IMAWriter Senior Member Joined: 4 Jul 2002 Posts: 5,464 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 May 7, 2012, 7:58pm Subject: Re: Basic Newbie dosing and grinding question
BarryR Said:
Nice idea.
Yes, the free portafilter is a nice touch. Actually, I have yet to use the regular portafilter (except with the blind basket for backflushing).
Thanks. I don't think I'm overdosing because the grinds don't quite reach the top before tamping. Most of the time when the puck sticks, the grind has been too fine. I think I read the espressomyespresso stuff before my machne came but I'll check.
I was only using the "throw away" coffee to practice and get close to the right grinder settings. Actually they're one year old Italian Espresso Roast Decaf (from Porto Rico in NYC). They've been in a vacuum sealed bag in the freezer since I got my Behmor just over a year ago. The espresso I made from it was actually OK (but the other stuff is better). I've been using Veltons Bonsai and Three Ravens as well as my homeroasts for tasting.
Barry, Ron's (emradguy) advice has been spot on for you. I'd do the nickel test. Or, for the present, leave about 3 mm of space between the top of the tamped puck and the top edge of your basket. BTWm is the dispersion (group) screen flat, or slightly convex? If convex is your tamper's piston slightly convex? That can help the sticking.
A few things, if I might. Ditch the old coffee, it's doing you no favors, as there is NO way to get consistency. Suck it up, and at least buy a # of Dunkin' Donuts. In addition, decaf coffee needs a finer grind, so stick with hi test for a while, if only for consistency with your Preciso. Again, BTW, the Preciso is, like the Vario a MULTI-USE grinder, thus for some, having it set a wee bit towards coarse is not a bad thing...for those like me who do pour over, etc van pot, etc. my Preciso gives me great espresso at the "9" setting, around "K." As always, YMMV! It depends on the coffee, it's freshness, blend versus SO, decaf or regular, etc.
Use your DOUBLE basket. Now is NOT the time to save a few bucks on wasted coffee, messing with the single basket. Just take the shots, put them in an airtight glass jar, and dilute with ice for iced coffee.
Note to Ron...great stuff sir! Same to the others helping Barry get to where he wants to be. Hang in there Barry...the fun is just starting.
Posted Tue May 8, 2012, 4:14am Subject: Re: Basic Newbie dosing and grinding question
IMAWriter Said:
Barry, Ron's (emradguy) advice has been spot on for you. I'd do the nickel test. Or, for the present, leave about 3 mm of space between the top of the tamped puck and the top edge of your basket. BTWm is the dispersion (group) screen flat, or slightly convex? If convex is your tamper's piston slightly convex? That can help the sticking.
A few things, if I might. Ditch the old coffee, it's doing you no favors, as there is NO way to get consistency. Suck it up, and at least buy a # of Dunkin' Donuts. In addition, decaf coffee needs a finer grind, so stick with hi test for a while, if only for consistency with your Preciso. Again, BTW, the Preciso is, like the Vario a MULTI-USE grinder, thus for some, having it set a wee bit towards coarse is not a bad thing...for those like me who do pour over, etc van pot, etc. my Preciso gives me great espresso at the "9" setting, around "K." As always, YMMV! It depends on the coffee, it's freshness, blend versus SO, decaf or regular, etc.
Use your DOUBLE basket. Now is NOT the time to save a few bucks on wasted coffee, messing with the single basket. Just take the shots, put them in an airtight glass jar, and dilute with ice for iced coffee.
Note to Ron...great stuff sir! Same to the others helping Barry get to where he wants to be. Hang in there Barry...the fun is just starting.
Thanks again to emradguy & IMAWriter! Just so you know that I (mostly) follow your advice: I stopped pulling singles for now once you informed me that it was way harder than doubles (who'd of thunk it). I only used the throw away coffee for basic rough practice and getting my grinder to the ballpark range not for drinking or fine tuning -- for what it's worth the grinder needed to be a whole macro setting finer for the old decaf Italian espresso. Now that I'm only fine tuning, I'm sticking solely to fresh beans.
The dispersion screen looks flat to me. I'm using the stock tamper but will be ordering a Rattleware tamper shortly. I'll do the nickel test when I get home from work this evening (PS: I thought it was a penny test).
I do have to stick to decaf at night (I have Veltons Three Ravens and my own homeroasts) but I'm sticking to one Hi-test and one decaf at a time (and keeping track of the grinder settings separately for each). I think they're actually pretty close though but the decaf needs to be a little finer.
My main problem now is variability and I'm aware of what variables I need to work on for this. I'm actually surprised at the results I'm getting. The shots are indeed better than most of what I'd get in even a higher quality cafe (Perigine in DC was sour) and every single one has been very drinkable!
Posted Tue May 8, 2012, 6:26pm Subject: Re: Basic Newbie dosing and grinding question
Half of my Velton's Decaf is in the freezer in a sealed bag and I used up my first half, so...
I switched to my SM Mexican Oaxaca Pluma Decaf. Tom recommended it at FC+ for espresso. That was my intention but it probably is more of an FC. Rested 8 days. Anyway, I have it dialed in and with a 16.2 gm dose (I add .2 for possible grinder loss) a 4 second Preinfusion, 2 second rest and 30 second total extraction, I got 2.25 oz including the crema. No obvious channeling (one tiny spritzer). Not much tiger striping though and the cremas a little light and fluffy.
The result was a very nice tasting espresso. No sourness, slightly bitter (not a bad thing). I thought it was excellent! Now it's just fine tuning!
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