(GPGT)Espresso machine hoot

[Lazy_Tiger]

I see, thanks!
How does one adjust the grind size of grinders? I just bought a macap m4 and it's the first time Im doing this making coffee from beans kinda thing. You have to turn the machine on with beans inside the hopper while adjusting the grind size? So beans will be wasted? Or do u only need to on it but not have any beans in the hopper? I only read that u can't adjust grind size with the machine off as it'll damae the grinder, am I right?

COngrats on your new grinder!. Yep. Best to adjust with the motor running but i suppose if its just tiny adjustments i guess should be ok. If the grind setting is filter coarse and if you twist the grinder to fine setting without running the grinder then may cause the grinds inside to compress and get stuck inside. happened to my rocky when i was too impatient.

 

[Lazy_Tiger]

Cup looks rather big! 10oz/280ml? Maybe try a smaller cup so the milk doesn't dilute the coffee that much. Art is overated, your milk looks good though! Nice and shiny.

I agree lastwishes milk looks great. Amazing in fact coming from the ec155. I'm thinking of getting a ascaso dream, francis x1 or one of the saecos but seems the ec155 a strong contender too. did your mod your wand?

 

[Lazy_Tiger]

It arrived!


Couldn't wait till the morning to try it, so decided on an evening latte.

First shot of Red Brick:


The latte. Excuse my poor attempt at latte art.

It was tasty but the coffee taste was slightly weaker than what I am used to (used the usual dose/routine I usually use with nylon's blends to establish the baseline). I'll have to play around with the dose and grind over the next few days.

Thanks again for the recommendations/tips (nod3, Lazy_tiger, chikyblink). Much appreciated.

Do tell us how is the sweetshop! I tried it once but its not one of my favourites. It was very fruity but i'm tempted to try again.

 

[Lastwishes]

Cup looks rather big! 10oz/280ml? Maybe try a smaller cup so the milk doesn't dilute the coffee that much. Art is overated, your milk looks good though! Nice and shiny.

I have been getting rather good results for a while following my usual routine, so I never thought to measure the capacity of the cups. Did a quick one, and realized it was actually 300 ml if filled to the brim. Your guess of 280 ml is probably very accurate

I'll try to get it down to about 240ml total tomorrow while using the same amount of coffee beans.

I agree your milk looks great. Amazing in fact coming from the ec155. I'm thinking of getting a ascaso dream, francis x1 or one of the saecos but seems the ec155 a strong contender too. did your mod your wand?

Yup, I did. Changed it out for a rancilio silvia v1 wand, which made it very easy to get nicely frothed milk. Before I got the silvia wand I dremeled the skirts off the frothing aid and could get good results, but not consistently. But the inconsistency could be due to technique, as I was still learning how to work the machine. Quite sure I can get similar results if I used the modded frothing aid now.


The ec155 is pretty decent once modded. Unmodded, its not a particularly great machine, but I got it with the intention of doing the mods from the beginning, so that didn't bother me.

Other than the elbow grease, it's quite a hassle to get the parts; ie. the wand from ebay, and the bottomless basket in particular, was hard to source for. If you do get the ec155, let me know and I'll pm you where to get the parts.

 

[Lazy_Tiger]

Changed it out for a rancilio silvia v1 wand, which made it very easy to get nicely frothed milk. Before I got the silvia wand I dremeled the skirts off the frothing aid and could get good results, but not consistently. But the inconsistency could be due to technique, as I was still learning how to work the machine. Quite sure I can get similar results if I used the modded frothing aid now.


The ec155 is pretty decent once modded. Unmodded, its not a particularly great machine, but I got it with the intention of doing the mods from the beginning, so that didn't bother me.

Other than the elbow grease, it's quite a hassle to get the parts; ie. the wand from ebay, and the bottomless basket in particular, was hard to source for. If you do get the ec155, let me know and I'll pm you where to get the parts.

Thank you. Looks like a good deal for a secondary machine! Just needs a bit of hobby time to mod. is the portafilter a 58mm one?

just sharing a technique i learnt in the chefsteps lessons to reduce fines. spread the grounds on a paper towel and then transfer out. The fines will be left stuck on the paper towel. Wala.

Makes a super clean cup. but..i think not to my liking lah. I suppose i prefer natural processed coffee instead. Too clean and it will start to have a texture like tea.

[/url]

 

[Lastwishes]

Do tell us how is the sweetshop! I tried it once but its not one of my favourites. It was very fruity but i'm tempted to try again.

Heh, I doubt I'll be able to make any perceptive comments on it. My range of judgement ranges between, "Mmm, wow, I like it - to - Ugh, this tastes wrong and needs to be fixed."

But I'll give it a try once I finish tweaking my routine for Red Brick, which should a few days at least.

Thank you. Looks like a good deal for a secondary machine! Just needs a bit of hobby time to mod. is the portafilter a 58mm one?

just sharing a technique i learnt in the chefsteps lessons to reduce fines. spread the grounds on a paper towel and then transfer out. The fines will be left stuck on the paper towel. Wala.

Makes a super clean cup. but..i think not to my liking lah. I suppose i prefer natural processed coffee instead. Too clean and it will start to have a texture like tea.

Portafilter for the delonghi is 51mm. Other than the Delonghi 607706 basket (requires removing a screw socket from the portafilter to fit; which is the one I'm using), there's also the la pavoni millenium double basket that will also fit, but requires flattening the basket's lip. Been thinking about getting one to see if there's a difference in taste from using different baskets, but the hassle and the cost is a deterrent.

That's alot of coffee powder clinging onto that towel! It may be the Singaporean speaking, but feels wasteful, lol. I haven't drank brewed coffee for a while, but there is a beauty to the taste of a black coffee that tastes like tea; somehow it reminds me of my first visit to geisha at burlington.

Out of curiosity, how are you brewing your coffee? Aeropress, CCD, French press?

 

[Lazy_Tiger]

That's alot of coffee powder clinging onto that towel! It may be the Singaporean speaking, but feels wasteful, lol. I haven't drank brewed coffee for a while, but there is a beauty to the taste of a black coffee that tastes like tea; somehow it reminds me of my first visit to geisha at burlington.

Out of curiosity, how are you brewing your coffee? Aeropress, CCD, French press?

yup there is some wastage but i think its mostly fines which is the objective of using the paper towel to remove. I was left with 12.4g after removing the fines from a 14g dose. But i think i won't be too worried about fines now cos I think i don't really enjoy super clean coffees.

Yep i agree there is somewhat an elegance to very clean coffees. Good clarity, easier to discern the different flavours and aromas esp for the discerning drinker who enjoys picking out the different notes.

For that cup i used a v60. I think i'll try a kalita tomorrow + paper towel fines removal. Kalita give more body which I much prefer.

 

[Lastwishes]

ah, I haven't really done pourover much myself, but have tried a few cups from a v60 that was very nice. I like the results, but am hesitant to add more stuff to my coffee gear; just the v60 + filters is fine, but I imagine that will eventually lead to getting a new goose neck kettle, which I'm not too keen on.

next thing I'm thinking of exploring is to get a filter jug. Probably either Brita or Pur. Does anyone here filter their water for their coffee preparation? I've been going with tap water since I read that Singapore's water is considered soft and there isn't much scale build up.

Any thoughts?

 

[Lazy_Tiger]

ah, I haven't really done pourover much myself, but have tried a few cups from a v60 that was very nice. I like the results, but am hesitant to add more stuff to my coffee gear; just the v60 + filters is fine, but I imagine that will eventually lead to getting a new goose neck kettle, which I'm not too keen on.

next thing I'm thinking of exploring is to get a filter jug. Probably either Brita or Pur. Does anyone here filter their water for their coffee preparation? I've been going with tap water since I read that Singapore's water is considered soft and there isn't much scale build up.

Any thoughts?

goose neck helps but i actually prefer using a small old french press. I feel the hario gooseneck kettle still dispenses water too fast. Or my technique actually not that good.

I'm using a brita but I'm not sure how well it filters. Water tastes better and I think coffee esp brews taste better too. SCAA has some standards for water that should be used in coffee and everyone inc manufacturers has different ideas. But it seems the important thing is to have 0 chlorine and minimal calcium carbonate and cannot be too soft too. Some mineral content is still necessary to extract properly.

 

[prozaizxc]

Thanks guys for answering my past questions.
I've also just gotten a rancilio silvia.
When i just got the machine, I want to flush the machine out a couple of times. Can i just simply on the normal brewing mode and let hot water flush through the grouphead until the whole water tank is depleted?
Will the machine be burned out?
Also, the water tank is not the boiler right?
Water goes from the water tank to the boiler then to the grouphead right?
So when would i know when the boiler is empty?
How do I draw water into the boiler?

Also, what are the must not do's when operating an espresso machine in order that it does not burn out or spoil?

Sorry some really newbie questions but I'm scared I'm gonna be doing something wrong and the machine spoils

PS: Its my first time making espresso and stuff

 

[Lastwishes]

While there is no harm in letting the water reservoir run empty before refilling, there can be damage done to the boiler if ran for extended periods of time without water. In short, always check that your water reservoir has enough water before using the machine.

Water tank, I'm assuming you're referring to the reservoir here, is not the boiler. You do not get to see the boiler, which is inside the machine. The reservoir is connected to the boiler via pipes, which is how the water gets there when you turn the pump on; if your reservoir isn't empty, don't worry about drawing water into the boiler. The machine does it for you.

The silvia doesn't have a water level indicator, so you'll have to check the reservoir once in a while after making a few espressos.


This should be a good read for you:

CoffeeGeek - Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine

read the part on First use especially, and watch the video (on the same page) on cycling the boiler for temperature surfing. I hear that the silvia benefits from the practice (as does most single boiler machines, I imagine).

Have fun!

 

[n0d3]

Thanks guys for answering my past questions.
I've also just gotten a rancilio silvia.
When i just got the machine, I want to flush the machine out a couple of times. Can i just simply on the normal brewing mode and let hot water flush through the grouphead until the whole water tank is depleted?
Will the machine be burned out?
Also, the water tank is not the boiler right?
Water goes from the water tank to the boiler then to the grouphead right?
So when would i know when the boiler is empty?
How do I draw water into the boiler?

Also, what are the must not do's when operating an espresso machine in order that it does not burn out or spoil?

Sorry some really newbie questions but I'm scared I'm gonna be doing something wrong and the machine spoils

PS: Its my first time making espresso and stuff

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIvbX3VtNiU

 

[derazor]

Thanks guys for answering my past questions.
I've also just gotten a rancilio silvia.
When i just got the machine, I want to flush the machine out a couple of times. Can i just simply on the normal brewing mode and let hot water flush through the grouphead until the whole water tank is depleted?
Will the machine be burned out?
Also, the water tank is not the boiler right?
Water goes from the water tank to the boiler then to the grouphead right?
So when would i know when the boiler is empty?
How do I draw water into the boiler?

Also, what are the must not do's when operating an espresso machine in order that it does not burn out or spoil?

Sorry some really newbie questions but I'm scared I'm gonna be doing something wrong and the machine spoils

PS: Its my first time making espresso and stuff

wah bot new one? from where? I got silvia but dont know temperature surfing.

 

[prozaizxc]

While there is no harm in letting the water reservoir run empty before refilling, there can be damage done to the boiler if ran for extended periods of time without water. In short, always check that your water reservoir has enough water before using the machine.

Water tank, I'm assuming you're referring to the reservoir here, is not the boiler. You do not get to see the boiler, which is inside the machine. The reservoir is connected to the boiler via pipes, which is how the water gets there when you turn the pump on; if your reservoir isn't empty, don't worry about drawing water into the boiler. The machine does it for you.

The silvia doesn't have a water level indicator, so you'll have to check the reservoir once in a while after making a few espressos.


This should be a good read for you:

CoffeeGeek - Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine

read the part on First use especially, and watch the video (on the same page) on cycling the boiler for temperature surfing. I hear that the silvia benefits from the practice (as does most single boiler machines, I imagine).

Have fun!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIvbX3VtNiU

Thanks for the information!

wah bot new one? from where? I got silvia but dont know temperature surfing.

Bought from espressocoffeeshop lor haha i was the one who pmed u about that website.
Very fast they took to ship out my my silvia and macap m4, only one day but the delivery service they use, tnt was pretty slow and my shipment even split into two different parcels and the silvia was in singapore while the m4 was in belgium....G enerally a pretty bad experience. Luckily their customer service not bad, call already answer within one to two minutes





Now i have another problem, after playing around with the M4, i am trying to get a brew ratio of 1:2.
I am using 14g dose but am getting close to 60g of liquid in 25seconds.
I want to go finer however when i turn the macap's worm gear finer, the two burs are touching each other already (called the zero point i think).
Hence how do i go finer??
However, when i use another bean, the brew ratio is much lower, i get about 30g of liquid from 14g of dose with the same setting on the m4.
Does the bean affect grinding settings so much?
The difference is in flow is huge!

 

[Lazy_Tiger]

Thanks guys for answering my past questions.
I've also just gotten a rancilio silvia.
When i just got the machine, I want to flush the machine out a couple of times. Can i just simply on the normal brewing mode and let hot water flush through the grouphead until the whole water tank is depleted?
Will the machine be burned out?
Also, the water tank is not the boiler right?
Water goes from the water tank to the boiler then to the grouphead right?
So when would i know when the boiler is empty?
How do I draw water into the boiler?

Also, what are the must not do's when operating an espresso machine in order that it does not burn out or spoil?

Sorry some really newbie questions but I'm scared I'm gonna be doing something wrong and the machine spoils

PS: Its my first time making espresso and stuff

Congrats on acquiring your silvia! Did you buy from spinelli? I think most of your qns have been answered. Silvia has no autofill for the boiler. so you need to immediately fill the boiler when you first start up the machine or when the machine has no water in the boiler. Put water in reservior, ensure water hose is submerged and turn on the brew switch first. THen turn on your silvia power switch. This will minimise the time the silvia is operating with an empty boiler. once water is flowing out from the brew group you are ok. you can do this with the "hot water switch" and opening your steam knob too to fill up the boiler before turning on your main power.

If you want to flush a few times you should let the pump rest for a few minutes before you flush again. The pump is not rated for continuous operation unlike a fish tank pump!

I know rotary pump should avoid running with no water but i think just avoid this with your vibe pump too. this is to prevent the boiler from being empty too. Your boiler should have water all the time to prevent the heating element from being spoilt. Operating the heating element with no water inside can burn out the heating element like operating a light bulb filament in air.

Watch out too when you are steaming. steam too much and you may deplete the water in the boiler. Always a good habit after steaming to flush water thru the steam wand by turning on your "hot water button" and opening the steam knob. helps to flush milk out of the wand and refill the boiler again.

Have fun with your new machine!

 

[Lazy_Tiger]

wah bot new one? from where? I got silvia but dont know temperature surfing.

Lucky you. you are using a pid!

 

[Lazy_Tiger]

Now i have another problem, after playing around with the M4, i am trying to get a brew ratio of 1:2.
I am using 14g dose but am getting close to 60g of liquid in 25seconds.
I want to go finer however when i turn the macap's worm gear finer, the two burs are touching each other already (called the zero point i think).
Hence how do i go finer??
The m4 is really an intriguing machine...
When the burrs touch each other, the number on the dial is "5" the range of the dial is 0-9 haha very inaccurate...

May need to season your M4 first. The grinds should be fine enough that they are compressible with your fingers and remain compressed but should not leave very distinct finger print marks like a turkish grind (talcum powder). I may find your zero point will shift as you season your grinder.

Beans must be roasted within 3 weeks. old beans flow too fast.

Can try to adjust your tamping and distribution too. 30 pounds. You can nutate to compress the grounds a bit more to reduce the flow. Conversely i find WDT will increase flow rate even when tamping is consistent at 30pounds.

Increase the dose is also ok. silvia double baskets can go up to 16g without the puck touching the shower screen if i remember correctly.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[prozaizxc]

May need to season your M4 first. The grinds should be fine enough that they are compressible with your fingers and remain compressed but should not leave very distinct finger print marks like a turkish grind (talcum powder). I may find your zero point will shift as you season your grinder.

Beans must be roasted within 3 weeks. old beans flow too fast.

Can try to adjust your tamping and distribution too. 30 pounds. You can nutate to compress the grounds a bit more to reduce the flow. Conversely i find WDT will increase flow rate even when tamping is consistent at 30pounds.

Increase the dose is also ok. silvia double baskets can go up to 16g without the puck touching the shower screen if i remember correctly.

Good luck and have fun!

Yep, maybe need to season the m4 first.
How often do i need to open up the burrs and clean the burrs?
Its super leh chey to open up the grinder...
Also, i probably need to buy a vacuum cleaner to clean the burrs. Any recommendations?
I bought the beans from blend new... I think they are a home roaster judging by the packaging and shipping and payment methods (They only accept paypal and bank transfer)
First impression is that the beans aren't too good. Have to keep trying haha, barely even familiar with making espresso so much less am i able to judge the quality of the beans. Its my first bag of beans not counting the free bag given when i bought the silvia.

Yup, i think my tamping is the problem. Dont really know how much 30 pounds is.
Gonna use a bathroom scale tmr to try out!

The double basket is a little small... 14g...
Realised that i couldn't fit the portafiler in when its too full! Haha!

On a side note, luckily i bought a scale that the chef steps people were using, really good to tell how the shots are!
Really good investment imo.

 

[prozaizxc]

Congrats on acquiring your silvia! Did you buy from spinelli? I think most of your qns have been answered. Silvia has no autofill for the boiler. so you need to immediately fill the boiler when you first start up the machine or when the machine has no water in the boiler. Put water in reservior, ensure water hose is submerged and turn on the brew switch first. THen turn on your silvia power switch. This will minimise the time the silvia is operating with an empty boiler. once water is flowing out from the brew group you are ok. you can do this with the "hot water switch" and opening your steam knob too to fill up the boiler before turning on your main power.

If you want to flush a few times you should let the pump rest for a few minutes before you flush again. The pump is not rated for continuous operation unlike a fish tank pump!

I know rotary pump should avoid running with no water but i think just avoid this with your vibe pump too. this is to prevent the boiler from being empty too. Your boiler should have water all the time to prevent the heating element from being spoilt. Operating the heating element with no water inside can burn out the heating element like operating a light bulb filament in air.

Watch out too when you are steaming. steam too much and you may deplete the water in the boiler. Always a good habit after steaming to flush water thru the steam wand by turning on your "hot water button" and opening the steam knob. helps to flush milk out of the wand and refill the boiler again.

Have fun with your new machine!

Thanks for the information tiger!
I bought from a website, www.espressocoffeeshop.com very good prices compared to spinelli...
When I finish steaming I should turn on the hot water switch and turn on the steam knob until the steam turns to hot water right?
That process cools down the machine?
When hot water dispenses that will automatically refill the boiler again? Everytime?

Having much fun with the new machines haha but the learning curve is steep!

 

[prozaizxc]

Also, when steaming milk, my milk gets hot way too quickly before much air can be introduced although i am dipping only most of the tip into the milk and a slight bit of the tip just above the milk.
When steaming milk how much to turn the steam knob?
Does it make any difference?