andiron Senior Member Joined: 17 Nov 2004 Posts: 142 Location: Austin, TX Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Isomac Relax Grinder: Rocky Doserless
Posted Mon Nov 29, 2004, 8:33am Subject: Well Stare!
Okay,
Here's a very general bunch of questions...a sort of request for hand holding.
Imagine that it's Christmas morning and you have just opened a new Isomac Relax and Rocky Doserless grinder. (hope you're not disappointed!) :) Thing is...you've never ever pulled a shot and the things look almost like beautiful lawn ornaments. Sure there is a lot of info that one can dig for hours to find (and will) but it would be nice to know what to do during this initial window of time and the days leading up to it? Perhaps this will save us from just standing around with blank looks?
I guess some of these questions could be answered by reading the manuals...but then I've seen that manuals aren't always so clear.
So we unpack the boxes...sit the new babies in their new spots and... Stare!"
Thing is I don't want my wife to need something that we won't have to get us up and running. There are brushes, cleaners of various types such as steam wand, decalcifying etc.,shotglasses, cups, knock boxes, tampers, books on "how to", frothing pitchers, brewing pitchers, coffee scoops, coffee and whatever else I haven't thought of. Perhaps there is a good video out there?
Ultimately I think there are a few quirks associated with this machine. I believe there are reports of a vapor lock. (especially when used on a timer) Also we have very hard water. I saw hard water testing strips at Chriscoffee where they also sell a fix for the vapor lock...but I don't think I need strips to tell me what I already know. Also, I believe the Relax has issues with it's built in water filter...otherwise I might not have to worry about hard water...correct? (we have a Kenmore fridge with a filter built in)
So that's it...wanted to ask what we should have to get going...and of course any recommendations on initial fire up proceedures. Finding 0 on the Rocky is advised but then...what grind setting should we start at for espresso and then what setting for drip coffee.
I apologize if this is asking way too much at one time. I'm sure the info is out there...but one of you helping could sure make things faster and easier. If I missed anything to help with clean up, brewing, maintenance, etc. please don't hesitate to say :) Oh and any blunders you made as a newbie would be interesting!
Posted Mon Nov 29, 2004, 8:58am Subject: Re: Well Stare!
The strips won't just tell you IF you have hard water, but how hard it is. Depending on hardness, you may have different ways to solve the problem.
I would suggest the following :
a- have a metal tamper on hand. the isomac one is 48mm, the isomac basket is 58 -- its just unusable. thats the first 'upgrade' you need.
b- have 2 lbs of coffee on hand -- 1lb of cheap, awful stuff thats $4/lb. 1lb of good coffee too. Use the bad coffee to learn how the machine grinds, and how the grind affects the pour -- trying grinding up/down to achieve the 25second pour. you'll see the area where you should be off the bad coffee -- then slight adjustments on the good coffee will get you to the right place.
in terms of drip coffee, it depends. sometimes, i want drip extra strong, so i grind smaller particles. other times i go for the large chunks like folgers etc.
andiron Senior Member Joined: 17 Nov 2004 Posts: 142 Location: Austin, TX Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Isomac Relax Grinder: Rocky Doserless
Posted Mon Nov 29, 2004, 9:02am Subject: Re: Well Stare!
Thanks...I will order those strips then...and also get the vapor lock valve while I'm at it. Just started reading the beginners guides here at Coffeegeek and fear many of my questions can be answered there. Still it's a lot of reading. Perhaps I will get some bottled or jugged water to start?
When you say 1lb. of cheap...do you man regular grocery store beans?
Oh and one more big thing I've been wondering about but keep forgetting to ask is...when plumbing a machine...can I do so from the refridgerator supply?
My machine came with a blind basket (no holes). I keep it in the single-spout portafilter to use for PF wiggle and water backflush (after every session). If the machine did not ship with a disc or blind basket then get one for sure. Group brush is nice to have 2.
You may be able to use the water from the fridge, but if you want to be extra-safe then use bottled spring water (usually 69 cents/gallon at HEB ro Randalls). Keep at least 2 gallons on hand (and maybe 5 to start).
Get a flat-plate surge protector (like the Belkin model Model F9H600)and an Intermatic TN311 timer from Home Depot. You'll be glad you did.
Definately get the 58mm tamper and a steaming pitcher. I got a pair of 20-ounce pitchers at Tuesday Morning for $4 each.
Yes - get whole beans from the grocery for practice. Plan on trashing a dozen (or two) shots at least. It may take a whole pound to get dialed in.
And it's OK to plumb from the fridge supply as long as the filtering is appropriate.
The machine may have quirks that I have forgotten but I will help you with anything I can. I believe that when you first fill it, you need to turn it on and let the pump run for ~20 seconds and then turn it off for 10 seconds. Repeat that cycle until the boiler is full and the pump shuts off by itself after about 5 seconds.
Then let it heat 30-45 minutes and you're good to go.
andiron Senior Member Joined: 17 Nov 2004 Posts: 142 Location: Austin, TX Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Isomac Relax Grinder: Rocky Doserless
Posted Mon Nov 29, 2004, 2:54pm Subject: Re: Well Stare!
Thanks Jon...I figured you'd know all there is to know about this machine!
I will have a $50 gift certificate from Aabree as part of the deal so I might just use that for a few of the goodies mentioned in my first post. I figure to get a thermometer, pitcher, group brush and some type of cleaner. And of course the tamper. That should just about eat the money up right there ;)
Posted Mon Nov 29, 2004, 2:59pm Subject: Re: Well Stare!
Kevin,
With Rocky .... find the zero point first .... be very careful here ....
It should be around minus 3 to positive 6ish who knows ? Depends where the Italians place the sticker !!! (wink)
Turn off all x-mas music and everything else that makes noise ... you need to be able to hear burrs when they just touch ....
Place the grinder on pos 15 and turn on .....gradually turn rocky down to wards zero ...hold detent tab (hopper lock tab) down and turn it one half of an increment at a time ...and listen ....for a slight change in hum/pitch from grinder ... from pos 10 down I'd be going even slower .... take note of where where they just touch .... on dial against pointer ....
Mine touched at Positve 4 when new and now touches at Positive 3.
As a very rough guide for your machine for 25 sec shots .... start at 10-12 detents above burr touch point .... On my machine for example it would be Pos 14-16 as a first grind .....
I'm currently on Pos 11-10 with 15kg tamp and 17g ....(+3touch)
The above is only a guide as your machine will differ ...but a start point none the less ....before the first "turn on" Rocky would not suffer from a little pat on the hopper lid ...the machine needs a quick rub as well !!
After the 1 minute stare at the machine on x-mas morn .... dont forget this to help get started ..... Both turn and look into each others eyes ...take a deep breath in ...exhale ..... lock lips together for a good sloppy kiss ... hug each other .... turn and face the machines .... The machines now know they have a loving couple looking after them and will reward you ..... accordingly !!! (smile) After this you will both be able to concentrate as well !!! (wink)
Others familiar with your machine can advise boiler start up/bleed etc ....
andiron Senior Member Joined: 17 Nov 2004 Posts: 142 Location: Austin, TX Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Isomac Relax Grinder: Rocky Doserless
Posted Mon Nov 29, 2004, 3:36pm Subject: Re: Well Stare!
Darned funny as usual! I've been keeping myself busy reading the tamper review! Goodness gracious...a tamper review! Thanks for the tips on the Rocky...be sure to do that first!
short_black Senior Member Joined: 3 Aug 2004 Posts: 383 Location: Perth Australia Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: La Cim Jun S1 Grinder: Mazzer Mini, Iberital Roaster: 1/4 share broken(;-() Imex
Posted Mon Nov 29, 2004, 4:04pm Subject: Re: Well Stare!
andiron Said:
SNIP
Thing is I don't want my wife to need something that we won't have to get us up and running. There are brushes, cleaners of various types such as steam wand, decalcifying etc.,shotglasses, cups, knock boxes, tampers, books on "how to", frothing pitchers, brewing pitchers, coffee scoops, coffee and whatever else I haven't thought of. Perhaps there is a good video out there?
Don't be too worried about having everything (and you probably won't) because it's always fun to go "coffee shopping" afterwards. Yes you simply have to have that little brush or a certain size jug or cups or tamper etc.
Posted Mon Nov 29, 2004, 11:00pm Subject: Re: Well Stare!
Hey JonR10, what happened to the picture so he can see the potential of his machine? I thought it was part of your signature block. ;-) Only joking but I actually do enjoy your pics. If only you can taste the computer screen.
I drink espresso so I can work longer, so I can make more money, so I can drink more espresso, so I can work longer, so I can make more money, so I can drink more espresso...
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