Coffee Appreciation

Ah, interesting about the smell. Whenever I smell coffee roasting around London, I always think it smells lovely.

The Time more ones mentioned above are all (?) USB C charging. Whilst it's technically worse since non-replacable, I feel like in this instance it makes sense as they're hopefully more waterproof

I assume most larger scale roasters have venting systems that get rid of most of the bad smells (of course, their purpose is not to get rid of smells, but I assume that's a side-effect). I've never been keen on the smell myself (at least not Square Mile & Monmouth, but I assume the same holds for other roasters).

In areas where it will cause nuisance, roasters use after-burners which incinerate the smoke at high temperatures, eliminating the odour and particulates leaving just vapour. You do tend to still get smell from cooling tray smoke which doesn’t usually go through the after burner so it’s not 100% effective. My solution is to roast in the middle of the countryside.

Going back a few years now, but the small roaster in town near my work used to be pretty stinky. I was surprised how different the smell was compared to the finished product.

Now for a rant. Using button cells like CR2032 in products like scales ought to be banned IMO. Anywhere you can fit two AAA rechargeables not only lasts so much longer, but doesn't result in a pile of waste batteries.

The cafe a few doors down from me does its own roasting and I love the smell whenever they're at it! Doesn't get to the house but definitely can tell if popping out to the shop or heading to work.

Speaking of local roasters, I picked up 200g of a Guatemalan medium roast (probably medium dark for the third wave people) from W Martyn in Muswell Hill which I am really enjoy. Huge beans and a fruity, full bodied flavour without any offensive (to my perhaps more trad palate at least) acidity.

Just bought these from a hatch in Sale. Hoping they deliver something special once brewed.

Won't be using the Aromaboy. Carefully brewed v60 approach needed I think.

I can get 10x 250ml brews (15g) which works out close to typical shop batch filter price per cup.

https://plotroasting.com/products/las-etiopes-gesha-natural?variant=41715219071012

^ the hatches (the place is called Grapefruit) batch filter was banging btw.

Decided it was time to replace the pump in my Silvia.

It came apart fairly easily apart from one very rusty screw. The swap was fine. I put the hoses in a cup of water and tested that the machine was pumping water through without any leaks.

Put it back together, pulled a shot and it was very lacklustre, tiny dribble of coffee coming through. Turn it off and on, gave it another go, noticed water seeping out.

So tomorrow will take apart and retest when pulling a shot to see where the leak is.

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Was in harrods yesterday and so had a look a the linea micra. The handles felt kind of cheap and plasticky. I get that it’s the prosumer model and cheapest one they offer but was a little surprised/dissapointed. @Dammit is that the one you have?

@Tenderloin
The steam taps and the shot paddle? Yeah they’re crappy for the price, same as on the commercial models though. Portafilter handle on the bigger linea mini is nice.

Now for a rant. Using button cells like CR2032 in products like scales ought to be banned IMO. Anywhere you can fit two AAA rechargeables not only lasts so much longer, but doesn't result in a pile of waste batteries.

Amen to that.

The Plot Peru Geisha has a lot going on, definitely worth the higher than usual price tag I reckon.

Brewed v60, the water was off the boil a bit too long whilst I ground the beans & faffed I think so will see what a bit more heat gives tomorrow.

Edut: I think it could make a very good cold brew too.

The water seems to be leaking from here. Which is strange because it wasn’t before.

In a video I watched about the replacement the guy used Teflon tape around the thread, is that 100 necessary because it wasn’t there when I took it apart.

The video shows some play which is also leaking, again wasn’t before.

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Inside the nut there should be a gasket on the of the Flexi hose, if it's there I'd replace it, or you could put some silicone grease on it and hope for the best.

Leaking from the threads sounds like the same issue, but using PTFE on the threads would be good practice regardless, and it'll create a waste tight seal on the threads, and an interface that will inhibit corrosion.

Perhaps be mindful of overtightening that nut of its to tight the gasket will deform and leak. And just noticed you've got brass connecting to steel, if you're going to put PTFE tape on the other threads I'd do those too at the same time.

Yeah, agree on the point that PTFE tape is always a good idea for these sorts of threads. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it etc.

I've picked up an Aeropress from a friendly Forum member for camping duties. It doesn't have a scoop, I don't have scales, I'll use ground coffee rather than beans. Can I just eyeball it? Is there a method? Will I die?

I should add that it's pretty old and I guess from dishwashing there's no guide markings left on it.
I could use scales at home and add my own marks with a sharpie.

Yes eyeball is fine, although trying to be consistent will always help to improve, but it's a pretty forgiving brew method.

Maybe give it a trial run at home so you can work out what you want to aim for?

Yeah just use one of those plastic coffee scoops and "calibrate" with scales so you get an idea of what a dose looks like - I use about 18g I think, but I don't weigh each time now that I know what's about right.

Pretty sure I have a spare scoop I can post to you. Shout if that'd help.

Yeah exactly - just felt so flimsy!

@ChasnotRobert
Yes I'm going to play with it now while I'm visiting a house that has scales. If I can approximate how many scoops of coffee using my spork that'll be good enough.

Thanks for the kind offer but I'm always trying to thin down what I carry, even another spoon.

My eyeballing technique works fairly well with the inverted method.

1) Place the plunger in until it just reaches the edge of the no. 4 marking's outer circle.
2) Add in the coffee so that it's about as deep as the thickness of the plunger's rubber stopper.
3) Add hot water up to the line just below the Aeropress's foot/collar.
4) Give it a couple of gentle stirs and wait ~2 minutes.
5) Add the filter and cap, place your cup on top to contain any splashes, then invert.
6) Plunge slowly so that the water passes through the filter rather than being forced out the sides.

That should give you roughly 12g to 200g brew ratio. Have drawn a crude guide.

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