Posted Tue Nov 29, 2011, 5:35pm Subject: New Coffegeek!
Hi Everyone, love the site. The wealth of information here is astounding. I've been lurking for a few months, in which time I've learned a ton about the machines, grinders, and coffee.
I learned about the difference between PPF's and NPPF's, and I quickly dismantled one of the filter baskets for my Delonghi and pulled out the pieces that pressurized it. Took about 2 mins. Since then, and after a few sink shots, I am pulling decent 25-28 second shots with a good layer of crema. I must say that I am impressed by this little machine, especially for it's price.
I am using the Capresso to grind my beans and despite what I've read I can actually get a decent grind. I'm a newb so I can't really tell you how great of a grind it is, but I can say that it grinds fine enough to choke the machine. I found this out the first time I used it cranked to the finest setting, ended up with about a few drops in 20 secs. I dialed it back a few notches and it's been great ever since. Consistency might be more of an issue with it, but at the moment it works, and I'm really happy.
I have a quick video of shot I pulled using a light/medium single origin Ethiopia Sidamo click here . It's probably not up to Coffeegeek standards, but I'm already hooked and practice makes perfect :)
MikeReilly Senior Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 277 Location: Vancouver Island Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: La Cimbali Junior D, Gaggia... Grinder: Mazzer Mini Drip: Cuisinart Roaster: Behmor, I-Roast 2, Popper
Posted Tue Nov 29, 2011, 6:56pm Subject: Re: New Coffegeek!
As scanfield says, what really matters is the taste. If it tastes good to you, then that's all that matters.
Like you, I was happy enough (to start with) with my entry level machine and even a blade grinder. I could pull shots that usually were good enough for cappuccino, which suited my tastes fine at the time. After a while, though, I wanted to start drinking straight espresso, which didn't go so well because a) the grinder didn't provide the same grind each pour and b) even when I got a grind that flowed right, the espresso was quite bitter (due to inconsistent particle sizes ranging from dust to boulders). I tried a cheap burr grinder and no dice. Eventually my patience payed off and I got a buyers remorse deal on a Mazzer Mini for $350.00 CDN (part of a package deal with a Brewtus II that my brother picked up). After that I got a la Cimbali Junior from craigslist and now I'm a happy camper.
I would probably have been ok with the entry level gear, but I don't regret the upgrades at all. My cappuccinos are now just great and I get drinkable espresso whenever I want (with an occasional sink shot if I'm changing grind back after a pot of drip). In any case, good luck with your espresso journey. It's a great hobby for the obsessive/compulsive.
Very little bitterness, almost none to be honest, nice acidity. It tasted good to me, much better than anything from one of the chains. Maybe its the Sidamo, makes a very nice shot IMO.
I previously used a bag of Kicking Horse 3 Sisters, but it wasn't so fresh being from a grocery strore. There was less crema, more bitter than the Sidamo but not overly.
Posted Wed Nov 30, 2011, 7:52am Subject: Re: New Coffegeek!
MikeReilly Said:
As scanfield says, what really matters is the taste. If it tastes good to you, then that's all that matters.
Like you, I was happy enough (to start with) with my entry level machine and even a blade grinder. I could pull shots that usually were good enough for cappuccino, which suited my tastes fine at the time. After a while, though, I wanted to start drinking straight espresso, which didn't go so well because a) the grinder didn't provide the same grind each pour and b) even when I got a grind that flowed right, the espresso was quite bitter (due to inconsistent particle sizes ranging from dust to boulders). I tried a cheap burr grinder and no dice. Eventually my patience payed off and I got a buyers remorse deal on a Mazzer Mini for $350.00 CDN (part of a package deal with a Brewtus II that my brother picked up). After that I got a la Cimbali Junior from craigslist and now I'm a happy camper.
I would probably have been ok with the entry level gear, but I don't regret the upgrades at all. My cappuccinos are now just great and I get drinkable espresso whenever I want (with an occasional sink shot if I'm changing grind back after a pot of drip). In any case, good luck with your espresso journey. It's a great hobby for the obsessive/compulsive.
Yeah, I didn't know what I was getting myself into, lol. I'm pulling consistent shots with the Capresso grinder at the moment, but I know that my budget equipment might not last too long. Eventually I hope to upgrade to a nice Lelit combo. Aesthetically I love those machines and have heard great things about them.
I can already feel this upgrade fever setting in ;)
Posted Sun Dec 11, 2011, 5:04am Subject: Re: New Coffegeek!
Hey Kunal, As I see you have an Ec155 I figured I'd point you in the direction of this thread, which has some cheap and easy modifications to satisfy your upgrade fever a bit. I used the Ec155 paired with a nice grinder (LeLit PL53) for about a year and really enjoyed it; I recently got a PID'd Silvia and there is a taste difference, but probably not a $500 taste difference. Plus, IMO, the Ec155 will teach you a lot about espresso.
Have fun on your journey!
~Nick
There's a big difference between drinking coffee to wake up and waking up to drink coffee.
Posted Tue Dec 13, 2011, 5:24pm Subject: Re: New Coffegeek!
Nickfrogger Said:
Hey Kunal, As I see you have an Ec155 I figured I'd point you in the direction of this thread, which has some cheap and easy modifications to satisfy your upgrade fever a bit. I used the Ec155 paired with a nice grinder (LeLit PL53) for about a year and really enjoyed it; I recently got a PID'd Silvia and there is a taste difference, but probably not a $500 taste difference. Plus, IMO, the Ec155 will teach you a lot about espresso.
Thanks Nick. I'm very happy with the shots I'm getting from the EC155. There is great roaster nearby that roasts daily and has some of the best coffee I have ever had. I just picked up a lb of Daterra Farms Sweet Collection and a lb of Sumatra. With the EC 155 and my French Press, I am in coffee heaven.
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