Posted Fri Jan 27, 2006, 9:51am Subject: HELP - ViceVersa Koala Espresso Nightmare - D'Oh!
My First post and I was hoping it wasn't going to be because my new machine is rubbish. Alas I fear it is and various other "Koala" threads have only proved this to be the case.
The issues: - I didn't research enough before diving in :( - "Crema Maker"!!! and light weight portafilter
The Questions: Nothing to say about the first issue that is for me to sort out for next time!
Regarding the Crema Maker and PF:
Why does my PF have a sludge of water and coffee instead of a nice tight puck (I have attached a shot of this phenomenon), even if I have done the following: a - tamp lightly or to the recommended 30lb's b - grind fine (8 on the KitchenAid Artisan) or course (5) c - The water temp out of the PF is around 85 degrees C even shooting a blank leaves water in PF!
Are these all signs that point to me running back to the store and exchanging this furry thing for something slightly more serious?
Edward Senior Member Joined: 28 Jun 2004 Posts: 58 Location: Lansdale, Pa 19446 Expertise: Just starting
Posted Sat Jan 28, 2006, 2:57am Subject: Re: HELP - ViceVersa Koala Espresso Nightmare - D'Oh!
BigRed Said:
My First post and I was hoping it wasn't going to be because my new machine is rubbish. Alas I fear it is and various other "Koala" threads have only proved this to be the case.
The issues: - I didn't research enough before diving in :( - "Crema Maker"!!! and light weight portafilter
The Questions: Nothing to say about the first issue that is for me to sort out for next time!
Regarding the Crema Maker and PF: Why does my PF have a sludge of water and coffee instead of a nice tight puck (I have attached a shot of this phenomenon), even if I have done the following: a - tamp lightly or to the recommended 30lb's b - grind fine (8 on the KitchenAid Artisan) or course (5) c - The water temp out of the PF is around 85 degrees C even shooting a blank leaves water in PF!
Are these all signs that point to me running back to the store and exchanging this furry thing for something slightly more serious?
Try using a little more coffee in the portafilter. After tamping, if the level is over 2/10 of an inch, fill more grounds and tamp again. That should help eliminate the water floating on the top.
If you decide to change this espresso maker, buy Saeco's Aroma. Low price (Check Costco web site), no worry about fine grind, no tamping and you get results. Espresso that you will drool for.
hifi_guy Senior Member Joined: 4 Apr 2004 Posts: 266 Location: Germany Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Simonelli Oscar & Personal V Grinder: Simonelli MDE, Ranc.MD50,... Vac Pot: none Drip: Melitta Cone, now unused
Posted Sat Jan 28, 2006, 9:34am Subject: Re: HELP - ViceVersa Koala Espresso Nightmare - D'Oh!
By "Crema Maker", do you mean a pressurized portafilter?
If increasing the coffee dose doesn't help, the crema device may be the culprit, as it is comparable to a valve that opens only above a certain pressure. With this, and the absence of a three-way valve to vent the brew chamber after the pull, I wouldn't be surprised about some water being left on the puck.
Maybe the whole concept of dry, firm pucks applies only to traditional PFs.
When I still had my Saeco Aroma, I also got sludgy pucks until I switched from the original, "gran crema" PF to the non-pressurized one. Though the Saeco did produce remarkable results, I wouldn't buy it again. If I were to re-start with a small domestic machine, I'd take a Gaggia and have a full-size (58mm vs. Saeco's 53mm), non-pressurized, cast metal (as opposed to flimsy plastic) portafilter to begin with.
Posted Sat Jan 28, 2006, 11:39am Subject: Re: HELP - ViceVersa Koala Espresso Nightmare - D'Oh!
hifi_guy Said:
...I'd take a Gaggia and have a full-size (58mm vs. Saeco's 53mm), non-pressurized, cast metal (as opposed to flimsy plastic) portafilter to begin with.
I'm with Bernhard - the Gaggia machines do a nice job for entry-level espresso making. They have commercial-style heavy brass portafilters and deliver water at appropriate brewing temperatures and adequate pressure for making excellent espresso shots.
If you want to spend a little more and have more convenience, more temp control and more steam power for milk drinks then say so and you will get a flood of suggestions from experienced coffeegeek members for nice HX and DB machines.
Edward Said:
If you decide to change this espresso maker, buy Saeco's Aroma.
If you want to learn to make excellent espresso, be mindful of the source when someone gives advice. Edward sells Saeco espresso machines for a living so his perspective is, um, different. To be honest, I disagree with most of what he posts in these forums regarding machinery advice and espressomaking suggestions.
No offence intended Edward - we just have different viewpoints and experiences.
Posted Sat Jan 28, 2006, 12:33pm Subject: Re: HELP - ViceVersa Koala Espresso Nightmare - D'Oh!
Thanks for the tips; I'll give them a try.
"Crema Maker" is Viseversa's speak for a crema disk, I think. I have attached a pic of the offending piece of equipment. I diassembaled it, the disc on the left is made from a rubber compound and has a minute hole in the centre, the disc on the right has two arms which fit into the spigots. If I pull a shot without it there is no crema at all, it must be because the PF is not designed to be used without it i.e. it is not very good.
I compared the weight of a Gaggia PF to the Koala's and the Gaggia's is almost three times heavier as well as the spigot configuration being completely different.
alanfrew Senior Member Joined: 19 Dec 2001 Posts: 492 Location: Melbourne Expertise: Professional
Posted Sat Jan 28, 2006, 3:12pm Subject: Re: HELP - ViceVersa Koala Espresso Nightmare - D'Oh!
BigRed Said:
Thanks for the tips; I'll give them a try.
"Crema Maker" is Viseversa's speak for a crema disk, I think. I have attached a pic of the offending piece of equipment. I diassembaled it, the disc on the left is made from a rubber compound and has a minute hole in the centre, the disc on the right has two arms which fit into the spigots. If I pull a shot without it there is no crema at all, it must be because the PF is not designed to be used without it i.e. it is not very good.
I compared the weight of a Gaggia PF to the Koala's and the Gaggia's is almost three times heavier as well as the spigot configuration being completely different.
The reason there is no crema at all is that your grind is far too coarse. BUY A GRINDER! PF's don't matter, filter baskets (within reason) don't matter. Grind, water temperature, water pressure, coffee dose.....those are the things that matter.
Absolutely. The Koala is cute as a bug, but stay away from pressurized portafilters if you care about excellence in the cup. Avoid the Saeco for the same reason.
Gaggias (Espresso, Carezza, Evolution) represent a tremendous value ($200-250US) in entry-level espresso machines. Paired with a good grinder, you will be capable of producing fine espresso. If the KitchenAid Artisan grinder is similar to the ProLine, it's probably adequate. Otherwise you might look at the Cunill Tranquilo, an excellent value in espresso grinders (only £99 in your part of the world). Then it's up to you to develop your barista skills - but at least you won't be limited by the equipment for some time.
You do not need a pressurized PF to produce good crema. All it takes is freshly roasted and ground beans (and what Alan said).
Posted Sat Jan 28, 2006, 3:43pm Subject: Re: HELP - ViceVersa Koala Espresso Nightmare - D'Oh!
Thanks Alanfrew but if you read my initial post you'll notice I mention that I grind with the KitchenAid Artisan (called the Pro Line in the States) which this site says, "the early look at this grinder is very promising".
allora Senior Member Joined: 29 Oct 2005 Posts: 26 Location: USA Expertise: I live coffee
Posted Sat Jan 28, 2006, 3:45pm Subject: Re: HELP - ViceVersa Koala Espresso Nightmare - D'Oh!
I feel for you. A friend took me to a "close out" store in his area, and I purchased the Koala for $100. I got home and found it had water in the tubing, but hoped it was only because it had been tested before shipping. Not so.
My experience was the same as what you wrote. It happened no matter the grind. (My friend has a Rocky grinder, and we tried the machine with that, too.) I also tried to register the machine at their US site and wrote about the problem, but no reply. Attempts to reach them by phone were unsuccessful, too.
The only "review" I found about the machine was a site in the UK, and the comment was not a good one. I returned the machine and am still looking. :(
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