Coffee Appreciation

I've got access to a lathe, a tamper will literally take five mins.

My shots keep coming out waaaay too fast, i've made the grind finer but still coming out way too fast, I can only assume it's a result of the tamper not covering all of the portafilter so when I tamp it doesn't compress all of the coffee so I need to tamp a few other bits too. Leaving some bits where the water can just rush through. I'm getting myself a better tamper anyway so hopefully that'll sort it but has anyone got any other ideas?

Sure you can't get your grind finer? What are you using?

Are you tamping hard enough?

Are you distributing the coffee in the portafilter evenly before tamping?

I have a cheap £10 alu tamper I got off ebay that is fscking perfect for the Gaggia Classic. Better fit than the posh one I have at home, in fact. Happy Donkey sell some as well.

My shots keep coming out waaaay too fast, i've made the grind finer but still coming out way too fast, I can only assume it's a result of the tamper not covering all of the portafilter so when I tamp it doesn't compress all of the coffee so I need to tamp a few other bits too. Leaving some bits where the water can just rush through. I'm getting myself a better tamper anyway so hopefully that'll sort it but has anyone got any other ideas?

Try tamping with a downward twisting motion. Works for me!

Yeh, "polish" it.
As in, twist the tamper as you release pressure, creating a smooth surface on the coffee.

Speaking of which, what grind are you using?

That's not going to make much difference to shots pouring too fast.

I have a portafilter question. (Please forgive/correct any misuse of the terminology as I am relatively new to making espresso at home). I have a DeLonghi Icona espresso machine with a pressurised portafilter. Is it possible to get a replacement basket for this machine so it's not pressurised? If so, how do I know what the important dimensions are?

Thanks.

Measure the inner diameter of the portafilter in mm?

So I take it the regular baskets will work fine with the machine?

If it's coming out too fast then it's definately the grind. Get some shitty(ish) beans, set the grinder to as fine as possible. You should be able to 'choke' the machine i.e. the machine won't be able to force any water through the coffee as the coffee is so tight. Then work backwards, going one grind setting at a time til you get a shot out in about 24 seconds. A good tamper will help! What's the portafilter size? I've a got a decentish tamper going spare which you can have for a fiver?

My shots keep coming out waaaay too fast, i've made the grind finer but still coming out way too fast, I can only assume it's a result of the tamper not covering all of the portafilter so when I tamp it doesn't compress all of the coffee so I need to tamp a few other bits too. Leaving some bits where the water can just rush through. I'm getting myself a better tamper anyway so hopefully that'll sort it but has anyone got any other ideas?

I used to have a similar machine, if I remember rightly the pressurised gubbins is to produce more crema but it's 'false' crema. I do remember seeing guide to modding the machine, do a google search, someone will have asked this question on a coffee site before! I don't think it's just as easy as changing the portafilter though I could be wrong!

I have a portafilter question. (Please forgive/correct any misuse of the terminology as I am relatively new to making espresso at home). I have a DeLonghi Icona espresso machine with a pressurised portafilter. Is it possible to get a replacement basket for this machine so it's not pressurised? If so, how do I know what the important dimensions are?

Thanks.

Thanks, that's what I thought. There seems to be a lack of information on this machine out there, but I'll keep going.

Edit: Maybe this ? http://coffeegeek.com/forums/espresso/machinemods/444677

Measure the inner diameter of the portafilter in mm?

Inner diameter of the portafilter looks like 54mm to me.

http://www.anothercoffee.co.uk/products/item190204.aspx

Cheers- I'll look for a 53mm basket and tamper.

Sure you can't get your grind finer? What are you using?

Are you tamping hard enough?

Are you distributing the coffee in the portafilter evenly before tamping?

I'm using a KyM hand grinder, the grind looks fine but i'll call into a coffee shop at some point and ask them to grind some for me to see if it makes a difference. I think it's mainly/completely the tamper as it's too small so it's difficult to get an even pressure so I think the water may be finding a relatively easy way through the coffee.

If it's coming out too fast then it's definately the grind. Get some shitty(ish) beans, set the grinder to as fine as possible. You should be able to 'choke' the machine i.e. the machine won't be able to force any water through the coffee as the coffee is so tight. Then work backwards, going one grind setting at a time til you get a shot out in about 24 seconds. A good tamper will help! What's the portafilter size? I've a got a decentish tamper going spare which you can have for a fiver?

I'll take it!

Are you in London?

Greek coffee for me

but i will settle for latté or a mochha. does anyone here work at the the BT centre? they have the best hot choc i have ever tasted.

but i will settle for lattre

can somebody tell me if there's a store in europe selling these yama stovetop vac pots?
i've searched, but found only shops from the states.
or could anyone recommend a similar (simple, cheapish, functioning, little) vac pot?
thanks in advance!

I don't know anything about Vac Pots but there's some Cona ones on ebay..
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CONA-COFFEE-MAKER-BRAND-NEW-BOXED-SIZE-C-/130385976494#ht_3042wt_940

yeah, i saw those. they're kinda pricey, plus i want one that i can put directly on my stove..

YouTube- Latte Art practice, 2010.04.25 4th

ps - just so there's no confusion, the above video is not of me.. :)

...that's gotta be a joke right? No one would seriously record themselves if they were that bad, then post it online, right?

Can't wait to get my Silvia wand to get some decent home latte art going.

They're practising. Why not? It's not like some of the crazy Christians that record themselves ranting about random shit. Or that freak ranting about..

YouTube- LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE!