Coffee Appreciation

Agreed, I do about 135g at a time when making cold brew.

Excellent :)

For the penurious among us: http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/nov/27/supermarket-ground-coffee-taste-test

My friend is urging me to try the new soya sugar-free gingerbread latte made by a well known chain, adding to their existing range of festive drinks for coffee haters.

Just writing that made me gag.

waow

I've been watching Homeland recently and am really taken with the idea of driving around in a 4x4 with an enormous almost-coffee-based drink.

True story.

In the real world, this week I'm drinking this:

http://smallbatchcoffee.co.uk/shop/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=94

It's pleasant but nothing spectacular.

Small Batch is growing on me as a Brighton-er these days. I used to resent their way too rapid expansion (from clever investors in local meedja companies) from tiny roaster to most dominant chain of independents in the area (including, as I understand, a tie-in with that LMNH rip-off on The Level) and favoured Ground in Kemp Town but I have to say the staff at the Jubilee Street branch of Small Batch don't fuck about. They know their stuff (despite a generally shit taste in music).

Went to the Norfolk Square branch the other day and asked for an iced fw for Lady CYOA and was told they don't have ice in the winter (Jubilee Street do but we were going to the vets at Norfolk Sq). I then asked for a soft drink to add to the order and was asked by the same person, 'do you want a glass with ice?'

I liked the Jubilee branch but to many Hipsters tbh for me. Have you tried Mr Wolfe in Hove Actually?

^^ haha the ice thing is great.

Got a takeaway filter from Small Batch a few years ago, threw it in the bin a few streets away. Absolutely terrible.

Lovely couple, great coffee and cake but just a tad too small for me. About 6 seats if I recall which is fine for takeaway but I like to sit for a moment. Also I live up near Ground so it's a bit far for a regular thing.

Just cancelled my Bean and Ground subscription. Meh.

3d printed steel Hario mini Porlex drill bit adapter

http://www.shapeways.com/model/664098/hario-mini-mill-slim-drill-adapter-v2-0.html

And Porlex (are they the same size?)

http://www.shapeways.com/model/2046168/driver-bit-for-coffee-mill-dbcm-p-pentagon.html?materialId=23

http://www.shapeways.com/model/1658636/hario-porlex-coffee-grinder-driver.html?materialId=23

Was accosted on Charlotte Street at lunch by Black Sheep Coffee who are pushing their USP of only using robusta beans and have a 2 for 1 offer on at the moment.

What was wrong with it? Am currently sticking to buying beans from local coffee shop (they do HasBean without a subscription and various local roasters) but this looks potentially interesting...

And Porlex (are they the same size?)

Page says that it can be used on Porlex mini

Just noticed this Colm. I have an mc2 and Classic combo - produces decent coffee on a budget. Would have to spend significantly more on either item to see any improvement really.

That said, the mc2 is quite messy and noisy. It's also quite wasteful when it comes to getting a grind dialled in - but once it's in, it's in.

If I had some money floating around I would buy a Vario, but it looks like my Gaggia is in need of some serious love - so I'm probably going to have to shell out for a new one. Grinder funds = gone.

Did you try the Black Sheep? Interested to know if it works or whether you're getting 'Italian Roast' espresso in big chain stylee?

Ah crap, that's not good!

Was eyeing up the mc2 alright, but decided to keep going with my hand grinder til after Christmas when I can afford a Eureka Mignon.

Let me know what happens with your gaggia, it seems like they're very fixable though if it's anything consumable like the 3-way valve...

Check your exhaust tube hasn't split? This happened on mine (pic waaaaay back in this thread) cost about £12 for a new one.

Yup, most common problem for leaking on back flushing is just that.

FYI, I'm an engineer for commercial machines, now running my own shop, so if anyone has any questions they need advice on, just holla.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_nEWbMIw_Q#t=65

jesus christ...

So we've decided to replace the Gaggia - pretty close to pulling the trigger on a Silvia. Anything else we should be looking at before I do?

This also means that we will have a Gaggia classic which is in need of some repair (but still working and pulling OK shots) going spare. Can't really ask for proper money for it, but would happily let someone take it away for £40 (I'm not posting it) - has already had the Silvia steam mod etc.

I'd keep an eye out for a small commercial machine with an E61 (style) grouphead in case you see any going cheap. I'm sure the Silvia is probably great, but E61 machines make really consistently good coffee.

Wherabouts? What's the main issues with it?

da fuq is that mug about?!

it's to make it easy to spot morons