(GPGT)Espresso machine hoot

[idjekyll]

Cafebond next day delivery for ona coffee and padre coffee

Looks interesting. How is the roast dates on these when they do reach you?

 

[prozaizxc]

I just purchase Xiaomi TDS meter from Shopee. Time to measure my tap and filtered water.

Can this be used to test tds of espresso? What is the difference between this and a TDS refractometer that is usually used?

 

[SNAG]

Hmm same same at 66. Maybe my filter needs to change liao. I test again after changing.

I did a GH/KH test on my water before, and both are less than 50ppm. I still use a water softener pouch as a precaution, but wonder if our unfiltered tap water will lead to scaling issues.

 

[Lazy_Tiger]

Looks interesting. How is the roast dates on these when they do reach you?

i think the oldest i received was 7 days after the roasting date.

Not to bad in view that i usually like my espresso 14 days after roasting.

batch freezing with as little air as possible seems to work very well to maintain freshness.

 

[Lazy_Tiger]

I did a GH/KH test on my water before, and both are less than 50ppm. I still use a water softener pouch as a precaution, but wonder if our unfiltered tap water will lead to scaling issues.

i have had scaling issues with my cremina when i'm already using a cleansui filter after 6 years.

So yes i suppose unfiltered tap water will have faster buildup.

 

[purpleberry]

i have had scaling issues with my cremina when i'm already using a cleansui filter after 6 years.

So yes i suppose unfiltered tap water will have faster buildup.

How does that scaling come about? Cleansui is an excellent filter, probably the best for home use afaik.

 

[Lazy_Tiger]

How does that scaling come about? Cleansui is an excellent filter, probably the best for home use afaik.

I think its a user problem. the scaling occurred in the tube connected to the pressurestat. So one day the pressurestat stopped reading the pressure and shutting off the boiler at the correct pressure. Inspected the tube and found scalling has basically sealed the tube. fixed by cleaning out the scale from the tube.

This could have happened over the past 6 years there were times i forgot to turn off the machine and left it on over the weekend in the office. the pressurestat tube could have built up lime scale due to the long periods where steam dried and left some scale.

 

[SNAG]

i have had scaling issues with my cremina when i'm already using a cleansui filter after 6 years.

So yes i suppose unfiltered tap water will have faster buildup.

I don't have much info on filtration systems but think there's a difference between water filtration and water softening. I would think most filtration systems are to remove impurities, but not necessarily soften the water?

 

[Lazy_Tiger]

I don't have much info on filtration systems but think there's a difference between water filtration and water softening. I would think most filtration systems are to remove impurities, but not necessarily soften the water?

yes you are right. the best way is to use RO water and then re introduce the correct mineral content like in some very expensive systems.

Some machines have certain recommendations based on the parts they use.

https://www.espressoparts.com/espressoparts/content/pdf/slayer/Rev 5c Single Group User Guide.pdf

see slayer manual page 5 and 6

besides removing the obvious bad stuff (sediment etc) the main take away is to remove calcium carbonate which causes scale and chlorides which causes bad taste and corrosion.

I use a 3m commercial filter for coffee machines for my slayer at home.

For the cremina i was too lazy and just hoped that the cleansui can do its job. the water from cleansui really tastes good. was using brita but seem the filters from brita can add certain salts that damage coffee machines.

 

[SNAG]

yes you are right. the best way is to use RO water and then re introduce the correct mineral content like in some very expensive systems.

Some machines have certain recommendations based on the parts they use.

https://www.espressoparts.com/espressoparts/content/pdf/slayer/Rev 5c Single Group User Guide.pdf

see slayer manual page 5 and 6

besides removing the obvious bad stuff (sediment etc) the main take away is to remove calcium carbonate which causes scale and chlorides which causes bad taste and corrosion.

I use a 3m commercial filter for coffee machines for my slayer at home.

For the cremina i was too lazy and just hoped that the cleansui can do its job. the water from cleansui really tastes good. was using brita but seem the filters from brita can add certain salts that damage coffee machines.

Care to share which Cleansui filter you used?

If I'm allowed to cross post, sharing some info I gathered from HB. Pretty good insight pertaining to our water and softening approaches. I'm using a Pur filter, coupled with an Oscar Bilt softener pouch. Seems to work fine.

My GH/KH tests were as follows:

Unfiltered tap water: 45/27
Filtered water (with Pur filters): 17/45
Filtered water (with water softener): 22/27

Time for me to pop out the test kit this weekend.

https://www.home-barista.com/water/water-tips-advice-for-new-hx-espresso-machine-owner-t64142.html

Also, based on this chart, anything with GH/KH less than 50 will see little/no scaling issues. I'm even contemplating to ditch the Pur (for my machine).

https://stason.org/TULARC/indulgenc...-scale-deposition-rates-Water-for-coffee.html

 

[Lazy_Tiger]

Care to share which Cleansui filter you used?

If I'm allowed to cross post, sharing some info I gathered from HB. Pretty good insight pertaining to our water and softening approaches. I'm using a Pur filter, coupled with an Oscar Bilt softener pouch. Seems to work fine.

My GH/KH tests were as follows:

Unfiltered tap water: 45/27
Filtered water (with Pur filters): 17/45
Filtered water (with water softener): 22/27

Time for me to pop out the test kit this weekend.

https://www.home-barista.com/water/water-tips-advice-for-new-hx-espresso-machine-owner-t64142.html

Also, based on this chart, anything with GH/KH less than 50 will see little/no scaling issues. I'm even contemplating to ditch the Pur (for my machine).

https://stason.org/TULARC/indulgenc...-scale-deposition-rates-Water-for-coffee.html

https://www.cleansui.com/en/filters/
using EJC1.

but i think the scaling issues is more due to leaving the machine on for long periods of times. scale would eventually be deposited on the pressurestat tube. First time it happened after 6 years of usage.

We are lucky to have very good quality water in Singapore. There are few places that has comparable water quality. Most 1st world countries have safe water but very prone to scaling and bad taste.

 

[purpleberry]

https://www.cleansui.com/en/filters/
using EJC1.

but i think the scaling issues is more due to leaving the machine on for long periods of times. scale would eventually be deposited on the pressurestat tube. First time it happened after 6 years of usage.

We are lucky to have very good quality water in Singapore. There are few places that has comparable water quality. Most 1st world countries have safe water but very prone to scaling and bad taste.

I am using the same one too since day 1, so havent tried my espresso without filtered water. After 2 years or so my machine heats up at around the same time so I presume the scale build up is not that much... yet.

 

[mccanny]

Hi guys, am looking to dabble in the art of making espresso. Just wondering if any one here has experience buying from www.espressocoffeeshop.com?

Also, need recommendations (less than 1K) for an entry level espresso machine that would work great with the eureka mignon specialita grinder. (at least that's what i am quite decided on thus far)

Many thanks to all the gurus here

 

[idjekyll]

Hi guys, am looking to dabble in the art of making espresso. Just wondering if any one here has experience buying from www.espressocoffeeshop.com?

Also, need recommendations (less than 1K) for an entry level espresso machine that would work great with the eureka mignon specialita grinder. (at least that's what i am quite decided on thus far)

Many thanks to all the gurus here

Gaggia Classic 2019, Lelit Mara & Rancilio Silva. All good entry level stuff. Manual levers like the Cafelat Robot and Flair are good starting points too.

 

[Lazy_Tiger]

Hi guys, am looking to dabble in the art of making espresso. Just wondering if any one here has experience buying from www.espressocoffeeshop.com?

Also, need recommendations (less than 1K) for an entry level espresso machine that would work great with the eureka mignon specialita grinder. (at least that's what i am quite decided on thus far)

Many thanks to all the gurus here

Do you drink milk coffees often or predominantly? then best to get a HX machine at least or a double boiler. Save a bit more. 1K budget would usually get you a single boiler. perfectly fine for espresso but less user friendly if you make milk coffees alot.

but if you want stick to budget then actually single boilers are ok for milk coffees. you will just take a but more time to make the milk drinks.

 

[idjekyll]

Do you drink milk coffees often or predominantly? then best to get a HX machine at least or a double boiler. Save a bit more. 1K budget would usually get you a single boiler. perfectly fine for espresso but less user friendly if you make milk coffees alot.

but if you want stick to budget then actually single boilers are ok for milk coffees. you will just take a but more time to make the milk drinks.

Which would you say is a good single boiler for beginners? I'm thinking about moving on from my Robot but don't want to blow too much money. I prefer non-milk drinks but I make the occasional latte for the wife.

 

[Geeijon]

Which would you say is a good single boiler for beginners? I'm thinking about moving on from my Robot but don't want to blow too much money. I prefer non-milk drinks but I make the occasional latte for the wife.

I am wondering about the same too. Was looking at the Breville barista express. Any comments or feedback about this machine?

 

[Lazy_Tiger]

Which would you say is a good single boiler for beginners? I'm thinking about moving on from my Robot but don't want to blow too much money. I prefer non-milk drinks but I make the occasional latte for the wife.

I am wondering about the same too. Was looking at the Breville barista express. Any comments or feedback about this machine?

if you dont make milk drinks often or have to make back to back lattes then a single boiler is fine. If you want a long lasting keeper then go with the silvia, durable and easy to service. The main problem with silvia for beginners is the lack of a pid. temperature management is actually more tricky then a a flair or robot. Some do come with pid but it adds to the cost.

I have no experience with breville stuff but online it makes decent coffee. the only problem is that it may not be as long lasting as other expresso machines and not as easy to service yourselve.

 

[idjekyll]

if you dont make milk drinks often or have to make back to back lattes then a single boiler is fine. If you want a long lasting keeper then go with the silvia, durable and easy to service. The main problem with silvia for beginners is the lack of a pid. temperature management is actually more tricky then a a flair or robot. Some do come with pid but it adds to the cost.

I have no experience with breville stuff but online it makes decent coffee. the only problem is that it may not be as long lasting as other expresso machines and not as easy to service yourselve.

appreciate your replies. I'm looking at the Lelit Anna as well for the build in PID but it has a non-standard 57mm pf.

 

[hotcakespree]

Please let me know at anytime when you want to let go of the Robot. Thanks!

Which would you say is a good single boiler for beginners? I'm thinking about moving on from my Robot but don't want to blow too much money. I prefer non-milk drinks but I make the occasional latte for the wife.