Coffee Appreciation

don't forget that it's red hot if switching from a plastic one, was showing my gf how to use the machine for the 20th time (don't know why i bother, it never sticks) and she grabbed the steam wand and burned her thumb and 2 fingers, though luckily not badly.

If anyone is upgrading their espresso setup as a Christmas present, I'm on the lookout for a second hand espresso machine. Used to have a Gaggia classic, would be looking for something a step up from that / potentially a heat exchanger.

If there is anyone selling Gaggia classic, I will haply take it to a new home.

https://www.coffeehit.co.uk/rubber-sleeve-for-steam-wand.html

yeah it has one. she grabbed the whole bottom half to move it so she could fit the jug underneath.

all my parts just turned up except for the pack of seals which were sent by another seller. i only ordered the hot water thermostat but looks like the ebay seller threw in the steam one as well for free (worth £9), score.

if the seals arrive tomorrow I know what my saturday will be spent doing.

This OPV mod, is that valid for older Gaggia Classics? Mine is 2008 or something and predates the pod portafilters.

Seems I'm a bit behind on espresso tech, but it looks like the OPV pressure reduction to 9-10 Bar has been done to Classics for quite a few years. Back in the day it was all about having a machine that could put out big pressure - which the Classic could.

Rancilio Silvia wand is at home waiting to be fitted. @freddo it came with one of those.

Any recommendations for an electric coffee grinder, with adjustable grind? I will be used at home.

My wife has trouble with her wrists and can struggle with the manual one she has now.

.

Budget?

Baratza is a good place to start.

https://www.coffeehit.co.uk/baratza-encore.html

Cheaper option could be the Wilfa?

https://www.innes.co.uk/wilfa-precision-electric-coffee-grinder-black.html?utm_source=google_shopping&gref=52887112970&acid=345&gdev=c&gloc=9045311

I have one and like it a lot for filter and french press size grounds. Couldn't vouch for it in an espresso machine though.

Cheaper still is something like this but I've not used one but there are plenty at that mark depending on budget:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002OHDBQC/ref=asc_df_B002OHDBQC57465637/?tag=googshopuk-21&creative=22110&creativeASIN=B002OHDBQC&linkCode=df0&hvadid=226302833456&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2454561178480270779&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045311&hvtargid=pla-419982564176&th=1&psc=1

Budget would be £100 max.

I’m not a coffee drinker and had no idea how much an electric grinder would cost!

Wilfa could be a decent bet.

the Krups and DeLonghi ones for around £45 do the job for filter / french press but my experience of the Krups ones is that they only last a few years.

Rancilio Silvia wand is at home waiting to be fitted

Fitted last night. No sanding needed and the nut came off the Gaggia wand without any bending. Microfoam this morning was quite exciting and a lot easier than I was expecting!

Edit: have a picture.

1 Attachment

Sat down last night with a couple of beers,my gaggia classic, a box of new parts, a phillips screwdriver, my bike allen keys, a small adjustable wrench and some pliers and did the entire overhaul of my system in a couple of hours.

This vid below came in handy for the disassembling bit, I didn't use his numbering scheme though I just took a shit ton of photos on my phone for reference from all angles where something was connected.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9i-EH7qXOc

where the boiler met the grouphead was really calcified around the outside, I think the boiler gasket must have worn enough that it began leaking slightly, a soak in some descaler sorted it though. the steam wand valve was stuck firm on the top of the boiler too, luckily i wasn't keeping either part.

once you have the machine apart, it's amazingly simple though and bolts together in a very logical way. i understand how it all works much better now and kind of kicking myself for not play around with it sooner.

putting it back together was nice and straightforward, i kept all the screws in a bowl and it's nice and obvious which is for what part so no puzzling over how to re-assemble it.

i finished it late so had to wait until this morning to try it out, instantly had water pouring from a number of places, took the top off and turned it on again, immediately saw the hose connection to the pump wasn't on tight enough, i tightened as much as i could and tried again... no leaks.

as the new pump wasn't fitted yet and the old one was shot I hadn't taken a pump reading before i took it apart on the pressure guage but I took the opv mod guidance from https://coffeeforums.co.uk/showthread.php?3859-Adjusting-the-OPV-(over-Pressure-Valve)-Gaggia-Classic and did a 270deg adjustment on the opv valve and then notched it back a few degrees as my starting position for testing pressure when I got it up and running. after fixing the pump leak I stuck the gauge on and got ~9.95 bar (was aiming for 10) so I think i'll leave it as is and see how i get on.

getting some minor dribbling around the grouphead but when i dismantled it was in need of a clean and the gasket got slightly damaged removing it to put the whole thing in the descaler, got another one on the way tomorrow. will puly caff the shower screen holder today so it's all nice and clean ready for it to go on.

while on amazon looking for the gasket to order I noticed the company i ordered my gauge from had 3 hole nozzles for the silvia wand so in for a penny and all that decided I'd replace the wand and nozzle as well (it was looking quite sorry for itself after all the other new parts).

no coffee today then but once the final bits arrive tomorrow i should be back in business in about 10 minutes.

@StevePeel if I order today with standard shipping is it likely to arrive before next Saturday?
Someone’s getting a boatload of yellow bourbon for Xmas ;)

Edit, never mind. Called the shop and a lovely woman put me right.
Nice to know doaskid still knocks a few pennies off.

can anyone suggest for me, a nice fancy posh coffee flask? something different from a thermos.

Klean Kanteen seems to be the flask of choice

got a zojirushi one last year (can't remember which model exactly), but couldn't recommend highly enough. Hasn't ever leaked, in spite of regularly being left upsidedown in my backpack and seems to keep stuff warm indefinitely.

@CYOA @ChasnotRobert

Thanks for the suggestions! I went with the Wilfa at £94 from Innes. Seems to have mostly postive reviews online.

Great stuff. Enjoy. Only advice I have about it is to pour carefully out of the basket as it has a couple of annoying extra corners/edges that like to send either beans (if you're weighing in it before pouring into the grinder) or grounds flying if you rush it. It's a very minor thing though. Definitely worth it for me and looks nice on the counter.

Edit: Oh and make sure the timer dial is turned past zero when you push the button or it'll sit there not doing anything and you'll think it's arrived broken.

I need recommendations for scales to weigh coffee into rancilio portafilter basket and to place under a cup as the coffee comes out of the brewhead. Have been using the same scales i used to make filter and it's to imprecise for the basket task and doesn't fit under group head.

Golden standard:

https://www.hario.jp/seihin/productdetail.php?product=VST-2000B