raffaele Senior Member Joined: 2 Nov 2009 Posts: 4 Location: Houston Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Tue Nov 3, 2009, 10:06pm Subject: Nervous Newbie...
After many years of drinking subpar Nespressos at home I purchased an Andreja Premium and Vario grinder and am waiting for them to be delivered to start my journey. I have spent countless hours on this site as well as HB reading everything I can to learn all there is to know about how to make a great shot of espresso. I have never pulled a shot before, but do know when I drink a good one. I am wondering how long is it going to take me to start producing consistent espresso? What are other peoples experiences? Please share. Thanks.
atomichumbucker Senior Member Joined: 17 Oct 2008 Posts: 374 Location: Stony Brook Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Le'Lit pl041 Grinder: Ascaso I-1D Vac Pot: no, Bodum PRESS pot Drip: Bunn VP17-1
Posted Tue Nov 3, 2009, 10:22pm Subject: Re: Nervous Newbie...
the hardest part is the grind and tamp. for someone who has never used one before a grinder can be a real pain, especially if you dont know what you're looking for. Some people would say the grind should look and feel somewhere between talcum powder and sand.... I lean more towards the talcum powder reference. Tamping is simple enough but does take practice before you get gold. remember the weiss distribution, level, light tamp, bump, hard tamp (30-35lbs) twist and pull. The puck should be level inside the portafilter, and dosed such that placing a small coin on top of the tamped grounds leaves a small indent in the coffee when placed in the group and removed.
Good luck, remember 20-25 seconds is key (ristrettos maybe a bit longer). And watch your temps, you have a very capable machine, now its just a matter of fine tuning it to your coffee, which by the way, should be fresh (<2weeks from roast).
eventually you'll develop a palate that prevents you from enjoying 99% of all coffee other than your own
also, remember to clean your dispersion screen after your shots, this means a brush or rag, and even a portafilterless pull into a glass, just to keep it clean and pulling consistent, stale coffee oil free, shots.
-behind every great achievement is an even greater pot of coffee.
Dodge1 Senior Member Joined: 21 Dec 2002 Posts: 119 Location: Omaha Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Vivaldi Mini II Grinder: Compak K10 WBC & Vario
Posted Wed Nov 4, 2009, 5:53am Subject: Re: Nervous Newbie...
Try putting 14 grams into the double basket, ground fine enough for a 30 second, 1.5 ounce shot, distribute it gently, tamp lightly and go. This may not be the best dose/grind/time/volume for your coffee, but it is what this and every other Italian espresso machine has been designed to do best. That means it is easiest to learn how to make good shots at that dose and grind.
Getting some hands-on advice and tutoring can be a great aid, and since you're in Houston I know someone local who is willing to help you get started. Shoot me an email at JonR10-at-yahoo-dot-com so we can hook up. You could come to my place (maybe this weekend?) and I'll help you get started.
But to answer your question, the definition of "consistent" changes as you move along. I'm much more consistent than I was at the start and I almost always enjoy my shots now, but there is still a ways for me to go.
raffaele Senior Member Joined: 2 Nov 2009 Posts: 4 Location: Houston Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Thu Nov 5, 2009, 3:52pm Subject: Re: Nervous Newbie...
I wholeheartedly agree...
Jon, I really appreciate the invite and your offer introduce me to someone local that can help me get started. It is very generous of you. Can't do it this weekend, (on the road) but I will shoot you an email so we can hook up one day.
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