Coffee Appreciation

I've actually only had these guys' coffee in espresso martinis (the bar I was in for a mate's wedding didn't want to make us them, but we REALLY wanted them so went out for the espresso ourselves) but it looked/smelled on point: https://truckmusicstore.co.uk/mostro-coffee/

This place is also great - https://www.handlebaroxford.co.uk/ - used to be Zappi's cycling club/shop, which has loads of interesting history (Flavio Zappi wore the Maglia Verde in the Giro) and I think he's still involved somehow: http://www.zappiracing.com/about/

The coffee is excellent.

These £7 pourovers sold by Monmouth should be worth a punt if I want to try one out, right?

https://www.monmouthcoffee.co.uk/product/filter-cones/

Got a gooseneck kettle for Christmas so thought I'd give it a go and have a change from my Aeropress (not that I have any complaints with that).

What, nooo, they're so cute!
I also have fooled myself into thinking the thicker base makes better coffee.

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Why the stove fuel bottle?

Stove is on the left; our electric coil top takes forever and (I think) doesn't do as good a job as the little Fancy Feast burner that I made. Besides, it's a nice little part of the coffee ritual.

I bet it only takes so long because of the extra-thick base of the Top Moka's

:-P

Actually switched to the burner before getting the Top Mokas.

Missing Bean on Turl St (also their roasters on Magdalen Rd).

Peloton coffee on Cowley Rd also good.

Any good guides/tips to do a good espresso using Moka Express?

Don't pack the coffee down, just level off the top.
Use hot water rather than heating from cold on the stove.

Yes I do! Plus metal filter. PM me

Disagree about water temp, I always start with cold.
I don't pack the coffee down, but I do make a bit of a cone and just let the top do the tamping.
Bottom line, one needs to do their own experimentation.

Missing Bean, The Handlebar, Jericho Coffee Roasters, Peloton (use Quarterhorse coffee, who used to own the cafe)

Edit - all already mentioned above I see. Peloton is probably my favourite

My way of doing it: here or here

A little bit spammy but the Klean Kanteens which have been recommended a few times are on sport pursuit at the moment and cheaper than Amazon

https://www.sportpursuit.com/join/kleankanteen

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Can't really put my finger on it but they do look somewhat vulgar.

I'm not a fan of the tumbler (never seen or used one in real life) but I use the insulated flask a lot

can anyone recommend someone to service a rancilio silva ?

Any good guides/tips to do a good espresso using Moka Express?

Accept that these devices do not make espresso.

If you want espresso go use a proper espresso machine with proper grinder etc etc.

What these things do, and do really well, is make a cup of "strong coffee".

My recipe for success after using those things for ages is pretty much

• use good beans and grind freshly, not too fine, bit finer than for filter coffee
  
• use good / fresh water. I pre-boil it in a kettle. I also pre-heat the stove if using electric
  (with gas it of course doesn't matter)
  
• I archieve best results if the whole process (from screwing the thing together to coffee
  coming out the top) is as short as possible
  
• pour out the coffee as soon as you hear any spitting sounds (!) -
  as this means by now there isn't water going through your coffee but steam,
  which will over-extract your coffee, making it bitter.
  Do not let it fucking sit there on the stove for five minutes.
  

Bought one of those Sigg insulated flasks that were mentioned here recently as they were on sale for £10. I preheat it with boiling water for about 20 minutes before I put the coffee in there but I wouldn't say the coffee is really hot when it comes out. It's warm and just about OK to drink, but the reviewers were saying they were burning their tongues on coffee from it if they weren't careful. Is it because I'm only putting one mug's worth in and only filling it halfway? Guess I might have to do a cafetiere in the morning rather than making a mug's worth in the Aeropress before I leave and chucking it in there, and either drink an extra cup at work or take it home and have that as my habitual after work cup + snack.

Is it because I'm only putting one mug's worth in and only filling it halfway?

Guessing so as the hotter liquid heats the cooler air to equilibrium?

My flask holds heat well when full then cools quick once I start pouring, esp if I'm outside so the air going back in is 4degc.

My drinks come out still piping hot hours later, always fill the thing up to the rim though.

Oh well, guess I'll have to force down another cup from it. Woe is me.

I do like the little internal tea strainer option; if my wife hadn't buggered my teapot the option to have the occasional Darjeeling day would be welcome.