Portafilter basket size's and quantity!

Cableguy

Hi people,

I have been reading diffent articles on how much coffee to use when making the perfect shot of espresso. Some said as many as 28 gramms and others said as little as 7-9 gramms of coffee.

So I have recenty bought an electric scales and have started to weigh my coffee. I have been using about 14-16 grams on average per shot but the coffee can be abit strong.

This led to to wonder what basket people use in the portafilter. I got 4 different sizes with my machine. I always used the 3rd largest for 1 cup of espresso. Again I think that this is two big because if I use only 7-9 gramms of coffee in this basket I do not get the recommended 25 seconds extraction time.




Just wondering what you guys think and are actually using?

Thanks.
B

Mr Magnolia

The third filter is your double. You should be dosing 16-18g with this basket and extracting for the 25 seconds as you say.

If your pouring too quickly (2oz of espresso in < 25 seconds) then your grind is too course.

Cableguy

Mr Magnolia wrote: »

The third filter is your double. You should be dosing 16-18g with this basket and extracting for the 25 seconds as you say.

If your pouring too quickly (2oz of espresso in < 25 seconds) then your grind is too course.

Ive been drinking doubles all along! No wonder I had serious withdrawls when I stopped drinking the stuf!!

So would 7-9 gramms be correct for a single shot in the second basket ?

Why have the four baskets? Whats basket 1 and 4 for?

PPC

Cableguy wrote: »

Ive been drinking doubles all along! No wonder I had serious withdrawls when I stopped drinking the stuf!!

So would 7-9 gramms be correct for a single shot in the second basket ?

Why have the four baskets? Whats basket 1 and 4 for?

Basket one looks like its for single or the pods. Basket four looks like a triple.

Cableguy

PPC wrote: »

Basket one looks like its for single or the pods. Basket four looks like a triple.

You can use pods in the Classic? Are talking about the the Nespresso pods? Couldnt see how that could work!!

Gran Hermano

Cableguy wrote: »

You can use pods in the Classic? Are talking about the the Nespresso pods? Couldnt see how that could work!!

Could be for the Illy type pods - they're like a flat teabag as opposed to the Nespresso capsule pods.
http://www.singleserveespresso.com/images/IllyCan.JPG


I know Gaggia had some of their machines setup for Illy pods.

I tend to use a triple basket with around 25g.

PPC

Cableguy wrote: »

You can use pods in the Classic? Are talking about the the Nespresso pods? Couldnt see how that could work!!

They're ESE pods rather than Nespresso capsules.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easy_Serving_Espresso_Pod

Its also the reason why Gaggias are set at 11/12 bar from what i've read. They need the extra pressure for the pods.

Cableguy

Gran Hermano wrote: »

I tend to use a triple basket with around 25g.

This for one serving? :eek:

Regular Latte

The basket to use for the ESE pods on my Classic has a 'C' etched on the inside to show that's what that basket is for - yours might too. (I've no idea what the 'C' stands for.)


Where did you get a triple basket for the Classic?


By the way, Cableguy, how are you getting on with your latte art?

Cableguy

Regular Latte wrote: »

The basket to use for the ESE pods on my Classic has a 'C' etched on the inside to show that's what that basket is for - yours might too. (I've no idea what the 'C' stands for.)


Where did you get a triple basket for the Classic?


By the way, Cableguy, how are you getting on with your latte art?

Hi RL,

Not going well at all. I got a good enogh jug so cant blame that. I just cant seem to get the proper microfoam with the milk. When I do get it I mess up the art but most of the times I dont get the proper microfoam. I've tried various different types of milk and same prob with the froth.

Doing me nut.

Iolar Iontach

It's a real pity that it isn't working out for you, Cableguy. I'd persist with it a little while longer and then, if it's still not consistent, you could modify the wand. I found a heart was the easiest shape at first before progressong onto a rosetta. Where did you get the triple basket?

Cableguy

Iolar Iontach wrote: »

It's a real pity that it isn't working out for you, Cableguy. I'd persist with it a little while longer and then, if it's still not consistent, you could modify the wand. I found a heart was the easiest shape at first before progressong onto a rosetta. Where did you get the triple basket?

Hi Iolar, I got all them baskets with the Gaggia Classic I purchased.

I managed to get abit of a rosseta by fluke but dya think I can repeat the process. Not a chance. I even filmed the process but that makes it worse

Like ya said Im just gona keep trying. It is very difficult I nearly OD'd on coffee last week after all the attempts I had.

I might just buy a cheap as chips bag of coffee a few liters of milk and spend a few hours at it just tipping the stuf down the drain.

llatsni

I've never, ever got a decent shot out of a single basket. Ever.

Best result for me is the double with about 16.5g of coffee and a 27 second pour, aiming for about 45ml of liquid. I tamp quite hard. Usually works a treat.

I've tried the triple basket thing, but not with much success. Don't really see the point.

snollup

llatsni wrote: »

I've never, ever got a decent shot out of a single basket. Ever.

I'm so so glad to hear that I'm not the only one with this problem!