Espresso Enthusiasts

[Scepticalscribe]

Likewise, I'm enjoying the anticipation of receiving it too. Between bouts of actually having to work today, I've been looking at review and how-to videos about the Expobar to get ideas of what to expect from it.

I'm also considering buying some junky, dark roast beans for practicing with, not for consumption. I don't like the idea of practicing a lot with good, high quality beans and dumping the shots out as I get acclimated to the new machine.

Actually, that is a very good idea to buy some not so good beans for practice; however, that, too, is possibly something of a trade off - as - if they are too poor, you might run the risk of thinking that it is the machine, or your technique, rather than simply poor quality beans, which have led to poor quality espresso.

Yes, I can well imagine that you were looking at how-to videos (at, or during, or between bouts of, work); in your shoes, or, if I had bought a similar machine, I'd be doing the exact same thing.

Actually, I am a big fan of the idea of delayed - or deferred - gratification. candidly, I think it heightens and increases the enjoyment and pleasure you receive when you have been waiting for, or saving up for, something like this.

Well, a number of us are waiting impatiently with you, and enjoying your anticipation and delight.

 

[S.B.G]

however, that, too, is possibly something of a trade off - as - of they are too poor, you might run the risk of thinking that it is the machine, or your technique,

That thought has crossed my mind too and I wonder what @Shrink and @Kurwenal might think of the idea.

 

[Kurwenal]

Just ignore him; he's trying to be obnoxious.

Roger.
[doublepost=1467835294][/doublepost]

I'm also considering buying some junky, dark roast beans for practicing with, not for consumption. I don't like the idea of practicing a lot with good, high quality beans and dumping the shots out as I get acclimated to the new machine.

Eh, what do I know, but I am tempted to say: if you learn how to pull shots with crappy beans, then you will know only how to pull shots with crappy beans........


[doublepost=1467835612][/doublepost]

That thought has crossed my mind too and I wonder what @Shrink and @Kurwenal might think of the idea.

My $0.02: your technique is already far beyond crappy beans. It's worth a couple of pounds of the good stuff to learn how to pull shots with the good stuff. Stated differently, you are going to have to learn on good beans sooner or later, so that expense is inevitable. All you would do is add the expense of the crappy beans.

For a complete newb, maybe I would think differently. But you are hardly that.
[doublepost=1467835762][/doublepost]So in my monthly cleaning of the GS/3, the beastie reported an under-pressure in one of the lines. Can't have that, obviously, so after some quick detective work, today is "replace a pump day":

[doublepost=1467835908][/doublepost]Just so you don't think today was a total bust, and completely off topic: here is today's haul from the garden me and my 5-year old daughter keep in the backyard.

 

[S.B.G]

Eh, what do I know, but I am tempted to say: if you learn how to pull shots with crappy beans, then you will know only how to pull shots with crappy beans........

Understood and thank you. The old adage of 'garbage in, garbage out' comes to mind. I will avoid junky beans then.

Replacing the pump on the GS/3 already? You haven't had it too long have you? 12 to 18 months or so isn't it? Maybe you use it an awful lot and wore it out!

Nice haul of veggies you have there! I bet you and your daughter enjoyed that very much as well as the quality time together!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Roger.
[doublepost=1467835294][/doublepost]

Eh, what do I know, but I am tempted to say: if you learn how to pull shots with crappy beans, then you will know only how to pull shots with crappy beans........


[doublepost=1467835612][/doublepost]

My $0.02: your technique is already far beyond crappy beans. It's worth a couple of pounds of the good stuff to learn how to pull shots with the good stuff. Stated differently, you are going to have to learn on good beans sooner or later, so that expense is inevitable. All you would do is add the expense of the crappy beans.

For a complete newb, maybe I would think differently. But you are hardly that.
[doublepost=1467835762][/doublepost]So in my monthly cleaning of the GS/3, the beastie reported an under-pressure in one of the lines. Can't have that, obviously, so after some quick detective work, today is "replace a pump day":

[doublepost=1467835908][/doublepost]Just so you don't think today was a total bust, and completely off topic: here is today's haul from the garden me and my 5-year old daughter keep in the backyard.

Firstly, that haul of vegetables looks fantastic. Nothing beats freshly picked vegetables from the garden, and I'd say you must have had great fun picking them with your daughter.

Secondly, I think your advice to @SandboxGeneral re the use of 'crappy beans' is spot on and well argued.

Thirdly, I share @SandboxGeneral's concerns about the pump on the GS/3. The reviews I have spent an embarrassing amount of time reading - as recently as today - seem to suggest that it is - or can be - a bit of a 'high maintenance' machine, in that stuff beaks down, or needs to be replaced, more frequently than might be thought at that price tag for a machine from that company.

Understood and thank you. The old adage of 'garbage in, garbage out' comes to mind. I will avoid junky beans then.

Replacing the pump on the GS/3 already? You haven't had it too long have you? 12 to 18 months or so isn't it? Maybe you use it an awful lot and wore it out!

Nice haul of veggies you have there! I bet you and your daughter enjoyed that very much as well as the quality time together!

Yes, I am pretty much in agreement wth almost all of this.

 

[Shrink]

Roger.
[doublepost=1467835294][/doublepost]

Eh, what do I know, but I am tempted to say: if you learn how to pull shots with crappy beans, then you will know only how to pull shots with crappy beans........


[doublepost=1467835612][/doublepost]

My $0.02: your technique is already far beyond crappy beans. It's worth a couple of pounds of the good stuff to learn how to pull shots with the good stuff. Stated differently, you are going to have to learn on good beans sooner or later, so that expense is inevitable. All you would do is add the expense of the crappy beans.

For a complete newb, maybe I would think differently. But you are hardly that.
[doublepost=1467835762][/doublepost]So in my monthly cleaning of the GS/3, the beastie reported an under-pressure in one of the lines. Can't have that, obviously, so after some quick detective work, today is "replace a pump day":

[doublepost=1467835908][/doublepost]Just so you don't think today was a total bust, and completely off topic: here is today's haul from the garden me and my 5-year old daughter keep in the backyard.

That thought has crossed my mind too and I wonder what @Shrink and @Kurwenal might think of the idea.

Gotta go along with The Man (that's @Kurwenal for thems that don't know) on the idea of using crappy beans. As he pointed out, you going to be pulling shots with good beans eventually why not start right off with them. Once again, as @Kurwenal points out, if you were a newbie it would be a different story. Also, just from a financial point of view, you just dropped the bundle on a new espresso machine… at this point what's a few bucks more for some good beans. (once again I have the joy the spending someone else's money).

And to @Kurwenal... My gracious, that is quite a beast you have there. Those are some fearful looking innards!

On the other hand, the veggies look yummy. I'm sure you and your daughter enjoy the time together working on the garden, and now can enjoy the fruits (so to speak) of your labors.

 

[S.B.G]

The Intelligentsia Black Cat espresso beans arrived today and I put the Rancilio and the Gaggia to work. It took me about 6 try's to get an acceptable extraction after dialing in the grind. It's not quite there yet and more dialing will be necessary, but the sixth shot turned out well.

In fact, the taste of the Black Cat was far superior than the first time I ever tried it. Those that may recall when I got into this whole espresso thing 3 years ago, I started out on an $80 or $90 De Longhi machine and the Baratza Encore grinder and a plastic tamper and no skills at all. I recall not liking the taste of the Black Cat beans back then, which I think was the very first beans I ever bought.

Needless to say, the low quality equipment and lack of skills played a major role in the taste of these beans. Fast forward to now with much improved skills and much better equipment, the same coffee tastes much better.

Now I have quite the small mess in the kitchen to clean up.

And here is my black cat, Puma, posing with the Black Cat beans...

 

[Scepticalscribe]

And to @Kurwenal... My gracious, that is quite a beast you have there. Those are some fearful looking innards!

Agreed, that machine is quite the beast. Hmmmm.

And, clearly @Shrink is another vote for the old 'start as you intend to proceed' idea, in this context, best expressed with using good quality beans, when you are experimenting and finding your feet with the new espresso machine.

Get used to working with the good stuff, and then, making good quality coffee and espresso from it becomes normal.

The Intelligentsia Black Cat espresso beans arrived today and I put the Rancilio and the Gaggia to work. It took me about 6 try's to get an acceptable extraction after dialing in the grind. It's not quite there yet and more dialing will be necessary, but the sixth shot turned out well.

In fact, the taste of the Black Cat was far superior than the first time I ever tried it. Those that may recall when I got into this whole espresso thing 3 years ago, I started out on an $80 or $90 De Longhi machine and the Baratza Encore grinder and a plastic tamper and no skills at all. I recall not liking the taste of the Black Cat beans back then, which I think was the very first beans I ever bought.

Needless to say, the low quality equipment and lack of skills played a major role in the taste of these beans. Fast forward to now with much improved skills and much better equipment, the same coffee tastes much better.

Now I have quite the small mess in the kitchen to clean up.

And here is my black cat, Puma, posing with the Black Cat beans...

View attachment 639251

Love the picture of Puma and the 'Black Cat' espresso bag from Intelligentsia.

Delighted, too, to learn, that you are enjoying the Black Cat coffee a lot more now - and the reasons for that - than you did three years ago.

 

[S.B.G]

I just came across this review video of the Rancilio Rocky. It was a very good and honest review of the machine. Though he reviews a doser model while I have the doserless one. However, he points out several issues that I've personally identified after much use with it as well, such as the spout not being conducive to ejecting the grinds efficiently and beans getting stuck in the screw holes in the hopper. These are minor issues for a home user like me, but they're issues nonetheless.

Whoever the reviewer is, he's certainly a coffee crazy like we are and even points it out a few times in the video.

Also, I received the tracking information for the Expobar and according to UPS I should receive it by this Friday afternoon.

 

[Shrink]

I just came across this review video of the Rancilio Rocky. It was a very good and honest review of the machine. Though he reviews a doser model while I have the doserless one. However, he points out several issues that I've personally identified after much use with it as well, such as the spout not being conducive to ejecting the grinds efficiently and beans getting stuck in the screw holes in the hopper. These are minor issues for a home user like me, but they're issues nonetheless.

Whoever the reviewer is, he's certainly a coffee crazy like we are and even points it out a few times in the video.

Also, I received the tracking information for the Expobar and according to UPS I should receive it by this Friday afternoon.

I thought that was a terrific, quite accurate, and very entertaining video.

Thanks for putting it up.

 

[S.B.G]

Does anyone know what this little black plastic piece is in my Gaggia portafilter? Its always been there and I've always left it in when cleaning it. It looks like some kind of restrictor with holes on either side to let the coffee through.

I pulled a shot this morning with it in, like usual, and it turned out okay. Then I took the basket out to clean the PF and dry up the excess water before pulling another shot and put the thing back in. I adjusted the grind 1 click finer and used the same weight of beans and when I pulled this shot, nothing came out after 30 seconds so I stopped it. I wonder if the two holes on the black thing didn't line up with the PF spout.

So I removed the black thing and pulled another shot leaving the weight and grind setting the same and the Gaggia was able to pull the shot just fine and it tastes okay too. I didn't notice any difference in the pouring of the coffee this time, except that it actually did whereas the previous attempt didn't.

Is that black thing something I really need in there?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I just came across this review video of the Rancilio Rocky. It was a very good and honest review of the machine. Though he reviews a doser model while I have the doserless one. However, he points out several issues that I've personally identified after much use with it as well, such as the spout not being conducive to ejecting the grinds efficiently and beans getting stuck in the screw holes in the hopper. These are minor issues for a home user like me, but they're issues nonetheless.

Whoever the reviewer is, he's certainly a coffee crazy like we are and even points it out a few times in the video.

Also, I received the tracking information for the Expobar and according to UPS I should receive it by this Friday afternoon.

Haven't had a chance to watch the video yet, but very good news that the Expobar will be delivered on Friday. I imagine that you are looking forward to this very much.

Pictures, of delivery, boxes, unwrapping, installation and coffee making are all eagerly anticipated.

I thought that was a terrific, quite accurate, and very entertaining video.

Thanks for putting it up.

Enjoyed a large mug of Ethiopian coffee from Yirgacheffe (Kochere) this morning.

 

[Shrink]

Does anyone know what this little black plastic piece is in my Gaggia portafilter? Its always been there and I've always left it in when cleaning it. It looks like some kind of restrictor with holes on either side to let the coffee through.

I pulled a shot this morning with it in, like usual, and it turned out okay. Then I took the basket out to clean the PF and dry up the excess water before pulling another shot and put the thing back in. I adjusted the grind 1 click finer and used the same weight of beans and when I pulled this shot, nothing came out after 30 seconds so I stopped it. I wonder if the two holes on the black thing didn't line up with the PF spout.

So I removed the black thing and pulled another shot leaving the weight and grind setting the same and the Gaggia was able to pull the shot just fine and it tastes okay too. I didn't notice any difference in the pouring of the coffee this time, except that it actually did whereas the previous attempt didn't.

Is that black thing something I really need in there?

View attachment 639298 View attachment 639299

I have no idea what it is. It's not for back flushing, so I would not use it. And since you will be getting you new machine in a day or so...I say it's spinach, and the hell with it.

Seriously...I don't recall ever using it...I would just make your espresso without it.

 

[mobilehaathi]

Does anyone know what this little black plastic piece is in my Gaggia portafilter? Its always been there and I've always left it in when cleaning it. It looks like some kind of restrictor with holes on either side to let the coffee through.

I pulled a shot this morning with it in, like usual, and it turned out okay. Then I took the basket out to clean the PF and dry up the excess water before pulling another shot and put the thing back in. I adjusted the grind 1 click finer and used the same weight of beans and when I pulled this shot, nothing came out after 30 seconds so I stopped it. I wonder if the two holes on the black thing didn't line up with the PF spout.

So I removed the black thing and pulled another shot leaving the weight and grind setting the same and the Gaggia was able to pull the shot just fine and it tastes okay too. I didn't notice any difference in the pouring of the coffee this time, except that it actually did whereas the previous attempt didn't.

Is that black thing something I really need in there?

View attachment 639298 View attachment 639299

I don't see it in mine, but it's possible it fell out without my knowledge. My bet would be that it helps direct the flow of the coffee more evenly between the two spouts...but it doesn't seem critical at all.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Well, if that little black thing fits into someplace, it might not be a bad idea to hold onto it, - perhaps if you are selling the machine on - as it might have a function that we are unaware of just yet.
[doublepost=1467900773][/doublepost]Let's put it this way: I'd hate for it to be like one of those special small screws that IKEA are notorious for discontinuing - the sort that they no longer manufacture and, when you need a spare screw or nail because - say, a carpenter or workman has dented a pice of furniture, or you have mislaid it, you cannot find it and your damned piece of furniture is then, not-quite-useless.....

Yes.

I'd recommend hanging on to it, an making sure that it is included in whatever bag of bits is added whenever you sell it. You'd hate for a subsequent buyer to find that s/he needed it somehow......

 

[mobilehaathi]

Well I rummaged through my coffee supplies drawer and found it sitting there in an unused filter basket. Maybe I'll insert it and pull a few shots next time I fire up the Baby Class to see if I notice a difference in flow.

 

[S.B.G]

Well I rummaged through my coffee supplies drawer and found it sitting there in an unused filter basket. Maybe I'll insert it and pull a few shots next time I fire up the Baby Class to see if I notice a difference in flow.

I'm curious to see how it affects the shots since you've been using the Baby without it this whole time, and I have been using it the whole time.

 

[mobilehaathi]

I'm curious to see how it affects the shots since you've been using the Baby without it this whole time, and I have been using it the whole time.

Sometimes my flow would tend towards one spout over another; has your always evenly split between the two? I'll have to roast up some beans for espresso soon and try this out.

 

[S.B.G]

Sometimes my flow would tend towards one spout over another; has your always evenly split between the two? I'll have to roast up some beans for espresso soon and try this out.

Yeah, I've never noticed an uneven pour. But once in a while, I'd try a pull and nothing would come out all, like the one time this morning. I've always thought that either the grind was too fine and/or I tamped too hard. Now I'm second guessing myself with this little plastic thing.

 

[mobilehaathi]

Yeah, I've never noticed an uneven pour. But once in a while, I'd try a pull and nothing would come out all, like the one time this morning. I've always thought that either the grind was too fine and/or I tamped too hard. Now I'm second guessing myself with this little plastic thing.

That's probably a grind/tamp problem. Or, what I've noticed, if I don't let my freshly roasted beans rest for long enough, extraction becomes highly variable and unreliable regardless of how carefully consistent I am. That may not be your precise problem though, since your beans have likely been rested appropriately.

 

[S.B.G]

That's probably a grind/tamp problem. Or, what I've noticed, if I don't let my freshly roasted beans rest for long enough, extraction becomes highly variable and unreliable regardless of how carefully consistent I am. That may not be your precise problem though, since your beans have likely been rested appropriately.

That's quite possible. The beans were roasted 6 days ago so that shouldn't be a factor then...

 

[Shrink]

That's probably a grind/tamp problem. Or, what I've noticed, if I don't let my freshly roasted beans rest for long enough, extraction becomes highly variable and unreliable regardless of how carefully consistent I am. That may not be your precise problem though, since your beans have likely been rested appropriately.

That's quite possible. The beans were roasted 6 days ago so that shouldn't be a factor then...

As I have nothing either witty nor helpful to add to the immediate discussion, I will return, as always, to my favorite topic… me.

Having had my lunch and an old guy postprandial nap, I just finished an absolutely delicious cup of Barrington Coffee Roasting Company's Commonwealth blend. This is a dark roast blend of beans from Bahia, Brazil and La Paz Honduras named for the fact that the beans are roasted here in Massachusetts. As you, of course, recall I purchased these beans in a shop in Boston during an almost ill-fated trip documented at length in a post several pages back which I'm sure you all read with rapt interest several days ago and committed to memory.

Yesterday I received a shipment of both Intelligentsia Ei Diablo blend and Atomic Coffee Roasters Diesel Dark Roast. This latter is composed of beans from Indonesia, Nicaragua, and Honduras. Said beans (Bourbin, Typica, Catuai, and Catimor) were grown at an altitude of 1300 - 1700 meters. I have yet to try the Diesel Dark Roast but will report on them when I do.

Well, I think I've covered me pretty thoroughly for the moment and I will, generously, allow you to return to a topic of some interest to a few.

 

[S.B.G]

As I have nothing either witty nor helpful to add to the immediate discussion, I will return, as always, to my favorite topic… me.

Having had my lunch and an old guy postprandial nap, I just finished an absolutely delicious cup of Barrington Coffee Roasting Company's Commonwealth blend. This is a dark roast blend of beans from Bahia, Brazil and La Paz Honduras named for the fact that the beans are roasted here in Massachusetts. As you, of course, recall I purchased these beans in a shop in Boston during an almost ill-fated trip documented at length in a post several pages back which I'm sure you all read with rapt interest several days ago and committed to memory.

Yesterday I received a shipment of both Intelligentsia Ei Diablo blend and Atomic Coffee Roasters Diesel Dark Roast. This latter is composed of beans from Indonesia, Nicaragua, and Honduras. Said beans (Bourbin, Typica, Catuai, and Catimor) were grown at an altitude of 1300 - 1700 meters. I have yet to try the Diesel Dark Roast but will report on them when I do.

Well, I think I've covered me pretty thoroughly for the moment and I will, generously, allow you to return to a topic of some interest to a few.

Well I am glad you are enjoying the new beans, though we may need to find a way to curb this incessant narcissism of yours.... I know a good psychologist I could recommend to you, though he's a bit of a monster... You know, bolts through his neck and all... But what the heck, right?

-------
Today is the big day for receiving the Expobar. UPS already has it 'out for delivery' this morning, though the UPS driver doesn't normally get to my place until the mid-afternoon.

Already this morning, I pulled a really good shot of the Black Cat beans, and on the first try this time. The extraction time was right where you want it, and it tasted great.

 

[Shrink]

Hey...Hey...big day.

I am awaiting with vicarious excitement the delivery of your new machine. Some wonderful experimentation awaits and some great coffee soon to be produced.

Again, congrats on your serious step up in espresso production.


(curb my narcissism!? Silly boy.)

 

[Shrink]

I just finished my first cup of the Atomic Cafe Diesel Dark Roast and I find it to be spectacularly good. Rich, deep, bold, and incredibly full-bodied. As always, I prepared it in my press but I would suspect that it would make very good espresso, too. The only shortcoming might be that since they are not espresso intended beans it might not create as much crema as a blend expressly intended for espresso.

I would recommend this blend for any method of production… it is truly a winner, and my current favorite!