Personal explanation on your own ECM

Measure, taste, and adjust yourself

For beginners and experienced home baristas

Reference material and short follow-up questions afterwards

Barista workshop for your ECM espresso machine at your home

An ECM espresso machine gives you many opportunities to make good espresso at home, but the machine doesn't do all the most important work for you. Your coffee grinder must match the coffee beans you're using, you need to use an appropriate amount of coffee, and then check how much espresso ends up in your cup and how long that takes.

During this personal workshop, Geert-Jan de Baristamanwill come to your home and you'll work with the ECM and coffee grinder you use daily. This way, you won't have to translate settings or techniques from an unfamiliar training machine to your own kitchen afterwards.

The explanation is suitable if you've just started with an ECM, but also if you've been making espresso for a while and notice that the results vary. You won't learn one magic setting by heart. You'll learn to recognize which step you need to check when your espresso runs too fast, runs too slow, tastes sour, becomes bitter, or simply turns out differently than yesterday.

Een Magister-espressomachine en losse koffiemolen in de keuken van de deelnemer, met Geert-Jan die een meting op een precisieweegschaal aanwijst.

Your ECM can do a lot, but which setting do you need to change yourself?

You deliberately chose an ECM and expect it to produce good espresso. Yet, one shot might run perfectly, and the next too fast, too slow, sour, bitter, or watery. This quickly raises the question of whether you need to change something about the machine, the grinder, the coffee beans, or your own method.

  • You keep grinding the coffee beans without knowing for sure why

    When espresso runs too fast or too slow, the grind size is often an important knob to turn. But if the amount of coffee or the amount of espresso changes at the same time, it becomes difficult to see which adjustment made the difference. That is why, during the workshop, you will learn to control and change only one logical variable at a time.

  • The same ECM seems to react differently from one day to the next

    Different coffee beans, a different roast date, temperature, contamination, or a slight change in your working method can affect your espresso. Therefore, you will not only learn how to find a good setting but also how to readjust later when you switch coffees.

  • Frothing milk works, but the texture isn't always the same

    Too much air creates coarse foam, while too little movement can keep milk thin. You'll learn when to add air, how to make the milk roll, and how to assess temperature and texture before pouring.
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Geert-Jan de Baristaman geeft meerdere deelnemers uitleg met een zak Aficionado koffiebonen tijdens een barista workshop aan huis op de eigen Ascaso-espressomachine.

Can I take a barista workshop on my own ECM?

Yes, if you use a working semi-automatic ECM espresso machine that meets the workshop conditions and you have a working coffee grinder. Geert-Jan will visit your home and use your own equipment to cover espresso, grinder settings, coffee beans, maintenance, and potentially milk frothing. The workshop is designed to help you better use your machine; it does not cover technical repairs.

Who is this especially suitable for?

For home baristas who have just bought an ECM, are struggling to adjust their coffee grinder, are producing inconsistent espresso, or want to better understand what they need to change when the taste isn't right. Even if you've been working with your ECM for a while, you can have a specific technique or recurring problem analyzed in a targeted manner.

Important to know in advance

  • You will be working with your own functioning ECM and coffee grinder.
  • Barista Focus covers a maximum of two main topics.
  • Barista Master covers the full training.
  • One to five participants can attend the same workshop.
  • The workshop usually takes place at your home.
  • For frothing milk, you will need a suitable steam wand and chilled milk.
  • You will receive a personalized total price beforehand.

A good ECM does not override the choices of the home barista

ECM produces various types of espresso machines with different features. But regardless of the model, the quality in your cup depends on more than just the machine. The coffee grinder determines how fine or coarse the coffee is ground. The amount of ground coffee determines how much resistance the water encounters. Then, you observe how much espresso ends up in the cup and how much time it takes.

That sounds technical, but during the workshop, it is made practical. You brew an espresso, measure what happens, taste the result, and then purposefully change one step.

For example, you'll learn that a sour espresso doesn't automatically mean you have bad coffee, and that a bitter espresso won't simply disappear by choosing a different temperature. First, you'll learn to control the basic variables. Only then does it become meaningful to look at finer settings on your ECM.

You don't learn to remember one good attitude; you learn how to find a good attitude for yourself again.

Espresso extractie op een Sage Oracle Jet tijdens een barista workshop aan huis, waarbij espresso in een shotglas wordt gezet op de eigen espressomachine.

This is how we build control with your own ECM

We don't start with a list of settings. First, we'll look at what you actually use at home and what challenges you encounter. After that, we'll gradually build a workflow that you can repeat yourself after the workshop.

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1. We'll examine your ECM, coffee grinder, and current routine

First, we'll look at how you normally make coffee. Which coffee beans do you use? How much coffee do you grind? How do you determine when to make the grind finer or coarser? Do you already measure how much espresso comes out of the machine, or do you mostly rely on your instincts?

You don't need to have everything perfectly set beforehand. It's precisely your existing method that shows where the most improvement can be made. Geert-Jan also examines the combination of your ECM and coffee grinder and discusses any problems you're experiencing. This way, we won't spend the available time on general explanations you already know, but on steps that you can actually implement at home.

2. You will learn to measure, taste, and purposively correct espresso

After that, you will start making espresso yourself. You will learn how much ground coffee to use, how much espresso you ultimately want in the cup, and how to control the extraction time. By pulling shots side-by-side and tasting them, it becomes clear what a change to the coffee grinder actually does.

If your espresso runs much too fast, you will learn why grinding finer can be a logical step. If it runs very slowly, you will look in the opposite direction. At the same time, you will learn that you shouldn't change multiple settings at once. This creates a much calmer system that allows you to adjust a new bag of coffee beans independently later on.

3. You make it a complete coffee ritual

What to do at step 3?
Geert-Jan de Baristaman geeft meerdere deelnemers uitleg met een zak Aficionado koffiebonen tijdens een barista workshop aan huis op de eigen Ascaso-espressomachine.

What you can improve yourself after the workshop

You know which adjustment makes sense first

When espresso becomes too fast, too slow, sour, bitter or inconsistent, you have a fixed sequence to investigate the problem. This means you don't have to randomly adjust different settings at the same time.

Deelnemers oefenen samen met hun eigen espressomachine tijdens een privΓ© barista workshop in de keuken thuis.

What you can improve yourself after the workshop

You can readjust new coffee beans

Other beans may require a different grind size and preparation method. You will learn how to restart with measuring and tasting, so you don't remain dependent on the settings that happened to work well during the workshop.

Een deelnemer schenkt een perfect hartje in zijn cappuccino tijdens de Barista Workshop in Amsterdam.

What you can improve yourself after the workshop

You're training on the exact same equipment that you'll have at home.

Afterwards, you continue on the same espresso machine, coffee grinder and workstation you used for practice. This way, you can immediately repeat the actions without first having to translate them to another machine.

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Twee cappuccino’s met latte art tijdens een privΓ© barista workshop aan huis op de eigen espressomachine.

Choose between a focused training and the complete home barista workshop

"Wat bieden wij?"

When is Barista Focus most suitable?

Barista Focusis a logical choice when you already have a good idea of what you need help with. Perhaps you can make espresso reasonably well, but you struggle to quickly recalibrate your grinder for new beans. Or perhaps you mainly want to combine espresso with better milk frothing. You choose a maximum of two main topics so that the available time can be spent specifically on those subjects. This also makes it a good choice if you already have some experience and primarily want to improve one or two specific areas.

When is Barista Master more suitable?

Here's why you should get this offer:
Persoonlijke begeleiding bij koffiezetten tijdens een privΓ© barista workshop aan huis op de eigen espressomachine.

Starting price and your personalized total price

Barista Focuslasts approximately 90 minutes and is offered from €179; Barista Masterlasts approximately 120 minutes and is offered from €219. These starting prices apply to locations in Utrecht with a limited travel distance from Geert-Jan's departure address. Your final total price depends on the chosen workshop, location, travel distance, and practical feasibility. You will always receive the total price in advance, including VAT, preparation, travel time, travel costs, and any parking fees.

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After your inquiry, you will receive a personal message regarding the possibilities, total price, and available times.

Personal intake and substantive preparation

Use of your own measuring and barista tools

Free Aficionado, downloads and home barista guide

A few weeks for short follow-up questions
πŸ’¬ Bespreek je hulpvraag via WhatsApp

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Here you'll find practical answers about suitable ECM machines, the two workshop formats, participants, preparation, and the personal price.

Frequently asked questions about an ECM barista workshop at home

Can I use any ECM espresso machine to participate?

ECM models can differ significantly from each other technically. That's not a problem: the explanation will be tailored to the model you have at home. Always provide the exact model of both your ECM machine and your coffee grinder with your request.

The workshop is intended for a working semi-automatic ECM espresso machine that meets the workshop conditions, along with a working coffee grinder. If you choose milk frothing in the Barista Focus, the machine must also be suitable for milk frothing and therefore have a steam wand.

A defective machine or defective coffee grinder is not suitable. The workshop focuses on learning how to use and adjust the machine and is not a repair service.

What is the difference between Barista Focus and Barista Master?

Barista Focuslasts approximately 90 minutes and you choose a maximum of two main components. This is especially suitable if you have a clearly defined question, such as adjusting espresso and coffee grinder or combining espresso with milk frothing.

Barista Masterlasts approximately 120 minutes and covers all three main components. You will receive an explanation about coffee beans and cleaning, practically make espresso and adjust the coffee grinder, and practice, when milk is ready, frothing milk and basic latte art.

Can I attend the ECM workshop with someone else?

We're here to make things easy for you! Your first step to getting the right size is checking out our size chart. It's got all the info you need to measure yourself and find your perfect fit. We also provide extra details on each product page, like the model's size and fit descriptions. If you're still not sure, our team is always happy to help. Just send us a message!

What do I need to prepare for the workshop?

Make sure your ECM and coffee grinder are functioning properly. Ideally, have at least 250 grams of the coffee beans you normally use at home ready. A recent roast date and coffee suitable for espresso will make practicing easier, but you are welcome to use your own favourite coffee so you can learn how it reacts to your equipment.

For frothing milk, you will need at least one litre of chilled milk. If there are multiple participants, a little extra milk is advisable. Whole cow's milk is often technically easier to work with, but you can also practice with the milk you normally drink at home.

In addition, make sure you have your milk jug, suitable tamper, cleaning cloths, espresso or cappuccino cups, about two square meters of clear workspace, a power outlet, and running water nearby.

What does the workshop cost and does Geert-Jan also come outside of Utrecht?

Barista Focusof approximately 90 minutes is available from €179 and Barista Masterof approximately 120 minutes from €219. The starting prices apply to Utrecht for a limited travel distance.

Geert-Jan de Baristamanprimarily gives workshops in the Central Netherlands, Utrecht, surrounding parts of the Randstad, and adjacent regions. A more distant location is not automatically excluded. Travel distance, travel time, accessibility, and practical feasibility are reviewed per request.

You will always receive a single personalized total price before payment. This includes the agreed-upon workshop, VAT, preparation, travel time, travel expenses, and any parking costs.

I have another question...

You can contact Geert-Jan the Barista here

Learning to better use your ECM at home starts with understanding what you're measuring

An ECM can provide a very stable base for espresso, but ultimately you still have to decide how much coffee you use, how finely you grind, and when to change a setting. That's why the workshop isn't about copying one recipe. The goal is for you to understand what you see and taste yourself afterward.

If you want to continue practicing adjusting espresso after the personal training, then The 3 Golden Rules of Espressois a direct follow-up. It re-explains how coffee quantity, espresso quantity, and brewing time together form a practical control system.

For cleaning your ECM, you can continue with cleaning and maintenance of your espresso machine. This allows you to calmly recall the routines from the workshop later.

Measuring also becomes easier when you use a suitable scale at home. The coffee scale with timer from Barista Essentialscan combine weight and time during brewing. If you often use milk, a good milk frothing pitcher for cappuccino and latte artcan make practicing more enjoyable.

Extra tools are never mandatory to attend the workshop. Geert-Jan brings barista tools that can be purchased after the workshop or bought via the webshop; ordering, payment, and shipping then go through Barista Essentials.

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β˜• Private barista workshop at home on your ECM espresso machine

Do you own an ECM espresso machine, but still find it difficult to consistently make good espresso or cappuccino at home? During a private home barista workshop, Geert-Jan de Baristaman will work with you on your own working ECM and coffee grinder. You'll learn step-by-step what to measure, taste, and adjust, and why a different grind size, coffee quantity, or method can make such a difference.

You can focus on a maximum of two main components during Barista Focus or follow the full training during Barista Master. The explanations will be tailored to your equipment, experience, coffee beans, and the actual problems you encounter at home.