Coffee Appreciation

Add a toestrap - instant saddlepack.

Just scored a used-twice one of these for under a tenner posted on ebay. Got filters en route as well.

Is a normal kettle good enough? Imagine the swan neck things are nice and look good on the sideboard but doubt I'd notice the difference...

Normal kettle will be fine, just leave it for minute after it boils, also use something else to pour the water like a little jug.

Ta. Figured as much.

Might splash out on fancy coffee for it's first outing.

Got my v60 02 decanter today.
First coffee came out lovely following the 26g coffee to 415ml as recommended. Took around 3mins to filter as the coffee I have is ground finer than ideal. Aside from my jug being a bit spolshy compared to the fancy kettles it's all good.
Making it was fun as well. Chuffed.

..like the idea & the design, just not fond of the plastic bit.
This needs a copper insert, like in the big one!

Presumably could swap for the copper cone if feeling flash. Looks like the handle/base is removable on the metal ones and takes same size papers so should fit fine.
It tastes like coffee and the whole thing cost less than a pack of filter papers so not fussed about the plastic for now.

I've just ordered one of these! Got an aeropress and gaggia but thought you can never have too much shit to clutter the kitchen with.

Hope does a V60 differ to an aeropress in terms of the flavour produced? I get the impression a V60 gives a slightly heavier and darker result? Or does that just depend on brewing methods etc?

I'd say opposite: that the v60 provides a lighter, clean brew than an aeropress (although it obviously depends on brew time, grind, volume of coffee used etc - you can adjust either to provide either if you want).

I couldn't possibly comment as I don't really understand the terminology of coffee tasting! I made my decision to get the v60 based on having that and an aeropress made for me at the same time with the same coffee. I preferred the v60(but couldn't tell you why) and seemed more fun to make.
It certainly feels thinner than stuff out of a Bialetti but still strong enough to do the job.

On the subject of kettles, I recommend getting a Brita kettle if you are in London. Much nicer coffee and tea...

Picked up some of the Volcano Friends of Herne Hill Velodrome espresso at track league on Wednesday.
Punchy, chocolatey, profits go to FHHV, and it even has a picture of the sexy, beardy @hillbilly on it. What more do you want?

Well, personally, I would want all of that, plus a blank white sticker to put over Jim's grinning boat race.

I'd want at least a back rub.

No reach around?

Woah there tiger.

Well, that escalated quickly.

You should know.

Think I've just written off my gaggia classic...got distracted whilst descaling and left the descaler on brew inside the machine for hours! Now I can't get water out of the brew head...tho I can get water out the wand...very grey water, with probably a high aluminium content!! Anyone with classic anatomy knowledge know which bit i've fucked, or if its replaceable? I might as well do the pressure upgrade too whilst I'm in there - if anyone has any advice or links to resources I'd be really grateful!!

On a much more positive note, this place has recently opened in Cambridge https://www.facebook.com/espressolibrary

Well worth a look - especially if you're cycling through. Been getting Fiori Espresso from there via thecoffeeofficina.com - making the best home brews so far.

Can you still hear the pump hum when you switch it to brew? You may just have loosened some scale which is clogging the flow.

Remove the shower screen which has one screw. Now remove the block which is held on with two allen screws. Then switch the pump on to see if you get flow. If you don't, you can give it a burst of high pressure by switching the thermostat to steam mode, and when it hits steam temp, throw the pump switch again. Beware that steaming hot water may blast out at this point if you did indeed have a blockage, and if it is cleared.

Thanks a lot - will give this a shot (no pun intended) now

Thank you dude! Seems my shower screen got irreversibly blocked...new one on the way. Quite a relief :) thought it was proper buggered...donation made to the forum for your wisdom.

Nice one. I recommend using cheap bottled water with these, and not descaling by the way. Or use a Brita filter and don't descale.

Brita-filtered water always tastes like tap water after a few weeks to me. I use one for drinking water and cups o'tea but still buy bottled water for coffee.