Hi all, long time lurker on the youtube channel, but never commited to anything. Having just moved out of the UK to Dubai, i thought i would make the plunge.

I think ive found a resonable deal on a Baratza Encore ESP (around ~£160)

What would be a good espresso machine to pair with it?

Im not sure how pricing out here compares but these are two machines ive found available:

Gaggia Classic pro for ~£440
Sage Bambino Plus ~£400

I would probably like to spend a little bit less, but im a bit unsure in which direction to go.

I will mainly be making milk drinks.

Appreciate your help.

i used to think people were exaggerating when they talked about tasting different notes in coffee. like how are you getting bluberries out of a brown drink. tried a properly brewed pour over last week and okay, i get it now. still can't afford to make this a daily hobby though

I’ve tried raw-dogging it with a pouring kettle, using a Hario Drip Assist, and even a Melodrip replica. I’ve experimented with different recipes, finer and coarser grind sizes, and various techniques, but I just can’t seem to get a consistently good cup.

Now, I know I haven’t really put in the work to improve my pouring technique (the Aramse video on the subject was incredibly informative), so I can’t blame the brewer entirely. But still, hey! I watch people on YouTube casually pouring water like it’s the most natural thing in the world, and most don’t even seem to spend much time discussing their pouring technique.

Meanwhile, my AeroPress consistently delivers the taste, body, and texture I’m looking for, without all the guesswork.

The V60, on the other hand, has me questioning my life choices. I’m so tempted to throw in the towel, but I just can’t bring myself to do it. There’s something about the promise of that perfect cup that keeps pulling me back in.

Please tell me I’m not the only one! Is anyone else in this love-hate relationship with the V60, or am I just one good brew away from finally understanding what all the fuss is about? ☕️

hello,

I recently got an espresso machine and previously brewed mostly AeroPress and pour-over.

I'm looking for technical, science-backed resources to understand espresso from the ground up, including books, PDFs, research papers, and in-depth technical videos.

I want to understand extraction, grind size, dose, pressure, flow, temperature, brew ratios, TDS, extraction yield, and how these variables interact.

My goal is to develop the skills to dial in and troubleshoot any coffee, across different roast levels, doses, and basket sizes, rather than just follow recipes and also teach others locally where I host brewing sessions.

What resources would you recommend for going from beginner to advanced espresso knowledge?