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stimpson · 22-01-2020, 15:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by McSween

Mine was driving me mad a few weeks ago. I unplugged it for two days and used starbucks espresso beans and it started working (water flow). I then used the Blonde espresso and it trickled out on 2 cup setting but works out fine on 1 cup.

Strange machine. Ill need a hoover to clean it.

Do you descale regularly? if you do and it's still working slowly, then dialling in a coarser grind should help.

McSween · 22-01-2020, 19:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by stimpson

Do you descale regularly? if you do and it's still working slowly, then dialling in a coarser grind should help.

I only started using it on xmas day. I have it on the finest setting. I might experiment at the weekend. At the start nothing seemed right with it.

snoopsheep · 22-01-2020, 20:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by McSween

I only started using it on xmas day. I have it on the finest setting. I might experiment at the weekend. At the start nothing seemed right with it.

finest setting is a little *too* fine in my experience for most beans

stimpson · 22-01-2020, 20:12

Yeah. You’re just grinding too fine. Read the manual before you adjust. The grinder must be grinding when you turn the adjustment dial.

You should aim for a single shot to pull an ounce of coffee in 25-30 sec. I find the left dial at 10:00 and the right at 2:00 is a good place to start. Alter the shot size to get an ounce and then dial in the time with the grind. My grinder is set to 4.5 for medium roast beans.

Oh, and don’t use the double shot button. It just doubles the water giving you an overextracted shot. Do two single shots instead.

snoopsheep · 22-01-2020, 20:34

genuinely haven't noticed the double shot doing that. the puck of spent grounds is noticeably thicker etc

minimise the water going through it, sure. top up with boiling water from kettle after if needed

Don Imac2 · 22-01-2020, 21:39

Interesting article which might benefit those on the quest for the perfect coffee. It's all in the grind.

https://www.theguardian.com/food/202...rfect-espresso

stimpson · 23-01-2020, 10:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by snoopsheep

genuinely haven't noticed the double shot doing that. the puck of spent grounds is noticeably thicker etc

minimise the water going through it, sure. top up with boiling water from kettle after if needed

I was curious about this so I pulled a double shot this morning. Pucks are identical - left is a single, right is a double. right looks slightly bigger as it's still wet.

these are the shots - left is 2 singles, right is the double. the double crema is lighter in colour and the shot tastes noticeably weaker than the 2 singles.

snoopsheep · 23-01-2020, 10:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by stimpson

I was curious about this so I pulled a double shot this morning. Pucks are identical - left is a single, right is a double. right looks slightly bigger as it's still wet.

these are the shots - left is 2 singles, right is the double. the double crema is lighter in colour and the shot tastes noticeably weaker than the 2 singles.

fair play, i might well go back and have another look at my technique after that!

stimpson · 23-01-2020, 10:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by snoopsheep

fair play, i might well go back and have another look at my technique after that!

No worries. I was just parroting what I had read on the web. It was interesting to check it out myself.

Ardent · 24-01-2020, 17:47

Just got this machine and very disappointed with the weak milk frother/steamer. The De Longhi Icona it replaces was streets ahead for making cappucinos etc. Any tips or tricks to increase output of the steamer?

Basq · 15-03-2020, 10:37

Struggling to get a decent Americano out of this.. all a bit weak!

Currently have:

Grind Size: 1 (Minimum / Finest)
Water Volume: Just Above Min
Coffee Volume: Max

I do a double shot with above and then fill a 8oz / 240ml cup to roughly 4/5 full.

Any suggestions?

stimpson · 15-03-2020, 10:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basq

Struggling to get a decent Americano out of this.. all a bit weak!

Currently have:

Grind Size: 1 (Minimum / Finest)
Water Volume: Just Above Min
Coffee Volume: Max

I do a double shot with above and then fill a 8oz / 240ml cup to roughly 4/5 full.

Any suggestions?

Don’t use the double shot button. Use the single shot twice.

My grind is about 2, left dial is at 10:00 and right dial is at 2:00. (I forget which is which, but I remember what the dials are set to!)

I think that’s a good ballpark to start.

McSween · 15-03-2020, 11:58

Agree. 2 singles is the best way. Can anyone recommend a good travel mug that isnt metal?

Basq · 15-03-2020, 12:47

Thanks guys. Will give that a (single) shot.

With regards to a good travel cup - I personally like the glass KeepCup's.

If you can stretch a bit further, go for the Cork band ones.

They don't insulate fantastic mind but I just find they feel better in the hand than most.

Keep an eye on Warehouse Deals on Amazon and you can get KeepCup's quite cheap. e.g https://www.amazon.co.uk/KeepCup-Cha...e-deals&sr=8-5 (bit feminine in colour but fantastic value at a tenner!)

Best insulated cup I own by far is metal so can't help there!

Mr.Crinklewood · 24-04-2020, 06:56

Ok.....we have lockdown issues.

My 4200 has decided that it feeds descaled.

Would any shops that are currently open in the Dubkin region have deacaler?

Should I risk using it in the meantime?

Thanks!!

15-03-2020, 12:47	#1229
Basq Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 41,513 Adverts \| Friends	Thanks guys. Will give that a (single) shot. With regards to a good travel cup - I personally like the glass KeepCup's. If you can stretch a bit further, go for the Cork band ones. They don't insulate fantastic mind but I just find they feel better in the hand than most. Keep an eye on Warehouse Deals on Amazon and you can get KeepCup's quite cheap. e.g https://www.amazon.co.uk/KeepCup-Cha...e-deals&sr=8-5 (bit feminine in colour but fantastic value at a tenner!) Best insulated cup I own by far is metal so can't help there! Last edited by Basq; 15-03-2020 at 12:50.

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22-01-2020, 20:12	#1219
stimpson Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 7,424 Adverts \| Friends	Yeah. You’re just grinding too fine. Read the manual before you adjust. The grinder must be grinding when you turn the adjustment dial. You should aim for a single shot to pull an ounce of coffee in 25-30 sec. I find the left dial at 10:00 and the right at 2:00 is a good place to start. Alter the shot size to get an ounce and then dial in the time with the grind. My grinder is set to 4.5 for medium roast beans. Oh, and don’t use the double shot button. It just doubles the water giving you an overextracted shot. Do two single shots instead.

22-01-2020, 20:34	#1220
snoopsheep Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 7,004 Adverts \| Friends	genuinely haven't noticed the double shot doing that. the puck of spent grounds is noticeably thicker etc minimise the water going through it, sure. top up with boiling water from kettle after if needed

22-01-2020, 21:39	#1221
Don Imac2 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 85 Adverts \| Friends	Interesting article which might benefit those on the quest for the perfect coffee. It's all in the grind. https://www.theguardian.com/food/202...rfect-espresso

24-01-2020, 17:47	#1225
Ardent Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 4,933 Adverts \| Friends	Just got this machine and very disappointed with the weak milk frother/steamer. The De Longhi Icona it replaces was streets ahead for making cappucinos etc. Any tips or tricks to increase output of the steamer?

15-03-2020, 10:37	#1226
Basq Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 41,513 Adverts \| Friends	Struggling to get a decent Americano out of this.. all a bit weak! Currently have: Grind Size: 1 (Minimum / Finest) Water Volume: Just Above Min Coffee Volume: Max I do a double shot with above and then fill a 8oz / 240ml cup to roughly 4/5 full. Any suggestions?

15-03-2020, 11:58	#1228
McSween Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 969 Adverts \| Friends	Agree. 2 singles is the best way. Can anyone recommend a good travel mug that isnt metal?

24-04-2020, 06:56	#1230
Mr.Crinklewood Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 10,107 Adverts \| Friends	Ok.....we have lockdown issues. My 4200 has decided that it feeds descaled. Would any shops that are currently open in the Dubkin region have deacaler? Should I risk using it in the meantime? Thanks!!