Posted Thu Oct 25, 2007, 9:01am Subject: Re: CW15-TC - Changing back to the 6 hole spray head
After a lot of observation, I've moved back to the standard 6-hole Bunn sprayhead. The basic reason is that the 6 hole sprayer provides the best water distribution within the basket. The 5 hole sprayer I've been using can work well, but I have to really manage the grind size so that the coffee at the at the outer circumference of the brew basket get sufficiently soaked. Also, the slower flow rate of the 5 hole nozzle reduces the amount of water "held up" in the brew basket... again related to soaking all the grounds.
There just seems to be a very delicate balance between water flow rate, spray distribution pattern, grind size, brew basket geometry, and filter media. A change to any one of the variables helps in one area of brewing, but can adversely affect the others. However, I have stuck with a 75g dose and a 16 setting on the virtuoso, so those settings are still yielding good results.
This week, I received my freshly roasted Panama Esmerelda coffee from Terroir. Its a lighter roasted coffee, but the flavors are unbelievable.
I think the main difference between the CW15-TC and the VP-17 is that the 15 uses a thermal carafe and the 17 uses a glass (heated) carafe. As such, you can probably use the same SS basket.
For reference, the model number for the CW15 is 20216.0000. However, there are two different diameter baskets available. Best bet is to call. Their number is 908-393-4379.
I picked up a Bloomfield 8543 at the flea market last sunday for $25. I use a Technivorm but have wanted to see what I could get a small commercial to brew. Just getting mine cleaned up. Will then adjust temp. and flow timer and see what I get. The spray head has 12 holes. The brew time has always been the issue with these basic type of comm. brewers. Want to see if a modification is possible.
Posted Sat Oct 27, 2007, 1:36pm Subject: Re: Bunn commercial brewer - CW15-TC
Looked up the Bloomfield 8543 on the Bloomfield webiste. Looks very similar to the Bunns, but in styling and design features.
I will be interested to hear how your modifications work on the sprayhead. As I noted earlier in this thread, as I plugged holes on the Bunn sprayer, I could get a slower flow rate, but the slower rate seemed to be suboptimal to get the best mixing/agitation within the brew basket. As such, after trying muliple spray heads and modifications, I went back to using the original 6 hole Bunn design.
Posted Sat Oct 27, 2007, 2:21pm Subject: Re: CW15-TC - Changing back to the 6 hole spray head
Nathan
Thanks for the info. I was thinking you had found a source for a stainless steel filter (aka SWISSGOLD) for the Bunn. I guess I'm still looking for that. BTW why did you shift to the SS filter basket?
Posted Fri Nov 2, 2007, 3:37pm Subject: Presoaking makes a huge difference
I was perusing the Bunn, Bloomfield, and Curtis websites (all makers of commercial, square drip coffee makers), and noticed that all of them are advertising a pre-soaking function. None explicitely said what pre-soaking was supposed to improve, but they all were adding it in their more expensive units.
With my Bunn CW15 pourover, I tested this functionality by adding about 1/4 of the 64 oz jug, then I waited until all of that water stopped coming out of the brew basket and the unit reheated the water back up to temperature. This brew delay, or pre-soaking, step lasted about 90 seconds. Then I poured the remainder of the water in the machine and let it brew normally.
WOW! is about all I can say. I've tried this several times now and have consistenly found the coffee to be much richer in flavor. Although the total cycle time increased from 3 minutes to about 4.5 minutes, the water flow rate wasn't effected nor water flow time (I don't count the idle time the coffee is soaking as flow time). There must be some hydration or diffusion process that requires water and heat, but not flow.
Anyway, you Bunn-ies out there should give it a try and see if it makes a difference for you as well.
Posted Fri Nov 2, 2007, 4:12pm Subject: Re: Presoaking makes a huge difference
nemoorellc Said:
I was perusing the Bunn, Bloomfield, and Curtis websites (all makers of commercial, square drip coffee makers), and noticed that all of them are advertising a pre-soaking function. None explicitely said what pre-soaking was supposed to improve, but they all were adding it in their more expensive units.
Hi Nathan, I believe the pre-soak or pulsed pre-infusion is to control the bloom on very fresh coffee & prevent a basket overfow condition, & improves the flavor just like pre-wetting the coffee in a manual cone pourover by improving the efficiency of the extraction & full richness of flavor & controlling the bloom by way of the pulsed pre-soak/pulsed pre-infusion.
I saw the very latest BUNN technology at the Sept Canadian Coffee & Tea Show in Toronto, Ontario, Canada., called the BUNN AXIOM™.
Here's an overview:
AXIOM™ brewers have digital brewing technology & an easy to use LCD display that makes brewing & serving gourmet coffees easy. AXIOM™ is available on a wide range of models including single & twin brewers that brew into decanters, airpots or thermal carafes.Single or dual voltage models are available.
All Axiom™ brewers have Brew-WIZARD™ technology to simplify brewer programming, so that the operator can set the brew level, cold brew lock-out & tank temperature from the advanced LCD touch pad on the front of the machine. AXIOM™ brewers are ideally suited for use in areas where water has high lime content. Water flow rate is monitored using BrewLOGIC™, which automatically adjust the brew time to maintain consistent brew levels.
Other features include automatic warmer shut-off, electronic diagnostics, buit in tank drain & large 200 oz (5.9L) tank for back to back brewing. Energy saver mode reduces tank temperatures during idle periods.
Posted Wed Nov 14, 2007, 7:15pm Subject: How to clean the Thermal Carafe
I've had the Bunn for about 2 months now, and noticed that the carafe is getting a slightly brown patina, and that noticeable "old coffee" smell, even when it is empty and dry. So, I set out to clean it. Unlike my old Krupps unit, I can't fit my hand inside the carafe, so using any type of scrubbing device was very unlikely.
In a hasty fashion, I put a high concentration of vinegar in the unit, and waited about 30 minutes. No effect. Next I sprayed some Dawn Power Dissolver in the unit. Waited 30 minutes and rinsed. No effect. Finally, I put a Cascade Action Pac (one of those small, single dose jobies for the dishwasher that have powder and liquid in a little capsule) in the unit, put in a little hot water from the sink and shook it unitl the thing dissolved, then filled the carafe to the top, shook it to mix, then put the cap on the carafe.
After 60 minutes I dumped out the water, and to my surprise, the stainless steel inner surface looked brand new. All of the residue vanished! After a few rinses with sink water, I ran a cycle of water-only through the Bunn to do a final rinse of the carafe with 200F water. Afterward, I could only detect the faintest of cofee smells from the carafe.
Nothing really new there Nathan. Dishwasher powders, are only really buffered trisodiumphosphate (TSP) & pretty powerful stuff. I don't have a dishwasher (always have handwashed!), so I use Oxiclean for my cloth Yama coffee filters, Bunn thermal carafe & it works excellent too.
Great to here ya got it all squeaky clean & I'm sure you'll notice a marked improvement in the taste of your coffee also.
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