Lets talk about COFFEE

[b1os]

Thanks guys. I'll think about whether I just get a cheap manual grinder or actually invest in a used good grinder and a used low-mid-end espresso machine. I can always sell the Nespresso machine without a loss.

 

[indesertum]



The problem with the hario is that because it is manual the burrs wobble while you are turning the handle. This wobble is extrapolated as the burrs are separated further as in the case of French Press type grinds. I noticed a significant improvement in my French Press coffee when I got a refurbed Baratza virtuoso.
I bumped into somebody at a cafe who claimed he found a modification online somewhere where you can "fix" the burr in place better so it doesn't wobble anymore. He said it was a fair amount of work. Not worth it, imo.

you can buy modified harios online. i got mine from i think orphan espresso for about $50. they also sell the kits so you can upgrade them yourself. i took a look inside and it doesnt seem particularly hard if you have the parts.

i get a pretty consistent grind and it doesn't really wobble

in retrospect i think paying $50 more for a used baratza might have been better, but there's something nice about grinding your beans in the morning by hand even if it is a little time consuming. also i hate using up counter space so i guess it worked out for me.

 

[lefty]

People start with 60 g/L and alter from there (usually up). However, the standard 4-minute steep time from FP tends to underextract. People have steeped up to 10 minutes with good results. Of course, there are other dependent factors like grind size (finer -> more extraction), water temp (hotter -> more extraction), stirring (more -> more extraction), and 2nd order effects like heat leakage from the FP glass. Anyway, you'll have to play around to see what you like.

So I buy myself a new coffee and need to experiment with grind size, water temperature, water purity, stirring time, extraction time, compensation for heat leakage and every possible multiple of each of those factors to somehow come up with a decent cup of coffee. How many tonnes of coffee do you go through before you dial that one bean in?

I'm beginning to see why nespresso is so popular.

lefty

 

[romafan]

I use an old crappy (Braun?) cheapo grinder, a Chemx & la Colombe Corsica beans - heat some milk while the coffee drips & you have a a pretty darn good good cup of coffee. Have a Francis/Francis-thing for espresso, but even though it's a simple dummy-proof capsule thing, I find it's a lot of effort, especially if you use the frother (can't make more coffee until the temp comes down, and it just takes too long).

 

[patrickBOOTH]

I think the process and anticipation has its own thrill. All part of it. Also, which is not discussed here really is your mood and company.

 

[indesertum]

I want a chemex cuz it's so pretty, but then i'd have to buy an electric water kettle (or a kettle and a good thermometer and time and patience) and then i'd probably want a vario kettle to control the pour of water and then i'd need time in the morning to do all that and time it properly.

it sounds nice and even romantic sometimes, but i feel like it'd getting annoying after awhile.


i think it'd be great if you had company over regularly who enjoyed coffee.

 

[CDHagg]

Ok, NYC, your coffee scene leaves much to be desired. And what's up with the baristas? Do Union rules require them to be stuck up?

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Where have you gone? You're from somewhere friendly in the US, aren't you?

 

[CDHagg]

I went to stumptown coffee roasters and a couple of places in little Italy. And yes, I'm from Texas, which is pretty friendly in most places.

 

[b1os]

Does anyone of you have the Lelit PL41EM?

 

[A Y]



So I buy myself a new coffee and need to experiment with grind size, water temperature, water purity, stirring time, extraction time, compensation for heat leakage and every possible multiple of each of those factors to somehow come up with a decent cup of coffee. How many tonnes of coffee do you go through before you dial that one bean in? 

I'm beginning to see why nespresso is so popular.

Hey, you asked the question. Anyway, it doesn't take me very long to dial in a bean, probably because I don't tend to be too picky once I get close. Probably one or two brews and that's it. The cups are far from undrinkable, and the list is more of a toolkit --- they're ways of tweaking your coffee to your liking. You don't have to do all of them --- I often just alter grind size.

I started looking at the Hario wobble issue, and I didn't know it was that big of an issue. It seems that tape around the shafts will solve much of the problem:

http://coffeegeek.com/forums/coffee/questions/530253#530253

I have seen the two layer Aeropress distribution, and thought that was normal!

You can spend $245 for a wobble-less hand grinder that can go from Turkish to very coarse:

http://www.orphanespresso.com/OE-PHAROS-Hand-Coffee-Grinder_ep_636-1.html

And they have a portable one for only $165!

http://www.orphanespresso.com/OE-Lido-Design-Study_ep_646-1.html

More grind analysis than you can wave a stick at: http://www.orphanespresso.com/OE-Lido-Grind-Analysis_ep_645-1.html

 

[lefty]

Hey, you asked the question.

Anyway, it doesn't take me very long to dial in a bean, probably because I don't tend to be too picky once I get close. Probably one or two brews and that's it. The cups are far from undrinkable, and the list is more of a toolkit --- they're ways of tweaking your coffee to your liking. You don't have to do all of them --- I often just alter grind size.

True. I guess I'm just a first wave (What'll it be, mac? Cup o' Joe, black and hot.) coffee drinker.

How do you compensate for sunspots?

lefty

 

[A Y]



How do you compensate for sunspots?

often helps.

 

[patrickBOOTH]



I went to stumptown coffee roasters and a couple of places in little Italy. And yes, I'm from Texas, which is pretty friendly in most places.

Well, that was your problem. Stumptown isn't that great and little italy doesn't have good coffee at all.

 

[indesertum]

i like the stumptown beans. the ones i've had are pretty good