Coffee Appreciation

I have a g105 that doesn't work and should get round to having a look at. Where did you get the parts from?

I used http://www.espressoservices.co.uk/.
They seem to specialise in La Pavoni, but iirc the 105 is pretty much the same machine?

Just wow.

Do you fix Gaggias? ;)

Must admit, I'm quite pleased with it! ;-)

It was the new chrome base (the old one had rusted through), wooden knobs and lots of brasso wadding that did it!

I'll have to look back through the thread, but what's wrong with yours? Certainly for the Pavoni, all the parts are available and it's a bit like restoring a bike doing the rebuild!

After our chat on saturday, you were thinking it could be scale, when was it last descaled? If not for a long time might be worth running pickling vinegar to descale the boiler if there is any scale as this will have a go at descaling it.

Looking here:
http://www.partsguru.com/user/Parts%20dagram%20ER0182_Rev01.pdf

Don't think the fusibble link is gone as then the steam bit wouldn't work.

Check number 17 (coffee boiler temp sensor) is operating. You will need a cuircuit tester ;) Think it is open circuit (high resistance) till the water is up to temperature then it operates (low resistance allows current to flow)

May be look at 21 to 25, its a philips screwdriver and allen key to check that if there is a blockage of some scale in the output valve/tube.

The rebuild kit of a couple of o rings and fibre washers, so you can take it all apart and see if there are any blockages. The kit is the same as the boiler in the baby gaggia so we can chop and change to see what parts are faulty.

I had this exact problem a few weeks ago. I managed to resolve by using an allen key to remove the OPV and 3-way valve:

http://thehippy.net/nucleus/media/1/20090122-gaggia_3way_valve.jpg

http://img-2011-12.tapatalk.com/d/12/11/04/thumbnail/hunuvure.jpg

I then used a spanner and mole-grips to open them up. I then just put them (minus the solenoid electronics) into some diluted descaler overnight. Next morning gave them a good rinse and reattached. Started working again straightaway, although ran a few cups of water through to make sure I'd flushed out the descaler.

Descaling mine made a huge difference to the efficiency of the heating element - previously I had to run it at high power (it's just got a manual high/low switch...no 'stat) to get it up to temerature.... Now it works as it should - low for coffee, then high for steam....

Any interest in a London Coffee Festival top (black with white logo/medium) posted for £10? (what i paid). Tried on once at home and is a bit fitted on me for my liking. Say it verges on a small if you like your tee's with a bit more room. Can sort some pics if anybody's interested.

Ta.

Currently drinking: Nude Cold Brew

Tasting notes: It's like coffee, but cold. Word.

My rather larger coffee plant is dying, can anyone save it?

I have just received my Porlex Tall Ceramic grinder, straight from Japan.

It took 2 weeks to arrive and no import taxes to be paid.

Paid £28.38 for it with postage on eBay so a bit better than Hasbean (£42),

I will try it over the weekend.

I picked this up at a local coffee place that imports in the good stuff. I have been drinking the local roasters, but this is the best I have had in a while. Floral, smooth, full bodied. To be tried if you can get it in your lands.

I'd heard a lot about Stumptown & tried it when in the US. It's good. Bought some of the Hairbender home.

http://priceonomics.com/the-invention-of-the-aeropress/

Speaking of Aeropress. I've entered the Scottish Aeropress Championships which are in a few weeks. The 'championship beans' will be with me by the end of the week and I then need to perfect my brewing regime before writing it down for submission to the judges and performing it in the allocated 2 minutes on the day.

Anyone any tips for getting the best out of it? I've only really tried a few methods and thought I'd enter this as a wee challenge for myself.

http://priceonomics.com/the-invention-of-the-aeropress/

Great article. Thanks for posting.

Want to get a porlex hand grinder from amazon or similar for 27 quid but not keen on paying nearly 50pc of the purchase price in customs and Royal Mail handling fees. Does anyone have experience of whether you'll invariable end up getting clobbered on customs fees when ordering these gadgets from japan?

If the answer is yes I'll probably get a hario grinder..

Oh- Vince could u tell me who u purchased your porlex from sounds like they are customs friendly as it were - many thanks

It might be from amazon.co.uk but the seller is based in and dispatches from japan

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Cookware-Dining-Bar-/20625/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=&_ssn=v-japan

I bought from this guy.

He put 'Coffee Mill' and a value of 3600 yen (£20)

I might have been lucky with the import charges.

nice one - thanks. you used the porlex yet?

Not yet.

Tonight is the night though.

Never ground coffee either so we'll see how things go

Speaking of Aeropress. I've entered the Scottish Aeropress Championships which are in a few weeks. The 'championship beans' will be with me by the end of the week and I then need to perfect my brewing regime before writing it down for submission to the judges and performing it in the allocated 2 minutes on the day.

Anyone any tips for getting the best out of it? I've only really tried a few methods and thought I'd enter this as a wee challenge for myself.

Please tell me you are dressing like this:

That's an awesome flyer!

Rusty repped on the basis of seeing that flyer and, I can only assume on the strength of it, deciding "hey, I may not be an expert, but I am definitely registering."

I'm tempted by an Aeropress for work. Should I?

What sort of grind does it use?

Medium-coarse here. Certainly not an expert though, and it likely took me 20 cups of quite shit coffee to get the hang of it. I like it a lot now though, and am gradually upping consistency. If you can spare 3 minutes to make your coffee, get one.

If you can spare 3 minutes to make your coffee, get one.

Basically this! I can't imagine what might be putting you off. As long as you've got good beans, good water and a good grinder, you can have an exceptional coffee in minutes.

I grind similar to pourover and adjust from there (usually start with 17g coffee, 240ml water).