I’ve spent quite a bit of time using the Ninja Cafe Luxe over the past week or so, and, I’m surprised!
This is my in depth overview review, stay tuned for LOADS more videos, including making all the coffees in the menu, seeing how it does with various different beans, and comparing it with other machines.
Mark’s first thoughts post: https://bit.ly/46WSq0b
DI Fluid R2: https://digitizefluid.com/
Links of Interest:
Freshly roasted high-quality coffee beans from The Coffeeworks (my website): https://cworks.co.uk (use discount code yt25 for 25% off your first order).
Coffee blog: https://coffeeblog.co.uk
Buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/coffeeblogkev
Current Gear:
Quick note. I’m including all of this info because when I was starting out, I found it really difficult to figure out what gear to use, so I’m hoping if there’s anyone looking to set up for YouTube, this might help. If you need more help just email me, kev at coffeeblog.co.uk – if I don’t know the answer I’ll ask the professionals.
I’m listing the current setup first that the pros are using, and then my original more budget setup.
The pro stuff (new studio setup, with brickovenmedia.co.uk)
Blackmagic Pocket 4K https://amzn.to/3EnYAKJ
Samyang 35 mm T1.5 VDSLR II Manual Focus Video Lens https://amzn.to/3RB4Q4I
VILTROX EF-M2 II Focal Reducer Booster Adapter Auto-Focus 0.71x compatible with Canon EF mount Lens to M43 Cameras https://amzn.to/3e37Qcp
Glide Gear TMP100 Adjustable iPad/Tablet/Smartphone Teleprompter Beam Splitter Glass https://amzn.to/3C7hRgt
Promptsmart Pro https://bit.ly/3CAhXPl (tablet prompter app, includes voice tracking, very good! If you have it more than a couple of metres away from you, just use a lav mic with an extension so it can year you).
Aputure LS COB 300D II LED Continuous Fresnel Light 300D Mark II https://amzn.to/3SVy4ft
Aputure Accent B7C 7W RGBWW LED Smart Bulbs https://amzn.to/3RD0ABu
aputure light dome ii https://amzn.to/3M5XjcY
Sennheiser MKH 60
Sanken Cos 11 Lavalier
If you’re interested in any of this gear but you don’t want to buy new, check out https://www.mpb.com/en-uk
My budget setup (prior to working with Brickoven):
Canon M6 Mark ii https://amzn.to/3zoczes (quick note, knowing what I now know I wish I’d have gone for the pocket 4k, which you can get used from MPB for a few hundred more.
Blue Ember Mic (used mainly for voiceovers): https://amzn.to/3pT6WR1
RØDE VideoMic Pro: https://amzn.to/3DV7xHg (note, it’s good for the £, but with what I now know thanks to the guys at Brickoven, I’d recommend the RØDE NTG4 https://amzn.to/3M8nIXy or RØDE NT5.
Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface: https://amzn.to/3e3qwFn
Amaran 100D LED Video Light, 130W 5500K (Key light): https://amzn.to/3oQYrqY
Aputure Light Dome SE Softbox: https://amzn.to/3ESdHcJ
Neewer Bi-color 660 LED Video Light and Stand Kit (Fill light): https://amzn.to/35jUtwp
Neewer Portable 56 inch/142 cm Aluminium Camera Tripods (I have a few of these, very good value) https://amzn.to/3pPlCke
Cayer BV30L tripod with fluid head https://amzn.to/3fJdEbr (mega tripod for the money!)
Please note, affiliate links included above.
Timecodes:
0:00 Kev’s secret ninja skills
0:18 Intro
0:54 Specs
2:46 How much is it?
3:11 Why is the portafilter so deeeeeep?
3:20 Are the baskets pressurized?
3:45 Build Quality
4:12 Heat up time?
4:45 Grind by weight?
5:25 What’s the grinder pulsing thing?
5:45 Grinder purge?
6:41 What’s the espresso like?
7:25 A quick word from myself
8:00 Ratios
8:52 Barista Assist
9:06 What’s the hot auto froth like?
9:33 What’s the steam power like?
9:52 What’s the cold froth like?
10:00 What’s the cold pressed espresso like?
10:26 What’s the filter brewed coffee like?
11:16 What’s “over ice”?
11:30 What’s the cold brew like?
12:22 What’s a quad shot?
12:32 How loud is it?
12:45 How hot is the coffee?
12:52 How hot is the hot milk foam?
13:04 Hot water?
13:12 What’s my favourite thing about it?
14:24 What’s my least favourite thing about it?
15:58 Who is this made for?
16:24 Is this a home barista machine?
16:47 Is it better than the Barista Express?
18:15 How about the Barista Touch Impress?
19:54 Coffee Kev’s Comment of The Week
20:23 Tatty Bye (Kev, for goodbye)
#Ninjaespresso #ninjacoffee #ninjakitchen #CoffeeKev #coffeelover #coffeeaddict #espresso #coffeebeans #espressocoffee #coffeelife #espressomachine #coffeemachine