Coffee Appreciation

I thought that using this type, with disposable filter, it would be much easier to clean as all you need to do is throw grinds in the bin and rinse out funnel? Is the aeropress somehow magically self-cleaning?!

No but I'm so used to the aeropress that I can make a cup and clear up in under 5 mins. The V60 requires more faffing around and a degree of skillz (in the pouring). They are both easy to clean up.
I have a Swiss gold filter which I cut to the shape of the AP filters so I don't have to bother with washing the filters every time.

Anyway they are both great. I seem to be drinking more and more brewed coffee and less espresso. Espresso is so easy to screw up

Now have my water filter kit at home and this, thankfully, resolves the issue with adapting 12mm coffee machine hose to 3/8th washing machine pipe connectors. It has adapters that change each size to press-fit hosing. Simples.

Try hasbean.co.uk

They have just launched some new espresso blends, maybe try 'Jailbreak'. About £6 delivered and it's very good stuff.

I have a spare tamper (what's the basket diameter?) which you can have if its any good.

Thanks, I'll give it a bash.

It's an older style machine so I'm pretty sure it needs a 49mm tamper, but there is a small chance it could be a 51mm. I've ordered a cheap plastic 53/57mm that I was planning on filing down until I got a proper one.

Sandancer

With regard to the europiccola, Im sure you are doing this already, but make sure you let a little steam out when it reaches temperature. This supposedly lets out any trapped air in the boiler and lets it reach the right pressure. Also, I find it helps to run water through the group to warm it up and flush it out before pulling the shot. I also think it helps to let the machine get good and hot before pulling, rather than going as soon as the heating light goes out. I seem to get better shots if I do, but it could just be correlation rather than causation.

freakin double post.

is there any good coffee in Glasgow?
will have a few hours to kill when getting the train to Oban and will have had enough of whatever virgin trains have to offer.

is there any good coffee in Glasgow?
will have a few hours to kill when getting the train to Oban and will have had enough of whatever virgin trains have to offer.

http://www.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=100504603781333782717.00044d6c0a754e8848d58&ll=55.866932,-4.258232&spn=0.07725,0.222988&z=13

or

http://www.qype.co.uk/ukm34-glasgow/categories/332-cafes-and-coffee-shops-in-glasgow

Its a shame you're not in Edinburgh, some absolute cracking coffee shops there

is there any good coffee in Glasgow?
will have a few hours to kill when getting the train to Oban and will have had enough of whatever virgin trains have to offer.

This is my area of expertise right here.

The best places for coffee in Glasgow are:

Artisan Roast on Gibson Street

Coffee, Chocolate & Tea on Argyle Street

Both of these places roast their own coffee on site and both have managers who have won national if not international Barista competitions.

Tinderbox on Ingram Street is a good shout if you're not able to venture too far from town.

Thanks Scoober,

I'd been warming the group, but not releasing some steam first. I remember now reading that somewhere, but had forgotten all about it. I'll start doing that from now on too, once my next batch of coffee arrives. I've now got a proper milk jug too, so I can try and get that technique sorted. All attempts so far have just left me with hot milk with gobs of foam on top.

it's not double the price. the black ones are £140 the polished aluminium £160

found the steel for £160 here
http://www.gallacoffee.co.uk/acatalog/I-Steel_Grinder.html

Awesome! I didn't really look properly last time. Might cough up the extra cash for that...

This is my area of expertise right here.

The best places for coffee in Glasgow are:

Artisan Roast on Gibson Street

Coffee, Chocolate & Tea on Argyle Street

Both of these places roast their own coffee on site and both have managers who have won national if not international Barista competitions.

Tinderbox on Ingram Street is a good shout if you're not able to venture too far from town.

just the info i need thanks.
i'm going to glasgow central so will walk to C,C& tea for a coffee and cake.

do you know Glasgow well? do you think i can get from central to queen st and buy a ticket to Oban in under 20mins? assuming the train isn't late in to central. otherwise i have six hours to kill before the next Oban train otherwise it's the art gallery/museum/coffee/dinner

If you do have to stay in Glasgow for a while then I wholeheartedly second the recommendation for Artisan Roast. (opinion based on the one in Edinburgh though).

CC&T is on the west end part of Argyle Street. It's quite far from Central Station which is on the town part of Argyle Street. You'll definitely have time to walk from Central to Queen Street and buy a ticket. It'll take you 10 minutes. You'll miss out on the coffee but I know which I'd choose.

This is how you get to Queen Street from Central.

i'm thinking of doing the Glasgow stop on my return journey, the views from the train to Oban are meant to be awesome and i can do most of the journey in daylight. if i miss the connection i'll be sorted for coffee.
thanks for the info.

I'm getting a hand grinder for my Dad for christmas, looking at ebay for Zassenhaus and KyM.

They seem a bit thin on the ground so if anyone sees one for sale somewhere else/has one for sale could you give me a shout please.

Budget is £30, is this too ambitious?

I've heard good things about the following:

Hario Mini Mill [link] [£28.85]

Hario Skerton [link] [£37.45]

Porlex Ceramic Burr Hand Grinder [link] [£39.95]

The Skerton apparently has a wee bit of play that develops due to the way that it's put together. The Mini Mill is a wee bit better for this even though it's smaller and cheaper. The Porlex is best out of the lot though (and fits perfectly inside an aeropress for travelling if you're into that kind of thing).

These are all based on opinions I've read/heard, though I'd say they were pretty reliable sources. Personally I have a 50s Zassenhaus grinder. Bought it for a penny on German eBay and paid €13 postage. New Zassenhauses are supposed to be a bit crap.

Hope this helps.

I've heard good things about the following:

Hario Mini Mill [link] [£28.85]

Hario Skerton [link] [£37.45]

Porlex Ceramic Burr Hand Grinder [link] [£39.95]

The Skerton apparently has a wee bit of play that develops due to the way that it's put together. The Mini Mill is a wee bit better for this even though it's smaller and cheaper. The Porlex is best out of the lot though (and fits perfectly inside an aeropress for travelling if you're into that kind of thing).

These are all based on opinions I've read/heard, though I'd say they were pretty reliable sources. Personally I have a 50s Zassenhaus grinder. Bought it for a penny on German eBay and paid €13 postage. New Zassenhauses are supposed to be a bit crap.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the suggestions, I was hoping to get an old higher quality grinder. I'll have a look at .de ebay.

There are a lot of Zassenhaus models on ebay.de from what i remember. Rusty did you have a logic to which one you bought, or did you just get lucky?

Thanks for the suggestions, I was hoping to get an old higher quality grinder. I'll have a look at .de ebay.

When you say 'high quality' what do you mean? I have the Hario Skerton and it is pretty fucking high quality - ceramic burrs and the build quality is excellent.

I've read that older grinders have better build quality/materials etc than their modern counterparts. I'm on a pretty small budget too so second hand is likely to give me more bang for my buck.

most things were better before, i think it goes for grinders too

that said, it seems like only (?) zassenhaus can grind fine enough for espresso

Thanks Scoober,

I'd been warming the group, but not releasing some steam first. I remember now reading that somewhere, but had forgotten all about it. I'll start doing that from now on too, once my next batch of coffee arrives. I've now got a proper milk jug too, so I can try and get that technique sorted. All attempts so far have just left me with hot milk with gobs of foam on top.

I've got the Gaggia Factory 106 (which is extremely similar to your Europiccola), and I have exactly the same problem with foaming milk- please do let me know if you crack it (and vice versa obviously).

I love my hario mini mill, light and small enough to take with me in the bag and it's really nicely put together and easy to use.

I can see the appeal in the aesthetics of older grinders, and I would love to have a cast iron wall or table mounted Spong coffee grinder..

When you say 'high quality' what do you mean? I have the Hario Skerton and it is pretty fucking high quality - ceramic burrs and the build quality is excellent.

+1.