Author Topic: Espresso Machines (Read 77144 times)

BarryCrocker · « **Reply #600 on:** August 4, 2017, 11:59:26 pm »

Quote from: Extremely Pessimistic on August 4, 2017, 09:44:50 pm

I've had a few trial attempts with the AeroPress. I'll warn you now that these have been with pre-ground coffee, as I haven't got round to buying a grinder yet. Haven't really managed to make anything drinkable yet.

Basically the coffee I love is the kind that tastes strong but goes down smooth. When I have instant coffee I have it in an average sized mug, with about 80% water and 20% milk. I've tried to work with the same measurements with the AeroPress but so far it hasn't really worked.

Any advice on how to achieve that? Or is this all sort of pointless until I buy fresh coffee beans and grind them myself?

Firstly, it's all about the coffee. If you're buying stuff from the supermarket thats got any expiry date in 2018/19 you're never going to get a good result. Find a good local roaster or cafe that can grind the coffee they are using for you. Tell them the flavours your looking for in a blend.

Start by doing it inverted as it stops the coffee coming through the filter too early. Try using 2 scoops of coffee and fill with water (not boiling) to the 4 on the AeroPress. Stir for 20 seconds. Push down over 60 secs. It's not my typical coffee brew ratio but it may work for you.

S · « **Reply #601 on:** August 5, 2017, 12:09:33 am »

Quote from: BarryCrocker on August 4, 2017, 11:59:26 pm

Firstly, it's all about the coffee. If you're buying stuff from the supermarket thats got any expiry date in 2018/19 you're never going to get a good result. Find a good local roaster or cafe that can grind the coffee they are using for you. Tell them the flavours your looking for in a blend.

Start by doing it inverted as it stops the coffee coming through the filter too early. Try using 2 scoops of coffee and fill with water (not boiling) to the 4 on the AeroPress. Stir for 20 seconds. Push down over 60 secs. It's not my typical coffee brew ratio but it may work for you.

Thanks mate, I'll give that method a go. With better coffee of course.

It does kind of make sense that the coffee would be the most important aspect and that supermarket stuff just won't cut it. Was just expecting a little better, but I'm guessing it will take time and experimenting a few different techniques before I find the right one for me

S · « **Reply #602 on:** August 5, 2017, 04:03:22 pm »

Made a breakthrough cup. I had some old Lavazza stuff stashed in the freezer. Probably been in there a couple of years. Tried making one with that on the off chance and it instantly tasted better. It's noticeably finer than what I was attempting before which must be the reason.

Looking forward to grinding my own now, because if an old can in the freezer can make a decent cup then some fresh stuff must be lovely.

Jonathan Hall ☆☆☆☆☆☆ · « **Reply #603 on:** August 8, 2017, 06:57:02 pm »

Quote from: BCCC on August 2, 2017, 12:52:07 pm

Aeropress is a great coffee maker as long as you follow BarryCrocker's advice. In fact regardless of the brew method grinding on demand just before you brew is the single biggest leap you can make in improving the taste of your coffee.

If you like filter coffee then Hario V60 is easy enough for a single cup or two and equally as portable.

Grinder wise I use a Porlex daily at work and a Comandante at home that grinds for everything unless I'm knocking out multiple espressos.

If you need any beans just let me know, I've just started a roastery with my son specialising in small batch mainly single origin coffees from Africa and South America. It's taken a massive effort including converting my garage but up and running now. Current coffee is Kenya AA that makes a cracking filterbrew and El Salvador that we are profiling for espresso.

Hope to have the buy online up and running soon.

www.pocoespresso.com

Might contact you in a month or so to try you out. Currently get mind from Adams & Russell in One Eyed City

djphal · « **Reply #604 on:** August 10, 2017, 02:47:22 pm »

Anyone tried this from Lunya?

https://lunya.co.uk/product/cafe-saula-premium-tin/

Jonathan Hall ☆☆☆☆☆☆ · « **Reply #605 on:** August 14, 2017, 08:07:27 pm »

No but i've occasionally had it in Barcelona. Decent stuff.

djphal · « **Reply #606 on:** August 15, 2017, 11:43:12 am »

Will try it out cheers!

BCCC · « **Reply #607 on:** August 15, 2017, 12:39:52 pm »

Quote from: BarryCrocker on August 4, 2017, 08:38:07 am

We have some cracking Grade 1s from Yirga, Sidamo & Gugi. I haven't been able to enjoy the big winey flavours of a natural from Harar in a long time. I managed to bounce around the south of the country with a colleague a few years ago. Changed my life considering 4 years earlier I was sitting in front of a computer monitor working for a bank.

If you want to try something a bit left of centre go for something from Sumatra. Wahana Estate owned by Opal Coffee are by far the leaders in what they do. Any of the Mandheling or Blue Batak coffees around that region are very herbally which can be rather confrontational to your normal coffee drinker.

Hell of a lifestyle change mate, certainly one for the better.

There's definitely a coffee drinking divide in terms of perception of expected taste. People opt for some of the most rancid burnt beans as opposed to the complex flavours a well developed light to medium roast can offer. This is the problem we'll have to challenge as a small batch roaster, trying to convince people that you don't have to roast the stuff to within an inch of it's life for it to become "coffee".

Grande Lattes don't help, giant cups of hot milk with a shot of coffee trying to cut through for flavour.

BCCC · « **Reply #608 on:** August 15, 2017, 12:40:50 pm »

Quote from: Jonathan Hall ☆☆☆☆☆ on August 8, 2017, 06:57:02 pm

Might contact you in a month or so to try you out. Currently get mind from Adams & Russell in One Eyed City

Let me know when you're ready, I'll have some samples knocking about.

S · « **Reply #609 on:** July 23, 2018, 06:26:35 pm »

Looking to move on from my Aeropress, just for the sake of experimenting really.

Anyone use a Chemex and recommend it?

Macphisto80 · « **Reply #610 on:** July 23, 2018, 11:56:57 pm »

Quote from: S on July 23, 2018, 06:26:35 pm

Looking to move on from my Aeropress, just for the sake of experimenting really.

Anyone use a Chemex and recommend it?

Get a moka pot.

BarryCrocker · « **Reply #611 on:** July 24, 2018, 11:19:20 am »

Quote from: S on July 23, 2018, 06:26:35 pm

Looking to move on from my Aeropress, just for the sake of experimenting really.

Anyone use a Chemex and recommend it?

I love my 6 Cup Chemex. Also doubles up as a very decent wine decanter as it livens up the wine when you pour. They've been around for over 70 years and is in the collection @ MOMA NYC.

If you like a plunger get yourself and Espro Press. Double insulated and as hard as nails.

Moccamaster's are very fashionable at the moment but stupidly expensive compared to many brands available in the US.

Crimson_Tank · « **Reply #612 on:** July 24, 2018, 02:33:53 pm »

Missus got me a Handpresso a few weeks back and it has been excellent.

WhereAngelsPlay · « **Reply #613 on:** July 24, 2018, 07:15:55 pm »

Quote from: Crimson_Tank on July 24, 2018, 02:33:53 pm

Missus got me a Handpresso a few weeks back and it has been excellent.

Do you use ground or pods ?

Macphisto80 · « **Reply #614 on:** July 24, 2018, 07:22:42 pm »

Fine grounds for that.

I never knew gadgets like that existed. I've seen other ones where you pump a plunger on the side and it gradually spurts out the espresso. Looks effective too. Might get one.

WhereAngelsPlay · « **Reply #615 on:** July 24, 2018, 08:46:38 pm »

Quote from: Macphisto80 on July 24, 2018, 07:22:42 pm

Fine grounds for that.

I never knew gadgets like that existed. I've seen other ones where you pump a plunger on the side and it gradually spurts out the espresso. Looks effective too. Might get one.

Pretty sure you can use both Mac.

Macphisto80 · « **Reply #616 on:** July 24, 2018, 10:27:13 pm »

Quote from: WhereAngelsPlay on July 24, 2018, 08:46:38 pm

Pretty sure you can use both Mac.

Pods are already extracted coffee in liquid form, aren't they? You probably could use them, aye; but it'd defeating the purpose of an espresso maker.

I personally can't drink anything processed now when it comes to coffee since I started roasting and grinding beans. I've been using old fashioned moka pot (a 2 cup) and a Spong #1 for grinding. Can't go wrong.

WhereAngelsPlay · « **Reply #617 on:** July 24, 2018, 10:39:11 pm »

Quote from: Macphisto80 on July 24, 2018, 10:27:13 pm

Pods are already extracted coffee in liquid form, aren't they? You probably could use them, aye; but it'd defeating the purpose of an espresso maker.

I personally can't drink anything processed now when it comes to coffee since I started roasting and grinding beans. I've been using old fashioned moka pot (a 2 cup) and a Spong #1 for grinding. Can't go wrong.

That's why I wanted to know which Crimson uses.Like you I'd never heard of these,just ordered one along with an intense portafilter,now I just need to get myself some quality beans.

This is what the blurb on Amazon says

The world's smallest, portable, espresso machine
Eco friendly non-electrical design
Hand pump produces 16 bar pressure required for espresso brewing
Compatible with either ground coffee or ESE coffee pods

robgomm · « **Reply #618 on:** July 24, 2018, 10:40:51 pm »

My only concern with those is that you'd never extract espresso at 16 bar pressure, it'd be 8-9 usually for dark roast.

Macphisto80 · « **Reply #619 on:** July 24, 2018, 10:42:34 pm »

Those ESE pods are the ones like teabags with dry grounds in them, aren't they? I was thinking of the other ones that has the liquid shite in them.

WhereAngelsPlay · « **Reply #620 on:** July 24, 2018, 11:03:14 pm »

Quote from: Macphisto80 on July 24, 2018, 10:42:34 pm

Those ESE pods are the ones like teabags with dry grounds in them, aren't they? I was thinking of the other ones that has the liquid shite in them.

I honestly don't know.I will let you know how I get on with it,I've only got it for when I'm fishing.

Crimson_Tank · « **Reply #621 on:** July 25, 2018, 03:44:18 am »

Quote from: WhereAngelsPlay on July 24, 2018, 07:15:55 pm

Do you use ground or pods ?

I ground my beans fresh every day.

Buy them in 5 pound bags 2/3 bags at a time.

BCCC · « **Reply #622 on:** July 31, 2018, 01:29:10 pm »

Quote from: S on July 23, 2018, 06:26:35 pm

Looking to move on from my Aeropress, just for the sake of experimenting really.

Anyone use a Chemex and recommend it?

Very clean cup. It depends on what coffee you like, Chemex will get the best out of those subtle and complex tasting single origin coffees. Not worth the expense if you aren't investing in expensive, grind your own whole bean coffee.

We always have a couple of decent filter coffee options, www.pocoespresso.com

kesey · « **Reply #623 on:** August 1, 2018, 02:07:52 am »

Them Italian ones are zee best. The ones where you twist it in half , put the coffee in then twist it back on and put it on a fire.

Macphisto80 · « **Reply #624 on:** August 3, 2018, 07:35:44 pm »

Quote from: kesey on August 1, 2018, 02:07:52 am

Them Italian ones are zee best. The ones where you twist it in half , put the coffee in then twist it back on and put it on a fire.

Moka pot.

kesey · « **Reply #625 on:** August 3, 2018, 10:26:11 pm »

Quote from: Macphisto80 on August 3, 2018, 07:35:44 pm

Moka pot.

So they actually have a name .

Throw in a bit of cardamon and cinnamon and your laughing.

S · « **Reply #626 on:** August 3, 2018, 11:15:00 pm »

Ok so thanks to BCCC I think I understand the Chemex appeal, so what are the pros of a Moka pot?

Quote from: BCCC on July 31, 2018, 01:29:10 pm

Very clean cup. It depends on what coffee you like, Chemex will get the best out of those subtle and complex tasting single origin coffees. Not worth the expense if you aren't investing in expensive, grind your own whole bean coffee.

We always have a couple of decent filter coffee options, www.pocoespresso.com

Is that site your own stuff mate? Looks good! I'll check it out next batch I buy.

Getting my beans from here www.origincoffee.co.uk at the minute, all very nice.

Macphisto80 · « **Reply #627 on:** August 4, 2018, 04:39:17 pm »

Quote from: kesey on August 3, 2018, 10:26:11 pm

So they actually have a name .

Throw in a bit of cardamon and cinnamon and your laughing.

Yep.

I've a Bialetti and some generic one. They make me the best cups of coffee I've had. I love the way they look too. Not sure about adding anything extra into the basket, though. Could taint the pot and you'd have to clean it, which you have to periodically anyway due to the oils building up.

BCCC · « **Reply #628 on:** August 21, 2018, 01:01:55 pm »

Quote from: S on August 3, 2018, 11:15:00 pm

Ok so thanks to BCCC I think I understand the Chemex appeal, so what are the pros of a Moka pot?
Is that site your own stuff mate? Looks good! I'll check it out next batch I buy.

Getting my beans from here www.origincoffee.co.uk at the minute, all very nice.

Origin roast some great coffees.

Our lad did the site and is my partner. We've made it into the Northern Indy Coffee Guide this year so made up about that seeing as we've only been roasting commercially for a year.

Moka pot is an easy enough way to brew coffee although a harsh process, our lad makes a decent moka pot coffee, there's some skill to it so I'll see if I can get him to write a blog post for brewing his way and stick it on the site. The method is still better for darker roasts and blends. I prefer filter coffee and prefer the fruity African coffees particularly Ethiopian naturals and Kenyan AB and PB although I've cupped some cracking Rwandans from this year's crop which we'll probably get in soon.

Cheers.

Macphisto80 · « **Reply #629 on:** August 21, 2018, 06:22:06 pm »

My method for brewing with the moka is fairly simple. What you want to do is use a fine espresso grind, but not too fine otherwise you'll choke the filter and get a bitter extraction. Boil water in a kettle first, and put the grinds in the basket and level off with your hand. Make sure there are no grinds on the threads where the pot screws on, otherwise you get a pressure leak and coffee spill out the side. Always put boiling water in the base and fill it just below the pressure valve, or just on it. Stick it directly on the hob and put the heat on low to medium, and as the coffee comes trickling out the spout, take it off the heat and let it froth out, then put it back on for a bit. Do that 2 or 3 times. What this does is give the water time to saturate the coffee inside and you'll get a good thorough extraction. Take the pot off the heat just as the coffee thins or blondes out, and just as the pot starts to bubble and spit out the coffee. Pour it straight away into a cup pre-heated with boiling water, and that's it. Very rare do I get a bitter or under extracted coffee doing it this way.

robgomm · « **Reply #630 on:** August 21, 2018, 07:35:22 pm »

Quote from: BCCC on August 21, 2018, 01:01:55 pm

Origin roast some great coffees.

Our lad did the site and is my partner. We've made it into the Northern Indy Coffee Guide this year so made up about that seeing as we've only been roasting commercially for a year.

Moka pot is an easy enough way to brew coffee although a harsh process, our lad makes a decent moka pot coffee, there's some skill to it so I'll see if I can get him to write a blog post for brewing his way and stick it on the site. The method is still better for darker roasts and blends. I prefer filter coffee and prefer the fruity African coffees particularly Ethiopian naturals and Kenyan AB and PB although I've cupped some cracking Rwandans from this year's crop which we'll probably get in soon.

Cheers.

Nice one, had some lovely Origin coffees, really fruity. My friend runs a place in Blackpool called Shaw's, they're making it to the indy coffee guide this year too!

BCCC · « **Reply #631 on:** August 22, 2018, 12:50:42 pm »

Quote from: robgomm on August 21, 2018, 07:35:22 pm

Nice one, had some lovely Origin coffees, really fruity. My friend runs a place in Blackpool called Shaw's, they're making it to the indy coffee guide this year too!

Good to hear, never been there so will have to give it a try. What coffee do they use? I'll take some samples of ours along.

۩ Imperator ۩ · « **Reply #632 on:** August 29, 2018, 07:04:36 pm »

Any Gaggia Classic owners on here who have fitted a PID controller? Just wondering how difficult it is to do. Is it a daunting job for a DIYer? I've done all the usual modifications that make the Classic into a great machine - OPV adjustment to 9 bar, Rancilio Silvia steam wand, brass screen holder, silicone group gasket, IMS shower screen, bottomless portafilter and IMS basket. This is the last job, but I've left it till last as it seems the most difficult to do. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

robgomm · « **Reply #633 on:** August 30, 2018, 12:18:44 am »

Quote from: BCCC on August 22, 2018, 12:50:42 pm

Good to hear, never been there so will have to give it a try. What coffee do they use? I'll take some samples of ours along.

Dark Arts mainly but he's had a variety in. Koppi was a favourite, April too and I think he's currently got some Five Elephant.

BCCC · « **Reply #634 on:** September 5, 2018, 12:31:02 pm »

Quote from: ۩ Imperator ۩ on August 29, 2018, 07:04:36 pm

Any Gaggia Classic owners on here who have fitted a PID controller? Just wondering how difficult it is to do. Is it a daunting job for a DIYer? I've done all the usual modifications that make the Classic into a great machine - OPV adjustment to 9 bar, Rancilio Silvia steam wand, brass screen holder, silicone group gasket, IMS shower screen, bottomless portafilter and IMS basket. This is the last job, but I've left it till last as it seems the most difficult to do. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

Is there nothing on the internet forums, Facebook etc.? I'm in a La Pavoni lever group with loads of similar stuff.

Home-barista.com page may be worth a look.

Macphisto80 · « **Reply #635 on:** November 26, 2018, 01:00:21 pm »

Changed the rubber gasket out on my Bialetti and now it's acting a bollocks, spitting and sputtering the coffee out all over the place instead of the normal smooth trickle it used to produce. I can't figure out what the problem is, although it's obvious that its the gasket, although its new, so what the fuck?

AndyInVA · « **Reply #636 on:** December 20, 2019, 02:38:58 pm »

Can anyone recommend a good home frothy coffee maker. The frothy part tends to break in the cheaper models after a few months. Can anyone recommend one of everything still works after a year.

Want to buy one and there are about a million choices. It’s overwhelming and some are not cheap. Really hard to pick one online and feel good about it.

BarryCrocker · « **Reply #637 on:** December 20, 2019, 09:08:40 pm »

Quote from: AndyInVA on December 20, 2019, 02:38:58 pm

Can anyone recommend a good home frothy coffee maker. The frothy part tends to break in the cheaper models after a few months. Can anyone recommend one of everything still works after a year.

Want to buy one and there are about a million choices. It’s overwhelming and some are not cheap. Really hard to pick one online and feel good about it.

The worlds most reliable frothy coffee maker.

BCCC · « **Reply #638 on:** December 22, 2019, 03:12:13 pm »

Just use a cafetiere, warm milk in then use the plunger to froth the milk.

MBL? · « **Reply #639 on:** December 22, 2019, 10:28:53 pm »

Thinking of getting a pod machine for herself. Is the Lavazza one any good or should I go for a Nespresso one? From reading about it the Lavazza pods have more coffee in each pod And they are a bit cheaper.

I know there are better machines that grind and what not but I’m going for convenience and a low initial cost.