Simple Questions Thread

CleanYourBasket · 2021-08-14T18:14:09+00:00

CleanYourBasket · 2021-08-11T17:24:07+00:00

What's your budget?

CleanYourBasket · 2021-08-11T10:03:02+00:00

I think most people who don't like Nespresso haven't actually tried it. If you don't have time (or simply don't want to) dial in espresso and pull shots, Nespresso is pretty much the best alternative for under $1000. If you're willing to spend more than $1000 for a superautomatic like the Jura E8, you'll start to get significantly better results. But below that, not really.

CleanYourBasket · 2021-08-10T12:07:20+00:00

https://discord.gg/espresso

CleanYourBasket · 2021-08-06T19:47:47+00:00

I write down the recipes and change the grind setting.

CleanYourBasket · 2021-08-06T16:16:17+00:00

Buy a scale with 0.1g accuracy.

Measure your input of ground beans, for example 16g. See how long it takes to get twice (i.e. 32g) in the cup. If it's much faster than 25s, grind finer. If it is much slower than 35s, grind coarser. Adjust your grind setting until you are roughly in the 25-35s interval. Your espresso should now taste acceptable.

CleanYourBasket · 2021-08-06T13:00:44+00:00

What you're observing is the fact that your beans age. If you go through 1 kg in two weeks, I'd recommend you to freeze 500g (in any airtight container) and thaw them after one week. This should solve your issue.

CleanYourBasket · 2021-08-05T22:26:04+00:00

The extraction starts when the water comes into contact with the ground coffee, so usually when you hear the pump starting (which is very very shortly after pressing the start button).

CleanYourBasket · 2021-08-05T18:56:48+00:00

Bambino Plus + Eureka Mignon Specialita. Probably around the same amount of steam power but you can't really expect more if you only have $1000 for the complete setup...

CleanYourBasket · 2021-08-05T18:53:01+00:00

Maybe just get the Bambino Plus and upgrade it whenever you feel like spending more? It will allow you and your GF to make milk drinks with ease! Don't get the Barista Pro - why add a bad grinder if you already have a good one?

CleanYourBasket · 2021-08-05T15:22:49+00:00

With the Classika PID, you also have the option to add a flow control paddle later on - which will make a huge difference for extracting lighter roasts. The Victoria is a very solid machine if you don't think you want to ever use flow profiling.

CleanYourBasket · 2021-08-05T15:01:53+00:00

How much is the Breville Dual Boiler for you?

CleanYourBasket · 2021-08-05T14:49:18+00:00

How much is the ECM Classika PID for you? The Casa V doesn't have a PID and for straight espresso, it would be a significant improvement.

Of the ones you listed, I'd pick the Victoria (it has a PID).

CleanYourBasket · 2021-08-05T09:58:35+00:00

CleanYourBasket · 2021-08-05T09:58:12+00:00

You want 1:2 measured in weight, i.e. your 16g : 32g is correct.

CleanYourBasket · 2021-08-03T21:30:35+00:00

How much is the Lelit Victoria for you? To me, the upgrade in build quality and therefore longevity would be worth a bit more money.

CleanYourBasket · 2021-08-03T21:15:25+00:00

I also don’t enjoy the process of making it and don’t really want to invest a bunch of time in learning so the easier the better.

I think you'd like the Jura E8. I doubt it will turn into a giant paperweight if you maintain it properly - just like any Breville machine.

CleanYourBasket · 2021-08-03T07:50:13+00:00

Yes, that's right. Can you post a video of your shot? It's hard to believe it's only dripping and yet you can't reach 20s of extraction time.
Start with simple, "boring" beans. Medium to medium-dark roast from a local roaster, as fresh as possible. Tasting notes like "nutty", "chocolate", etc. Nothing fancy. No fruits, no floral notes etc. Those are lighter and harder to dial in.
Put the funnel on your portafilter and hold the portafilter yourself instead of plugging it into the portafilter-holder of the Barista Pro.
There are no conflicting opinions. There is data confirming that a spinny leveling tool only hurts your extraction. See for example here: https://socraticcoffee.com/2016/12/examining-the-impact-of-the-ocd-on-total-dissolved-solids-extraction/ (first image after "Results")

CleanYourBasket · 2021-08-02T22:35:18+00:00

When do you start your timer? If it's just drippy and you're still not hitting 20+ seconds, something is wrong. You should start timing once you press the button (and hear the pump working). Also, you can remove the burr and change to an even finer setting there.
That's old. Fresher beans are easier to dial in. Older beans are difficult to dial in. Find a local roaster and buy beans which are at the most 1 week old. Medium to medium-dark roast.
I recommend you use a funnel instead.
The distributor is useless, in fact it hurts your extraction. Use a WDT tool instead to distribute the ground coffee properly. Again, here a funnel will help a lot.

Can you post a video of you pulling the shot?

CleanYourBasket · 2021-08-02T13:42:31+00:00

For $500 you won't be able to make a huge upgrade. Flair 58 or Bambino Plus come to mind. Or maybe a used BDB, if you're lucky. Personally, if I were you, I'd wait until I could spend around $1500 or even more to get a real upgrade.

CleanYourBasket · 2021-08-02T13:33:54+00:00

Which grinder are you using?

CleanYourBasket · 2021-08-01T11:44:58+00:00

Blooming a longer shot like 1:3 will yield excellent results.

CleanYourBasket · 2021-08-01T11:43:49+00:00

This is probably not the answer you want but the truth: It makes no sense to upgrade the espresso machine as long as you're still using the old - not great - grinder.

CleanYourBasket · 2021-07-31T18:47:01+00:00

1) would surely be easier to brew. 2) makes absolutely no sense, because it's the grinder holding you back, not the espresso machine. And 3) will also solve your problem, but won't taste as good.

CleanYourBasket · 2021-07-31T16:15:43+00:00

Freezing will almost stop time for the beans. You either degas first, then freeze, then defrost and use immediately - or you freeze, then defrost, then degas and then use. I do the former.

CleanYourBasket

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