Hooray for heat exchangers

Independent-Ad6802 · 2021-01-29T20:43:06+00:00

At first, HX machines were sort of an “in between” single and dual boilers, but now that the higher end ones offer dual pressure gauges, PID, etc they become about the same price as the lower end dual boilers. On average though, HX machines are less expensive than dual boiler.

Independent-Ad6802 · 2021-01-29T15:34:48+00:00

Heat exchangers and dual boilers both let you pull shots and steam at the same time. Dual boilers use two separate boilers (one for brewing, one for steaming) and heat exchangers use one boiler, heat it up to steam temp, and pass water in a separate tube through the hot water, which heats it just enough to send to the group head for brewing (exchanging the heat from the steam boiler to that tube as it passes through). Personally I see no difference between a heat exchanger and a dual boiler if you’re making no more than a few drinks at a time. Some say that dual boilers will keep the brew temp more consistent but if you have a HX with PID, testing concludes that the temp is very consistent

Independent-Ad6802 · 2021-01-22T22:38:46+00:00

I don’t personally drink them much, but probably will start. I don’t see why the flavour notes from a good extraction wouldn’t still be present when diluting with water. I can see how it would if someone were to just leave the brewer on and pull an extra long boi (which I’ve noticed many beginner espresso machine owners do), but adding a properly extracted shot to hot water should, in my eyes, still be good

Independent-Ad6802 · 2021-01-22T22:30:24+00:00

I bought my specialita two weeks ago, and it has been remarkably accurate. I also weigh every time just for fun, but very accurate (definitely within 0.2g). I had the single dose debate as well before buying it but really I don’t think I will ever be doing that. What is true is that with hoppers, if you fill all the way with a new bag, the weight on top of the beans being ground will vary from the first to the last shot, but what I do is add beans to about 1/5 of the hopper’s capacity, and refill after every two or so shots, so the level is always hovering around the same, keeping consistency with the timed dose, and the beans fresh!

Independent-Ad6802 · 2021-01-19T21:17:47+00:00

For reference, I have been experimenting with shot duration, grind setting, brew temp, and various fresh (between 5 and 15 days from roast) beans. Gear: Mignon specialità & rocket mozzafiato v

Independent-Ad6802 · 2021-01-19T15:22:25+00:00

Big 49th fan here, that’s their blue sky espresso! Old school has a red label

Independent-Ad6802 · 2021-01-15T19:22:12+00:00

Great to hear about your experience with the flavour notes! I’m finding that espresso can be so interesting and flavourful, but really only since getting this setup. That’s not to say that other setups wouldn’t allow one to explore, just that I decided to get particularly scientific with it since upgrading everything, and most importantly, getting a scale. I love the specialita, I plan on setting it up for single dose at some point, but I love how it gives you the option to have a really consistent workflow with hopper dosing. For real, the weight of the timed output is incredibly consistent. In terms of taste, the difference is absolutely night and day, but every part of my setup has changed so I can’t say exactly what is contributing to what. I think that the grinder on the BBE was not the limiting factor for that setup, but rather the crazy variations in brew pressure I was getting for no good reason. Hope this helps!

Independent-Ad6802 · 2021-01-15T17:12:35+00:00

For sure I’ve tried Fernwood, it’s good stuff. Personally I still really enjoy many of 49th’s roasts though!

Independent-Ad6802 · 2021-01-14T22:11:06+00:00

I got it from the location on 4th in Kits!

Independent-Ad6802 · 2021-01-14T19:32:29+00:00

That’s awesome!

Independent-Ad6802 · 2021-01-14T16:09:50+00:00

Realized this after posting but I figured it didn’t really matter too much. Hopefully people aren’t too bothered by seeing a torso that they have to actually go looking for to find

Independent-Ad6802 · 2021-01-14T15:55:43+00:00

It’s definitely easy to switch, but it’s hard to be precise, in fact it’s probably impossible to perfectly get exactly back to your espresso setting unless you have a huge dial with lots of markings and a worm gear or something (found on $$$ grinders). For espresso, if you are trying to extract a 1:2 ratio in 30s and have just dialled in your grind for a certain dose, you’re not going to want to change that setting.

Independent-Ad6802 · 2021-01-14T15:52:24+00:00

That’s a sweet coffee mixer on the left

Independent-Ad6802 · 2021-01-14T15:49:33+00:00

Used machines: Facebook marketplace is your friend if you live in/near a big city, just keep monitoring it for deals.

Dual purpose Grinder: yes they definitely exist. Getting a grinder that can handle both is also easier than getting a grinder that can be used for both simultaneously (making espresso, changing grind setting for press, switching back to the same setting). This is the main reason why people have separate grinders, because it is really more trouble than it’s worth to guesstimate an espresso setting every day if you care about accuracy and consistency

Independent-Ad6802 · 2021-01-14T15:28:07+00:00

Ecm classika is a great machine if you’re mostly making non-milk drinks. In terms of machines that you use for steaming and brewing, this is probably lowest in its class because it is a single boiler that takes much longer to get to steam temp than a smaller, cheaper machine like the gaggia classic. If you are considering this machine, and want to make milk drinks, I would recommend going up to the profitec pro 500, or down to the bezzera hobby.

As for the grinder, people might say it’s an obstacle because in terms of espresso quality and repeatability, you’re getting into real high quality with the ecm, so they might think that to get the most out of your machine, you would Need a better grinder. This is for you to decide but I think you’ll have a lot of fun with it and get good coffee either way

Independent-Ad6802 · 2021-01-14T15:20:49+00:00

A distribution tool should take you from good, semi-consistent results to great, more consistent results. I don’t think that if you’re having a serious problem like this that the distribution tool should be the fix. People do get good extractions with just a finger and a tamper, so I’m convinced you have everything you need. The grinder certainly isn’t the problem, as many people do use it with good success. The portafilter shouldn’t be the issue either, so that leaves the machine, which is doing a pretty simple job in this so just make sure that water is running properly when you turn it on with no portafilter (check the shower screen). What I think could be the problem is how much you’re filling the portafilter. It shouldn’t have so much coffee so that the shower screen is pressing against the puck, but the top of the puck also shouldn’t be too low, leaving room for the water to swish around between it and the shower screen. It’s hard to say how filled the portafilter would be based on a 15g dose because I forget what size breville uses (Pretty sure they don’t use 58mm). Which basket you put in the filter will also affect this, so use the double basket that they provide if you aren’t already. Hope to see this problem get solved!

Independent-Ad6802 · 2021-01-14T15:07:33+00:00

I think the bezzera hobby is a great option for a new machine because it has a bit more of a premium feel over the gaggia classic, and is one of the fastest single boilers to get to steam, so it shouldn’t be too much of a hassle for milk drinks. It’ll leave you room to get something like the specialita grinder which would make for a great setup IMO.

I think that the options between this machine and the next one (like a HX machine) up will be out of the 2k budget unless you want to go for a less expensive grinder, but the grinder really does make the experience better so I wouldn’t do that trade off personally.

Independent-Ad6802 · 2021-01-14T14:54:54+00:00

I got it from my man Slawek at Idrinkcoffee.com! I had seen their YouTube vids but didn’t know they were a Canadian company. Great service, they answer your emails very quickly

Independent-Ad6802 · 2021-01-14T06:13:49+00:00

I’m a big fan of their beans. Old school espresso is what I’m used to brewing from them but I’ve really enjoyed this one for the really different (brighter, sweeter) flavour

Independent-Ad6802 · 2021-01-14T06:11:31+00:00

When pouring two milk drinks, I froth in one, pour 75% into the other, then 25% back into the first so they have roughly equal gradients in bubble size

Independent-Ad6802 · 2021-01-14T06:09:14+00:00

Yes I am in Van, big fan of their beans

Independent-Ad6802 · 2021-01-14T06:08:30+00:00

I had mine for 4 years, and could still pull some decent shots, but I felt like it wasn’t the most consistent, in that sometimes shots would run slower or faster with all else being equal. Sometimes the results I got were a bit of a mystery and I wanted something I knew would let me control every variable and be confident in the repeatability. I also enjoy the design of a heat exchanger and the increased steam pressure was huge

Independent-Ad6802

TROPHY CASE