pallen Senior Member Joined: 8 Feb 2008 Posts: 266 Location: Fort Worth, TX Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Gaggia New Baby Grinder: Veneli's Mini Pro II, Dienes... Drip: Aeropress, Melitta Roaster: RK Drum, Behmor 1600, Fresh...
Posted Sun Mar 9, 2008, 12:22pm Subject: Re: I just de-pressurized my Barista Portafilter -- simple (pic)
I removed the pressurized device from my portafiler a while back and was pleased with the results. A couple of days ago I decided to take it a step further and cut the bottom out (I love dremel tools). Unfortunately, now espresso goes everywhere, it doesnt drip nicely from a single spot, it dribbles to the sides and comes down in multiple places covering an area larger than any of my cups.
Is this the results of my technique or can this happen on a home-made bottomless PF?
LatteChic Senior Member Joined: 20 Feb 2008 Posts: 5 Location: OK Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Barista Grinder: Barista Burr
Posted Sun Mar 9, 2008, 1:41pm Subject: Re: I just de-pressurized my Barista Portafilter -- simple (pic)
pallen Said:
I removed the pressurized device from my portafiler a while back and was pleased with the results. A couple of days ago I decided to take it a step further and cut the bottom out (I love dremel tools). Unfortunately, now espresso goes everywhere, it doesnt drip nicely from a single spot, it dribbles to the sides and comes down in multiple places covering an area larger than any of my cups.
Is this the results of my technique or can this happen on a home-made bottomless PF?
pallen Senior Member Joined: 8 Feb 2008 Posts: 266 Location: Fort Worth, TX Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Gaggia New Baby Grinder: Veneli's Mini Pro II, Dienes... Drip: Aeropress, Melitta Roaster: RK Drum, Behmor 1600, Fresh...
Posted Sun Mar 9, 2008, 4:30pm Subject: Re: I just de-pressurized my Barista Portafilter -- simple (pic)
yeah, I've been reading on how to read your bottomless PF - looking for tiger-striping, etc, that's what inspired me to do this. I haven't come accross one just making a complete mess yet though - I'll keep digging. I know I'm getting some nasty chanelling, I'm sure its all related. I just hope the answer isnt a finer grind, I'm already so fine I get small amounts of sludge through in my espresso.
Edit: I think I found it. Its under "System Meldown" when everything goes wrong on this page, lol. Looks like I hae some work to do. Click Here (www.home-barista.com)
I would have never seen this without my bottomless PF, though. I'll take this as an opportunity to learn.
TriHard Senior Member Joined: 24 Feb 2011 Posts: 35 Location: Silver Spring, MD Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Rocket R58 Grinder: Compak K10 Fresh
Posted Thu Feb 24, 2011, 7:19am Subject: Re: I just de-pressurized my Barista Portafilter -- simple (pic)
6 months ago I got a used Barista, and I recently just de-pressurized the PF. I went to home depot and picked up some lock washers (size 10), and replaced the round insert washers that the screws go into. Works perfectly and now the pf does not rotate at all. Easy and cheap!
If there are any other active Barista machine owners out there, I would love to know about other tips/tricks for getting the most out of this machine.
Rideoften Senior Member Joined: 29 May 2010 Posts: 68 Location: Orlando Fl. Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Expobar Brewtus Grinder: Baratza Vario
Posted Thu Feb 24, 2011, 2:14pm Subject: Re: I just de-pressurized my Barista Portafilter -- simple (pic)
I'm happy to see so many people enjoying their Starbucks Barista machines. I used mine for almost 10 years before upgrade fever set in. Here is a useful link to help keep your machines maintained and functioning well. Click Here (www.ifixit.com)
Posted Thu Feb 24, 2011, 3:34pm Subject: Re: I just de-pressurized my Barista Portafilter -- simple (pic)
Using the Saeco Aroma (close enough). I put temp probe on the exterior of the boiler to make temp surfing easier. Makes it much more simple to get consistency. That aside, a good grinder and good fresh beans are all it takes. I've given some thought to a momentary switch for ultimate steaming control but have not gone there yet.
LatteChic Senior Member Joined: 20 Feb 2008 Posts: 5 Location: OK Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Barista Grinder: Barista Burr
Posted Thu Feb 24, 2011, 5:15pm Subject: Re: I just de-pressurized my Barista Portafilter -- simple (pic)
TriHard Said:
6 months ago I got a used Barista, and I recently just de-pressurized the PF. I went to home depot and picked up some lock washers (size 10), and replaced the round insert washers that the screws go into. Works perfectly and now the pf does not rotate at all. Easy and cheap!
If there are any other active Barista machine owners out there, I would love to know about other tips/tricks for getting the most out of this machine.
As I said, I bought mine at Home Depot for $1 (bag of 30 I believe). My PF is at home or I would show you a picture of what it looks like, but you will get the idea just looking at the washer.
As for the link you said helped, it basically says that you push the steam button in, and once lit, then you depress and pull a few shots of water and then immediately pull the shot of espresso. Do you actually do this procedure and you think the shots come out better than waiting for the (grind) light to come back on?
I am getting my new grinder tomorrow (A Rocky -- it is the nicest thing I could afford), and I'm hopeful that it will make a nice difference.
My big issue is with frothing the milk. I have scoured the Internet for ideas/advice, and the best thing I have found so far is the following utube video:
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QDXnaB1FQc>
It actually shows someone using this machine to do a great latte. It is unique in that he doesn't actually advocate moving the wand around much. He doesn't do anything special about the boiler temperature that I have read about on one of these forums. Any experience out there in this regard would be appreciated.
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