Is this $7k setup the Ultimate Home Espresso Bar?

When a millennial has a 1/3 life crisis (getting their first mortgage) they splurge on a wild espresso setup. Anything worth doing is worth overdoing, right?
Here’s a quick look at my one and done espresso bar setup, built around a La Marzocco Linea Mini. I have the Eureka Libra grind-by-weight grinder, Acaia Lunar scale, Duomo “the Eight” WDT, coffee prep statio from Etsy and some other bits and accessories. I’ll run though my personal brewing method by making a quick shot, and finishing by enjoying my brew with a view from the deck (don’t mind the poorly trimmed hedges, I’m learning..)
#wildvalleyranch #espresso #lamarzocco

[@JD_Therapy]

"my wife it's outside" I feel ya 😂

[@WildValleyRanch]

😅 oh she knows what it cost. I just don’t go out of my way to remind her haha.

[@dodo21x55]

@@WildValleyRanch My Wife has no idea about all the PC prices, espresso setup price and many more. It's better that way

[@OneIdeaTooMany]

Don't look at the price. I originally started mine off with the thought of saving money but it quickly spiralled into the setup I was happy with. I don't really want to know how much money I've spent but I'm happy.

[@CorrineJanzen]

I have the exact same setup. Linea Mini and the Libra Grinder... we have the same scale too🤭. We clearly have good taste!

[@astrochan1212]

Sick setup! I’m now looking for table just like yours!

[@alfonsop.4518]

Wow, the coincidences. I currently own a Breville Barista Pro. Last year I was considering upgrading to a Rocket Appartamento, but one friend (a professional barista) recommended me to go all the way up to a dual boiler. I was about to buy a Rocket cinquantotto when I found out that La Marzocco introduced la Linea Micra and I fell in love with it so I decided to buy it instead, however they were sold out so I had to wait. When I was about to pull the trigger I started considering getting la Linea Mini instead. I've spent the whole 2023 trying to decided which one I should get . Finally I opted for la Linea Mini which I'm going to get next month. I'll also pair it with an Eureka grinder, but in my case will be the Eureka Atom 75.

[@theoffroadgarage3862]

Beautiful setup.

[@ognjencorovic]

This is one of those machines that not many wifes know the price of 😂😂

[@ShiestyApe]

If it makes you happy then it’s worth it

[@whyitmatterstome]

Wow, so many experts giving advice in the comments! If you enjoy the experience making espresso, that's all that matters.

[@lastpme]

That is an amazing setup…congrats 👍🏿

[@juggernaut316]

my dream setup

[@VinegarAndSaltedFries]

Beautiful setup. Just ordered a Linea Micra myself. Very excited moving from a heat exchanger Expobar from over 15 years ago that I’ve needed to replace everything on at least once.

[@WildValleyRanch]

I had a long internal debate whether to take the micra or the mini. Excellent choice either way, but I had a few think things tip the scales to the mini for me. I should do a vid on it seeing as this is by far the most popular vid I’ve done yet hah.

[@VinegarAndSaltedFries]

@@WildValleyRanch If you do decide to put the effort in I will for sure be a watcher of it. This was a very enjoyable video. Beautiful home and setup.

[@Jomaxp]

7:56 I think we are very different people 😂 I make my shots for about 34 g in somewhere like 50 seconds

[@nomadicsouls3290]

What model of Mojae tamping station is this? I can't find it anywhere.

[@justlisten9477]

im sure i seen online somewhere that the Linea Mini can connect with the Acaia Lunar brew-by-weight scale. You are able to configure it so i automatically stop the shot as the desired output volume

[@Avarage.Joe-David]

How should this work? :D you start and stop the waterflow with the big meachnical handle… this would work with a push a button kind of Maschine.

[@TjGeneroso]

@@Avarage.Joe-DavidIt automatically stops the shot. You then need to move the paddle back to start manually. Sometimes I end up forgetting.

[@Avarage.Joe-David]

@@TjGeneroso really? So the pump can start and stop even with the handle switched on? Interesting I did not know that.

[@SomeRandomBarista]

Love the knock box, where did you find it ?

[@WildValleyRanch]

I got just about everything from Café Liégeois in Montreal but the knock box drawer came from iDrink Coffee. It’s great.

[@kimbridge5592]

That coffee looked delicious. Just got a new machine. Not as fancy as yours. I don't drink black. But want to try some. To see if I can taste all these flavours and textures people go on about. What is a good one to try First.

[@benschultz7407]

Nice setup! I really like the card/stand. You mentioned it was from Costco, do you happen to remember brand it is?

[@KNURKonesur]

You got what you wanted to get :D It's a very nice setup, albeit I'd get a different combo for that money, but I quite obviously have different requirements :D

[@howellwes]

Hey Alex! Congrats on the sweet setup. I'm excited to do something similar. Are you open to sharing the name of the guy you purchased everything from? Is he still selling coffee stuff?

[@WildValleyRanch]

Café Liégeois in Quebec. I shopped around across Canada and this was the most competitive shop and gave me a great deal on a demo machine as I was upgrading everything at once. Nice owners, young guys, they were fantastic up front until they got my money, then there were some delays and poorer communication, but in the end I got everything and it's all been working great.

[@BexySitch]

Where is this so beautiful outside? Luv yr setup!

[@carlooo00s]

I also want a similar set up but my fiancé is making us have a big wedding smh

[@robertring91]

Super cool setup. Why are you only grinding 14G for a shot, as opposed to 18-21? Also, that WDT didn’t break up your static clumps very well. For this setup, I’d recommend looking at a Ceado E37 which has 84MM flat burrs and grinds your shot in 3-4 seconds which I think results in lower heat, less static, and very consistent grind quality. I have researched the spinning WDT’s (I use the manual one) but if you’re doesn’t have gears inside that change the path with gears, I think it doesn’t really break up clumps. For that Linea I would definitely upgrade the grind. Overall great setup though, and espresso looked really nice even though the timing/weight wasn’t perfect. Also (last unsolicited tip) try a nano-lasered portafilter basket, and I would go for a 20G basket so you can get more volume in the basket for a proper double shot.

[@mannyr8795]

Because he bought all this crap without knowing anything

[@stevenvalle3013]

thats whats up, this is the dream

[@iangreen946]

Hello can you please send me a link for the glass cups you use . Many thanks

[@emadventures6975]

Can you tell me where did you got that table for the espresso machine?

[@WildValleyRanch]

I just got it from Costco about 6-7 years ago.

[@jesusrosales8218]

What brand of coffee bean do you use?

[@Ytmetzc]

Can you say where you got the knock box drawer?

[@petres5866]

Fab tools, it’s a great potential there. Some suggestions: - I would go single dose with a better grinder - manual wdt is still the best even with the recent spirographic tools - levelling tools were proved useless many times over - an external knock box might fee sturdier Thumbs up for how tidy the setup looks and design!

[@aston771]

Who did you buy the linea mini from?

[@WildValleyRanch]

Café Liégeois. Company in Montreal owned by a couple young guys.

[@willbert7715]

Not ultimate with that grinder.

[@captainawasome8985]

Your espresso bar needs a small custom neon sign to be complete.

[@mrnice752]

Very fancy set up. I would have saved some money on the machine and spent it on a better grinder though. The Linea Mini is a beast and looks amazing, but doesn't make better coffee than a dual boiler E61 machine at half the price. You really would notice a big difference going to an 83+mm burr grinder though.

[@Lectuz]

Not dissing this setup, but if I could go back to square one I would focus heavily on the grinder in the beginning. I should have taken that advice more seriously. Maybe started with a Versalab and then paired it with the Rancilio Silvia Pro X.

[@mrnice752]

@@Lectuz It's a common trap home baristas fall into when buying their first set-up. People think because the machine brews the coffee it must make the biggest difference, not realising all the machine really does is provide water at consistent temperature and pressure. Which can be done well by something as cheap as a Gaggia Classic with a PID upgrade. The quality of the bean, roast and grind makes a much bigger difference to flavour.

[@simpletroll]

Nice :)

[@lov3inbot11]

Could u link ur gadgets pls

[@alphazar]

Nice pair of glasses. Mind sharing the brand / model?

[@WildValleyRanch]

The espresso glasses are the Kruve Propel. The glasses on my face are ray ban but I have no idea what model. Got them last year.

[@alphazar]

@@WildValleyRanch They do look like ray bans. Thanks for answering, I’m gonna browse their catalogue

[@tulkastulkas9417]

Moonraker should solve your problems . Your wdt may be positioned as good but movement orbit is constant and just creates potencial hollow lines which cause channelling even manual wdt would be better leRn more abbout it.

[@WildValleyRanch]

Certainly a fair comment. Always learning more. For now it’s a baseline and I might look to do something different in the future. At present I don’t seem to have challenging issues with my process.

[@alexs.2069]

i would like to continue but i'm getting motion sickness by your camera :D

[@wimcalant8425]

Nice setup. I have went for the Ascaso Baby T plus at the end, before looking for the LM , which in my opinion just gives a bit more value for the money (a bit more modern, shot timers, volumetric) . I selected the mignon XL, good grinder for home use, silent not bulky. Most important is to find good beans, which is not always easy. All those fancy puck prepare goodies are actually bullshit. Just a good tamper and consistent work method is needed. But this is typically the beginner fault to much goodies.

[@WildValleyRanch]

To each their own. I won't deny the fact that I have a lot to learn. I do like the 'goodies' given that as something of a noob they at least provide consistency and reduce some user error. I'm always looking to improve and will be taking more classes etc, however at my intro class (at the best shop in town) they had a duomo and a force tamper which they recommended, so that's at least partly why I went with them.

[@AudreyPerry]

How do you like the Baby T?

[@wimcalant8425]

@@AudreyPerry Hi. Actually i do like it quite a lot . My first choice was a rocket r58. But traditional e61 head machines are too slow heating for home use in my opinion and not that energy efficient. The baby T is really fast heating, must say i wait also like 20min otherwise the cups are not warm enough. Steampower is really good and i like the handle instead of turning valve. Build quality is really great. Weighs almost 40 kg. Fine tuning i do via the simple app on the phone. Trough knobs also possible but app us simple and good. Only timer function i don't get. Furthermore it looks really good mix between indistrial and analog look. Shottimer i couldn't miss. Also volumetric i do like also ar home. Then you can focus fully on the frothing of milk. Negative points. Pump is a bit noisy. It's rotation pump but its to powerfull when working on the tank and cups my vibrate when placed above the pump. Diptray is on the smaller side but on the gen 3 its easy to remove. Gen 1 and 2 it couldn't be removed without tilting. Gen 2 can be modified wirh gen 3 drip tray. Gen 3 also have improved pid control of the thermoblock for home use you don't really notice it's more when using it in a semi pro setting. But temp is rock solid. Only when idling long time you need a short flush of the brew head. But that's due to the hex pre heat principle and final thermoblock. If you are making a series of coffees no need to flush. But you do anyway to clean your shower. No i am glad with it. Not cheap , in Europa list price is 4600 eur. But when buying directly to a dealer i could get a nice reduction better than online prices and also a personalised training on the machine. But last but not least the grinder is also so important. I went for Eureka mignon XL. For home great grinder and small footprint.

[@teslatalk42069]

You said all the right things until you said avocado

[@WildValleyRanch]

😂

[@Conan_1997]

You give me Tom Cruise vibes

[@silasketgaskets8709]

nice setup. hope the LM is plumbed in. since i been doing this for decades (old school) i did not learn with all the distribution gadgets so when i feel left out i use a straightened out paper clip to distribute LOL. i also rely on sound pitch of milk rather than a thermometer to steam milk.the dosing cup is a good idea. my most current setup is a plumbed in 220volt Spaziale S1, rancilio rocky flat burr and Ascaso mini conical grinder. i have had a slew of prosumer and even commercial machines in my home. my Olympia Cremina is in a closet despite it;s God like reviews, of which I do not agree with.

[@WildValleyRanch]

Not plumbed in yet but I’d like to so that it has proper pre infusion. My challenge is we’re on a ranch and have well water, it’s softened, but not suitable. I’m installing an under sink RO system shortly with a remineralization filter that will get me off buying water to feed this thing. At some point after that I may explore a way to plumb it in or at least have it feed from a larger pressurized tank.

[@silasketgaskets8709]

@@WildValleyRanch RO will strip the trace minerals that make coffee taste good. you wont miss pre infusion once you acquire the skill to fill and tamp. i can do pre infusion but find dont really need. it nor do most of the baristas in Italy. plumbed in is nice as you never need to manually fill tank. just dont run pump with water valve shut off. if you rely on thermometer to steam milk practice steaming water and you will learn the sound and feel of and lowering sound pitch as water nears boiling point. non steep learning curve and will simplify steaming milk.

[@WildValleyRanch]

Yep, that’s why I ordered an inline remineralization filter for it to bring those back in. I believe it’s the ‘Remin’ filter from vitev. I’ll have to report what it ends up working out like, but I talked to some local coffee pros before going going that route.

[@silasketgaskets8709]

@@WildValleyRanch if you have a 4 or 5 stage water filter it may very well be fine for coffee without RO. How does coffee taste ? i currently use a 5 stage filter under sink output with T. one line goes to espresso machine, the other to a drinking water tap mounted on sink. prior to 5 stage filter used a 3 stage, just the 3 big canisters and was fine.

[@mismo358]

I think after 2k you only get marginal gains

[@mannyr8795]

No

[@frankausfrankfurt]

you're just as stupid as me - I've had the Linea Mini for over two years and I love it...... yes, you can get good espresso for less money, but it's not so beautiful 😊 I've also spent a lot of money on accessories and crazy things... it's just a great hobby. I already had the Eureka, a good grinder but unfortunately you can't use the original La Larzoco portafilter. Now I bought a Nicche Zero, something better couldn't have happened to me, I didn't want to live without single-dosing and the workflow is extraordinary... you're much more consistent and changing beans is easy and a lot Much better, and you save a lot of coffee beans...

[@user-mr9yy3yf9q]

Nice, but far from ultimate. How about a LM GS3MP and a Ceato E37Z HERO?

[@MrJusmobile]

I love your set up but would go with a higher quality grinder, though that one is really good, there are much better. The grinder should always be better than your coffee/espresso machine! But at that cost, good luck, I'm sure you can afford it though! Mahlkonig E80S for example!! or My Mythos 75 Gravimetric!!