(GPGT)Espresso machine hoot

[DriftKing]

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.

That is true, my only used settings is the 1st and 3rd. Doesnt seem to have a way to just have this two modes

 

[chikyblink]

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

Yes, there's the option to turn it on, but I don't see how it can be useful. One decimal point is quite enough I feel.

Sent from HUAWEI CLT-L29 using GAGT

 

[chikyblink]

That is true, my only used settings is the 1st and 3rd. Doesnt seem to have a way to just have this two modes

Actually, there are options to turn modes on/off in the settings.

Sent from HUAWEI CLT-L29 using GAGT

 

[DriftKing]

Actually, there are options to turn modes on/off in the settings.

Sent from HUAWEI CLT-L29 using GAGT

Omg, i did not know this at all

 

[wahjohreno]

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.

One of the reasons why I didn’t buy one. I used it many times at other people’s houses and can’t imagine I’d like the workflow.

I bought the pearl for my pour over station purely for looks. But I prefer my cheap $50 scale workflow much better.

 

[SNAG]

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

I believe it has to be within a sweet spot, too acidic and it'll corrode the boiler. Not too sure on implications of alkaline water.

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!

Yes. You don't need a refractometer but a GH/KH test kit will do. I got the API test kit.

 

[Aaaa07]

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

Sent from HUAWEI CLT-L29 using GAGT

Is it worth the money? Does it comes with warranty since u purchased it outside SG?

 

[compuser]

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?

Singapore water is not the same everywhere. Even so, soft only means that the limescale form slower, not won't form.

My machine was choked with limescale before and I was foolishly using water straight from the tap. I fixed my own machine.
From what I can tell, descaling did not help much at all but instead eroded the metal or damage the components during the process. My pump was dead right after descaling, and I found a lot of people with the same issue.

The reason why descaling did not help is because the part that was choked, was on top of the boiler and the descaling agent couldn't reach those spots. Also found other areas that were still stuck with limescale and descaling process did not do much. Descaler also can't dissolve all types of scale.

Now I pay a lot of attention to the water.

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

If your filter is producing alkaline water, good luck. Alkaline water is usually hard. Some filters, especially RO, they strip everything from the water until the water becomes so pure, it's erosive. That's why they put some minerals back and they have every reason to add calcium back which is good for you but deadly to your machine.

Acidic water is corrosive if it's too over.

 

[purpleberry]

I use Cleansui for my machine. So far so good after 2 years. Takes about the same time to warm up now compared to when its new.

 

[SNAG]

Singapore water is not the same everywhere. Even so, soft only means that the limescale form slower, not won't form.

My machine was choked with limescale before and I was foolishly using water straight from the tap. I fixed my own machine.
From what I can tell, descaling did not help much at all but instead eroded the metal or damage the components during the process. My pump was dead right after descaling, and I found a lot of people with the same issue.

The reason why descaling did not help is because the part that was choked, was on top of the boiler and the descaling agent couldn't reach those spots. Also found other areas that were still stuck with limescale and descaling process did not do much. Descaler also can't dissolve all types of scale.

Now I pay a lot of attention to the water.




If your filter is producing alkaline water, good luck. Alkaline water is usually hard. Some filters, especially RO, they strip everything from the water until the water becomes so pure, it's erosive. That's why they put some minerals back and they have every reason to add calcium back which is good for you but deadly to your machine.

Acidic water is corrosive if it's too over.

Thanks for sharing. Mind if you can share your water treatment process?

 

[Lazy_Tiger]

Sharing my new toy. Flair Classic! (Cheapest model).

Bought it for making espresso when I'm on the road. Pour overs just won't do for me.

1st impressions and 1st shot.

Good quality and well made. gaskets look solid. Easy to heat up and brew. Included funnel and tamper/dosing cup made it easy to prep the shot.

1st shot was too bitter! I over heated the brewing chamber thinking that shots from this thing is sour by default as it doesn't have its own heater. Just need to fill up the chamber with water for 30 secs. No need to immerse the entire thing in boiling water for 2 mins. Could be because I'm using Ona Black Betty. Relatively darker roast. Very sure this is capable of excellent shots once temperature and grind is squared away.

Clean up is not that difficult but may have to wait for the brew chamber to cool down first before removing the plunger. So not the best for back to back shots.

Overall a good product if you need something for travels and don't mind the weight. Intend to pair this with a Comandante or similar grinder than can squeeze in the carry case and i'm good to go!

I got mine cheaper at $200 from Amazon US.

 

[chikyblink]

Is it worth the money? Does it comes with warranty since u purchased it outside SG?

This is one of the best scale money can buy. But is it worth 300+sgd? For a cafe, absolutely. For a home enthusiast? Maybe not. For home usage, you'll get by just fine with a regular $50 scale and a cheap timer from daiso.

As for warranty, you'll have to deal with whichever vendor you bought from.

 

[prozaizxc]

Yes, there's the option to turn it on, but I don't see how it can be useful. One decimal point is quite enough I feel.

Sent from HUAWEI CLT-L29 using GAGT

Would be useful when mixing baking soda and epsom salts into water to create solutions to remineralise distilled/RO water as i recently found out! The recipe calls for baking soda and epsom salts to be 0.01g accurate haha!

 

[hamikua]

Got the same one during ** from Amazon US as well. In the end also bought the pressure gauge kit, really helps with dialing in and pressure profiling

Sharing my new toy. Flair Classic! (Cheapest model).

Bought it for making espresso when I'm on the road. Pour overs just won't do for me.

1st impressions and 1st shot.

Good quality and well made. gaskets look solid. Easy to heat up and brew. Included funnel and tamper/dosing cup made it easy to prep the shot.

1st shot was too bitter! I over heated the brewing chamber thinking that shots from this thing is sour by default as it doesn't have its own heater. Just need to fill up the chamber with water for 30 secs. No need to immerse the entire thing in boiling water for 2 mins. Could be because I'm using Ona Black Betty. Relatively darker roast. Very sure this is capable of excellent shots once temperature and grind is squared away.

Clean up is not that difficult but may have to wait for the brew chamber to cool down first before removing the plunger. So not the best for back to back shots.

Overall a good product if you need something for travels and don't mind the weight. Intend to pair this with a Comandante or similar grinder than can squeeze in the carry case and i'm good to go!

I got mine cheaper at $200 from Amazon US.

 

[11onze]

I will give you my most unorthodox recommendation, skip all the entry-level home espresso machines you mentioned, they look so easy to use, but in real life nobody puts all their beans in the hopper at home especially while its warming up ontop of any espresso machine. Going single dosing with these type of grinders will drive you nuts.

If i were to redo my whole coffee game on a budget this would be it.

1) Robot Espresso Maker (the normal version will do) $450+
2) 1zpresso JX-PRO manual grinder (200+) From TB
3)WPM MS-130D milk steamer ($300++) from TB

Slightly above your budget but you be banging out shots easily on par with the best cafes in SG using machines costing x 10. The added bonus is 1) & 2) are bullet proof, no scaling issues to worry, mantainance free, last forever, even if you upgrade your gear they have high resale value. No heating and within 10 mins your coffee is ready.

The milk steamer is just for those milk based lovers or guest, but generally what i have seen is if espresso is prepared correctly, you would slowly being to prefer coffee without any thing added.

I bought a Robot recently as well. Easy to make espresso after a few tries - workflow is really simple (grind, tamp, add hot water, attach portafilter, pull the levers).
It's important that powder is fine enough. Even $200+ for grinder is above my budget, I came across a video and ordered the same grinder (~$50 from Taobao) - the build is solid, a good value for money.
(I cannot post link here as I am a newcomer on HWZone, you can search "Cafelat Robot | Iced Latte“ )

 

[Lazy_Tiger]

I bought a Robot recently as well. Easy to make espresso after a few tries - workflow is really simple (grind, tamp, add hot water, attach portafilter, pull the levers).
It's important that powder is fine enough. Even $200+ for grinder is above my budget, I came across a video and ordered the same grinder (~$50 from Taobao) - the build is solid, a good value for money.
(I cannot post link here as I am a newcomer on HWZone, you can search "Cafelat Robot | Iced Latte“ )

Did you have to do any preheating for the Robot? i find preheating twice (not immersing) works best for my the Flair.

Was keen on the robot as I have had a good experience with Cafelat qualtity but unfortunately can't flat pack the robot.

What grinder are you using?

 

[11onze]

Did you have to do any preheating for the Robot? i find preheating twice (not immersing) works best for my the Flair.

Was keen on the robot as I have had a good experience with Cafelat qualtity but unfortunately can't flat pack the robot.

What grinder are you using?

No, I don’t apply any pre-heating. I just add as much hot water in the basket as possible, leaving ~5mm clearance.
For the grinder, the brand is MAVO (I cannot find any official website). You can take a look at this video - not by me, “Cafelat Robot | Iced Latte”)

 

[DriftKing]

Having a serious case of burr miss-alignment. Got some SSP burrs to go with the zenith 65E. Initially it seems its touching on one edge more than the rest, tried to shim it and now it hits opposite ends of the circumference ( which is very weird). At the finest setting, I'm not even near to choking the machine....

Seems like need more play with the alignment or revert back to stock burr. Anyone have experience aligning their grinder?

 

[tremor]

Congrats on you new purchase. So did u have to pay for GST during delivery?

Ok update everyone here.

Those who plan to order from espressocoffeeshop take note. TNT send me gst bill in the mail. So seems like the delivery fee does not include gst. Have to pay separate.

Make me happy for nothing.

 

[wook2000]

Having a serious case of burr miss-alignment. Got some SSP burrs to go with the zenith 65E. Initially it seems its touching on one edge more than the rest, tried to shim it and now it hits opposite ends of the circumference ( which is very weird). At the finest setting, I'm not even near to choking the machine....

Seems like need more play with the alignment or revert back to stock burr. Anyone have experience aligning their grinder?

Are you single dosing? Try filling the hopper and see if it helps.. SSP burrs due to the geometry usually helps to increase extraction however tends to shift the grind distribution towards more unimodal resulting in faster flow and the puck being more sensitive.shimmming generally is not an ideal solution. You can try sanding the stationary burr carrier instead