1. Timing can start when you hit the switch since your machine does not have preinfusion. Depending on the machine the 1st drip may be anywhere between 1-20 secs. You can brew 25secs and then grind finer and brew something at 35secs achieving the same brew weight and see how it tastes.
2. It could be the coffee is preground or light roasted or you are using a pressurised portafilter and the grounds are not fine enough.
3. pressurised portafilter is the way to go if you are using preground. Preground will lose freshness rapidly and if you use nonpressurised portafilter with preground you will see your flow rate get faster and faster as the coffee continues to lose its freshness.
4. Yes. a finer grind will result in lower flow rate and hence a longer extraction time (Assuming you maintain the same brew weight).
5. Material only matters in its durability. 15kg is just a rough gauge. you can use a calibrated tamper or just tamp without overexerting yourself. tamping does affect the flow rate but not so much unless the barista is wildly inconsistent between using feather light tamps and gorilla tamps.
6. Not familiar with opv mod or steam wand mod. But a classic steam wand (and the necessary skills) will definitely get you better frothed milk than a pannarello.
Thanks!
For the calibrated tamper, should I be getting 57.5mm or 58mm if my portafilter is 58mm? Understand that tamper is usually slightly smaller than the portafilter, correct?
On the extraction time, 25s ends when when the color turns lighter brown yes?
If you want more flavours can use the stainless steel filter. Tiong Hoe has them.
Will not advise getting, the cleaning part is a PITA.. Fines will get lodge within the mesh, very hard to get it out unless you diligently use a soft brush and soap after each session and brush it out.
Will the one from tiong hoe suffer the same
Posted from PCWX using ALP-L29
Not too sure about Tiong Hoe one, but as long as the mesh is fine you are going to get the same issue..
i use the kruve grind sifter and yes i agree that any metal mesh is going to be some trouble to clean of coffee grinds.
Not sure if all are of double mesh. I would think double mesh will be stuck if too fine
Else I think single mesh is good. Or is there something with single mesh?
Posted from PCWX using ALP-L29
Anyone has experience with Bezzera Strega and Helor Flux hand grinder? I'm trying to dial in the shots but having difficulty.
I'm using an Atago refractometer to dial in my shot based on TDS but I can't seem to pull shots that are above 8% despite grinding very fine. I'm using a 1:2 brew ratio.
hmmm.. I am relatively new to espresso. So I only have the Helor 101 and 106 as my grinders. Based on my current routine, I'm only getting around 15% extraction.
I am would be guessing the beans you are using.. nylon roast can be quite lightly roasted generally..try getting a dark espresso roast and rest it atleast 2 weeks as a bench mark.
Thanks for your help! I will try to get some darker roast. Does anyone have the Helor 106? Do you mind sharing your setting?
