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that Vai sound posted:Are you referring to the Melitta filter or the brewing device? Either way, I think they've changed their mind because they don't sell any Melitta stuff. The latest videos I've seen tout the Bonmac single hole dripper and the Filtropa filters. the cone the Bonmac single hole is p much the same thing as the Melitta single hole cone.
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Mar 9, 2012 23:14
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I wouldn't call anything SCG posts on Youtube authoritative, espresso or not. It's great that they have videos of so many machines and coffee gadgets in use, but they are pretty terrible baristas in general.
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Mar 9, 2012 23:21
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that Vai sound posted:What sort of brewing method are you using? Pour overs can be finicky with how the water pushes the grinds. Can you be sure the water temp is always the same? I've only used my V60 with this bag of beans. I had similar issues with my AeroPress using different beans. The water temperature is a little over 200F, but less than 205F. I'm following the same process as I see in most videos like this one from sweet maria's. Their grind actually looks a bit finer and the pouring takes longer. I will try to mimic this more closely. Edit: vvv I do geetee fucked around with this message at 01:28 on Mar 10, 2012 |
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Mar 10, 2012 00:40
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Do...do people not pour boiling or near boiling water through their filters first??
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Mar 10, 2012 01:26
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Whisker Biscuit posted:Do...do people not pour boiling or near boiling water through their filters first??
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Mar 10, 2012 04:10
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How can I get a strong aroma from my brew? I'm fairly happy with the taste, but the aroma seems nonexistent compared to the cups of coffee I have at some fine establishments.
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Mar 10, 2012 04:50
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that Vai sound posted:How can I get a strong aroma from my brew? I'm fairly happy with the taste, but the aroma seems nonexistent compared to the cups of coffee I have at some fine establishments. I'm not sure how it's possible to brew coffee without a strong aroma. Are you using freshly roasted, freshly ground beans?
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Mar 10, 2012 06:08
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Bob_McBob posted:I'm not sure how it's possible to brew coffee without a strong aroma. Are you using freshly roasted, freshly ground beans?
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Mar 10, 2012 06:27
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that Vai sound posted:Yes, and good quality ones at that. One thought I have right now is that my sense of smell is overpowered by the smell of the brewing process. That seems to waft right in my direction while I'm pouring the water. You are probably just getting acclimated to the smell when you grind and brew, and not noticing it as much when you get to the actual drinking. Stick your nose in the mug and breathe deep 
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Mar 10, 2012 06:42
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Bob_McBob posted:You are probably just getting acclimated to the smell when you grind and brew, and not noticing it as much when you get to the actual drinking. Stick your nose in the mug and breathe deep
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Mar 10, 2012 06:48
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that Vai sound posted:A handy thing I've learned for evaluating brews is distinguishing sour from bitter. Coffee that is over extracted is bitter. Coffee that is under extracted is sour. Adjust your grind or pour as needed to counteract those. Thanks, that actually helps. There are a lot of variables to play with, especially if you're used to something like a Keurig. Wasted a tons of beans, but it's getting there. I can actually discern flavor notes other than burnt(starbucks)now. The Hario is cool, but it seems to have a bit of wobble in the shaft, is that typical of most hand grinders?
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Mar 10, 2012 07:34
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a handful of dust posted:The Hario is cool, but it seems to have a bit of wobble in the shaft, is that typical of most hand grinders? It's typical for hand grinders of that type, which are geared towards finer grinds by design. There is no lower bearing, but the burr self-centres at close settings. At coarse settings, there is a lot of wobble and play, which impacts grind quality rather negatively. Orphan Espresso sells a lower bearing kit for the Skerton which significantly improves coarse grind quality at the expense of fine grind quality. It's only $14.50, so perhaps you might be interested? http://www.orphanespresso.com/OE-Lower-Bearing-UPGRADE-KIT-for-Hario-Skerton-Kyocera-CM50-Hand-Grinders_p_4066.html
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Mar 10, 2012 07:51
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a handful of dust posted:Thanks, that actually helps. There are a lot of variables to play with, especially if you're used to something like a Keurig. Wasted a tons of beans, but it's getting there. I can actually discern flavor notes other than burnt(starbucks)now. I picked up Trader Joes Dark French Roast because it was $5 and I was curious. Not just French Roast, by the way. DARK french roast. It smells like burning. Not dark roasted beans, or even like Starbucks. Like, a campfire. The next morning. Tasting notes of ashes, char, popcorn accidentally microwaved for a half-hour because you hosed up the timer and then fell asleep.
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Mar 12, 2012 18:40
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Copernic posted:I picked up Trader Joes Dark French Roast because it was $5 and I was curious. Not just French Roast, by the way. DARK french roast. Sounds about right as there really isn't a roast classification past French (Vienna) roast, it's just burnt.
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Mar 12, 2012 20:59
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Bob_McBob posted:It's typical for hand grinders of that type, which are geared towards finer grinds by design. There is no lower bearing, but the burr self-centres at close settings. At coarse settings, there is a lot of wobble and play, which impacts grind quality rather negatively. Aside from the wobble, there's a huge bend in the drat shaft. That's what I get for not reading the thread; turns out another goon already posted earlier with the same issue. Plus a bunch of people on coffeegeek. Should've put the $30 toward a better grinder I guess.
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Mar 13, 2012 04:10
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Got a refurb Baratza Maestro Plus. Came very fast, no visible wear and tear, and works perfectly. I only really do french press coffee, but whether or not the grind consistency is worth $100+, I can't honestly tell. With a few months practice I got pretty good with a $15 blade grinder. Time will tell I suppose.
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Mar 13, 2012 05:42
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nocal posted:Got a refurb Baratza Maestro Plus. Came very fast, no visible wear and tear, and works perfectly. a handful of dust posted:Aside from the wobble, there's a huge bend in the drat shaft. That's what I get for not reading the thread; turns out another goon already posted earlier with the same issue. Plus a bunch of people on coffeegeek.
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Mar 13, 2012 06:16
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nm posted:Probably mine. It was never used with simply a broken timer switch. Whoever got mine got a steal. I ordered one of these too (posted a few posts up about them being available). Got it last night. Perfect condition etc etc, and its real nice, not a scratch on it. The timer knob came removed from the unit, and when I installed it, it doesn't sit flush. I could put a dab of rubber cement or something on it, but it seems to be fine and hasn't fallen off yet. (one use! yay!) Other Maestro Plus owners.. is this normal? 
dhrusis fucked around with this message at 21:19 on Mar 13, 2012 |
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Mar 13, 2012 21:15
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dhrusis posted:I ordered one of these too (posted a few posts up about them being available). Got it last night. Perfect condition etc etc, and its real nice, not a scratch on it. The timer knob came removed from the unit, and when I installed it, it doesn't sit flush. I could put a dab of rubber cement or something on it, but it seems to be fine and hasn't fallen off yet. (one use! yay!)
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Mar 13, 2012 21:37
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dhrusis posted:I ordered one of these too (posted a few posts up about them being available). Got it last night. Perfect condition etc etc, and its real nice, not a scratch on it. The timer knob came removed from the unit, and when I installed it, it doesn't sit flush. I could put a dab of rubber cement or something on it, but it seems to be fine and hasn't fallen off yet. (one use! yay!) I got my refurb on Friday and had the same issue at first. A little wiggling seemed to seat the knob closer to flush.
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Mar 13, 2012 21:47
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I'm looking for a new, smaller French press since my current one does 24oz, isn't as reliable at staying straight (I bought a cheap $10 one to use for tea), and I want one not only dedicated for coffee, but also one that doesn't force me to grind as much coffee for just one person. I noticed that the local coffee roaster sells the Bodum Brazil for $17 (link says $20 plus shipping), and I was wondering if I could get some feedback on it. Most other stores I've been to (minus surplus/overstock which is where I bought my first one) have similar presses for a lot more money. The price really isn't a concern since my rationalization for it is that if I can make less coffee, I'll extend the life of the beans I buy; I'm just looking for something that when I press down on the plunger, it goes down straight (my current one wobbles and I have to carefully watch to make sure no grounds are shooting past it on the sides).
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Mar 14, 2012 02:45
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I've got one. (Actually, this model.) It works fine. The filter is tight enough that there aren't really any issues with the grounds getting into the wrong half of the chamber. It's not the be-all-end-all coffee experience, but a presspot isn't exactly rocket science, and there's no reason that it really needs to be any fancier.
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Mar 14, 2012 04:09
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Started roasting this week as yet another hobby. Boy howdy it's easy as pie with a vortex air popper. West Bend Air Crazy if anyone is curious. Sweet Maria's Gneiss Shot taken to FC for me, and Rwanda Nyamasheke Karengera to FC for the Mrs. The flavor of the GS I'm not quite sold on, but the body and the crema are bloody perfect. The Rwanda... I was floored. I nipped a bit of the drip batch I made for the Mrs. this morning and it was almost zen-like. Immediate macadamia and a finish of toasted marshmallow I could still taste for hours. I'd be very, very interested in what that bean does as a single-origin espresso. It inspired her to ask for a porcelain cone a few hours later. Methinks the programmable tea kettle just became her new coffee pot.
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Mar 14, 2012 05:40
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They have original (now discontinued) Maestro refurbs in stock for $70 at the Baratza store. I noticed they have a full one year warranty on refurbs now, too.
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Mar 14, 2012 23:45
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How do they compare to the Plus? I feel like my current burr grinder is on its way out.
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Mar 15, 2012 00:21
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Gravity Pike posted:I've got one. (Actually, this model.) It works fine. The filter is tight enough that there aren't really any issues with the grounds getting into the wrong half of the chamber. It's not the be-all-end-all coffee experience, but a presspot isn't exactly rocket science, and there's no reason that it really needs to be any fancier. Thanks, that's exactly what I wanted to hear! It actually just hit me that they probably bought a three-pack or bulk presses or something, and sell the individuals for less than an individual one directly from Bodum.
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Mar 15, 2012 03:44
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FYI, if you clean your maestro plus, you grind your coffee and it comes out really course, you put your outer burr on the wrong way. You'd think it wouldn't work that way.
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Mar 15, 2012 04:34
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I just got a Lido hand grinder from Orphan Espresso. It's a brand new product, and they are currently working out some kinks with the catch jar lid cracking in transit (probably from temperature fluctuation), but I am really impressed. It's hand made and machined, and incredibly solid. The workmanship is very high quality. It makes those Hario hand grinders feel like a flimsy toy. I can grind my usual 18.3g dose in 40 seconds, or 60 seconds at a leisurely pace. Grind retention is essentially nil, so what you put in is what you get out. The grind quality for regular brewed coffee is about as good as it gets until you move up to a shop grinder. I actually prefer it to the Virtuoso/Preciso, because I think the slower grind speed works a bit better when I am weighing out doses and single grinding. Off to grind my fourth pourover of the day...
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Mar 16, 2012 02:30
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Bob_McBob posted:I just got a Lido hand grinder from Orphan Espresso. It's a brand new product, and they are currently working out some kinks with the catch jar lid cracking in transit (probably from temperature fluctuation), but I am really impressed. It's hand made and machined, and incredibly solid. The workmanship is very high quality. It makes those Hario hand grinders feel like a flimsy toy.  Goddamn... That looks like something that belongs in a mechanics toolbox, not a kitchen. I want one.
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Mar 16, 2012 04:48
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So, I ran out of Filtropia filters for my CCD. I bought some Melittas at the supermarket and my coffee tastes like paper  Now I have to mailorder.
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Mar 16, 2012 19:18
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http://www.amazon.com/Presso-179-10000-Espresso-Machine/dp/B0000C9Z8D/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332194347&sr=8-1 Hmm, anyone used this Presso manual espresso maker? I'm intrigued. CI seems to like it and says it makes legit cap unlike the Aeropress. Steve Yun fucked around with this message at 23:07 on Mar 19, 2012 |
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Mar 19, 2012 23:02
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Steve Yun posted:http://www.amazon.com/Presso-179-10000-Espresso-Machine/dp/B0000C9Z8D/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332194347&sr=8-1 The mypressi twist is a much better choice.
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Mar 19, 2012 23:14
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What's better about it?
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Mar 19, 2012 23:44
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Steve Yun posted:What's better about it? It's better, because it has a co2 canister that pressurizes it, and also creates fake crema. You can use nitrous cartridges, but amazingly enough, it creates less crema that way. Gee, I wonder why.
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Mar 21, 2012 08:13
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PainBreak posted:It's better, because it has a co2 canister that pressurizes it, and also creates fake crema. You can use nitrous cartridges, but amazingly enough, it creates less crema that way. Gee, I wonder why. I'm not sure we are talking about the same thing here. You would not use the Twist with CO2, and it has no crema-enhancing device in the basket. The nitrous oxide is simply to replace the pump pressure in a regular machine. Assuming you use a good grinder, and you're reasonably careful about temperature management (pre-heating the water reservoir and such), it makes perfectly respectable espresso compared to much more expensive machines. James Hoffmann has a nice write-up about the Twist here.
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Mar 21, 2012 08:29
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Bob_McBob posted:The mypressi twist is a much better choice.  My life is changed.
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Mar 21, 2012 15:07
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Went to New York recently and got to try some special craft Starbucks single origin coffee out of their fancy Clover machine. It looked pretty cool, and I bet it makes a mean cup of coffee. However, unfortunately even Starbucks most expensive coffees are still so roasted to hell that I couldn't really discern any nuances from the cup. It was a ton better than their regular drip stuff, but not really on par with what I'd expect.
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Mar 21, 2012 19:36
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I was in Starbucks the other day (because I still drink their sugarwater stuff, can't stop that addiction) and the barista offered "light roast, medium roast, or dark roast" to the guy in front of me. He chose dark roast, I cowered in fear. They actually introduced a loving darker roast along with the blond. Dear god.
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Mar 21, 2012 19:38
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Well, I just ordered babbys first espresso machine. I chose a Gaggia Evolution, they seemed to get good reviews on coffeegeek for an entry level machine. I need to pick up a grinder now. Has anyone had any luck picking up a vario refurb off of baratza? They have a vario w that you can add to the cart but thats $$, if I can get the plain vario I would rather go with that.
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Mar 21, 2012 19:55
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SweetJuicyTaco posted:Has anyone had any luck picking up a vario refurb off of baratza? They have a vario w that you can add to the cart but thats $$, if I can get the plain vario I would rather go with that. The refurb stock is updated fairly regularly (at least weekly), so just keep checking. Good choice on the grinder
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Mar 21, 2012 22:32
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