Question: can you get around the inferior grinder problem by buying pods? It would also eliminate issues with tamping pressure, no?
I don't have the scratch to upgrade, and my wife would never go for it (I had an earful just buying the above!)..
I used to just drink tea, as I didn't want to get "hooked" on coffee..
But I just decided one day to try a pumpkin spice latte at Starbucks one day, and soon I was looking into ways to get this done at home.. :)
I'm no good at eye-balling it in the cups, so for a double shot I've just been using a pre-warmed steel 1/2 cup measuring cup and filling it to JUST about full (which works out to 2 oz)..
I drink "regular" dark roast coffee, too, and use a French Press.. I like milk (a third) in it most of the time, but in the afternoon I'll drink it straight maybe with just some foam..
I do like the Torani no calorie chocolate and Irish Cream coffee flavourings (probably anathema here, eh? :(), unless I'm using flavoured beans (pumpkin spice).. Then just a little Splenda..
I am learning how to get a good foam with the frother, though I'm still hit and miss.. I use a thermometer, and froth it till it gets to 155-160F (it starts making a sound at around 155.. Like the milk has boiled over or something)..
Anyhoo, just wanted to say hi and get some tips on good cafes in Vancouver when I'm down there.. Wether pods (Illy) are good if your grinder is inferior (and if theritual of making espresso is not a big deal).. Where the best place to get dark roast beans in Canada is (culturedcoffeebeans.com looks like a good place), and what those beans are.. Stuff like that.. :)
Posted Mon Oct 26, 2009, 7:57pm Subject: Re: Hi from Mackenzie, BC!
Although the pods are inferior to fresh ground, they can make a passable espresso, especially for an Americano or capp/latte. I use them at work to avoid the mess of a grinder, spent grounds, etc. and made a quite delicious Americano this afternoon. I liked the Illy Caffe Scuro, but my favorite is the Izzo Caffe Arabica.
Dana Leighton - Espresso hack and CoffeeGeek moderator
If you're talking about tamping pods, it's irrelevant -- they are pre-packaged in the filter paper and compacted at the right pressure. Just drop it in the portafilter basket and go.
If you're talking about tamping fresh ground coffee, use a bathroom scale and tamp at 30 lbs of pressure. You will get a sense of how much pressure 30 lbs is and get repeatable with it. The pressure isn't that critical as long as you are consistent from day to day and shot to shot.
Dana Leighton - Espresso hack and CoffeeGeek moderator
IMAWriter Moderator Joined: 4 Jul 2002 Posts: 2,897 Location: Brentwood, TN Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Olympia Cremina, Reg, Penney... Grinder: KYM manual, Vario (on... Vac Pot: Silex, Adcraft SS, Yama 8... Drip: Chemex, Newco, Clever cup Roaster: Behmor 1600, CO/UFO combo
Posted Mon Oct 26, 2009, 9:11pm Subject: Re: Hi from Mackenzie, BC!
Dana, and Doug,I I believe his Breville has a pressurized (OH NO!!) PF, so maybe 30#'s might be more than necessary, ya think?
Doug, If in fact you have a pressurized (aka "crema enhancing") Portafilter/basket combo, see if Breville has a substitute that has no such feature. I believe you can mod yours, though I'm not sure how. perhaps just punch a hole.
dougz Junior Member Joined: 23 Oct 2009 Posts: 85 Location: Mackenzie, BC Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Gaggia Pure Grinder: Lelit PL53 Roaster: Toastess air popper
Posted Mon Oct 26, 2009, 10:10pm Subject: Re: Hi from Mackenzie, BC!
]
If you're talking about tamping pods
No.. Coffee grounds..
I'm applying a fair bit of pressure.. Definately more than 30 lbs, and giving the little plastic tamp it came with a good twist back and forth for good measure..
I'll see what 30 lbs feels like, thanks..
It'd be easier if the grounds just came up to the lip of the portafilter, but it's recessed, and the tamp fits inside to a certain point.. That's why I push so hard.. I want to make sure I have enough in there (I'm assuming more is better than less?)..
IMAWriter Moderator Joined: 4 Jul 2002 Posts: 2,897 Location: Brentwood, TN Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Olympia Cremina, Reg, Penney... Grinder: KYM manual, Vario (on... Vac Pot: Silex, Adcraft SS, Yama 8... Drip: Chemex, Newco, Clever cup Roaster: Behmor 1600, CO/UFO combo
Posted Tue Oct 27, 2009, 11:00am Subject: Re: Hi from Mackenzie, BC!
I'd return the machine, and look around for a refurb, or maybe new on sale Gaggia, with a 3 way release valve (so no PF "sneeze"...grounds going everywhere when you remove the PF after a shot)
Gaggias have professional sized 58mm baskets, and are pretty durable. Some folks comment on the aluminum boiler, but most don't care. They have been around since forever.
I know WWL has them, but I'm sure they are available in Canada.
Edit...BTW, have you considered upgrading your grinder? It's the most important factor, even more than the machine, though I'd still find a way to have a non-pressurized PF.
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