(GPGT)Espresso machine hoot

[timo240]

Hi everyone,

Wish all of you a happy 2016! Do you use filter water for your espresso machine? I wanted to go for a everpure filter but there are so many models and i am confused what is suitable for our waters. Like to seek advice from this forum what brand and type is adequate for our waters.

Thanks in advance

 

[Radeon]

You can get an Everpure Claris/Ultra and then adjust the dial based on the hardness of the water by testing with a hardness testing kit.

 

[testerjp]

Using tap water.

 

[Shalomp]

spore's tap water is hard or soft?

i was told better filter your tap water or else next time have to descale your espresso machine

 

[testerjp]

SG water is of course soft.

 

[japhethlimweiyi]

Any recommendation for water filtration systems?

 

[testerjp]

You are connecting to water tank or water network?

 

[japhethlimweiyi]

Water tank. Probably never gonna plumb my machine..

 

[prozaizxc]

Guys, what are your espresso machine's flow rates?

According toMatt Perger, flow rates are,

Pump Pressure and Flowrate
Most machines are set to ~9 bar pressure. This is fine for most applications, although there is a lot of experimentation with different static and variable pressures That’s a rabbit hole we really don’t have time for today. Just know that the lower the pressure, the slower your espresso shots will run and the lower the flow rate will be. In terms of flowrate, most machines are somewhere between 250 and 500ml/30sec. You can measure this by placing a jug under a group head sans portafilter, and measuring how much water comes out in 30 seconds. I find anything between 200 and 280ml/30sec to be optimal. Also check that each group is the same or your shots will run differently on each head!

My rancilio silvia seems to have a flow rate of 300ml/30sec. Its slightly higher to what matt perger considers optimal. Im curious as to know what are your machine's flow rates and do you know if i should adjust the pressure of the machine to adjust this flow rate?

In case you're wondering where i got this from, http://www.baristahustle.com/espresso-recipes-time/

The whole espresso recipes series is worth a read.
Didn't know previously that I should play around with brew ratio. Watched a couple of videos of Charles babinski on Chefsteps and he had a brew ratio of 1:2 and then I religiously followed that ratio, ending up with more sourish, harsh shots of espresso. Now I'm trying to increase the brew ratio to 1:2.5 to get more sweetness out of my shots. Don't know if this is common knowledge to you guys but yeah, Ive just learnt this from the baristahustle page

 

[patryn33]

Any recommendation for water filtration systems?

Looking to get this http://www.kubewater.com

 

[testerjp]

Guys, what are your espresso machine's flow rates?

According toMatt Perger, flow rates are,

Pump Pressure and Flowrate
Most machines are set to ~9 bar pressure. This is fine for most applications, although there is a lot of experimentation with different static and variable pressures That’s a rabbit hole we really don’t have time for today. Just know that the lower the pressure, the slower your espresso shots will run and the lower the flow rate will be. In terms of flowrate, most machines are somewhere between 250 and 500ml/30sec. You can measure this by placing a jug under a group head sans portafilter, and measuring how much water comes out in 30 seconds. I find anything between 200 and 280ml/30sec to be optimal. Also check that each group is the same or your shots will run differently on each head!

My rancilio silvia seems to have a flow rate of 300ml/30sec. Its slightly higher to what matt perger considers optimal. Im curious as to know what are your machine's flow rates and do you know if i should adjust the pressure of the machine to adjust this flow rate?

In case you're wondering where i got this from, http://www.baristahustle.com/espresso-recipes-time/

The whole espresso recipes series is worth a read.
Didn't know previously that I should play around with brew ratio. Watched a couple of videos of Charles babinski on Chefsteps and he had a brew ratio of 1:2 and then I religiously followed that ratio, ending up with more sourish, harsh shots of espresso. Now I'm trying to increase the brew ratio to 1:2.5 to get more sweetness out of my shots. Don't know if this is common knowledge to you guys but yeah, Ive just learnt this from the baristahustle page

Honestly, I don't really care a lot about this guy. He talks a lot and trying hard to keep himself relevant.
His approach makes things very complicated and I doubt his facts.

I prefer other famous barista like Gwilym Davies who will tell you to keep your espresso making simple, efficient and consistent.

 

[patryn33]

If you can tell the diff sure take the advice but otherwise then I would save the headache and time

 

[Lazy_Tiger]

Guys, what are your espresso machine's flow rates?

According toMatt Perger, flow rates are,

Pump Pressure and Flowrate
Most machines are set to ~9 bar pressure. This is fine for most applications, although there is a lot of experimentation with different static and variable pressures That’s a rabbit hole we really don’t have time for today. Just know that the lower the pressure, the slower your espresso shots will run and the lower the flow rate will be. In terms of flowrate, most machines are somewhere between 250 and 500ml/30sec. You can measure this by placing a jug under a group head sans portafilter, and measuring how much water comes out in 30 seconds. I find anything between 200 and 280ml/30sec to be optimal. Also check that each group is the same or your shots will run differently on each head!



The whole espresso recipes series is worth a read.
Didn't know previously that I should play around with brew ratio. Watched a couple of videos of Charles babinski on Chefsteps and he had a brew ratio of 1:2 and then I religiously followed that ratio, ending up with more sourish, harsh shots of espresso. Now I'm trying to increase the brew ratio to 1:2.5 to get more sweetness out of my shots. Don't know if this is common knowledge to you guys but yeah, Ive just learnt this from the baristahustle page

Thanks for sharing. flow rate is extremely complex. adjusting pump pressure may not necessarily change the flow rate. You can have high pressure but low flow rate by having a very small gicleur (a flow restrictor).

here is another thing, having a low initial pressure or low flowrate followed by the usual 9 bars can lead to faster flow of espresso compared to just going straight with full 9 bars of pressure on the onset.

yep i agree that the recipes part is very useful. Generally the recipes work but from my limited personal experience i'm not entirely convinced that pulling higher ratio shots can lead to increased sweetness if you are getting sour coffees initially. Otherwise the simple solution to make espresso is just to pull lungos all day. I have brewed some very difficult light roasts that did not benefit from a lungo style brew ratio.

this may sound strange but i generally i found that for some light roasted coffees using a high dose basket and extend brew time helps to cut the sourish, mouth puckering taste of light roasted coffees. I can still maintain a ristreto or normale ratio. Maybe its just my taste preference.

what coffees are you brewing now?

Bought yahava black gold and espresso blend for the 1st time. Darker style roast but not as impressive as some other dark roasts i've tried like klatch house blend or perfero unica strong or pacamara roadster. the aroma is not as complex and interesting.

 

[derazor]

Recently bought from Highlander. Not roasted as dark anymore I feel. $12 a pack, pretty pretty ok for the price. Fresher and cheaper than Starbucks

 

[testerjp]

Funny that it's compared to starbucks, but the one i had, the aromatic profiles of earthy notes were indeed similar

 

[derazor]

Funny that it's compared to starbucks, but the one i had, the aromatic profiles of earthy notes were indeed similar

Reason I compare to Starbucks is because recently no time to go down to buy coffee.

Also because highlander previously got ppl say buang etc etc.
too roasted etc

but I think they up their game and it's fresh, cheap and good especially for for latte shots

 

[Corsabrin]

need advice guys. I'm intending to get a machine, but my major concern is warm up time. I'm the only person drinking coffee, perhaps 1 in the morning and 1 evening. My personal preference is a machine that can warm up fast for a drink.

For this, i'm considering single boiler or HX. I've read that silvia warms up around 20 mins -30 mins. Are there any machines that could do it even faster?

Need advice!

 

[chikyblink]

Just get a power adapter with timer and you can get any machine you want.

Sent from Samsung SM-N910G using GAGT

 

[derazor]

Not sure which espresso is active.. hence I post here...

You guys got try add whipping cream to your coffee to make Breve.

http://coffee.wikia.com/wiki/Breve


I tried doing 30% Whipping Cream and 70% Milk. WOW.. the latte taste rich. You can play with the ratio la but I think to me is just right.

Can try and let us know your thoughts..

 

[testerjp]

Don't like sweet things in my drink