the home espresso gear that earned a permanent spot on the counter

and a couple I put away for good

1
Breville Dual Boiler (BES920XL)
owned it two years, no regrets. steam is instant, no waiting around between shot and milk
2
Niche Zero grinder
replaced a Baratza Encore, the single upgrade that changed my shots most. low retention, dial it in looser than you'd think
3
the bluetooth flow tracking is genuinely useful, not just a gimmick
4
Normcore WDT tool
needles bent within the first month, still works fine, just looks rough now
5
54mm bottomless portafilter
diagnostic tool more than a daily driver honestly. keep it around for whenever a shot tastes off
6
Puck screen (Subminimal Espresso Dose Trainer)
7
Fellow Stagg EKG kettle
technically for pour over but I use it constantly for rinsing and descaling too
8
put away: the OXO handheld milk frother
bought it before I actually learned to steam properly, haven't touched it since

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