CaffeineHat Senior Member Joined: 2 May 2006 Posts: 87 Location: Houston Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Baby Grinder: Gaggia MDF Drip: French press, actually. Roaster: Home
Posted Sun May 11, 2008, 9:25pm Subject: Bottomless PF Spraying all over the place...
I'm using a Nemox Lux grinder on the 2nd notch. I have adjusted the grind up and down. I am using a properly fitted tamper. The machine is a Gaggia Baby. I have used the bottomless portafilter before with the beautiful tiger striped center 'column' of espresso. My latest batch of beans is causing the bottomless PF to spray everywhere. I'm wondering if this has something to do with the freshness of the beans. Has anyone else had experience with this?
CaffeineHat Senior Member Joined: 2 May 2006 Posts: 87 Location: Houston Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Baby Grinder: Gaggia MDF Drip: French press, actually. Roaster: Home
Posted Mon May 12, 2008, 10:15am Subject: Re: Bottomless PF Spraying all over the place...
Thanks Jon, I thought so. I was using a mix I bought from Independence Coffee Roasters in Chappell Hill, TX. I think the beans were not as fresh as they indicated or the bag had been left open. Whatever the case, I'll try a home roasted batch and test my results. Oh and greetings from West U!
Posted Mon May 12, 2008, 10:17am Subject: Re: Bottomless PF Spraying all over the place...
These "sprites" have probably been happening all alongm (on and off), you just never were able to see them with a standard portafilter. That is the benefit of a bottomless PF— they are excellent training aids as they revel distribution and tamping problems.
Now, what to do about it- the WDT (Weiss Distribution Technique) is a good solution. Basically, fill the PF with ground coffee, and then stir them with a tool like a dissection needle, or even a straightened paper clip. This breaks up clumps. Then tap the PF downward on the counter, lightly, to settle the grounds which also helps to even out distribution. Then level off across the top of the PF with a straightedge of some sort, then tamp.
mitchellb Senior Member Joined: 20 Jul 2007 Posts: 599 Location: Houston, TX Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Astra Pro, SAMA Lever Grinder: Mazzer Major Vac Pot: Cory DKG-S Drip: Bodum French Press Roaster: HGDB
Posted Mon May 12, 2008, 4:59pm Subject: Re: Bottomless PF Spraying all over the place...
I was using a mix I bought from Independence Coffee Roasters in Chappell Hill, TX. I think the beans were not as fresh as they indicated or the bag had been left open. Whatever the case, I'll try a home roasted batch and test my results.
I agree with frcn's remedies for even distribution.. also there is a pretty good roaster local to us in Houston called hopson coffee.. Their coffee is sold at Catalina on Washington and he roasts out in Spring Branch, where I imagine you're welcome to drive out and pick up coffee as well. It's worth trying..
Posted Tue May 13, 2008, 3:39pm Subject: Re: Bottomless PF Spraying all over the place...
xdavez Said:
The joy of the bottomless PF! A technique suggestion that is widely ignored: Dry out the inside of the (hot) PF before loading the coffee! water on the sides of the basket will form channels in the coffee.
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