Coffee Appreciation

OK, thanks. Too much for me.

I am also currently selling a Gaggia Classic (With mods) and Fiorenzato F5 if anyone is keen: £275 all together, happy to split

What mods and how much would you want for the Classic alone?

I have one of those frank green keep cups, it's ok, so looking for something more of a sealable bottle.

My non-level tamping is irking me, and the tamper I have is a mm or 2 too small, so I'm having a go at making a self levelling tamper for my 49mm basket. I'm using a linear ball bearing and a steel 6mm axle as the heart of it all, with two shaft collars to attach the tamping part and the handle to the axle, so I can easily replace them if they don't suit me. That does mean having two small holes for the set screws, so I might make a final version which I just glue to the axle when I'm satisfied with everything. At €3,49 for the hardware (from China, so some patience required) and €1,38 for the 3D-printing material it should be decent value.

1 Attachment

And a section view, for those interested.

1 Attachment

That's really cool. Not really sure how feasible it would be to add this, but I once used a tamper that had a similar design but gave a little click when you reached a certain pressure - was good for consistency.

I considered adding that, but it would add a lot of complexity and would probably require re-adjustment every time I switch beans.

IMO doesn't really matter how hard you tamp as long as it's consistent. But yeah makes sense to keep it simple for this, plus muscle memory is surprisingly accurate. Post up some pics when you're done!

I guess a tamper like that is only useful in a cafe-type situation. Where loads of different (not necessarily very experienced) people are making coffee throughout the week, whereas the customers expect the same coffee every day.

That’s great, I can definitely see the appeal of the project. The easiest way might be to buy a 58mm distribution tool off the peg and turn it down on a lathe but as you’ve got this far that tamper looks ideal.

You could make something really simple with a diaphragm. No need to make it adjustable - just have it click at a certain downward pressure as a sort of reference point. "Yesterday morning it wasn't tamped tight enough, today I'll put a tiny bit more force on after the click."

1. MrShades PID with increased steam power, this is a rather
   significant upgrade both for your everyday espresso but also any
   milk steaming you're going to do
   
2. OPV Mod
   
3. Rancilio Silva steam wand
   
4. Recently changed group head
   
   

... and looking for £175. The PID itself is £94 and the steam wand £20 so you get the machine for £61 effectively. Only selling as I'm upgrading.

Thanks for that. Those pictures aren't showing for me though.

If you're interested pm me an email address and I'll send them over :)

Fortunately for me my la pavoni sold.. Next on to sell the grinder if anyone's interested?

Its a Bezzera BB005 - £250

1 Attachment

I use one of the Espro calibrated tampers and love it. It gives a little click when you've applied the right pressure which is strangely satisfying. There's so many variables in making good espresso it's nice to be able to eliminate one.

http://espro.ca/tamper/

Speaking of Espro I bought one of their fancily-filtered metal press things years ago and really liked it for an option to make several cups of coffee rather than my Aeropress. However I went away on holiday and an idiot flatmate decided they would use it as a vase while I was gone and from then on it had a horrible off taste. I couldn't believe it would be that badly affected just from that and convinced myself the rubber had coincidentally perished or something and bought a new filter, but that didn't work. I tried cleaning it with baking soda I think and that did nothing. Is it just fucked? It's been sadly sat in my cupboard since I moved and if there was some obvious trick to fixing it I missed that would be great.

I literally just got one as a present this morning. Pretty excited to use it. Sorry that doesn't help you.

I clean all my coffee gear with Cafiza which normally does the trick. It's designed for espresso machines but I use it on everything. Maybe you could ask you local coffee shop if they have any and give it a try?

http://urnex.com/professional/product/cafiza-espresso-machine-cleaning-powder/

For me it was really great when it was working; I found it a good midpoint between paper filters and a normal cafetiere mesh. Did you get the glass or steel version?
You're right that I should ask in a coffee shop, if not for that specific product then any other cleaners they might recommend; didn't even think of that for some reason.

It's this one, the 500ml version. Any brewing tips? Standard French press method?

Cafiza q... would it be ok to soak my flask lid in it? The rubber seal is growing coffee sludge which washing / boiling water rinse isn't shifting.

Crap pic to try show sludge:

1 Attachment

Have you guys all tried soaking these things in vinegar yet? The taste will be affected initially...

Yup should be fine

Stuff that happens in the shop, if anyone ever wondered:

https://youtu.be/A6W9P4LMH04