(GPGT)Espresso machine hoot

[wahjohreno]

It gives slower water distribution, to match it back to its bigger brothers (GS3, commercial linea e.t.c) which uses 0.6mm instead. Supposingly gives different taste...

I'm using the pesado shower screen, the water doesnt flow nicely (little individual droplets flying out) and seems to be moving water much faster than intended to (it could all be just aesthetic though.. i dont know)

Interesting.

However, I’m not into modding it. My espresso machine is really for guests only as I much prefer drinking pour over. It hasn’t even been turned on since ** started cos there have been no guests.

So far, everyone seems to like the coffee I make for them, so I’ll leave it as that.

Originally I planned to buy a GS3, but it’s too ugly. I can’t stand the looks, haha. The Mini is much more elegant to me.

 

[purpleberry]

Interesting.

However, I’m not into modding it. My espresso machine is really for guests only as I much prefer drinking pour over. It hasn’t even been turned on since ** started cos there have been no guests.

So far, everyone seems to like the coffee I make for them, so I’ll leave it as that.

Originally I planned to buy a GS3, but it’s too ugly. I can’t stand the looks, haha. The Mini is much more elegant to me.

Have you tried whether there's any difference between Linea and GS3?

 

[wahjohreno]

Have you tried whether there's any difference between Linea and GS3?

My friend has a GS3. I brought my beans over to his place to test. Erm, I like taste of my Mini more.

But there are so many factors at play. His grinder not totally dialed in for my beans, his VST basket compared with my IMS... etc.

I think no point trying to compare minute differences. Both machines are capable of producing a good cup. The rest depends on the other factors like budget or design preferences.

 

[purpleberry]

My friend has a GS3. I brought my beans over to his place to test. Erm, I like taste of my Mini more.

But there are so many factors at play. His grinder not totally dialed in for my beans, his VST basket compared with my IMS... etc.

I think no point trying to compare minute differences. Both machines are capable of producing a good cup. The rest depends on the other factors like budget or design preferences.

Does your mini taste "brighter" in a way? I've only tried GS3 at Kith cafe Isetan Scotts.

 

[wahjohreno]

Does your mini taste "brighter" in a way? I've only tried GS3 at Kith cafe Isetan Scotts.

How did you compare? Did you try it with your own beans dialed into the same timings as your own machine?

For me, I found the GS3 to be brighter actually. If I were to break it down, I’d say more sour and less sweet than my Mini, beans and brew timings being equal.

But like I mentioned, can be many factors. I’m sure given enough time, I can dial in the GS3 to be equal or better than my own machine. My friend enjoys his GS3 tremendously, and he came from a Mini himself.

 

[purpleberry]

How did you compare? Did you try it with your own beans dialed into the same timings as your own machine?

For me, I found the GS3 to be brighter actually. If I were to break it down, I’d say more sour and less sweet than my Mini, beans and brew timings being equal.

But like I mentioned, can be many factors. I’m sure given enough time, I can dial in the GS3 to be equal or better than my own machine. My friend enjoys his GS3 tremendously, and he came from a Mini himself.

Interesting view. My favourite is the Strada and so far GS3 is a mini version of it. I need to try Linea though for curiosity sake. Tangs have it on display though. Price of used GS3 is about similar to a new Linea.

 

[prozaizxc]

I bought one from a HK seller, then I liked it so much I wanted to buy another one, but he said he sold his last piece to me.

So I searched and came across a china seller who sold it, and bought one off him.

Both pieces came up to around slightly less than $1k landed.

However, earlier in this thread, someone told me you can email the indiegogo people and they can arrange shipping for you.

I bought 2 not because I needed to, but because I wanted to.

1) my espresso machine and pour over stations are not at the same place, and I don’t want to be grinding my beans at one spot and bringing it to another spot

2) my espresso settings are so far away from my pour over settings that they require more than 1 full turn (almost 2) which makes it a hassle to keep switching

3) I say this not for “hao lian”, but I could afford it, and hence it made sense for me to get 2 for the convenience I was getting in return

oh nice! Have u tried going back and forth between espresso and pour overs before u got your second niche?

I read somewhere that you still have to flush out some beans in the process as there is that slight bit of retention, especially when going from pour over to espresso as the last bits of larger grinds will get crushed and stuck when going finer to espresso grinds

 

[wahjohreno]

oh nice! Have u tried going back and forth between espresso and pour overs before u got your second niche?

I read somewhere that you still have to flush out some beans in the process as there is that slight bit of retention, especially when going from pour over to espresso as the last bits of larger grinds will get crushed and stuck when going finer to espresso grinds

I did go back and forth a total of ONE time, haha.

Too troublesome! I wasted so much beans cos the difference is almost 2 full turns and it took a while. Forget it.

While I waited for the second one, I just used my old Compak.

 

[tremor]

New grinder takes how long to season the burrs? My adjustment for grind size for same bag of beans keep going off by a lot. Every morning need to adjust quite a bit.

 

[DriftKing]

New grinder takes how long to season the burrs? My adjustment for grind size for same bag of beans keep going off by a lot. Every morning need to adjust quite a bit.

I read some say 100kg - 200kg. But I wont be too bothered about it if it taste ok.

(unless your's is zero/low retention like niche zero then better contact them)

 

[prozaizxc]

I did go back and forth a total of ONE time, haha.

Too troublesome! I wasted so much beans cos the difference is almost 2 full turns and it took a while. Forget it.

While I waited for the second one, I just used my old Compak.

Ah I see, so it seems that its still better to have 2 separate grinders. Anyway you'd lose the grind setting you'd have dialled in for the espressos if you change back and forth

 

[prozaizxc]

Wanted to ask you guys a question on the water you use for your machines.

For years, I've been used reverse osmosis water on my silvia but I just read that it is not good for the machine as there is not enough minerals and the machine may not detect that there is water and also that it causes corrosion to the metal.

Therefore now, I am using tap water as I've changed to a Lelit Bianca for fear of causing the metals to corrode. There's a filter cartridge in the machine which is good for 40 litres of water and will run out in probably 2 months. No intention to replace it as it came with the machine.

Thinking of getting a jug type filter, found one called BWT that Whole Latte Love & Clive Coffee recommends and sells (http://www.bwt-sg.com/store/c1fiitmwurgjyjlffmu3dv4anttctq). So apparently what it does is convert Calcium and Sodium into Magnesium. But I also read that Magnesium isn't too good for espresso machines as it may cause scaling so I'm confused.

Home Barista recommends 80-150ppm and PUB reported that average ppm in SG is 138 with a range of 73-232 (https://www.pub.gov.sg/Documents/Singapore_Drinking_Water_Quality.pdf)

Bottomline: Is Singapore's tap water quality good enough for espresso machines? What water do you feed your machines and how often do you descale your machine?

 

[tremor]

Wanted to ask you guys a question on the water you use for your machines.

For years, I've been used reverse osmosis water on my silvia but I just read that it is not good for the machine as there is not enough minerals and the machine may not detect that there is water and also that it causes corrosion to the metal.

Therefore now, I am using tap water as I've changed to a Lelit Bianca for fear of causing the metals to corrode. There's a filter cartridge in the machine which is good for 40 litres of water and will run out in probably 2 months. No intention to replace it as it came with the machine.

Thinking of getting a jug type filter, found one called BWT that Whole Latte Love & Clive Coffee recommends and sells (http://www.bwt-sg.com/store/c1fiitmwurgjyjlffmu3dv4anttctq). So apparently what it does is convert Calcium and Sodium into Magnesium. But I also read that Magnesium isn't too good for espresso machines as it may cause scaling so I'm confused.

Home Barista recommends 80-150ppm and PUB reported that average ppm in SG is 138 with a range of 73-232 (https://www.pub.gov.sg/Documents/Singapore_Drinking_Water_Quality.pdf)

Bottomline: Is Singapore's tap water quality good enough for espresso machines? What water do you feed your machines and how often do you descale your machine?

I use Phillips jug water filter. Very cheap nia.

 

[chikyblink]

My Lunar arrived liao. After bank conversion, I paid about 314sgd

Sent from HUAWEI CLT-L29 using GAGT

 

[SNAG]

Wanted to ask you guys a question on the water you use for your machines.

For years, I've been used reverse osmosis water on my silvia but I just read that it is not good for the machine as there is not enough minerals and the machine may not detect that there is water and also that it causes corrosion to the metal.

Therefore now, I am using tap water as I've changed to a Lelit Bianca for fear of causing the metals to corrode. There's a filter cartridge in the machine which is good for 40 litres of water and will run out in probably 2 months. No intention to replace it as it came with the machine.

Thinking of getting a jug type filter, found one called BWT that Whole Latte Love & Clive Coffee recommends and sells (http://www.bwt-sg.com/store/c1fiitmwurgjyjlffmu3dv4anttctq). So apparently what it does is convert Calcium and Sodium into Magnesium. But I also read that Magnesium isn't too good for espresso machines as it may cause scaling so I'm confused.

Home Barista recommends 80-150ppm and PUB reported that average ppm in SG is 138 with a range of 73-232 (https://www.pub.gov.sg/Documents/Singapore_Drinking_Water_Quality.pdf)

Bottomline: Is Singapore's tap water quality good enough for espresso machines? What water do you feed your machines and how often do you descale your machine?

I asked on HB, and from what I conclude, Singapore water is pretty soft. Did a GH/KH test on my tap water and I get 45/27ppm. Issue is on chlorine, which you can remove with a simple carbon filter. Preference is to keep your alkalinity at 50 ppm.

The impression I get that RO water is safe. The lack of alkalinity doesn't hurt the boilers, but more the taste of the coffee. It's the acidity that needs to be checked. Could be wrong.

I'm kiasu about my water, so I add another Oscar Bilt into the tank. It's hassle free vs the typical water softeners that require recharging. Bilt http://en.bilt-service.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/OSCAR-90.pdf

 

[DriftKing]

I asked on HB, and from what I conclude, Singapore water is pretty soft. Did a GH/KH test on my tap water and I get 45/27ppm. Issue is on chlorine, which you can remove with a simple carbon filter. Preference is to keep your alkalinity below 50 ppm.

The impression I get that RO water is safe. The lack of alkalinity doesn't hurt the boilers, but more the taste of the coffee. It's the acidity that needs to be checked. Could be wrong.

I'm kiasu about my water, so I add another Oscar Bilt into the tank. It's hassle free vs the typical water softeners that require recharging. Bilt http://en.bilt-service.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/OSCAR-90.pdf

I have those akaline water filter from panasonic, is Akaline/Acid better for coffee (and for the machine?)?

 

[DriftKing]

My Lunar arrived liao. After bank conversion, I paid about 314sgd

Sent from HUAWEI CLT-L29 using GAGT

No worry, this will be an end game scale. (I'd wish it is slightly bigger for the whole portafilter, but it'll be too big to fit within the machine....)

 

[chikyblink]

No worry, this will be an end game scale. (I'd wish it is slightly bigger for the whole portafilter, but it'll be too big to fit within the machine....)

My bottomless portafilter fits fine on it. I dunno about double spouts though.
It is a very sensitive scale, a bit of breeze will trigger the readings.
That said, I don't like how I have to keep changing modes just to pull a shot. And mode change isn't just a simple tap, you have to press-and-hold, a few times to get to the mode you want.
I feel my old workflow is much smoother with my cheap scale and a physical timer.

 

[prozaizxc]

I asked on HB, and from what I conclude, Singapore water is pretty soft. Did a GH/KH test on my tap water and I get 45/27ppm. Issue is on chlorine, which you can remove with a simple carbon filter. Preference is to keep your alkalinity below 50 ppm.

The impression I get that RO water is safe. The lack of alkalinity doesn't hurt the boilers, but more the taste of the coffee. It's the acidity that needs to be checked. Could be wrong.

I'm kiasu about my water, so I add another Oscar Bilt into the tank. It's hassle free vs the typical water softeners that require recharging. Bilt http://en.bilt-service.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/OSCAR-90.pdf

I’ve just read up on using distilled water or RO water and then remineralising it–adding back sodium bicarbonate and magnesium sulphate (you can read it here https://www.baristahustle.com/blog/diy-water-recipes-the-world-in-two-bottles/). Going to try it but don’t have a refractometer to test out the ppm of the eventual water but its cheaper than getting a separate jug type filter since I already have an RO system at home!

 

[prozaizxc]

My Lunar arrived liao. After bank conversion, I paid about 314sgd

Sent from HUAWEI CLT-L29 using GAGT

I read there's a hidden setting where the scale is sensitive to 0.01g, pretty cool if true!