Espresso Gadgets, Tools & Upgrades - Which Do You Really Need?

If you're just getting started with home espresso, you'll probably be developing a fast-growing shopping list of all manner of bits & bobs that you're finding out are required, but which are needed and which aren't?

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Current Gear:

Cayer BV30L tripod with fluid head (mega tripod for the money!)

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Timecodes:

0:00 Intro
0:27 Grinder
1:30 Brew Scales
1:43 Jugs/Pitchers
2:26 Milk thermometer
2:43 Knock Box
2:59 Tamping Mat
3:16 WDT Tool
3:46 Leveller
4:21 Dosing Ring
4:30 Naked Portafilter
5:11 Basket Upgrade
5:47 Shower Screen Upgrade
6:22 Puck Screen
6:56 Pressure Mod (Gaggia Classic)
7:32 Pid Mod (Gaggia Classie/Rancilio Silvia)
8:12 REAL footage of Kev Surfing
8:44 RDT Bottle
9:14 Brushes & Cloths
9:36 Useless Movie Fact
9:53 Outro
10:08 Tatty Bye

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[darrenhawkes]

Oh man! This was your most informative, & funniest one yet, more like this please Kev! Best channel on YT by far.

[chryseass.]

One of your best videos, Kev! Thoroughly entertaining as well as concise and informative!

[thisisfunah]

Came for the tips, subscribed for the 1:55

[NoZenith]

Thanks. This was reassuring! Try not to overdo it right now and I find I definitely need a dosing ring even without WDT and a stiff fine brush specifically for the group head

[martyhopkirk]

Thanks for the episode of Carry On Brewing, Kev!😊

[NickBachicha]

Thank you for the recommendation on the RDT method. I feel like it’s become popular because it looks good on camera.

[Albertojedi]

Mr. Kev surely knows his espresso game. I love his videos.

[mikeh]

Another great informative video covering everything any ‘home barista’ in training needs to know. Nasty scar, wear it with pride! Hit by a board? Keep ‘em coming, Kev and thanks 👍

[DigitalicaEG]

What do you think of the grinder that is built into the sage/Breville machines? Is it worth upgrading it to something like the timemore sculptor 078S if I’m still going to be using the same machine to pull the shots (at least for a while until I feel like upgrading the machine as well)? I maxed out the potential of the machine with all the upgrades and looking to take it to the next level

[trishl]

Excellent! Very entertaining & very funny 😂

[Aan]

You were bitten by the fin on the surfboard or the steamer on the espresso machine 😂
Nice video 👍😊

[moosemoose]

Great run-through, however, the question is not really "do you need it": the question is really "can I have one please?" 🤣🤣

[NaJRi]

This was absolutely spot on thank you. Super informative!

[CooKopite]

Cracking video and aesthetically pleasing studio might I add. Myself being a greenhorn whom would like to get started in home brewing found this very informative so thanks for that. Currently in Cyprus for the foreseeable and everyone is coffee mad out here. I will heed your advice and buy the essentials.

[tonilavender]

Wow what a video! Thanks Kev I learnt loads from this 👍

[moosemoose]

Agree entirely about adding water. After grinding (Niche Zero) it just takes about 30 sec for the static to dissipate of its own accord,

[baileyjohnson]

This was so enjoyable to listen to, I loved it!

[johne]

The extra I'd like would be a spout for the Sage/Breville PF that doesn't dribble and pour K-legged. Sometimes it even manages to miss the cup on one side.

[kitcraft]

Scale, grinder, tamper, brush and rag. I need those things. A leveler and bottomless portafilter assist me in making more consistent shots, noticeably so. WDT and RDT are nice, but I can live without them. A knock box is amazing for keeping the counter/floor cleaner. I don't use a tamp mat. I have two and I just don't use them. I want a tamp station, to hold the portafilter in place (and my acc's) because I think it will help with workflow and organization. I would like to try a puck screen to keep the shower screen cleaner too. The dosing ring helps but I don't "need it". I dislike my IMS basket because honestly, its fussy. The one from Breville just works. The jug that came with my Bambino plus is just fine and my hand works as a thermometer. When it's too hot to hold, it's hot enough for me, lol. (PS: I suck at latte art anyway.) That is what I have learned about my setup, so far, anyway.

One thing I do want to upgrade is my grinder. I use a Kingrinder K6 hand grinder and while it works fine, it is rough cranking out 6-8 shots a day for my wife and me.

Anyway, nice video, as always. Thanks for sharing.

[bernardvantonder]

Counter, a deeper better basket and puck screen made a day and night difference on my Breville Bambino.