Smclaughlin Senior Member Joined: 31 Jan 2013 Posts: 21 Location: United states tampa Fl Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Nuova simonelli... Roaster: Naviera coffee mills tampa...
Posted Thu Jan 31, 2013, 8:18am Subject: crema too blonde
I have a ns oscar that I bought used. It has been working ok, though I just replaced the brain after the reservoir light would stay on and eventually the only thing that came on was the power light after some suffering I went ahead and bought the auto fill circuit installed it and since yesterday it has been working. The only thing though is that the shots come out blonde and im afraid the shots taste weak....does anyone have any advice...?
Posted Thu Jan 31, 2013, 8:44am Subject: Re: crema too blonde
A few more points of information will be needed to give some useful answers - Is it fully up to temperature? What pressure is the boiler set to? What cooling flush routine are you doing? How long is it taking to extract the shot? What dose and shot volume? Which basket? Which grinder?
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,372 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Thu Jan 31, 2013, 9:20am Subject: Re: crema too blonde
He has no pressure gauge but he needs to warm the machine for 5-10 min, vent the steam and let it warm up 30 mins or so more. Then try again. Also, under extracted is blonde so might need a finder grind. Also flush out 4-6 oz till the water comes out in a steady stream before pulling your shot. This is called the water dance and it is a cooling flush to get out the super heated water out of an idle HX machine before pulling the shot. If you are doing 2 or more shots in a row you don't have to do it after the first time. Because you are using the water so it is not sitting still and getting over heated because it is moving through the boiler.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
Smclaughlin Senior Member Joined: 31 Jan 2013 Posts: 21 Location: United states tampa Fl Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Nuova simonelli... Roaster: Naviera coffee mills tampa...
Posted Thu Jan 31, 2013, 2:16pm Subject: Re: crema too blonde
i currently get my beans from a local roaster and then go to sweetbay and use their grinder at their coffee isle their grinder seems to be pretty heavy duty and has a turkish grind option so thats what i grind it to and the beans come out like powder hence the turkish grind. i basically have the boiler pressure temp which i have adjusted quite occassionally 3/4 to the + side on the pstat ,dont really know how many degrees that is or if its proper.
this morning i let it heat up for about 10 minutes let steam out then about ~10 min later pulled the first shot it was warm the next shot i pulled ~ 10 min later and it was a little warmer hence the point coffeenoobie made about leaving it on for longer ( not as hot as i liked) im afraid though.
but time restrained also as i had to rush off to school.i havent been timing every time but the time i did it took a minute to pull 2 oz with the turkish grind im talking about...Grind too fine?
im thinking about buying a hario mini mill as my funds are limited for freshness concerns rather than grinding the pound i but all at once...
thanks for the advice you guys..... any more insight?
Jmanespresso Senior Member Joined: 18 Jan 2009 Posts: 2,108 Location: Westchester NY Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Alex Duetto II Grinder: Compak K10 - Vario Vac Pot: Yama-SY5/SY8/TCA5 Drip: V60, Beehouse, CCD Roaster: Hottop B
Posted Thu Jan 31, 2013, 2:27pm Subject: Re: crema too blonde
You're not going to get any decent results without a proper grinder.
First, using that grinder in the store is not the proper type of grinder for espresso. Its not just about how fine the coffee is, its how it got that way and what the actual particles look like.
Two, the coffee is stale before you get a chance to use it. After grinding coffee, you've got about 15minutes to use it. MAX.
Definitely get the Hario, I would suggest the Skerton. Then save up for an electric grinder designed for espresso.
Follow Your Bliss
Coffee makes your constantly overcome your prejudices and re-evaluate your own "received wisdoms" when it comes to judging cup flavors. -Tom Owen, SweetMarias
Smclaughlin Senior Member Joined: 31 Jan 2013 Posts: 21 Location: United states tampa Fl Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Nuova simonelli... Roaster: Naviera coffee mills tampa...
Posted Thu Jan 31, 2013, 3:09pm Subject: Re: crema too blonde
thanks for the suggestion..... ill try to order the hario today interesting point about its not about fineness but how the particles got that way i guess ive underestimated the process....... i apreciate the feedback...
CMIN Senior Member Joined: 14 Jun 2012 Posts: 564 Location: South FL Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Crossland CC1 Grinder: Baratza Preciso
Posted Thu Jan 31, 2013, 3:45pm Subject: Re: crema too blonde
Those big grinders stores/supermarkets use suck, I've done the "turkish" setting before, not even suitable grind for turkish coffee let alone espresso either. So that and then grinds going stale fast like mentioned = fast blonde/gushing shots = blechh lol
I have a Hario Slim, tricky getting right setting, usually end up between and have to adjust dose up/down to get a good pull, but it's espresso capable. Just have it around before I got the Preciso.
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