Ceridan Senior Member Joined: 10 Dec 2012 Posts: 31 Location: Prague Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Rowenta Opio Grinder: Hario Slim
Posted Mon Dec 31, 2012, 7:31am Subject: Over-pressure in the espresso head?
Hi!
In a few days my Gaggia Classic should arrive, but until then I have to use Rowenta Opio. However today I had it enough - I used quite fine ground, tamped it moderately and put all in place, expecting rather small, strong shot. But what happened, after a few seconds hot water and coffee spat out from the above the portafilter. Naturally I switched all off.
But to my question - how is the over-pressure handled usually in *better* espresso machines? Normally by the pump and by having the portafilter sit tightly?
IMAWriter Senior Member Joined: 4 Jul 2002 Posts: 5,475 Location: Brentwood, TN Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Nothing at the moment Grinder: Vario-W,Preciso-Esatto/KyM... Vac Pot: Adcraft SS, Yama 8 cup Drip: Brazen.Chemex, Hario, Clever... Roaster: Behmor 1600, CO/UFO combo
Posted Mon Dec 31, 2012, 5:29pm Subject: Re: Over-pressure in the espresso head?
Ceridan Said:
Hi!
In a few days my Gaggia Classic should arrive, but until then I have to use Rowenta Opio. However today I had it enough - I used quite fine ground, tamped it moderately and put all in place, expecting rather small, strong shot. But what happened, after a few seconds hot water and coffee spat out from the above the portafilter. Naturally I switched all off.
But to my question - how is the over-pressure handled usually in *better* espresso machines? Normally by the pump and by having the portafilter sit tightly?
Well, first off, this machine uses what are called 'pressurized" baskets. That is, they have a disk like device which creates pressure to create a sort of "manufactured/false" crema. Thus, no tamping is necessary. Hard to tell from the picture what's what. It appears you'd better go for a coarser grind. Don't waste your money purchasing normal baskets, as your new machine will hopefully be with you soon.
In answer to your question, some machines don't allow you to adjust your OPV, most of the better ones do. Normally, it is set at the factory, and should not be a problem.
Ceridan Senior Member Joined: 10 Dec 2012 Posts: 31 Location: Prague Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Rowenta Opio Grinder: Hario Slim
Posted Wed Jan 2, 2013, 6:44am Subject: Re: Over-pressure in the espresso head?
Thanks!
Yeah, these pressurized baskets are quite annoying. But comes a surprise to me that tamping is unnecessary in this case. I doubt the new Gaggia Classic comes with normal baskets, I'v read that nowadays they come with pressurized baskets, so I have to order normal baskets additionally (which I plan to do once I'm sure there are these pressurized cr*p).
As for Rowenta Opio - I'm actually unable to get an espresso shot from it. No matter how coarse/fine I grind coffee, how much grams of it I use or how strongly I tamp it, the shot is either too long, so it is like dripped coffee, or water spits out from the portafilter.
D4F Senior Member Joined: 15 Mar 2012 Posts: 1,219 Location: USA Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic PID Grinder: Preciso
Posted Wed Jan 2, 2013, 10:11am Subject: Re: Over-pressure in the espresso head?
Both presssurized and non-pressurized in the US, and a note stating that the non-pressurized is for US demand. I have seen other posts from outside US stating that they did not get non-pressurized and had to order.
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