Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi all! We have been experiencing an issue on site where threads have been missing the latest postings. The platform host Vanilla are working on this issue. A workaround that has been used by some is to navigate back from 1 to 10+ pages to re-sync the thread and this will then show the latest posts. Thanks, Mike.
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Sage Barista Express

1…34689…12

Comments

  • #252
    Issac
    Registered Users Posts: 508 ✭✭✭Issac


    alec76 wrote: »
    Just a warning , all these numbers reference only , you can’t use someone else grinder settings.
    Most of those grinders poorly calibrated at factory ( if at all )there is absolutely no point to compare numbers .

    Ok thanks for the heads up. Seems a pretty big oversight for such an expensive piece of kit...
    Is there something we could all use as a reference? A particular bean, a particular weight in/out, extraction time for the "perfect" espresso?
    That way we could all dial in our machines to give similar results


  • #253
    alec76
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,603 ✭✭✭alec76


    Issac wrote: »
    Ok thanks for the heads up. Seems a pretty big oversight for such an expensive piece of kit...
    Is there something we could all use as a reference? A particular bean, a particular weight in/out, extraction time for the "perfect" espresso?
    That way we could all dial in our machines to give similar results
    There is no simple way to do it , just trials and errors.
    Great guide by Fall Guy

    https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=115693747&postcount=230


  • #254
    mad m
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,006 ✭✭✭mad m


    I know I don’t have a sage express, sage pro but no harm adding my two cents as they are similar enough.

    Burr setting at 6
    Grind setting at 2
    Ponaire connoisseur albeit roasted end of October ( just at end of it )

    18g in 39g out bang on 30seconds ( using automatic )

    Shot starts at around 9 seconds after pre infusion


  • #255
    Klopp
    Registered Users Posts: 482 ✭✭Klopp


    I read over the last few days and rewatched loads of videos and a lot say the Sage Barista for an Espresso tastes better when the grind is finer ( low setting ). I thought this was more dependent on the bean and the roast?

    I messed around with my settings today. The last shot I poured, the burr was at 4 the grind 9, 17.5g with 40.1g in 24 seconds and I got decent shot but feel I can get better. If I grind finer, the machine starts chocking with drips?

    Any thoughts?


  • #256
    mad m
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,006 ✭✭✭mad m


    Try the burr at 4.5 at the lower grind setting and see


  • #257
    Fall_Guy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 776 ✭✭✭Fall_Guy


    Klopp wrote: »
    I read over the last few days and rewatched loads of videos and a lot say the Sage Barista for an Espresso tastes better when the grind is finer ( low setting ). I thought this was more dependent on the bean and the roast?

    I messed around with my settings today. The last shot I poured, the burr was at 4 the grind 9, 17.5g with 40.1g in 24 seconds and I got decent shot but feel I can get better. If I grind finer, the machine starts chocking with drips?

    Any thoughts?

    It does seem to be one of the limitations of having a middling grinder in the machine. I have no problem grinding fine enough but i would find that when dialling in new beans that one change of setting on the grinder dial could take you from underextracted to choking the machine.

    Maybe try increasing the dose a bit rather than changing the grind setting and see if that improved the flavour at all.

    I wouldn't have expected the machine to choke after one move of the dial from your current recipe though, as I normally pull a smaller shot in a longer time without any issues. Are you flushing the portafilter and then making sure there's no residue at all from the last shot before making the new one?


  • #258
    mad m
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,006 ✭✭✭mad m


    So all the Ponaire is gone. Had 500g of Mahers Italian in freezer. Roasted early December. Took it out few days ago.

    Sage barista pro
    Burr setting 6
    Grinder setting 2

    18g in with flow starting at 10 seconds. The flow looked really nice however auto double shot went to 36seconds with a yield of 27g. So will move grinder up to 3.

    I got talking to Frank from Mahers Coffee. He reckons I should only be using 16/17g of Italian as its strong and 20-24 seconds output to remove any bitterness that may occur.

    Will report back.

    Edit: So went and tried 16g with Grind setting 3, bizarrely it dribbled the entire shot....hmmm

    Grind setting 4

    16g in and pour started at 8 seconds with total extraction of 27seconds , however 52g yield.

    Grind setting 3

    16g in, pour started at 8 seconds with total extraction time of 23 seconds with 45g yield.

    As we all know the tamping can play big part, I didn’t go mad on pressure, which is probably proof of no dribbling this time.


  • #259
    FileNotFound
    Registered Users Posts: 2,004 ✭✭✭FileNotFound


    mad m wrote: »
    So all the Ponaire is gone. Had 500g of Mahers Italian in freezer. Roasted early December. Took it out few days ago.

    Sage barista pro
    Burr setting 6
    Grinder setting 2

    18g in with flow starting at 10 seconds. The flow looked really nice however auto double shot went to 36seconds with a yield of 27g. So will move grinder up to 3.

    I got talking to Frank from Mahers Coffee. He reckons I should only be using 16/17g of Italian as its strong and 20-24 seconds output to remove any bitterness that may occur.

    Will report back.

    Edit: So went and tried 16g with Grind setting 3, bizarrely it dribbled the entire shot....hmmm

    Grind setting 4

    16g in and pour started at 8 seconds with total extraction of 27seconds , however 52g yield.

    Grind setting 3

    16g in, pour started at 8 seconds with total extraction time of 23 seconds with 45g yield.

    As we all know the tamping can play big part, I didn’t go mad on pressure, which is probably proof of no dribbling this time.

    I only tend to use 3 approx tamp pressures for any beans - I'd say go with the last grind setting and put your weight down on the tamper. Try and create your own tamp levels (I have 3 i use: Heavy Tamp using counter for support (Body weight pressure), lighter tamp using counter as support (arm pressure only) and lightest not using counter for support and tamping hard while holding portafilter and tamp.

    For any new coffee you might as well write of a bag of beans - get it working, record the settings and then only change coffees every few bags or so.

    Changing coffee all the time means a mix of wasted beans an meh coffee...

    Also something not often mentioned but making a big difference is whether you knock the filter to level coffee or shake as its dispensing (adjusting space between crounds through means other than tamp makes consistency an issue).

    Just me experience


  • #260
    mighty magpie
    Registered Users Posts: 981 ✭✭✭mighty magpie


    owned my machine now for about a month, lot of experimenting but on my 2nd 1 kg bag i had it working fairly well up until the past few days.

    Haven't changed a thing and now everthing is dribbling out as opposed to before it was a nice slow flow.
    Tried a few shots going more coaser and it's the same thing.

    Beans were roasted less than 1 month ago.

    Any ideas?
    Does letting the machine heat up for 30 mins or so help with extraction?


  • #261
    FileNotFound
    Registered Users Posts: 2,004 ✭✭✭FileNotFound


    mighty magpie wrote: »
    owned my machine now for about a month, lot of experimenting but on my 2nd 1 kg bag i had it working fairly well up until the past few days.

    Haven't changed a thing and now everthing is dribbling out as opposed to before it was a nice slow flow.
    Tried a few shots going more coaser and it's the same thing.

    Beans were roasted less than 1 month ago.

    Any ideas?
    Does letting the machine heat up for 30 mins or so help with extraction?

    First job test the machine - run a blank single wall and blank double wall - singe wall should give the normal flow no pressure, double wall in the espresso range and normal volume (Double is preset to 60-70ml i think). If these work assume machine is operational. If not it may be broken.

    I find that after 7-10 days open some beans need me to adjust my settings - they literally dry out and grind (dust easier) best i can tell. Doesn't seem to happen if i use multiple small bags instead of 1 kg bags.

    Full clean (Both tablets and descale) may help everything in general.


    As for other tips for consistency - heat up machine for at least 10 mins and run 2-3 blanks (I just stick an ikea glass under shower head). Gets the temp right. Then just try and develop some consistent technique really.

    Your machine should still give a solid flow even when the pressure gauge is at the 2 o'clock (last marker after latter end of espresso range), anything above that can be drippy.




    NOTE: The Barrista express actually gives twice the standard shot volume if you use preset values. To get the same product as sold in a coffee shop you need to leave their advised range behind. I have owned my machine for about 3 years and still experiment haha - welcome to the rabbit hole.


  • Advertisement
  • #262
    mighty magpie
    Registered Users Posts: 981 ✭✭✭mighty magpie


    FileNotFound wrote: »
    double wall in the espresso range and normal volume (Double is preset to 60-70ml i think).

    I don't have any pressure in the blank double wall. To be honest, i didn't know this was supposed to happen.

    Sometimes i run a single or double to help heat the machine but never check the pressure guide.

    I have played with the double shot amounts in manual mode so maybe this affects the test you mention.


  • #263
    FileNotFound
    Registered Users Posts: 2,004 ✭✭✭FileNotFound


    mighty magpie wrote: »
    I don't have any pressure in the blank double wall. To be honest, i didn't know this was supposed to happen.

    Sometimes i run a single or double to help heat the machine but never check the pressure guide.

    I have played with the double shot amounts in manual mode so maybe this affects the test you mention.

    You should get in the espresso range with the single shot double wall filter basket no matter what when you just hit the relevant single preset button.

    Any manual work should not impact the pressure. Not sure what your issue is but first step would be a full descale - do it 2 or 3 times if you can (Harvey norman stock the descaler - cheaper online but if you cannot wait). Maybe there is a blockage.

    If that and doing the grouphead/showerhead (bit you attach the portafilter to) clean doesn't fix your issue it may be mechanical. Sage support time then - your under warranty so will be fine.


  • #264
    awhir
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,227 ✭✭✭awhir


    If anyone is looking for a new supplier ( Amazon is charging shipping for these now) Urnex Cafiza Cleaning tablets and descaling products I noticed that an Irish supplier (bluestarcoffee.eu) is selling them at good prices.


  • #265
    DaveyDave
    Registered Users Posts: 6,287 ✭✭✭DaveyDave


    Following up on my grinder saga, Sage recommended an advanced cleaning of the burrs. It was caked in coffee and the smell was awful.

    I noticed the internal burr was on 3 and not 1 as I previously thought but I don't think this would have changed much as I've had it on 1 before without much success.

    I made a coffee with the burr on 1 and the dial left on 16 from when I was cleaning. It wasn't great but seemed a bit better, 18g, 18 seconds, 67g out. The grind was much quicker coming out without any clumps which is a good start.

    Is the grinder prone to getting blocked with old coffee? Should a full clean of the burrs be done regularly?


  • #266
    DaveyDave
    Registered Users Posts: 6,287 ✭✭✭DaveyDave


    DaveyDave wrote: »
    Following up on my grinder saga, Sage recommended an advanced cleaning of the burrs. It was caked in coffee and the smell was awful.

    I noticed the internal burr was on 3 and not 1 as I previously thought but I don't think this would have changed much as I've had it on 1 before without much success.

    I made a coffee with the burr on 1 and the dial left on 16 from when I was cleaning. It wasn't great but seemed a bit better, 18g, 18 seconds, 67g out. The grind was much quicker coming out without any clumps which is a good start.

    Is the grinder prone to getting blocked with old coffee? Should a full clean of the burrs be done regularly?

    Two more today. Internal burr on 1.

    Dial 10 - 18g, 18.34 seconds, 60.9g out.

    Dial 6, - 19g, 19.09 seconds, 63g out.


  • #267
    mad m
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,006 ✭✭✭mad m


    @Davey,

    How old is machine.


  • #268
    fits
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,642 ✭✭✭✭fits


    Dave’s we got new machine a few weeks ago and it sounds to me like there’s something wrong with yours.


  • #269
    alec76
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,603 ✭✭✭alec76


    DaveyDave wrote: »
    Following up on my grinder saga, Sage recommended an advanced cleaning of the burrs. It was caked in coffee and the smell was awful.
    Have you done advanced cleaning? Have you removed bottom burr and cleaned under it ?
    ( 10 mm socket , reverse thread )?
    You might find few washers under bottom burr . Adding/removing washers would shift grinding range .
    That the way it is calibrated at factory.
    shim kit they call it . You could ask Sage to post it to you , free of charge.


  • #270
    keith_d99
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,932 ✭✭✭keith_d99


    I have my machine a few months now and love it!

    Have never touched the internal burr ... and always ground between 8-9 (double-shot single wall basket) ... getting an extraction time of around 30 seconds give or take.
    All good ... but reading countless reviews, and mentions on here .... most Barista Express machines generally have a grind setting of 3-4.

    I've never dialled in with scales before so gave it a try for the first time ...

    Using fresh beans (Ponaire Columbian) .... I cleared the grinder and weighed out 18ish grams of beans.
    I set the grind setting to 4.

    The first observation was I definitely over-filling the portafilter before?! There was less ground with the ... and after tamping, there is a much bigger gap at the top.

    Once I began extraction - it absolutely choked ... to the extent that only a drip came out - actually stopped it.
    A few more iterations ... and I was still getting 45-50 seconds.
    I ended up getting the perfect 30 at 9 :) .... essentially back to the setting I had!

    At least I did learn, from weighing it ..... that I was overfilling the portafiller, which I am sure was affecting taste.

    The other thing .... it seems leave the factory with grinders working slightly differently from machine to machine it seems.


  • Advertisement
  • #271
    FileNotFound
    Registered Users Posts: 2,004 ✭✭✭FileNotFound


    keith_d99 wrote: »
    I have my machine a few months now and love it!

    Have never touched the internal burr ... and always ground between 8-9 (double-shot single wall basket) ... getting an extraction time of around 30 seconds give or take.
    All good ... but reading countless reviews, and mentions on here .... most Barista Express machines generally have a grind setting of 3-4.

    I've never dialled in with scales before so gave it a try for the first time ...

    Using fresh beans (Ponaire Columbian) .... I cleared the grinder and weighed out 18ish grams of beans.
    I set the grind setting to 4.

    The first observation was I definitely over-filling the portafilter before?! There was less ground with the ... and after tamping, there is a much bigger gap at the top.

    Once I began extraction - it absolutely choked ... to the extent that only a drip came out - actually stopped it.
    A few more iterations ... and I was still getting 45-50 seconds.
    I ended up getting the perfect 30 at 9 :) .... essentially back to the setting I had!

    At least I did learn, from weighing it ..... that I was overfilling the portafiller, which I am sure was affecting taste.

    The other thing .... it seems leave the factory with grinders working slightly differently from machine to machine it seems.

    Same here - I work between 7-9 normally, never needed to adjust internal. Lucky I guess.


  • #272
    FileNotFound
    Registered Users Posts: 2,004 ✭✭✭FileNotFound


    Issac wrote: »
    Ok thanks for the heads up. Seems a pretty big oversight for such an expensive piece of kit...
    Is there something we could all use as a reference? A particular bean, a particular weight in/out, extraction time for the "perfect" espresso?
    That way we could all dial in our machines to give similar results

    Sure, you will need a scales with at least 1 decimal Place - 3fe momentum blend (in the machine right now). I grind at 8 on mine (yours will be different but the rest should be similar)

    Recommended 2:1 (coffee out/beans in) ratio, my basket ends up with between 18.2g & 18.6g (has little effect due to the time range) so I am for 36.4 - 37.5g out (extra on the end for drips) in the range of 25 - 30 seconds.

    3fe have a brew guide on their website.

    I find that due to the limitations of the grinder (its mediocre v their standalone) you need to develop a tamp technique. Have a light, medium and heavy (for me light is tamp holding porta, heavy is a bit of body weight with porta supported by counter)

    Rave were good for me starting all coffees had specific advice. Due to brexit the shipping is pricey but might help starting off.

    Took me a while. Fresh beans a key. Bell Lane coffee roasters do 1kg house blend for under 25 - good for getting going.


    Once I had my one set up for fresh beans I haven't had to change it much, + or - a grind setting then play with tamp pressure.


    Havent a clue if what I do is right but the coffee tastes good. 1 tip is go to a local coffee shop, if they sell beans ask for a bag of what they are running and an espresso shot of the same - now you have a reference point.


  • #273
    DaveyDave
    Registered Users Posts: 6,287 ✭✭✭DaveyDave


    alec76 wrote: »
    Have you done advanced cleaning? Have you removed bottom burr and cleaned under it ?
    ( 10 mm socket , reverse thread )?
    You might find few washers under bottom burr . Adding/removing washers would shift grinding range .
    That the way it is calibrated at factory.
    shim kit they call it . You could ask Sage to post it to you , free of charge.

    Yeah done the full clean, removed everything. Surprised to see a felt washer down there. I'm going to set the dial to 1 and see what happens. If I can't choke the machine properly at 1 then they'll have to send some sort of shim kit.

    At the moment it's lower burr, spring washer, flat washer, star/fan piece, felt washer and another flat washer I believe (didn't remove the last piece).

    All very clean now.

    Machine was bought in May/June.


  • #274
    alec76
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,603 ✭✭✭alec76


    DaveyDave wrote: »
    Yeah done the full clean, removed everything. Surprised to see a felt washer down there. I'm going to set the dial to 1 and see what happens. If I can't choke the machine properly at 1 then they'll have to send some sort of shim kit.

    At the moment it's lower burr, spring washer, flat washer, star/fan piece, felt washer and another flat washer I believe (didn't remove the last piece).

    All very clean now.

    Machine was bought in May/June.

    Well done ,try to choke it.
    As for the cleaning. It is really depends on beans you grinding.
    If it is regular beans from reliable roaster shouldn’t be an issue.
    If you grinding Super market , DARK ROAST , oily looking beans, then yes , you have to clean it often.


  • #275
    Lombardo123
    Registered Users Posts: 150 ✭✭Lombardo123


    I seem to be one of the lucky ones, have the machine nearly 2 years and no issues to report. I think it might depend on picky you are.

    I am happy with fresh beans, that taste good - with roughly 28-32 seconds from button press and the dial getting roughly centered. I stopped chasing perfection.

    I do think cleaning the grinder, descaling and running the clean cycle are important. I don't really change water filter very often


  • #276
    DaveyDave
    Registered Users Posts: 6,287 ✭✭✭DaveyDave


    Dial 1 - 19.3g, 22.90 seconds, 65.3g out.

    The Machine is descaled and backflushed thoroughly whenever the light comes on but I haven't been able to pull a proper shot since I got the machine. I'll keep in mind not to use oily beans from now on.

    I'll email them back and see what they say now that I 100% can't choke the machine. I know the pressure gauge isn't worth looking at but for reference it barely gets out of the pre-infusion range.


  • Advertisement
  • #277
    alec76
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,603 ✭✭✭alec76


    DaveyDave wrote: »
    Dial 1 - 19.3g, 22.90 seconds, 65.3g out.

    .

    I have a feeling that one small washer ( 0.2-.0.4mm thick ) might fix your issue.
    Then again , maybe it is safer just return machine under the warranty.

    ed4abc110037cda4c7a354b176b7acbe.jpg


  • #278
    mossie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,238 ✭✭✭mossie


    What's the cheapest place to get the water filters for sage machines?


  • #279
    FileNotFound
    Registered Users Posts: 2,004 ✭✭✭FileNotFound


    mossie wrote: »
    What's the cheapest place to get the water filters for sage machines?

    Never really found any particular cheap place just wait for a deal to come up somewhere. Velo coffee have 10% off this weekend. Code "NEWYEAR". Will be 15 each at that point.


  • #280
    mossie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,238 ✭✭✭mossie


    FileNotFound wrote: »
    Never really found any particular cheap place just wait for a deal to come up somewhere. Velo coffee have 10% off this weekend. Code "NEWYEAR". Will be 15 each at that point.

    Thanks. Code isn't valid for the items in my basket though, actually not valid for any items so maybe too late.


  • #281
    mighty magpie
    Registered Users Posts: 981 ✭✭✭mighty magpie


    FileNotFound wrote: »
    You should get in the espresso range with the single shot double wall filter basket no matter what when you just hit the relevant single preset button.

    Any manual work should not impact the pressure. Not sure what your issue is but first step would be a full descale - do it 2 or 3 times if you can (Harvey norman stock the descaler - cheaper online but if you cannot wait). Maybe there is a blockage.

    If that and doing the grouphead/showerhead (bit you attach the portafilter to) clean doesn't fix your issue it may be mechanical. Sage support time then - your under warranty so will be fine.

    Machine is fine, i was getting mixed up between single wall and double wall, then i started to grind finer instead of coarser. :rolleyes:

    When i rang Sage, their pressure test was to run a single shot with rubber cleaning insert inside single shot single wall basket. Pressure showed at MAX past expresso range. I haven't used double wall baskets at all.

    New beans came today roasted on 5th, shot flowing again as usual.

    Settings are currently 5 on upper and 5 on side burr.
    18g, shot finishes around 30 seconds which includes pre-infusion.


  • Advertisement
  • #282
    mad m
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,006 ✭✭✭mad m


    Barista Pro.

    Burr @ 7
    Grinder at 6
    Beans: B&D Blackwater blend Roasted 16/12/20

    18g in got yield of 38g out at custom setting of 28seconds.

    Getting nice results as B&D recommend 18g in with 40g out at 28seconds. Nice cup I have to say.


  • #283
    Klopp
    Registered Users Posts: 482 ✭✭Klopp


    Barista Express

    Burr 4
    Grinder 5
    Beans: Indian Monsoon Malabar from Art of coffee roasted on 4th January.

    18g in with yield of 41g out at 29 seconds.

    I have stopped messing around with the Grinder and settled on the internal burr at 4 from factory 6. I also now give the Portafilter 3 taps on the work counter to help distribute the coffee grinds more evenly at the bottom, maybe just me but noticed a difference already with previous beans and new batch today.


  • #284
    juansheet
    Registered Users Posts: 222 ✭✭juansheet


    Is this a good price ?

    https://www.did.ie/sage-the-barista-touch-bean-to-cup-coffee-machine-black-truffle-ses880btr4guk-ses880btr4guk-prd


  • #285
    Klopp
    Registered Users Posts: 482 ✭✭Klopp


    juansheet wrote: »
    Is this a good price ?

    https://www.did.ie/sage-the-barista-touch-bean-to-cup-coffee-machine-black-truffle-ses880btr4guk-ses880btr4guk-prd


    I bought my Sage Barista from these guys NorthxSouth and I found them to be offering the best value in Ireland when I was searching.

    The Sage Pro is cheaper here compared to DID.


  • #286
    FileNotFound
    Registered Users Posts: 2,004 ✭✭✭FileNotFound


    Klopp wrote: »
    Barista Express

    Burr 4
    Grinder 5
    Beans: Indian Monsoon Malabar from Art of coffee roasted on 4th January.

    18g in with yield of 41g out at 29 seconds.

    I have stopped messing around with the Grinder and settled on the internal burr at 4 from factory 6. I also now give the Portafilter 3 taps on the work counter to help distribute the coffee grinds more evenly at the bottom, maybe just me but noticed a difference already with previous beans and new batch today.

    Maybe someone with more experience can comment but I understood that you should not tap the portafilter on the counter, gentle shake when under the grinder to spread should be enough, then just tamp (if there is any gaps just use your finger to spread some of the heap over there).

    Think my internal is set to 1, then grind setting 7-9 for pretty much all beans.

    Then again seems to be no consistency between machines.


  • #287
    fits
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,642 ✭✭✭✭fits


    We absolutely love our barista express. Best timed purchase ever!


  • #288
    zweton
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,683 ✭✭✭zweton


    Anyone know if the black/truffle sage bambino plus is back in stock anywhere?


  • #289
    batman1
    Registered Users Posts: 602 ✭✭✭batman1


    Two questions on the barista express, more curious than anything ?

    How much coffee should you drink to justify the cost ?

    What's the life span of these machines? They're not cheap


  • #290
    FileNotFound
    Registered Users Posts: 2,004 ✭✭✭FileNotFound


    batman1 wrote: »
    Two questions on the barista express, more curious than anything ?

    How much coffee should you drink to justify the cost ?

    What's the life span of these machines? They're not cheap


    Well the first question really depends on the second haha.

    I have had mine for 3 years I think and it's still working away. I would have used it once a day (maybe twice at weekends) for the first 2 years, but since working from home it's doing 4 doubles a day minimum.

    1kg coffee beans gives approx 50 doubles - so thats 50 cappuccinos. 1kg beans delivered approx 30 euro plus 10 euro for milk = 40 euro. 50 cappuccinos in the shop = 150 euro (more in most coffee shops). So even if you only consume 2 coffees a day you'd save 100 quid v coffee shop over a month and get high quality coffee.


  • #291
    carq
    Registered Users Posts: 869 ✭✭✭carq


    Anyone have experiences they cannot explain ?
    Where the machine behaves inconsistently ?



    Got some new beans yesterday - Bell lane Black tie
    First cup was 18g / grind 3 and hey presto got a nice 36g yield and nice cup.
    Same for a second cup and same result. Sorted.

    Did the exact same today and the pressure went through the roof! barely got 10g out and clogged up.
    Same for second cup with adjusted lighter tamp.
    Had to reduce the dose to 17.5g to get it going again.


    Whats going on!?


  • Advertisement
  • #292
    ShadowSA
    Registered Users Posts: 82 ✭✭ShadowSA


    carq wrote: »
    Anyone have experiences they cannot explain ?
    Where the machine behaves inconsistently ?



    Got some new beans yesterday - Bell lane Black tie
    First cup was 18g / grind 3 and hey presto got a nice 36g yield and nice cup.
    Same for a second cup and same result. Sorted.

    Did the exact same today and the pressure went through the roof! barely got 10g out and clogged up.
    Same for second cup with adjusted lighter tamp.
    Had to reduce the dose to 17.5g to get it going again.


    Whats going on!?

    I suspect your grind is way too fine. Should be around 8 - 10.

    Keep the grind amount at 12 o'clock for now and just tamp enough so that the coffee is right where it should be.

    Also remeber when you adjust the grind size you still have a small amount of the previous grind size inside the machine.


  • #293
    fits
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,642 ✭✭✭✭fits


    batman1 wrote: »
    Two questions on the barista express, more curious than anything ?

    How much coffee should you drink to justify the cost ?

    What's the life span of these machines? They're not cheap

    No idea on lifespan.

    We are both at home much of the time since March and we’re enjoying our morning coffee breaks together. We were drinking instant a lot of the time with French press coffee at main coffee break using ground coffee.

    Now we have freshly ground coffee at touch of a button and husband is enjoying his lattes which he’d only ever get from cafe before. So it’s just incomparable.

    Takes a bit of getting used to at the start. We tried a few different beans as well. We like Tra roasters, ponaire and badger and dodo. I’ve just ordered 1kg of ponaire for 27 euro and we will easily get through that in a month. It’s not cheap any of it - but it’s a real pleasure when there are few available.

    ( I haven’t opened the jar of instant since before Christmas).


  • #294
    RentDayBlues
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,131 ✭✭✭RentDayBlues


    I got one for my hubby as a Christmas gift, we were easily spending €60-€70 per month between us on take away and nespresso. It’s been fantastic, it’ll pay for itself in no time and even after we get back to the office we’ll still get use out of it


  • #295
    carq
    Registered Users Posts: 869 ✭✭✭carq


    ShadowSA wrote: »
    I suspect your grind is way too fine. Should be around 8 - 10.

    Keep the grind amount at 12 o'clock for now and just tamp enough so that the coffee is right where it should be.

    Also remeber when you adjust the grind size you still have a small amount of the previous grind size inside the machine.



    All my grinds are 2/3 .
    with any bean i have tried i have not been able to get pressue unless grind is that low.
    Have not adjusted the internal burr.

    I dont fill the bean holder, i only put in 18g at a time only for each cup i make.


  • #296
    skerry
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,808 ✭✭✭skerry


    Folks, any experience of pulling 2 consequitive shots and having pressure go far too high on second shot? I have machine dialled in pretty much as good as I can get it for the first shot and pressure is within espresso range. But when I do a second shot the pressure goes to max and only drops come out. I run a shot of hot water through the portafilter between shots. Is there anything else I should be doing between shots as currently I have no consistency between the 2 shots despite no settings being changed.


  • #297
    carq
    Registered Users Posts: 869 ✭✭✭carq


    skerry wrote: »
    Folks, any experience of pulling 2 consequitive shots and having pressure go far too high on second shot? I have machine dialled in pretty much as good as I can get it for the first shot and pressure is within espresso range. But when I do a second shot the pressure goes to max and only drops come out. I run a shot of hot water through the portafilter between shots. Is there anything else I should be doing between shots as currently I have no consistency between the 2 shots despite no settings being changed.


    Yes!

    i have my doubts on the water volume being consistent.
    i did some tests there i pressed the double cup button with empty portafilter and measure output with digital scales, different volumes of water each time!


  • #298
    skerry
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,808 ✭✭✭skerry


    carq wrote: »
    Yes!

    i have my doubts on the water volume being consistent.
    i did some tests there i pressed the double cup button with empty portafilter and measure output with digital scales, different volumes of water each time!

    I haven't investigated it fully myself. The inconsistency on the second shot is pretty much.....consistent I guess. No idea why though, and it's been an issue I've encountered since pretty much the start and I've had the machine a couple of years now. First shot is fine and if I pull a couple of shots within maybe an hour or 30 mins of each other they are pretty much the same so settings don't seem to be drifting there but there is definitely something changing if I pull 2 shots one after the other. Maybe its something I'm not doing between the 2 that I'm not aware of but, apart from running water though the empty porta filter between shots I'm not sure what else I should be doing.


  • #299
    carq
    Registered Users Posts: 869 ✭✭✭carq


    The only thing I can think of is the heat of the water, maybe the machine has warmed up between the first and second and maybe that impacts the output/ pressure.

    That or the Volume is not consistant.
    Just did a retest and even removed the protafilter


    Double shot 1 - 74.27g
    Double shot 2 - 71.5 g
    Double shot 3 - 68.5g
    Double shot 4 - 67.4 g
    Double shot 5 - 68.8 g

    Seems it take a good few shots to get consistency in output.
    Volume of water seems to drop the hotter it gets.


  • #300
    alec76
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,603 ✭✭✭alec76


    I would say Thermoblock system probably causing this.
    This machine doesn’t have a boiler ,I wouldn’t expecting temperature/pressure consistency , not at this price range. It is much easier to control temperature/pressure with the boiler machine.


  • Advertisement
  • #301
    DaveyDave
    Registered Users Posts: 6,287 ✭✭✭DaveyDave


    Sage are now asking me for a video of me making a coffee, from the point of turning on the machine to the end. They really don't want to send a shim kit...

    I'll post it here beforehand and see what people think. I could be doing something wrong or there's something I could improve on, but I'm pretty sure I'm following all the instructions from videos.


Advertisement