biffnix

The nice thing I just learned about the Sette 30 ( which I just received as a Christmas gift) is that you can upgrade it to the micro-adjustment ring from the Sette 270/270wi model, and it's a direct replacement. This allows adjusting the grind between the "steps" on the adjustment ring.

The part is $90 (plus tax/shipping), and it does make it nice to fine-tune your grind between steps. The adjustment ring is easily removed (just press up slightly, and spin it out). The burr assembly pops right out, and you just replace it in the new assembly (press it until it clicks), and reinstall. Easy peasy, with no tools required.

The Sette 30 also came with shims to raise the burr, as it can be reset after extended use. I haven't installed the shim, since I don't need it yet, but it's nice to know that Baratza will sell parts to repair/replace over time.

Happy new year, my fellow caffeinated lemmings!

My wife gifted me a Baratza Sette 30 grinder this Christmas, after last year's first espresso machine, the Gaggia Classic Pro. Using the 'ol reliable Virtuoso for grinding was ok, and I could pull decent shots from the Gaggia, but the Sette 30 makes it so much easier. I love being able to put 18.5g of beans into the grinder, and get 18.5g out (usually). I did just pull the trigger on the 270 Adjustment Assembly, so I'll be able to dial in the grind even better soon.

I think I've reached my level in terms of coffee gear for now. I've got good options for a quick cup with the Moccamaster Cup-One, and when I'm in the mood for espresso or a latte, I've got the Gaggia.

I haven't tried grinding drip coffee with the Sette yet, though. I'll be giving that a try later this week. If that works well, I guess I'll have to take the Virtuoso to the office, and maybe donate it to replace their cheap blade grinder...

Happy holidays, all!

I've seen this phenomenon many times over the years, while walking the dog out behind our house. The cables wiggle between these two particular power poles, but NOT between the adjacent poles (or any others, along this pole line). There is no wind, no earthquakes, no herds of animals or large vehicles/machinery anywhere nearby when this is happening. I honestly have no idea why this happens sometimes. Thoughts? I mean, sure, it's probably ghosts, right? But any other explanation would be appreciated...

I had to drive to Sacramento for a work conference this week, and took this photo as the sun rose over Mono Lake. I did like the haze over the tufa towers near the shoreline. Enjoy.

I took this the morning of Aug. 14, 2023. The sun was shining through clouds. It rained off and on all morning. This was on a short backpack in. My son's girlfriend had never been backpacking before, so we took her on this short overnighter. Taken with a Canon R5, 15-35mm f/2.8L lens.

This is one of my favorite campsites ever. This is sunrise over Evolution Creek and McClure Meadow, in the high country of the Sierra Nevada mountains, in Kings Canyon National Park, in California. I’m fortunate enough to live relatively close, in Bishop, California. Still, there are no roads here - you must make your way on foot, or by horseback or pack train.

I backpacked the roughly fifty mile loop, from North Lake to South Lake. Some do it quickly, but I enjoyed taking seven days for the loop.

Enjoy!

Iwakuni is where my parents met, in 1960. My little sister and I visited in March of this year, and were able to scatter my older sister’s ashes in the Nishiki river, and commit them to our ancestors. I haven’t visited the Kintai Bridge since I was a boy. It still looks the same. Fond memories…

Took this back in March, while visiting our daughter, who is teaching English in Japan for this past year. We took the opportunity to take a couple of weeks to travel around Japan. She is in Hirado, south of Nagasaki. I didn’t want to haul my DSLR, so I made do with the phone camera.