Sorry, I meant to quote eric/ and not to bother you with my babbling. (I meant to bother OP with my babbling!!
)I really like the cups; the design and seeing the beautiful drink through the cup...
Oops, there I go again!
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Sorry, I meant to quote eric/ and not to bother you with my babbling. (I meant to bother OP with my babbling!!
)I really like the cups; the design and seeing the beautiful drink through the cup...
Oops, there I go again!
Below is a knock box. There are many different sizes, shapes and materials...but they all have in common a hevily padded rubber bar. When you remove the portafilter from the machine after producing a drink, you invert the portafilter and rap it sharply on the bar...knocking the puck out.
The rubber bar protects the portafilter and the flange on the filter basket from damage, which might occur if you knock it in a harder surface, and keeps the pucks in one place.
Some people save the pucks and use them for mulch!!
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Below is a knock box. There are many different sizes, shapes and materials...but they all have in common a hevily padded rubber bar. When you remove the portafilter from the machine after producing a drink, you invert the portafilter and rap it sharply on the bar...knocking the puck out.
The rubber bar protects the portafilter and the flange on the filter basket from damage, which might occur if you knock it in a harder surface, and keeps the pucks in one place.
Some people save the pucks and use them for mulch!!
I see. I just wait a bit (after I've had my latté) and it's cooled down, then clean it out in the sink with running water.
Not being a plumber (or anything else useful), I can't confirm this, but I read it's a bad idea putting coffee grounds down the sink. Personally, I would guess that might be true with a coarser grind than espresso grind...it seems to me the fine grind would disperse easily.
But I mention it only because if your sink gets clogged up I can say "I told you so"!!
Not being a plumber (or anything else useful), I can't confirm this, but I read it's a bad idea putting coffee grounds down the sink. Personally, I would guess that might be true with a coarser grind than espresso grind...it seems to me the fine grind would disperse easily.
But I mention it only because if your sink gets clogged up I can say "I told you so"!!
I have a garbage disposal in the sink. Does that help?
I have a garbage disposal in the sink. Does that help?
I really don't know. Before I bought the knock box, I used to do what you do. I'd turn the water on full pressure, turn on the garbage disposal, and dump it down the sink...and let the water run for a bit of time.
Then I read the thing about eventually clogging the sink, and got the knock box. I figure it's cheaper (there are very inexpensive ones - the only thing that is really important is that it has a thick rubber knock bar) than a visit from the plumber, who charges $140 to walk through the door!
Thanks guys. It'll be here Thursday, so expect me to be here asking questions and posting pictures this weekend.
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It really depends on what sort of sewer system you have.
Most domestic drains connect to a municipal sewerage system. These can very easily handle coffee grounds. The grounds themselves decompose, or are filtered out along with other solids.
If you live in a rural area, and have a a septic tank sewerage system, then I would be a little concerned about adding additional solids. Two or three espresso "pucks" per day, over a couple of years, will definitely shorten the time between having the septic tank pumped out.
Coffee grounds actually also are quite useful if you have a garbage disposal unit. They absorb grease in the disposal unit, and keep your drain pipes running freely. The only time I'd be concerned about putting them down the sink would be if you have a poorly designed waste system.
Coffee grounds are actually a very good natural fertilizer. I keep a small sieve under my kitchen sink that I use to retain grounds when I wash out my French press. A small plastic bucket holds the grounds, which I then add to my compost bin, or simply spread over my lawn. Coffee grounds are high in nitrogen, a useful plant nutrient.
Short answer: There are many ways to dispose of coffee grounds - but only be concerned if you have a septic system (or live in an RV or boat.)
Thanks, this is a really interesting and informative post!
The things you learn on a coffee thread!!
I just bought some caramel syrup and a pump from Starbucks to go with my latte's at home.
I just bought some caramel syrup and a pump from Starbucks to go with my latte's at home.
I usually stock up on the French vanilla ones from World Market.
Thanks, this is a really interesting and informative post!
The things you learn on a coffee thread!!
Speaking of interesting and informative:
Link
I was looking through beans on the site, just out of boredom, and came across this cool tidbit of info [you have to scroll down and select blog(s)]:
the other geographic areas are listed there as well. I didn't know that Hawaiin coffee was a prized regional coffee. I should have stocked up more while I was living there and it was dirt cheap.
Hope you guys liked this info
Speaking of interesting and informative:
Link
I was looking through beans on the site, just out of boredom, and came across this cool tidbit of info [you have to scroll down and select blog(s)]:
the other geographic areas are listed there as well. I didn't know that Hawaiin coffee was a prized regional coffee. I should have stocked up more while I was living there and it was dirt cheap.
Hope you guys liked this info
Ive never tried any Hawaiian coffees.
I just remembered. Do you have any digital scales? They are invaluable for any coffee making, any kitchen ones will do.
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Speaking of interesting and informative:
Link
I was looking through beans on the site, just out of boredom, and came across this cool tidbit of info [you have to scroll down and select blog(s)]:
the other geographic areas are listed there as well. I didn't know that Hawaiin coffee was a prized regional coffee. I should have stocked up more while I was living there and it was dirt cheap.
Hope you guys liked this info
Always interested in new information about coffee!
I, too, haven't had Hawaiian coffee, nor have I tried Jamaican Blue Mountain. Even given my willingness to spend much more than I can afford on coffee stuff...too expensive!!!
BTW: OT...I've been meaning to ask you - who is in your avatar picture?
EDIT: Re: kitchen scale. Completely agree. Suggest when you look for one (Amazon has a good selection), make sure it has "Tare" feature, and go for a 1gm resolution.
Always interested in new information about coffee!
I, too, haven't had Hawaiian coffee, nor have I tried Jamaican Blue Mountain. Even given my willingness to spend much more than I can afford on coffee stuff...too expensive!!!
BTW: OT...I've been meaning to ask you - who is in your avatar picture?
I have heard blue mountain is a bit overrated and not really worth the huge price.
Australian sky berry is meant to be very similar and much much cheaper (and very nice, ive tried this one)
Always interested in new information about coffee!
I, too, haven't had Hawaiian coffee, nor have I tried Jamaican Blue Mountain. Even given my willingness to spend much more than I can afford on coffee stuff...too expensive!!!
BTW: OT...I've been meaning to ask you - who is in your avatar picture?
EDIT: Re: kitchen scale. Completely agree. Suggest when you look for one (Amazon has a good selection), make sure it has "Tare" feature, and go for a 1gm resolution.
I think you can buy Kona at your local store. It's $15 for a bag though. Maybe give it a try?
Sounds good. I'll look for the tare.
It's Cersi Lannister from Game of Thrones. She has a "disappointed" face, which is my general demeanor. haha
It's Cersi Lannister from Game of Thrones. She has a "disappointed" face, which is my general demeanor. haha
She always reminds me on Moyank24 in disguise.
ähm...back to topic: I never drank jamaican coffee too. *ahem*
The "tare" function allows you to put a container on the scale, push a button, and the scale zeros out. That way, the scale only weighs what is put in the container, measuring that alone and "ignoring" the weight of the container. No need to weigh the container, remember the weight of the container, add ingredients to container, and then do the subtraction.
At this point, I don't make anything but espresso, no other coffee preparations. Also, I'm roasting my own beans, so I don't use pre-roasted coffees right now.
But perhaps I'll drag out my french press, and give Kona a try.
Ah ok. I've only had it once, but it was a long time ago.
I just re-looked at my post and I sound like an idiot. "I'll look for the tare" haha. I know what taring a scale is. Good ole' chemistry class.
I just re-looked at my post and I sound like an idiot. "I'll look for the tare" haha. I know what taring a scale is. Good ole' chemistry class.
Ah ok. I've only had it once, but it was a long time ago.
I just re-looked at my post and I sound like an idiot. "I'll look for the tare" haha. I know what taring a scale is. Good ole' chemistry class.
Sorry...wasn't sure about the tare thing.
The Boring Pedant Strikes Again!!!
Sorry...wasn't sure about the tare thing.
The Boring Pedant Strikes Again!!!
no it's quite alright. There was probably somebody around here who didn't know what that was, and now they do.
I just didn't want you to spend your time explaining that, and then wasting your time since I already knew.
Actually, from one of my Expresso fanatic friends they recommended me this.
http://www.breville.com.au/beverages/coffee-grinders/bararoma-coffee-grinder.html
Its a sub-$500 Burr Grinder and its just... simple. You twist the lid for fine-ness, twist the knob for the amount and press the little button. I keep on telling my parents off because they grind a big lot and leave it sitting there to go stale.
This is the better one:
http://www.sunbeam.com.au/products/kitchen/em0490/
Not a bad one for the money. I've got a Gino Rossi CC45a, so a bit of overkill, but those of you who've been around here a while know I'm very obssessive about coffee.
On the topic of coffee grounds, never put them down the sink or drain, they can block it. Take the portafilter holder to the bin and empty it there as they do in cafes.
Below is a knock box. There are many different sizes, shapes and materials...but they all have in common a hevily padded rubber bar. When you remove the portafilter from the machine after producing a drink, you invert the portafilter and rap it sharply on the bar...knocking the puck out.
The rubber bar protects the portafilter and the flange on the filter basket from damage, which might occur if you knock it in a harder surface, and keeps the pucks in one place.
Some people save the pucks and use them for mulch!!
Yes, you can do that too, and the knock box is okay for that. But the smaller ones are too small IMO, so I just empty the portafilter with a couple of sharp taps against the side of a bin. The Nuova Simonelli portafilter holders are so heavily built you could use them as lethal weapons, so they are pretty resistant to damage. Very nice that they are the same as the Aurelia ones, so if something should go wrong, getting a replacement one is easy and cheap.