Coffee Appreciation

Does anyone have any opinions on tampers? The portafilter that came with my Gran Gaggia seems to be about 58mm but it looks more like 60mm when I measure it. The rubbish plastic tamper that I got with the machine is only 55mm and it really doesn't work to well. I think the Gran Gaggia has the same potafilter design as the Cubika so any Cubika owners care to tell me a good tamper to buy?

Hello there! I'm a friendly Cubika owner! The plastic tamper is indeed only 55mm, and it's a pain in the arse when you're trying to get an even tamp, since it doesn't touch the sides. You're probably looking at a 57-58mm tamper, since most Gaggia portafilters are 58mm. I've been tempted by the ones here: http://www.espressoservices.co.uk/coffee_tamper.html

...but for some reason £25 on a tamper seems excessive when my espresso machine only cost £35.

Miffed with throwing so many bad shots away in the mornings I have given in and am getting a Cona.

Hello there! I'm a friendly Cubika owner! The plastic tamper is indeed only 55mm, and it's a pain in the arse when you're trying to get an even tamp, since it doesn't touch the sides. You're probably looking at a 57-58mm tamper, since most Gaggia portafilters are 58mm. I've been tempted by the ones here: http://www.espressoservices.co.uk/coffee_tamper.html

...but for some reason £25 on a tamper seems excessive when my espresso machine only cost £35.

I'll have the yellow handled one :-)
Tamp is important so I may spring for a non-plastic generic tamper meself one of these days.

As recommended by Danzel - and perfect for the forumenger on a budget - I've just made my first espresso (stovetop) using a Bialetti Brikka and a Zassenhaus manual grinder.

My beans of choice were the Organic Bolivian from Old Algerian on Old Compton St.

Suddenly I feel so alive :D

21:21 and drinking coffee. You are my hero. How did you find the Zassenhaus to use?

As recommended by Danzel - and perfect for the forumenger on a budget - I've just made my first espresso (stovetop) using a Bialetti Brikka and a Zassenhaus manual grinder.

My beans of choice were the Organic Bolivian from Old Algerian on Old Compton St.

Suddenly I feel so alive :D

Caffeine Diciples United ! I am glad you are happy with your new setup BMMF.
After all the Zassenhaus is fixed, right ?
@Ant:
With the little wheel on the inside you can adjust the degree of grinding, so a Z can fit all purposes.
Fine for da machine, or coarse for the stove top. I really like it. Its just like the tea ceremony - just with coffee
:)

Grabed mine a few years ago for a tenner from eGay..

btw BMMF : to complete the set you need this
Make sure the diameter fits your Brikka before you order tho !

@ Danzel - I'd been looking at tampers - I'd need a 50mm one. I hear the jury's out on the necessity of a tamp in a stovetop, so I'm going to wait before diving in.

@ Ant - I like it. It was easy - I'd guess it's about 1 minute of grinding per shot/scoop of beans (holding the grinder between my knees or in one hand while the other turned the handle). First grind was pretty fine, but worked okay. I've just prepared another using the Formula Rossa, and made it half a turn coarser. Worked fine too. Will try a little coarser tomorrow, and continue experimenting.

Now I've got to try and prepare a PowerPoint presentation for a job interview on Friday, when the chances of them offering it as a jobshare (the only way I can accept) are extremely thin. I'm just going to try and have fun being creative with it, seeing as I won't be sleeping for a bit :D

I just stuck it between my knees and got on with it.

@ Danzel - I'd been looking at tampers - I'd need a 50mm one. I hear the jury's out on the necessity of a tamp in a stovetop, so I'm going to wait before diving in.

you can use the bottom of a small drinking glass to try it out prior to the investment.
I find it creates thicker crema.

seeing as I won't be sleeping for a bit :D I just stuck it between my knees and got on with it.

that's what your mum was saying to me just last night...

Thanks for the tip - I'll give it a whirl (or 'polish', which I think is the correct jargon?).

that's what your mum was saying to me just last night...

Yeah, she mentioned some Aussie bloke with no stamina, and how she ended up using her 'rabbit'.

Yeah, she mentioned some Aussie bloke with no stamina, and how she ended up using her 'rabbit'.

well, actually it was your rabbit... the batteries were dead in hers.

well, actually it was your rabbit... the batteries were dead in hers.

She's welcome to it - I've got my Zassenhaus now.

my grinder arrived, which means the beans my friends brought over from bongo java in nashville can now be enjoyed.
11 months later. christ i'm lazy.

i just recently started grinding my own beans, and it does definitely taste much better. i'm just using a small french press, wondering if it's worth buying a stovetop. i used one for a while back home in Aus, but dunno if I can be arsed. what do we reckon? worth the expense and effort?

The Brikka 2 cup thingy seems better made than the standard Bialetti ones. I don't think there's any more kerfuffle involved than with a French press (prep/cleaning).

is the coffee much better?

Tim - got a couple of stovetops, more than welcome to test drive one

got a bonkers looking espresso and steamer combo for the stovetop that I picked up but haven't had the bottle to use

is the coffee much better?

To my tastes, yes.

Too my tastes, yes.

Grammar FAIL.

Wayne: nice one mate, I might just take you up on the offer!

Two much caffeine :S

been chatting to the lady in Monmouth coffee about getting the perfect espresso - she reckons if you're using a Gaggia or something similar then you apply the 25 second rule. It should take 25 seconds to draw the perfect espresso and you alter the variables [grind fineness, quantity and how hard you tamp] til you get it to your taste

Will be trying this out in the mornin…

Hand grinders rock if you can be bothered. A high quality vintage number for £15 on ebay will be way better than any electric one below £120.

I've never heard of usind a tamper for a moka pot before, I just grind close to espresso fineness and level it to the rim of the basket for good crema. I find any compression tends to choke the pot and nothing comes up before the water boils and burns the coffee.

@Ant: Good call with the Cona. Far and away my favourite brewing method. Such a clean, juicy delicate cup and amazing to watch.

Hand grinding makes you happy:

the finer you grind it, the finer the taste, and the finer it looks between the gaps of your teeth, and the finer your breath.

Fine.