Posted Thu Nov 17, 2005, 8:20pm Subject: Anita owners unite!
Feeler for potential new anita buyer.. For those who own the Anita or Andreja, what are your own methods and step by step preps for getting the most out of your shots? What about timings for the cooling flush? I've read all the articles on h-b.com, I'm trying to get a good starting point of what it takes to make good espresso with either machine.
I will try to big as precise as possible and go in order of steps:
- I have my Anita on a digital timer to come on an hour before I use it during the week and I let it heat up for 45 minutes on the weekends before use.
- I run about 2 ounces of water through the portafilter into the cup I will be using for the espresso shot
- I take the portafilter out and wipe it
- I generally put a cup or pitcher under the grouphead to run my flush (you can flush into the drip tray, since it has a large capacity)
- I begin grinding into the portafilter, when it is half-way full (double-shot dose), I begin the cooling flush
- Finish dosing portafilter (15 grams that I learned by weighing on a digital scale)
- Tamp (about 30 lbs- used a scale to learn the pressure)
- Stop cooling flush at about 24 seconds ( I do a slow 24 count)
- Dump water out of cup and pitcher (cooling flush water), lock in portafilter and place cup
- Flip lever to start water through grouphead
- Watch boiler pressure (I believe it is boiler) rise. It goes to 9.5 bar, where I set it, during the shot. As it goes to brew pressure (there is a few seconds delay due to pre-infusion, as I understand it) I start a 25 second timer on the microwave.
- Flip lever down
- I then add water to the reservoir, clean grouphead and portafilter, backflush with water.
I think this is it. I am at work and trying to remember the best that I can.
My grind depends on the bean, roast level and age. In general, I start at the 6 marking. I'm almost always within 3 clicks in either direction when adjusting grind. I grind enough for the shot - about a 10 second grind generally - and overdose/level the portafilter before tamping. I have a little brush that I use to clean out the chute after I grind if I'm not going to make another shot right away. The doser sweeps really clean. Once every several months, I use Grindz to clear out built up coffee residue.
It's been a great grinder. Couldn't be happier with it. The Anita seems like a steal, and I think it'll be a rock-solid set up with the Macap. Congratulations and have fun! You're working with good fresh beans, I assume?
Congrats! Let us know how you like your Anita! I've been researching this one for myself, too. I'm trying to decide between buying a Silvia, or jumping right to a HX machine like the Anita from the get-go. The thing I like about the Anita is the E61 grouphead and the higher-quality components.
My main question at this point is whether the Anita is worth double the price of a good non-HX single boiler machine, like the Silvia. My understanding is that the HX machines are more forgiving on newbies, plus the gauges help you ensure a perfect shot without a lot of temperature surfing or guesswork.
I'm interested to hear others' opinions of the Anita, as well.
"If your mom were a collection class, her insert method would be public."
I'm in the same boat as you zangad. I had originally thought I'd get a Sylvia but now I've settled on Anita as soon as funds permit. I'm looking forward to hearing from the Anita owners.
My main question at this point is whether the Anita is worth double the price of a good non-HX single boiler machine, like the Silvia. My understanding is that the HX machines are more forgiving on newbies, plus the gauges help you ensure a perfect shot without a lot of temperature surfing or guesswork.
I'm interested to hear others' opinions of the Anita, as well.
I will jump in again. I was going to get a Silvia, but when I looked at Temp surfing and then doing a PID modification, the price got within a couple hundred dollars. Plus, PID modding void the warranty, so I would want to wait. What about a pressure mod on the Silvia- little money, but again voids the warranty. What about backflushing- probably a warranty issue.
With some money difference, the idea of not doing a PID mod, being able to change the brew pressure (Chris Coffee has this in the Anita FAQ) and the paperwork with the Anita tells you to backflush with water when ever you want and backflush with cleaner every 2 months or so (as I remember it). That settled it completely for me. And the steaming with good pressure just seconds after finishing a shot.
I am also planing on getting the Anita after the 1st of the year. After much research I think it is the best machine for the price. Keep us updated on your progress with the new machine. I jealous.
My main question at this point is whether the Anita is worth double the price of a good non-HX single boiler machine, like the Silvia. My understanding is that the HX machines are more forgiving on newbies, plus the gauges help you ensure a perfect shot without a lot of temperature surfing or guesswork.
I'm interested to hear others' opinions of the Anita, as well.
Hi all....the gauges are really a guide....in my experience, the pre pull flush length (for temp), correct grind, grind distribution and tamp are the biggies....my technique is still a work in progress! But Anita is a very simple machine to calibrate, and with proper care and cleaning does a fine job....even an "iffy" shot makes a swell Americano! For the original poster, I'd recommend the "bottomless" PF....it really gives a great visual as to proper/improper technique....but beware of the squirts when starting out!!!
I'm testing a friends bottomless PF and machine. My distrubution method was all wrong at first. I'm trying to get more consistent with that. My grind has a nice fine sand-like texture. Only thing is I'm at the finest setting on the Macap m4. Don't know what the deal is with that, I figure thats unusual. To anyone who's using a Macap, which threaded-hole on the top of the unit did you use to secure the hopper on? I see three of them. I used the who where setting 1 is the finest and 9 is the most coarse. Does that really make a difference?
IMAwriter: How much of a cooling flush do you do between shots of say 3-4minutes time? Is the cooling flush necessary if your doing consecutive double shots?
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