form interview with seven time (!!!!) ...

2025-09-10T06:15:09Z

We have a really cool long form interview with seven time (!!!!) Canadian Barista champion, Benjamin Put up on CoffeeGeek's front page right now - CoffeeGeek./com (sorry for the non link). Well worth the read for insight into a fella who has dominated the Canadian and world barista scene for nearly 14 year now.

A commentary about the current tariff situation in the United ...

2025-09-05T10:48:33Z

A commentary about the current tariff situation in the United States, and the impact the Trump Taxes are now having on small makers and creators in the specialty coffee arena.

ahh the joys of coffee geekery and being a photographer. I ...

2025-09-04T10:05:45Z

ahh the joys of coffee geekery and being a photographer.

I realised late this evening I don't have a suitable "hero" image for the MHW-3Bomber F74 Navigator for our upcoming First Look. But I've been heavily using the grinder for nearly 45 days now, so it's "dusty".

2 hour deep clean later, toothbrushes and hyper USB dusters involved, + 1hr setting up the shot, I got the images.

OK Ed. As I said, don't be that guy.

2025-08-30T00:04:57Z

In reply to nevent1q…ka7d
_________________________

OK Ed.

As I said, don't be that guy.

Don't be that guy Ed. Jack was on leash the entire hike, and ...

2025-08-29T19:55:32Z

In reply to nevent1q…xhm5
_________________________

Don't be that guy Ed.

Jack was on leash the entire hike, and up at the top. I only took him off for this photo.

VERY #NCP but what the heck. Hiked up Mt Tolmie the other day ...

2025-08-29T07:10:43Z

VERY #NCP but what the heck.

Hiked up Mt Tolmie the other day (that was a serious workout for me) with one of our two dogs (Jack) and while I was huffing and puffing, I took this photo of Jack surveying all of Victoria, BC below him.

#victoriabc #vancouverisland #canada #dog #miniaussie

I feel super blessed we have a writer like Natia on our staff. ...

2025-08-28T07:18:12Z

I feel super blessed we have a writer like Natia on our staff. Months back, I suggested she work on a pulse-pour technique article for CoffeeGeek. Nats was getting more into pour over coffee, and she liked Tetsu Kasuya's 4:6 method and such.

Then I promptly forgot about the assignment. But Natia didn't. This eve, she submitted her draft. Here's a coupla snippets for an early look. She even covered anaerobic coffees!

#NCP Me and my doggie Jack after we hiked up the 2nd highest ...

2025-08-26T07:22:29Z

#NCP

Me and my doggie Jack after we hiked up the 2nd highest "peak" in Victoria, Mt Tolmie. A bit of a hot day for it, but we enjoyed the journey. Going down a helluva lot easier!

#miniaussie #mttolmie #victoriabc #summer #vancouverisland

yes I own the platform control it, we have real servers which we ...

2025-08-25T09:59:47Z

In reply to nevent1q…n3se
_________________________

yes I own the platform control it, we have real servers which we manage through PHP and the usual stuff. I own my own domain name and all the content is published there.

The irony is, I've never really been into cars either. I ...

2025-08-24T18:34:23Z

In reply to nevent1q…y3vw
_________________________

The irony is, I've never really been into cars either. I mean, I drove a 2004 VW Jetta TDI since I bought it new in 2004. :)

Bess. :)

2025-08-24T18:33:26Z

In reply to nevent1q…mf89
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Bess. :)

A phoque is the french word for "seal" as in ocean seals. ...

2025-08-24T09:31:54Z

In reply to nevent1q…fumh
_________________________

A phoque is the french word for "seal" as in ocean seals.

It also is pronounced very similar to an English swear word, starting with F, and ending with K.

Hence the phrase, "pardon my French", when swearing.

A bit of a late night, #NCP. Not bad for a car that’s just ...

2025-08-24T09:30:03Z

A bit of a late night, #NCP.

Not bad for a car that’s just passed twenty years of life, right? I just had my Japanese domestic Mazda MX-5 Roadster detailed, got some minor paint correction done, and even had the A-pillar wrapped in satin black vinyl. She cleans up nicely.

Now the backstory.

I’ve wanted a British two-seater sports car for as long as I can remember. When I was sixteen, I spotted an MGB and thought, “That’s the car I’ll buy when I’m a millionaire.” A year later I saw a Fiat 124 Spider and decided, no, that’s the one. By nineteen, the Lotus Elan had stolen the crown, and I figured one day, when I finally became a real adult, that would be my car.

Fast forward a few decades. About five years ago, I started poking around at listings for old British sports cars. Asked some friends who actually know how to turn a wrench what they thought. They laughed and said, “Get a Mazda MX-5. It’s basically a Lotus Elan that actually works and won't break down.” Given that I’m useless with car repairs, that advice stayed in the forefront of my limited brain cells.

For years it was just a dream. I window-shopped, nearly pulled the trigger a couple of times, but always backed away. Then this year came along. First, I cancelled all my US business travel, which saved me about $8,500. Second, I fell down the rabbit hole of JDM imports and got hooked on the idea of a right-hand drive version to really lean into the “British” vibe.

When a 2005 Copper Red Mica model popped up at auction with a 4.5 rating, 100,000 km, and a landed price under $11k CAD, I jumped. In March, it was mine. After decades of dreaming about owning a little British sports car, I finally do.

Sure, it’s Japanese. Even better.

Wuht? Are you saying Bezos wants to build something like the ...

2025-08-22T19:10:48Z

In reply to nevent1q…y3g3
_________________________

Wuht? Are you saying Bezos wants to build something like the Bezos Place for Kids Who Can't Read Good and Who Wanna Learn to Do Other Stuff Good Too, in the middle of DC?

John, flippin' Cena: actual CoffeeGeek. Who would have ...

2025-08-22T19:07:20Z

John, flippin' Cena: actual CoffeeGeek.

Who would have thought. I'm kinda like John, but where he judges cafes on their flat whites, I judge cafes on how they do americanos.

I especially love that he's doing this video for Bon Apetit magazine, a Conde Nast publication, and he kinda blasts the Conde Nast cafe for phoquing up the flat white.

#coffeefeed #espressofeed #flatwhite #espresso #johncena

Coming tomorrow on CoffeeGeek! Our excellent writer Allison ...

2025-08-21T06:30:08Z

Coming tomorrow on CoffeeGeek! Our excellent writer Allison Gainey is back, with a nice little guide on getting something extra out of your Gaggia Classic (or most single boiler espresso machines).

Landing at 8am PDT time on CoffeeGeek. Here's a screenshot of the article lead!

Let's talk about the brewer graveyard. You know, that ...

2025-08-21T05:45:42Z

Let's talk about the brewer graveyard. You know, that cupboard where expensive, well-intentioned coffee gear goes to be forgotten. For some of us, the Espro Bloom is sitting right there in the back.

It was a brewer with a real identity crisis. The paper filters were expensive and hard to find, and brewing without them was a masterclass in frustration. You’d either get a fast, sour cup or a choked, bitter stall. Many of us just gave up. After spending way too much time with this thing for CoffeeGeek, we realized the problem wasn't the brewer, it was us.

The big secret is to stop treating it like a pour-over. It's a unique no-bypass brewer that demands a smaller dose and a coarser grind. Once you work with its fussy design instead of against it, the results are stunningly clean and consistent. It’s so sensitive, in fact, that we now use it as a benchmark for testing new grinders.

We’re putting the finishing touches on a definitive guide that covers the whole story: the history, the step-by-step recipe (with grinder settings), and the deep-dive theory. If you have one of these brewers, get ready to rescue it. The coffee it can make is absolutely worth it.

#Coffee #SpecialtyCoffee #CoffeeBrewing #HowTo #EsproBloom #NoBypass #BrewingGuide

Been thinking a lot about a brewer many of us gave up on: the ...

2025-08-20T18:33:59Z

Been thinking a lot about a brewer many of us gave up on: the Espro Bloom. It was fussy, misunderstood, and a lot of them ended up in the brewer graveyard.

Turns out, it just wasn't meant to be used like a V60. After a ton of testing, we found a different approach that lets it do what it does best: brew a seriously clean, no-bypass cup of coffee. Shame it's discontinued.

Our full How To explaining the story is coming soon to CoffeeGeek. If you still have yours, you'll want to dust it off.

One thing I'm beyond grateful for, in my nearly 25 years now ...

2025-08-20T08:27:41Z

One thing I'm beyond grateful for, in my nearly 25 years now of reviewing coffee gear, writing opinion articles on coffee, and doing educational content including guides and how tos is this:

I **own** the platform I publish on.

This has a whole ton of benefits (and some detriments).

For instance, I'm not beholden to the whims, changing rules, and expectations of an enshittified platform like Youtube or TikTok or Instagram. Or platforms becoming enshittified like substack or medium. I don't have to constantly evolve because of their rules which ultimately benefit the platform owner.

I don't have to A/B stuff, do insane screenshots of me gaping at some gear, because that gets "more clicks". I don't have to script what I write to max out the algorithm.

And I definitely don't have to produce content based on what the algorithm likes best, or what generates the most "clicks", something every Youtube content creator I've spoken to speaks about as if its second nature.

That last part is the one that kind of bothers me the most. Most Youtube creators in the coffee space will specifically avoid certain content, certain products, certain topics, not because they're controversial or edgy, but because it might get half the views of something with a title like "The TRUTH about Trendy Product XYZ!"

Of course, there's detriments to owning your own platform. Bugs, server issues, compatibility issues (like how the Fediverse MastoDDoses ya when a link is posted), and for younger sites than mine, constantly chasing SEO.

(as an aside, I do big nods to SEO, but given the stature and longevity of our website, we're almost always favourably "ranked" in search engines).

I am equally bummed out. It's the biggest stumbling block for ...

2025-08-19T06:23:15Z

In reply to nevent1q…rhlq
_________________________

I am equally bummed out. It's the biggest stumbling block for content creators on this platform.

We got a lot of content coming soon on CoffeeGeek: - RDT article ...

2025-08-19T06:22:50Z

We got a lot of content coming soon on CoffeeGeek:

- RDT article
- MHW-3Bomber F74 First Look
- Kingrinder P2 Review
- Flair Neo Flex Review
- Pulse/Pour pourover article
- and more!

But the big one I'm working on: the Best Manual Grinders for 2025. Here's a sneak peak at our intro / history section.

New on the front page of Coffeegeek/.com today (sorry for the ...

2025-08-15T19:59:32Z

New on the front page of Coffeegeek/.com today (sorry for the non-link):

Beyond its clever AeroPress-friendly design, the Made by Knock Aergrind stakes its claim as a boutique grinder that feels deliberate and precise at every touchpoint. From the sustainable packaging to the satisfying snap of the grind dial when locking it in, we unpack every detail of this unique manual stepless adjustment grinder in our latest hands-on review on CoffeeGeek.

Here's a screenshot! Please stop by and enjoy the read!

#Coffee #Espresso #ManualGrinders #Aergrind

That's the answer I was looking for :)

2025-08-13T07:18:06Z

In reply to nevent1q…uen2
_________________________

That's the answer I was looking for :)

I get what you're saying, but one thing - that space is ...

2025-08-13T07:01:09Z

In reply to nevent1q…dyt5
_________________________

I get what you're saying, but one thing - that space is dynamic. Here's another example on a different screen size, and how it looks on an iPad or tablet.

They all have to fit in the same space in our Snapshot Review ...

2025-08-13T06:56:44Z

In reply to nevent1q…vuem
_________________________

They all have to fit in the same space in our Snapshot Review template. Like this one for the Q-Air Grinder.

And again, because I luv ya, you crazy Fediverse folks, ...

2025-08-13T06:55:15Z

And again, because I luv ya, you crazy Fediverse folks, here's a sneak peak at the intro (and first paragraph of the unboxing section) for our forthcoming full review on the Made by Knock Aergrind coffee grinder.

Hola Fediverse folks. Help me with a design decision. All our ...

2025-08-13T06:10:36Z

Hola Fediverse folks.

Help me with a design decision. All our reviews have a "hero" image that sets the tone for the reviews we write. But for our next review, for the Made by Knock Aergrind, I cannot decide. Help! Which of these two photos do you prefer: the first, or second?

The geeked out reviews of manual grinders keeps rolling on, at ...

2025-08-13T01:30:18Z

The geeked out reviews of manual grinders keeps rolling on, at CoffeeGeek. Next up is a way, way, WAY overdue review of the Made by Knock Aergrind (the 2022 refresh model).

It's done, I'm just tightening up the photos, and giving the X-Ultra First Look another day or two in the first slot up at the website.

This AeroPress match made in heaven grinder is next to get the Snapshot Review treatment on CG! Stay tuned!

Checked out the 1Zpresso X‑Ultra and it is a top contender if ...

2025-08-11T01:08:00Z

Checked out the 1Zpresso X‑Ultra and it is a top contender if you only want one grinder for everything from espresso to pour over.

Premium build, intuitive external dial, magnetic catch cup and foldaway handle, priced at about USD 160. Not perfect, since the catch cup can slip and the dial is a bit hard to read in dim light, but overall it is a high‑value grinder that delivers.

Visit CoffeeGeek/.com (sorry for the dulled link) to read it today!

#Coffee #Espresso #CoffeeGeek

It's a really good brewer! I like it, and we still have it on ...

2025-08-09T00:10:48Z

In reply to nevent1q…m84t
_________________________

It's a really good brewer! I like it, and we still have it on the lab bench (testing against newer models)

I did in the past, I always gave usability, price and output ...

2025-08-06T01:17:25Z

In reply to nevent1q…ry7t
_________________________

I did in the past, I always gave usability, price and output quality (ie, taste in the cup) a weighted boost, but now I've gone back to just equal measures, and I have an option for bonus points I add if the product just exceeds expectations.

having used all three, I prefer the X-Ultra for overall use and ...

2025-08-06T01:16:15Z

In reply to nevent1q…tw2k
_________________________

having used all three, I prefer the X-Ultra for overall use and feel. Though the bulgy J and K do offer more security in the grip.

so whenever I become bold enough to proclaim something as the ...

2025-08-05T21:10:47Z

so whenever I become bold enough to proclaim something as the best in a specific category of coffee gear (keeping in mind, that's ultimately my own opinion, albeit one based on testing gear for over 25 years now), I will more often than nought hear from folks who dispute my claims and point at other products that they believe perform better.

And in many cases, they are right - yes, based on that one element, their pick might very well be better than my pick.

But when I review and grade products, I look at everything: bang for buck, build quality, usability, durability, longevity, quality of output, engineering factors and more.

So yeah, if I were just, say focusing on quality of output, another product could very well score higher than my pick. But my picks are always based on every factor about the product, not just one element. If Product A has marginally improved cup quality that perhaps 5% of coffee drinkers would identify, but costs 50% more than product B, then I will most likely grade Product B higher.

Because I love you Fediverse, here's a sneak peak at the ...

2025-08-05T10:12:25Z

Because I love you Fediverse, here's a sneak peak at the intro for our forthcoming First Look for the 1Zpresso X-Ultra manual coffee grinder. And a couple of the beaut shots.

#coffee #espresso #coffeegrinder

Yes. You have to remove it to add beans. Bonus: the spindle ...

2025-08-05T09:56:00Z

In reply to nevent1q…g74d
_________________________

Yes. You have to remove it to add beans. Bonus: the spindle system is robust enough that they officially endorse using a cordless drill to power it if you like (instead of the handle).

Is this the best manual grinder in the world right now, all ...

2025-08-05T09:47:54Z

Is this the best manual grinder in the world right now, all things considered (price, build quality, output, range, multipurpose use, features, etc?)

Find out what we think about the X-Ultra grinder from 1Zpresso, in a First Look, coming soon to CoffeeGeek. I hope to have it online in a few days!

Amazon Canada's "renewed" program. Was a bit of a ...

2025-08-03T10:42:23Z

In reply to nevent1q…srls
_________________________

Amazon Canada's "renewed" program. Was a bit of a risk - new seller, and they did a kind of 3 day introduction sale at $499 - it went up to $599 after a few days - I guess to entice people. I was wary, but Amazon Canada has an ironclad 90 return policy on apple products, incl for 3rd party sellers. So took a chance, and really happy with the purchase.

#NCP So got a new "focus device" for writing and ...

2025-08-03T07:08:01Z

#NCP

So got a new "focus device" for writing and researching, one that is more easily an "out and about" device. My main computer's a Macbook Air M3 15", 24gb/1tb device.

Here's the new (used) focus device. A Macbook Air M1 13" 8gb/256gb. What's most amazing about it is the price I paid: $499CDN (about $365usd). And it is in gem mint ten condition. Even the battery's in better shape than my MBA 15" (92% vs 90% on the 15" computer).

Honestly, this is a bit of a steal. The M1 chip still holds up today. I think the Jony Ive wedge design remains the most beautiful notebook computer ever. Touch ID, 16hr battery, not a single scratch or mar on this used device.

Thanks! I’ll take ‘Pokémon of coffee sites’ as a badge of ...

2025-08-01T08:04:34Z

In reply to nevent1q…g098
_________________________

Thanks! I’ll take ‘Pokémon of coffee sites’ as a badge of honour... gotta brew ’em all!

I missed all that. Got some relevant links?

2025-08-01T08:02:08Z

In reply to nevent1q…4n0y
_________________________

I missed all that. Got some relevant links?

Wrote this, this eve 😏😏 "Quick aside: every coffee ...

2025-08-01T08:00:54Z

Wrote this, this eve 😏😏

"Quick aside: every coffee forum has folks obsessing over “burr swapping” like it’s a rite of passage. The F74’s 74 mm burrs? Rare size, wider footprint, not meant to play musical chairs. And honestly, you don’t want to swap them. These burrs were built to sync with the auger, which controls flow and pre‑breaks beans so the grind’s on point. Hold off until 3Bomber makes burrs for this grinder; in the meantime the OGs are doing just fine without a $400 order to SSP."

Been wanting to say this kind of thing about burr swap zealots for a long time lol. Here's the bigger context use of it.

I don't really go into fads like that.

2025-07-31T21:39:07Z

In reply to nevent1q…cu4y
_________________________

I don't really go into fads like that.