So I'm suited and need to get booted.

wannabecraig

Hi, Have a few Qs if you guys could help me out.

I have my machine and grinder, both of which I'm happy with. I need a tamper and am thinking of this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wooden-Handled-Coffee-Tamper-58mm/dp/B000VJ8J8K/ref=pd_sim_sbs_kh_4
Is this correct for my machine?

Also, is it wise to get one of these, not sure the best way the clean out the coffee basket (or whatever it's called) but the sink is pretty messy.

And which cups should I use for cappuccino? Is there a shape that it works best with or is it personal choice?



Also, does anybody know who the dude from 3fe is on here, I've mailed them about classes and have not yet had a response
so want to PM him.

the_syco

ch2008 is the verified rep.

Gran Hermano

I like these cups, good Italian design

http://coffeeangel.com/product-category/ceramic-cups/

That tamper looks like what you need but shop around on price.

adrian522

+1 for the coffeeangel cups, I've got the espresso and Cappuccino cups from there.

The tamper looks fine, I guess you are using 58m baskets so that would be ok. I got my tamper from Hasbean and it works well.

I'm not sure on your other question, was there supposed to be a link there?

Gran Hermano

Sounds like you're looking for a knock box, I've spent the last decade washing pucks down the sink with no drama.
If you are interested in a knock box, this is a popular design
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Grindenstein-knock-off-container-coffee-grounds/dp/B000WHC89M/ref=pd_sim_sbs_kh_2

wannabecraig

Gran Hermano wrote: »

Sounds like you're looking for a knock box, I've spent the last decade washing pucks down the sink with no drama.
If you are interested in a knock box, this is a popular design
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Grindenstein-knock-off-container-coffee-grounds/dp/B000WHC89M/ref=pd_sim_sbs_kh_2

Yes, this is what I'm talking about and that's what I was looking at.

The other reason I'd like one it that I use the coffee grounds for my garden soil.

wannabecraig

So I can probably find this in other threads here but I'm being a little lazy, where do you all buy your coffee
and what represents good value. I was buying illy but it was mentioned in another thread that it was very expensive.

Suggestions please. Also, is there a decent guide to buying coffee and different types etc.

I know I'm being a bit lazy so any input is appreciated.

Gran Hermano

Check the next thread down, Roaster Alternatives.
I'm rotating between Mojo, Bailies and Has bean at the moment.

wannabecraig

Having a little trouble getting the consistency right with the new kit.

Grind is obv the same but the coffees come out very differently. Mostly the issue seems to be the
speed the coffee is coming out of the machine. Sometimes it pours nice and fast, sometimes it just drips out.

Anybody any idea what would cause these differences? I think I basically put the same pressure when tamping the coffee
and it's defo the same amount of coffee so idk what can cause it. Any ideas?

Gran Hermano

Grind will need to be tweaked for different beans.

Depending on the beans, roast profile and how fresh the beans are (and a myriad of lesser factors) it is perfectly normal to have to make minor adjustments to your grind settings.

If the shots are too fast, grind slightly finer and see ow you get on.

livingthedream

I guess another thing to note is that if your Classic is like mine then it came with pressurised baskets by default i.e. only 1 little hole in the basket and a little plastic thingymebob in the bottom of the portafilter which is all there to allegedly help produce crema even with poorer coffee grinds..

I opted to replace the basket with a normal one and remove the little plastic thingy in an attempt at gaining a more constant brew... or at least a brew that was more reflective of the changes I make to the process so I can tune things to the way I like it...

I also picked up a naked portafilter as a means of testing the quality of my grind + tamping as any errors with those end up with spurious jets of coffee as opposed to one nice thick centralised flow...

It's all still a work in progress....

wannabecraig

Gran Hermano wrote: »

Grind will need to be tweaked for different beans.

Depending on the beans, roast profile and how fresh the beans are (and a myriad of lesser factors) it is perfectly normal to have to make minor adjustments to your grind settings.

If the shots are too fast, grind slightly finer and see ow you get on.

Hi,

The real issue is that it's the same grind, same coffee but different results.
Like I made two this morning, same amount of coffee from same batch. First one drips out slowly and the second one lashes out. As a result the first one had a decent layer of crema on it but dripped out and the second one had very little crema on it! Second one tasted way more bitter too. I though it might have something to do with the heat of the water as for the second coffee the machine had been heated up a while. idk

wannabecraig

livingthedream wrote: »

I guess another thing to note is that if your Classic is like mine then it came with pressurised baskets by default i.e. only 1 little hole in the basket and a little plastic thingymebob in the bottom of the portafilter which is all there to allegedly help produce crema even with poorer coffee grinds..

I opted to replace the basket with a normal one and remove the little plastic thingy in an attempt at gaining a more constant brew... or at least a brew that was more reflective of the changes I make to the process so I can tune things to the way I like it...

I also picked up a naked portafilter as a means of testing the quality of my grind + tamping as any errors with those end up with spurious jets of coffee as opposed to one nice thick centralised flow...

It's all still a work in progress....

I noticed for the first time today that the basket had only one small hole and was very surprised, thought I was using the cleaning one or something! How did replacing the basket work for you?

I just dont understand the lack of consistency. I use the exact same amount of beans, the same beans and the same machine with vastly different results.

donnacha

wannabecraig wrote: »

I noticed for the first time today that the basket had only one small hole and was very surprised, thought I was using the cleaning one or something! How did replacing the basket work for you?

I just dont understand the lack of consistency. I use the exact same amount of beans, the same beans and the same machine with vastly different results.

1. As livingthedream pointed out you have what is known as a pressurised basket. Buy a VST basket and a naked portafilter. Alternatively just get a regular basket.

2. Note your gaggia will also have been shipped to you at 15bar pressure - you need to reduce this. Read this thread: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=75677834

3. Looking at your grinder its possible a lot of ground coffee is sitting up in that chute. So you may need to purge some ground coffee between grind to ensure the coffee you are using is freshly ground and not stuff thats been sitting there since you last used it.

Hope that helps.

wannabecraig

@Donnacha

So if I buy a VST I'll have to invest in a naked portafilter too?

Where can Iget just a regular basket? Do thet have special name or anything I need to look out for?

thanks for points 2 & 3. I'll reduce pressure.

Also, is it right to say that there is no sense in getting a regular basket unless I reduce the pressure?
If I do will it cause a total mess?

PPC

You don't need a naked portafilter if you get the 18g basket, I use mine with a regular spouted filter and naked portfilter.

wannabecraig

PPC wrote: »

You don't need a naked portafilter if you get the 18g basket, I use mine with a regular spouted filter and naked portfilter.

Hi, so I can get the VST basket, the 18g one, use the spouted filter but just take that little plastic widget out?

Is Amazon the best place to buy?

Also, do I need to reduce the pressure to use this?

donnacha

wannabecraig wrote: »

@Donnacha

So if I buy a VST I'll have to invest in a naked portafilter too?

Where can Iget just a regular basket? Do thet have special name or anything I need to look out for?

thanks for points 2 & 3. I'll reduce pressure.

Also, is it right to say that there is no sense in getting a regular basket unless I reduce the pressure?
If I do will it cause a total mess?

wannabecraig wrote: »

Hi, so I can get the VST basket, the 18g one, use the spouted filter but just take that little plastic widget out?

Is Amazon the best place to buy?

Also, do I need to reduce the pressure to use this?

The naked portafilter is an option for you. If you are serious about getting the best results and are happy to make the investment then its worth considering. You can definitely continue to use the portafilter that was shipped with the gaggia - just remove the widget.

The reason the pressure is dialled up so high on these machines is to facilitate use of ESE pods, and I'm guessing it probably also works well with these 1 hole baskets. I would definitely be reducing the pressure on the gaggia - but this doesn't have to be done.

In terms of buying the VST you could pick one up from hasbean http://www.hasbean.co.uk/collections/vst/products/vst-filter-basket
or from squaremile http://shop.squaremilecoffee.com/collections/brewing

wannabecraig

tks,

I'm gonna get the 18g VST and try it with the spouted portafilter, having read a bit it should work ok. A investment further down the line with the the naked on, but for now I'm going to try the above set-up.

Which tamper is best to use with that, I may as well get both at the same time.

PPC

Any 58mm tamper should be fine, if you want to be very specific try and get a 58.35mm one but you'll be looking close to 100 for one of those.

I spent just over 100 on a http://www.coffeetamper.com/store/pc/home.asp


Its 58.3mm, but you wouldn't realllly notice the difference between it and a 58mm.

wannabecraig

errr, not sure I'm willing to spend that on a tamper... There are 58mm ones on Amazon for about 20€, what am I missing.
Don't mean to disregard what you're saying but...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000VJ8J8K/ref=s9_simh_gw_p79_d12_i5?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=03WVCXGMTEGWDT87Z4TV&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=358549767&pf_rd_i=468294

PPC

Yup, as I said that will do perfectly fine. Its perfectly compatible with the VST basket.

I just wanted that extra .3mm and that particular wood (cocobolo), so I was willing to spend the money.
The official VST tampers are even more! http://store.vstapps.com/products/2012-professional-barista-tamper-w-free-vst-precision-filter-50-off

wannabecraig

fk... that's 1/2 the price of my machine...

donnacha

wannabecraig wrote: »

fk... that's 1/2 the price of my machine...

its never ending - welcome to our world :P

PPC

I spent more on my tamper than my Gaggia Baby Class

wannabecraig

So I got the VST filter yesterday and it looks very impressive and fits nicely into my portafilter.
However, the water come through it very fast, like 5 times faster than before and the crema is not nearly as much, rich.
Is this because the pressure is now too high in the machine for the new filter?

Gran Hermano

VST baskets can give great results BUT they are unforgiving and will penalise you for anything wrong or slightly wrong with your technique.
They can take a while to get your technique honed. You'll need to have grind and tamp spot on and a weighing scales will make it easier to
be precise on the weight of grounds.

Have a look at the link on this recent thread for some tips on using
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=84174615&postcount=29
(Thanks to PPC for link).

wannabecraig

Yeah, I've made 3 coffees and they have improved each time, gettin the tamp right seems to be really important.
The coffee tastes lovely though, but visually it's just not there yet.

tks for the link, will read through now.

adrian522

You probably want to grind finer if it is flowing too quickly, are you weighing the coffee you are putting into the basket each time?

wannabecraig

NO, I'm not weighing it and tbh, I wont be long term, i mean that's just gonna take up too much
time while getting the kid ready in the morning.

Stupid Q here but are you required to put 18g of coffee in an 18g basket or is that just it's optimum capacity?
I usually just set the grinder to grind 11g, which is the size shot I like. I dont think I need to weigh it every time as
I've weighed on a number of occasional and the grinder seems to grind the correct weight pretty consistently

adrian522

Hi,

11g seems like a very low amount. The 18g basket is designed for use with 17-19g of coffee. There is a smaller basket for single shots I think.

I weigh out the beans before grinding them, but if's that's too much hassle then the system you've got should be ok, but remember to check it occasionally to ensure that you are getting around your desired weight each time.

wannabecraig

so every time you want a coffee you weigh the beans? Then just put the into the burr grinder?
My grinder leaves some beans in the shoot, so if you did that every time I dont think I'd get the correct results.
I'll up the amount of coffee I put into the shot, like 14g and see if that help. But I fine 2 18g espressos before
I leave the house in the morning cause fk me up a little.

Also, is a standard single shot not 7g?

adrian522

I don't know I always use 18g for a double.

I think the key is to use the same amount each time, as long as it's consistent you should be ok.

PPC

I found going over 18g ruined the extraction for me.

Ideally you'll be putting 18g in and getting 29g of espresso out for optimum flavour.
Thats ~1 fl.oz which would be the technical standard for a single shot, but not the best for flavour.
I've a set of http://dx.com/p/precision-digital-pocket-scale-100g-max-0-01g-resolution-15002l which i keep a small clear plastic cup on top.
Just turn it on, pop the beans in and its weighted, takes 10 seconds or less to do.
I only usually weight the shots when I'm dialling in a new coffee or if I'm practicing at the weekend.

If weighting isn't an option, maybe see if you can use small clear plastic cup and weighting 18g one and marking it on the side.
Won't give consistent results, but it'll be closer to the mark.

wannabecraig

Hi, I have a very good digital scales, I just dont want to weight every time is all. The grinder does put the proper weight out consistently enough for me.

So I put 14g in this morning and pressed a little heavier while tamping and the results were MUCH better, best coffee with the new filter yet.
Made two and they were very consistent. I still feel the crema could have more dept to it though.

btw, what is crema indicative of? How much of the coffee comes through?


Still in the market for a good but not too expensive tamper btw, the ones on Amazon can't be shipped here for some reason.
knockbox arrived yesterday, fkin awesome!

PPC

Karl in Coffee Angel has some 57mm tampers which will do the job for about €25 in the South Anne st shop.

If you lower the pressure of your opv you'll get better crema, currently its probably set to the stock factory pressure which is meant for use with the ese pods, but to get a fresh coffee experience, you want to lower it to 9 bar dynamic/10 bar static.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXoz6Aoykpg heres a video on it, http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=82718973 thread from here.

donnacha

OP - I think you'll find this an interesting read:

http://www.frcndigital.com/coffee/HowToEspresso.html

wannabecraig

Just picked up that Tamper in CA, plus a bag of their Espresso beans, looking forward to getting stuck in tonight/tomorrow morning.

Staff in shop were super help and polite fwiw.

wannabecraig

PPC wrote: »

Karl in Coffee Angel has some 57mm tampers which will do the job for about €25 in the South Anne st shop.

If you lower the pressure of your opv you'll get better crema, currently its probably set to the stock factory pressure which is meant for use with the ese pods, but to get a fresh coffee experience, you want to lower it to 9 bar dynamic/10 bar static.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXoz6Aoykpg heres a video on it, http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=82718973 thread from here.

So in order to get this adjusted to the correct pressure you need a pressure gauge? It also effect the pressure coming from the frothier?

PPC

You can do the backflow check to get a rough estimate of the pressure, theres some details on it on http://www.jamesgleave.com/2012/07/96/modifying-gaggia-classic-opv-to-9-bar/
The pressure from the frother should be the same as far as I know, I didn't notice any difference on mine, I don't think milk will give enough resistance to hit 9 bars.

wannabecraig

^^
Doing this now, eek! Mate is going to lend me a pressure gauge but can't till tomorrow so going to do it blind anyway.

wannabecraig

I made this change, it was fairly easy. I ran out of decent coffee just before I did it so
haven't been able to check the results just yet, I'm picking up a bag from Sasha today so I'll let you know.

I've also got a load of a pressure gauge, a small one for a car, going to try fit it and see what the exact pressure it tonight.

side note, coffee is Sasha House Petite is awesome.

wannabecraig

So I did this and it seems to have made little or no difference, the coffee may even be coming out faster.
I use 14g for a shot, how long should this take to pour?

I defo did turn in 270 degrees anticlockwise btw.

I'll take a vid tomorrow and show the coffee pouring. Going to buy a glass shot glass today do I can have a better look at it.

PPC

wannabecraig wrote: »

So I did this and it seems to have made little or no difference, the coffee may even be coming out faster.
I use 14g for a shot, how long should this take to pour?

I defo did turn in 270 degrees anticlockwise btw.

I'll take a vid tomorrow and show the coffee pouring. Going to buy a glass shot glass today do I can have a better look at it.

Have you adjusted the grind size too?
And what pressure are you at now? You should be looking for 10 bar on a gauge which will give you about 9 bar when extracting.

I normally aim for 18g of coffee and looking for about (18g*1.6 ratio) 28~29g of espresso out in 28 seconds .

wannabecraig

Didnt adjust grind, finer?

brokenarms

would one of these be a big step up from the cubika. Im finding my result a little inconsistent and would like a better steamer .

donnacha

wannabecraig wrote: »

I made this change, it was fairly easy. I ran out of decent coffee just before I did it so
haven't been able to check the results just yet, I'm picking up a bag from Sasha today so I'll let you know.

I've also got a load of a pressure gauge, a small one for a car, going to try fit it and see what the exact pressure it tonight.

side note, coffee is Sasha House Petite is awesome.

wannabecraig wrote: »

So I did this and it seems to have made little or no difference, the coffee may even be coming out faster.
I use 14g for a shot, how long should this take to pour?

I defo did turn in 270 degrees anticlockwise btw.

I'll take a vid tomorrow and show the coffee pouring. Going to buy a glass shot glass today do I can have a better look at it.

First off did you get the pressure gauge? If you didn't then you should revert to the other link that PPC had posted - obviously you'll need a blank basket/disc in your portafilter to do this (you should definitely invest in a blank disc anyway for your cleaning routine): http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=85316276&postcount=40

Once you have worked out your pressure you can then go about adjusting grind based on a set dose to get the results you are aiming for. Unfortunately it seems like at the same time as adjusting pressure above you also got different beans. Remember every bean is going to need some slight adjustment - this can me minor or major depending on bean type, roast profile and freshness of roast.

Hope that helps. On another note I sold my Silvia to a relative and will be taking their Classic off them and attempting to adjust its bar settings etc in the coming weeks prior to selling it on adverts. When I get around to it I'll revert back here with any observations/challenges.

wannabecraig

I'm back to using my usual beans, below is the result of 14g of that coffee using a VST filter basket.
I know it's supposed to be 18g but I like 14, lower pressure further? If the shot is coming out fast does that
usually mean it's too fine or not fine enough?

PPC

wannabecraig wrote: »

I'm back to using my usual beans, below is the result of 14g of that coffee using a VST filter basket.
I know it's supposed to be 18g but I like 14, lower pressure further? If the shot is coming out fast does that
usually mean it's too fine or not fine enough?

Needs to be finer to slow it down.

When you grind only 14g into the 18g basket, you're leaving a lot of unintended headroom over the puck and that will probably cause issues with it.

Might be worth selling on the 18g basket and buying a 15g one from http://store.vstapps.com/products/vst-precision-filter-baskets

http://www.home-barista.com/espresso-guide.html is also worth a read

Gran Hermano

I find VST baskets extremely fussy and require the exact weight as indicated. As already mentioned too much or little headroom between grinds and top of portafilter will give poor results.

Have a read of this http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=84395528&postcount=70

wannabecraig

D, I dont have a pressure gauge, the one my mate had was for air pressure! Where can I get a blank basket?

thks GH yeah, I had read that, think it's what made me buy one!

PCC, yeah, I can just buy the 15g for now and hold on to 18g in case my balls drop one day!

I made the grind finer and made the shot 16g, it defo comes out slower, better crema, but coffee is slightly more bitter.
It's tasty overall but is defo more harsh than I like and I'm used to.
So I think I'll open her up again and reduce pressure by further 90 degrees.