Silly Commuter Coffee

iPete

My lined espresso glass arrived today, I've been pouring doubles into a single shot size... so much better now!

notsoblue

Slow progress here...

I took the brew head apart and cleaned it thoroughly, loads of gunk up there. Also descaled the machine for good measure. Still getting sour shots... I've measured the temperature of the water coming out of the brew head, and even after warming up for 30 mins its still only about 65-75C. Might be the reason for the underextraction?

notsoblue

Found this brilliant guide:

http://www.hasblog.co.uk/wp-content/upl ... aining.pdf

onemoresolo

Gazzaputt wrote:

After 2 Gaggia machines I'm giving up on them.

Had a Synchrony compact first and through the 4 years I used it went back 6 times for repairs. Grinder gave out in the end.

Have had a Baby Class for the past 5 years. This to has had 5 warranty repairs. Now out of warranty the steam has gone and the thing has shed most of it's paint. Also leaking water.

Have to say they make good coffee but build quality is shite.

Now off to the full auto, twin boiler De'Loghni life. Wish me luck.

My Gaggia Classic hasn't skipped a beat in 18 months of heavy use, was under the impression the internals were very similar to the Baby.

iPete

Had the machine a month now and impressions are largely great, although it is nothing without the extra gadgets!

Grindstein is brilliant, who'dathunk you'd need a knock box?
The measured espresso shot also brilliant, I was embarrassingly off with my pours until it arrived.
A special mention to the generic wooden handled tamper and LMNH flat white mugs (although I can't yet do the flat white bit!)

Grinder: Rancilio Rocky is excellent be it a little messy and quite clumpy. I'm also part wishing I'd got a non-stepped machine, like the Ascaso i-mini.
http://www.myespresso.co.uk/product.php ... less-steel

godders1

Most grinders are clumpy when new (well, maybe not the really pricey ones) . It will probably improve once the burrs have worn in a bit.

godders1

Oh and re. messiness these really help. http://www.orphanespresso.com/OE-Aluminum-Portafilter-Dosing-Funnel_p_2415.html

These come from the states (and are pricey for what they are), there may now be something similar available over here but there wasn't when I was looking (or there's always the yoghurt pot option).

notsoblue

I replaced the steamer wand on my Gaggia Classic last week with one of these:


Works waaaaay better than the panarello "fool proof" steamer thing the Classic came with. Makes a great microfoam now.

Also, I tasted some espresso at cafes and on another home espresso machine at the weekend and I've realised that I might just be sensitive to sour notes in coffee. And that my shots may not be as sour as I think they are...

iPete

Who did you purchase from?

notsoblue

Where did you get your shot glasses from, iPete?

notsoblue

iPete wrote:

Who did you purchase from?

The wand? This is the one I got: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rancilio-Silv ... OC:GB:3160

iPete

notsoblue wrote:

Where did you get your shot glasses from, iPete?

eBay also.. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321098005539?var=510109081622

my_grandadʹs_bike

notsoblue wrote:

iPete wrote:

Who did you purchase from?

The wand? This is the one I got: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rancilio-Silv ... OC:GB:3160

I believe Happy Donkey do a version which is a straight swap without the need to take the old fixing/nut of the gaggia wand. No good at posting links I'm afraid (attempt below) and wasn't going to be in stock until about the third week of Feb. Couple of quid more than your eBay one as we'll but might be worth paying the extra to avoid the faff.

https://www.happydonkey.co.uk/hdr0001.html

notsoblue

Yeah, I damaged my original Gaggia one taking the nut off to put it on the Rancilio. If you wanted to preserve it, a kit like that would be better.

twist83

Pete are you just aiming for a Double and shutting off? If so you would be better going for the weight based measurement.

Cheap scales from Ebay that do 0.1G. Then as an example.

17g Coffee in, 25-30 Seconds Extraction time yields 28-30g (this will be different depending on coffee). Warmed cup on the scales and zeroed and pull the shot direct into the cup. I wouldnt get too hung up on pulling exactly a double. Aim for the extraction sweetspot for weight/time and adjust to suit the coffee.

notsoblue

I'm not sure I fully understand dosing; With anything less than 18g the shot just sprays out because the puck doesn't compact enough and theres space above it. If the grind is fine enough, does it matter if theres a gap between the brewhead and the puck?

tilt

Rancilio steam wand cheaper at myespresso than that ebay link...

http://www.myespresso.co.uk/product.php ... ia-classic

tilt

notsoblue wrote:

I'm not sure I fully understand dosing; With anything less than 18g the shot just sprays out because the puck doesn't compact enough and theres space above it. If the grind is fine enough, does it matter if theres a gap between the brewhead and the puck?

There should always be a (small) gap between the screen and the coffee.

If <18g is 'spraying out' your grind is not fine enough.

notsoblue

Damnit, I really am going to just have to get a proper grinder, aren't I.

tilt

If you're still using the Bodum Bistro, then yes

itboffin

stocked up with two big bags from monmouth today just in case the world ends and all that

my_grandadʹs_bike

itboffin wrote:

stocked up with two big bags from monmouth today just in case the world ends and all that

What are you going to do with it then? Take it to heaven with you (or hell :twisted: )

twist83

tilt wrote:

notsoblue wrote:

I'm not sure I fully understand dosing; With anything less than 18g the shot just sprays out because the puck doesn't compact enough and theres space above it. If the grind is fine enough, does it matter if theres a gap between the brewhead and the puck?

There should always be a (small) gap between the screen and the coffee.

If <18g is 'spraying out' your grind is not fine enough.

As this chap said. You want some head space, enough for expansion to leave a light imprint of the showerscreen on the puck. Yes you do need a better grinder. It would make a massive difference. That is why people preach the grinder is the most important piece if kit. Crap in = Crap out.

asprilla

Ok, having established where to get food in Richmond I now need to know where to get coffee; Taylor Street Barristas?

Koncordski

Asprilla wrote:

Ok, having established where to get food in Richmond I now need to know where to get coffee; Taylor Street Barristas?

Oh god no, unless you like your coffee to take ages to make and taste burnt.

asprilla

Koncordski wrote:

Asprilla wrote:

Ok, having established where to get food in Richmond I now need to know where to get coffee; Taylor Street Barristas?

Oh god no, unless you like your coffee to take ages to make and taste burnt.

I discovered this yesterday. Definite treacle burnt taste.

So, any other options?

Koncordski

Asprilla wrote:

Koncordski wrote:

Asprilla wrote:

Ok, having established where to get food in Richmond I now need to know where to get coffee; Taylor Street Barristas?

Oh god no, unless you like your coffee to take ages to make and taste burnt.

I discovered this yesterday. Definite treacle burnt taste.

So, any other options?

When i was local (sadly no more) i always used to go to this cafe on King Street http://goo.gl/H7weHZ

asprilla

Koncordski wrote:

Asprilla wrote:

Koncordski wrote:

Asprilla wrote:

Ok, having established where to get food in Richmond I now need to know where to get coffee; Taylor Street Barristas?

Oh god no, unless you like your coffee to take ages to make and taste burnt.

I discovered this yesterday. Definite treacle burnt taste.

So, any other options?

When i was local (sadly no more) i always used to go to this cafe on King Street http://goo.gl/H7weHZ

Just been. Ok, but I don't think I was worth the trip I'm afraid.

asprilla

We have a new leader in Richmond; Beirut Street Kitchen. Yum.

adam0bmx0

Just bought me a bargain of a Classic! Might get tedious using the Porlex hand grinder, so might get something half decent soon (MC2, Vario etc)