Coffee Appreciation

Forum meet at your house then invite them over

Yes I do, currently I use the zero for espresso and the duo for filter, I’m hoping to replace both with the Philos.

If i have all three here at the same time I’ll conduct the experiment you suggest.

The Baldrick method?

https://youtu.be/_CtdYqVK_R4

Partner potted? Pottered? me a catch pot for after the extraction of the robot for all the excess water, with nice tapered edges so it fits between the legs nicely.

I reckon this is a v1, a little tiny bit wider, and a handle on the front will finish it perfectly.

1 Attachment

Sweet, my partner likes to drink the afterpresso ™️ (we split the espresso), the stuff that comes out before the foam. We catch that in a ramekin and then throw a cheap little measuring cup under for the dregs.

I like my brikka ... Not espresso but closer to it than a straight up Mokka pot

I got myself a picopresso out of curiosity and it's faff and I might be too dumb to get proper coffee out of it but it's shit in my opinion.

I also have a pipamokka which I love, it is a solid product for camping, travels etc and also making cups of cold brew with some ice cubes.

@dancing james nice, I'm curious how your experiences with it will be!

As for burrs, ideally I would change to something that can manage both filter and espresso at 80% of what I could get with dedicated burrs. Just for the sake of not having to faff around. But I'll cross that bridge when I get there...

I was actually surprised that my partner got the right burr set (after the fact that she got me a grinder this expensive in the first place??). Although she likes coffee, she's not 'weird' about coffee, hah

I am interested to see how much difference I get going from niche zero to the philos.

Next year I hope to get the decent bengle and then I’ll be looking to ignore all coffee blogs, YouTube videos and forums so I can avoid further upgraditis.

It’s a bit like hifi or bikes, I have to avoid reading about marginal gains from equipment and just enjoy what I have.

Or find new rabbit holes to spend money on 🤣

Is something like this any good?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/NEOUZA-Barista-Stainless-Espresso-Portafilter/dp/B0C7L41JNY/ref=asc_df_B0C7L41JNY/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696285193871&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10571560833497729340&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006984&hvtargid=pla-2281435177898&psc=1&mcid=bedbfdd4223f39cc81329ecfbf8caa96&hvocijid=10571560833497729340-B0C7L41JNY-&hvexpln=74&gad_source=1

I just picked up this tiny coffee scale from Aliexpress, for the price I think it's great. It has an automatic espresso timer mode which TAREs when you place the cup on the scale and then starts the timer when it registers weight increasing. Posts on reddit suggest it will fit the Robot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZNA7KErA-c

(You can turn the beep off)

1 Attachment

So, what started as a quick pump change on my ancient Gaggia classic, escalated...

Before I attempt any percussive maintenance, any ideas how I can remove the steam arm assembly from the boiler? I've removed the bolts but it's still stuck. Was thinking about a citric acid bath but not sure how the copper/bronze would react

1 Attachment

Great, thank you! Will give it a look

“quick pump change”

It took me 3 days of fucking about to replace my pump

I got the pump changed relatively "quickly" but it turned out not to be the problem... tried to remove the solenoid value... the allen heads sheared... screw removers failed...now need a new group body at the very least...

It is a 2001 model and the first time I've attempted to service!

You have my sympathies. Whenever I attempt something like this there’s a problem.

Before I attempt any percussive maintenance, any ideas how I can remove the steam arm assembly from the boiler? I've removed the bolts but it's still stuck.

It is stuck in with scale. Tap it lightly left and right and it’ll eventually free and you’ll be able to wriggle it out. It’s got an O ring too which is helping it stick and might need replacing 👍

Lovely stuff, thanks - will report back...

Been looking at tampers myself. The MHW-3Bomber leveling tamper looks good, apart from the branding on the base. Wondering if it can be removed somehow.

There’s some difference in price

1 Attachment

That’s just the wdt. The tamp is nearly £50

There's two models, the cheaper one is under £30 with tax and shipping. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006067113624.html

The black and wood works well.

That logo though

Do you have a dosing ring? This has transformed the tendency of my shots to channel. Initially I got one to save a few seconds using a teaspoon to get the coffee from grinder container to basket, but actually you can give it a quick shake side-to-side to loosen the grounds from the container which also breaks up the clumps and when you dump it into the basket it goes in almost completely level. Tamp lightly with the ring in place, tap the side to get the stuck grounds to fall in and then do your final tamp.

Key thing is not to bang the tamp down in one go. This was something important Steve Peel said years ago on here: don't bang it down in one go. Tamp lightly, back off and have a look and check your puck, adjust your angle or whatever and then go in for your final tamp. I think this is a very important skill to learn rather than relying on a specific piece of kit to control your tamp.

Customs note from UPS on my Philos- I’m expecting roughly 25% of the purchase price in tax and duty, interested to see the total cost