Siliconslave's how to make espresso thread

Raymond Lin · 1 Jul 2021 at 11:14

Siliconslave said:
the weber EG-1 was the expensive niche before the niche existed - theres defiantly a part of me thats very temped for £1160, if it weren't for the crazy tax bill i just had

My accountant told me actually i don't own the tax I thought i had to pay this July...I could use the money i put aside for it but i think it would be best upgrading the Gaggia instead.

jpaul · 1 Jul 2021 at 13:25

you haven't been writing off your coffee + machine expenses as WFH expenses.
... I'd have a konig k30, design and functionality
I don't need grinding speed at home, though, so, other things being equal, would take a £500 grinder that takes twice as long as a £1K.

OPV valve adjustment - you've bought a pf pressure guage - or, inbuilt one with a blind basket ? (still not managed to get the spout off, myself)

Siliconslave · 1 Jul 2021 at 13:40

jpaul said:
you haven't been writing off your coffee + machine expenses as WFH expenses.

might be worth a go...

OPV wise i'm going off the inbuilt one, consensus is its pretty accurate & close(ish) to the brew head pressure but i kind of want an e61 gauge now.

jpaul · 6 Jul 2021 at 11:53

haven't gone back to porcelain ... was going to post yesterday they were just £5/pair ... and may soon return

re-educated, & now paying more attention to hx cooling shot, the pause in flow I sometimes get after ~60ml, is steam in the hx tube, so its real hot

jpaul said:
took the plunge on some glasses - melitta 80ml's double wall, amazon, after price drop

Begbie · 13 Jul 2021 at 17:50

Does any one use a metal filter for their aeropress? Amazon is full of them from £20 to a fiver. Any recommendations?

LuckyBenski · 13 Jul 2021 at 18:07

Begbie said:
Does any one use a metal filter for their aeropress? Amazon is full of them from £20 to a fiver. Any recommendations?

I tried but found pretty much what people say: it lets more oils through but also more very fine grounds. I think with aeropress I'm aiming for a "cleaner" cup so didn't stick with it very long.

I actually got a twin pack with the finer perforated metal, and the mesh filter. Happy to dig out the brand if you like, I probably aimed cheap-ish.

Raymond Lin · 14 Jul 2021 at 10:06

So I have 2 Tampers.

1 - is a Hasbean branded one, 58mm and it's convex
2 - is a Motta branded one, it's a "competition" tamper which is 58.4mm and it's flat.

The Motta is a perfect fit for my Gaggia Classic and VTS basket, however I have noticed a slight problem with the Motta and it is partly to do with the Niche dosing cup. The Dosing up fits inside the basket and when you pull it out, there is a ring or a gap all the way round the edges. I can knock it side to side to level it but when I feel that no 360 degree is fully filled with the grind and i think there is always a channel around the edges.

With the less well fitted but convex 50mm tamper, the curve pushes the grind evenly outwards ever so slightly which makes a better seal.

Has anyone noticed this?

Siliconslave · 14 Jul 2021 at 10:36

I've not got a convex tamper, but recently got a dosing cup and know what you mean about the gap ring - my solution is to knock it down a couple of times onto a cloth on the counter to re-distribute the grounds in the PF - seems to work ok & I don't think i'm getting any channeling round the sides.

Raymond Lin · 14 Jul 2021 at 10:51

Siliconslave said:
I've not got a convex tamper, but recently got a dosing cup and know what you mean about the gap ring - my solution is to knock it down a couple of times onto a cloth on the counter to re-distribute the grounds in the PF - seems to work ok & I don't think i'm getting any channeling round the sides.

It's kinda difficult knocking from the bottom with a single sprout portafilter though lol

Siliconslave · 14 Jul 2021 at 12:21

bottomless ftw - although can't you tap the leading edge on the side of your counter?

Raymond Lin · 14 Jul 2021 at 13:26

Siliconslave said:
bottomless ftw - although can't you tap the leading edge on the side of your counter?

The grind seems to go to the edge where you tap so the opposit side has a gap on the edge. I find myself cupping the top with my hand to shake it.

heeeed · 15 Jul 2021 at 07:03

Siliconslave said:
bottomless ftw - although can't you tap the leading edge on the side of your counter?

I never felt I had a major issue with edges, but I do agree it much easier levelling a bottomless one though.

I got given a cheap knock off levelling/distribution tool and despite being sceptical I’m actually a convert and it is more consistent

Btone · 15 Jul 2021 at 08:16

Raymond Lin said:
Is this the new Niche on the block? 3x the price though!

Completely vertical straight through design, should have very low retention. Stepless adjustments, big burrs. Although no sure how it deals with popcorning effect.

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/key-coffee-grinder-by-weber-workshops?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=EN_RCH_Purchase_Campaign Lookalikes&utm_content=Standard_Product_Key - v1 - Onyx_This coffee grinder is NOT for the faint of heart._Key Grinder | Unlock Your Coffee_Pre-order for exclusive savings._Get Offer&utm_term=EN_M/F_21-64_Lookalike (Worldwide, 3% to 6%) - RF - Website Leads - 180 Days&fbclid=IwAR0cqMhbiTB0qbi0FvPxiIso1v5mPa0gcCG5m1IM_M9Jv6TaZMB5RUn1Uao#/

i really like the look of this. if i had the spare cash i would back it. but for now i'll wait for the reviews

The Crem One machines look really good, I nearly went for the dual boiler machine but the supplier basically said they couldn't recommend as there isn't enough in circulation to gauge reliability etc. Not that there was anything wrong he just wasn't prepared to go out and recommend one.

i noticed that Bella have stopped doing it as well. which kinda makes me worried about buying off them. as they seem to get in what reads like a good machine for around a year. and next thing they drop it. were does that leave you in terms of support

Siliconslave · 15 Jul 2021 at 09:52

heeeed said:
I got given a cheap knock off levelling/distribution tool and despite being sceptical I’m actually a convert and it is more consistent

I've seen reviews saying they are pointless and reviews saying they are the best thing every - might have to try a cheap eBay one at some point.

Raymond Lin · 15 Jul 2021 at 10:05

I have a motta distribution tool but found myself looking at those silly looking needle things!

Siliconslave · 15 Jul 2021 at 10:57

WTD tool - easy enough to make one with pins and a cork to try it out, although apparently acupuncture needles are better as they can be smaller...

Raymond Lin · 15 Jul 2021 at 11:31

Siliconslave said:
WTD tool - easy enough to make one with pins and a cork to try it out, although apparently acupuncture needles are better as they can be smaller...

I don't drink don't have any cork, I get a feeling it will cost the same making a DIY one vs buying one with wood and stainless steel properly made for £8 isn't worth it.

mid_gen · 15 Jul 2021 at 11:53

That Weber grinder just looks like a vertical version of their existing one?

I could never bring myself to spend that much on a grinder. I'd rather drop the money on some burrs and a motor and use my mate's workship to build one for a fraction of the price

Raymond Lin · 15 Jul 2021 at 11:58

mid_gen said:
That Weber grinder just looks like a vertical version of their existing one?

I could never bring myself to spend that much on a grinder. I'd rather drop the money on some burrs and a motor and use my mate's workship to build one for a fraction of the price

But that won't be as sleek, small and pretty!

rG-tom · 19 Jul 2021 at 23:45

nice little set of mugs