Many things are not for everyone. Over roasting is a big issue in the coffee world. Not much of a mess the way I do it. Chaff is collected, small brush. The whole process takes 30-40 minutes. And yes quality beans are a must, just like quality grapes can only make good wine...
The [coffee snobs'] espresso thread
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I started out with a La Pavoni. Used it for 10 years. Rebuilt it many times. Finally bought a brass piston. Much better. But, they do get resins in them and need to be broken down every 3 to 4 months and cleaned, greased to run smooth. In the end, the Lelit Bianca I have is way more consistent. And it steams fantastic.
I looked hard at the IMS site. I may get a Big Bang filter. Trying to figure the size and shape I want. It's going to be custom order. Clive Coffee only has one filter and it's for 18 grams. They have custom order for 7 grams up over 20 gram. I will find one for 12 and give it a try,
I looked hard at the IMS site. I may get a Big Bang filter. Trying to figure the size and shape I want. It's going to be custom order. Clive Coffee only has one filter and it's for 18 grams. They have custom order for 7 grams up over 20 gram. I will find one for 12 and give it a try,
I have several Big Bang filters. Mine are not magnetic, so the funnel I use for packing and whisking does not stay in place as well.
Of the IMS filters, my favorite is the BaristaPro. It has the nano coating and it is magnetic. I have nearly $1000 worth of baskets here, from SWorks to OEM Quick Mills. The BaristaPro won all of my comparos. Naturally YMMV.
Just a thought …
Certainly roasting coffee is a very interesting and engaging aspect of coffee as a hobby. As pointed out by others, it can be a long term love affair. As pointed out by me, it might not be “your cup of tea,” although I did it for several years.
James Hoffman (sp?) does not have an espresso machine at home, and when asked what machine to buy he asks “Do you want a cup of coffee, or a hobby?” Of course he does have a coffee empire, unlike most of us.
I think there are some great roasters available for short money these days. There’s never been a better time to learn about roasting.
Nevertheless, Instead, I’d like to suggest that signing up for a subscription to either Tim Wendlebo’s or George Howell’s coffee is a good idea for someone who wants to understand roasting. A subscription to their coffee can show you what’s possible.
These guys will always beat the typical green bean reseller at the auction. They will get the best beans. In fact in Tim’s case, he has a coffee plantation and so he’s another step ahead.
Tim credits George as the guy who showed him the potential in lightly roasted higher elevation beans. A friend of mine told me the same thing about George as Tim has said (based on first hand experience with George).
So … if you really want the very best auction coffee, roasted to fully exploit its terroir, George and Tim are worthy magnets for your money.
Certainly roasting coffee is a very interesting and engaging aspect of coffee as a hobby. As pointed out by others, it can be a long term love affair. As pointed out by me, it might not be “your cup of tea,” although I did it for several years.
James Hoffman (sp?) does not have an espresso machine at home, and when asked what machine to buy he asks “Do you want a cup of coffee, or a hobby?” Of course he does have a coffee empire, unlike most of us.
I think there are some great roasters available for short money these days. There’s never been a better time to learn about roasting.
Nevertheless, Instead, I’d like to suggest that signing up for a subscription to either Tim Wendlebo’s or George Howell’s coffee is a good idea for someone who wants to understand roasting. A subscription to their coffee can show you what’s possible.
These guys will always beat the typical green bean reseller at the auction. They will get the best beans. In fact in Tim’s case, he has a coffee plantation and so he’s another step ahead.
Tim credits George as the guy who showed him the potential in lightly roasted higher elevation beans. A friend of mine told me the same thing about George as Tim has said (based on first hand experience with George).
So … if you really want the very best auction coffee, roasted to fully exploit its terroir, George and Tim are worthy magnets for your money.
I want a.good cup of coffee, any time of day. And I like latte. So I have a nice machine and grinder. And I watched a bunch of videos on pulling a good shot. And on how to steam.
I don't want a hobby. I have roasted a little. I have 3 friends that roasted. All eventually gave it up. Its an art. Thats fine. It can be mastered. But it takes time. And its a mess. It should be done outside. Especially with a gas roaster. The chaff gets everywhere. . And I am sort of anal, so I feel the need to wipe everything down well when I'm done.
Does it bring a sense of satisfaction. Yes. Does it expand coffee available to me? I'm in WA state. There is a lot of selection of coffee in every grocery store. And there is a lot more online if you want to seek it out.
I have a couple go to. Tonys Cafe Carmelita comes in a 1.5lb bag and I use to.get it for like $15. I don't have a Whole Foods anymore, so now I am drinking one called Pedal Pusher. I like the med/dark roast. French is way to burnt for me.
Also, every coffee requires setting the grinder properly and packing the puck properly. Every fresh batch of home.roast seems to take 3 to 4 shots to dial in. And home roast seems to walk on me much faster than.store bought.
I don't want a hobby. I have roasted a little. I have 3 friends that roasted. All eventually gave it up. Its an art. Thats fine. It can be mastered. But it takes time. And its a mess. It should be done outside. Especially with a gas roaster. The chaff gets everywhere. . And I am sort of anal, so I feel the need to wipe everything down well when I'm done.
Does it bring a sense of satisfaction. Yes. Does it expand coffee available to me? I'm in WA state. There is a lot of selection of coffee in every grocery store. And there is a lot more online if you want to seek it out.
I have a couple go to. Tonys Cafe Carmelita comes in a 1.5lb bag and I use to.get it for like $15. I don't have a Whole Foods anymore, so now I am drinking one called Pedal Pusher. I like the med/dark roast. French is way to burnt for me.
Also, every coffee requires setting the grinder properly and packing the puck properly. Every fresh batch of home.roast seems to take 3 to 4 shots to dial in. And home roast seems to walk on me much faster than.store bought.
These filters better have a ring to catch the spring and stay put. I will be a bit disappointed if the filters fall out. I'm not into the whole wrap it in Teflon. That could impact heat transfer from the portafilter to filter cup. I always heat mine by running water through the head and into the back of the portafilter so the parts are up to temp for the shot. I run the water into my mug to preheat it so I don't shock the shot. If the filter falls out, I'm impacting my shot quality.
I’m not a fan of “the ring” myself. I think the only ones I have with rings may be the OEM Quick Mills.
No doubt we all find our own routine. I have a special tool to remove baskets held by rings. I don’t use it very often. I’m in a rut. 20 grams, in 40 out, smooth puck screen, WDT, level, Compak cube (two hits). Double spout. 20 gram BaristaPro basket.
No doubt we all find our own routine. I have a special tool to remove baskets held by rings. I don’t use it very often. I’m in a rut. 20 grams, in 40 out, smooth puck screen, WDT, level, Compak cube (two hits). Double spout. 20 gram BaristaPro basket.
How do you keep the filter basket in the porta filter if there is nothing to hold it?
This thread made me circle back around the Clive Coffee to order a repair part. The burst valve has been spitting for months. Time to make it stop leaking.
I also looked at the lever machines. I get the attraction. I worry about another piston machine. Sure I have had to fiddle and clean the Bianca. But I worry about a gummy piston in the cylinder on a lever machine. That was a frequent pain to address.
I also looked at the lever machines. I get the attraction. I worry about another piston machine. Sure I have had to fiddle and clean the Bianca. But I worry about a gummy piston in the cylinder on a lever machine. That was a frequent pain to address.
Attachments
The spring provides adequate tension. The bigger issue for me is “the ring groove locking the filter in the holder is a pita.”
I don’t use a knock box anymore. On the granite counter, protected by a paper towel, I tap the puck screen off. Then I tap the the puck out. Then I wash up.
I use two portafilters, two baskets, two screens … the second warms up as I’m making a pour over for my wife.
Republicoftexas69
Well-Known Member
Try a Grappaccino. Or Cafe Corretto, also with Grappa. They’re authentically Italian, and add a touch of flavor that, to my taste, fits better than the herbs in gin, or the flavor of dry vermouth.I had my first espresso martini and man was it good!
What a way to start the day....
Republicoftexas69
Well-Known Member
Had mine made with Titos Vodka. No gin please.
Try Luksusowa. It’s a real potato vodka. Very neutral. Very clean taste.
No fancy packaging. No money wasted on advertising. Very modest price.
If you aren’t using grappa, Luksusowa is worth trying.