Siliconslave's how to make espresso thread

Fair enough, each to their own and all that.
I’m going to get a bottomless portafilter for my barista express work machine as well.
I do wonder if fitting a much improved shower screen on my Gaggia Expresso has helped a bit, it certainly comes recommended, and makes sense as I don’t use pressurised baskets.
 
So rather than 'gitting gud' with your puck prep, you just gonna hide from the problem and pretend the channelling ain't happening :P

I always use bottomless portafilter. It makes a more visually pleasing shot with the marbling from the oils which you don't get with a spout.
 
The ONLY reason I persisted for a while was because there wasn’t enough clearance between the portafilter and the espresso cup + scales. There was no space for a sprout. The cup was literally about 1cm gap from the bottom of the bottomless portafilter.

Even with that small clearance, there were still some sprays coming out of it from time to time.

I have a white kitchen counter, it shows! And if I miss cleaning it immediately, it stains…

So I got a lower profile drip tray and use a sprout.
 
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I wipe the top / empty the drip tray / clean the drip cover daily anyway;

but work-flow using a bottomless filter, supporting PF during charging(can't rest it on spout) and accurately running water through filter to warm cup is more tedious,
rocky grinder doesn't clump stuff so don't use WDT habitually, or scales, with double-walled cups that show level.
 
mid_gen said:
So rather than 'gitting gud' with your puck prep, you just gonna hide from the problem and pretend the channelling ain't happening :P

I always use bottomless portafilter. It makes a more visually pleasing shot with the marbling from the oils which you don't get with a spout.
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The problem isn’t “get gud”, I am and I accept I won’t be 100% perfect….I mean…great if all of you can be 100% perfect in every single shot that guarantees zero spray from now to eternity….I am not and I accept that.

I trade visual appeal and prioritise cleaner worktop and cleaner clothes…as long as it taste good (or even okay), I don’t really care…
 
Raymond Lin said:
The problem isn’t “get gud”, I am and I accept I won’t be 100% perfect….I mean…great if all of you can be 100% perfect in every single shot that guarantees zero spray from now to eternity….I am not and I accept that.

I trade visual appeal and prioritise cleaner worktop and cleaner clothes…as long as it taste good (or even okay), I don’t really care…
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I am yanking your chain fella :p

Last week I had to repaint the wall next to my machine from the splatter. I still prefer the bottomless, never gets old watching a shot being pulled.
 
mid_gen said:
I am yanking your chain fella :p

Last week I had to repaint the wall next to my machine from the splatter. I still prefer the bottomless, never gets old watching a shot being pulled.
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It got old for me the 2nd time it sprayed a drop on my worktop...lol
 
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Oh god, what have I started? :p

Either way I need a bit more practice, and I'll decide whether to stick to the bottomless or not depending on my ongoing results :)
 
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OK now I can now play with the big boys and girls! Lot of stuff turned up over the last two days.

In the end decided on the following Espresso machine and grinder.
  • Gaggia Classic 2024 E24 Evo Pro - spent hours on deliberation between the Sage Bambino Plus, Duo Temp Pro and even the Express, before it came down to this or the Rancilio Silva. I do believe the Silva may be the better machine with bigger boiler, more steam pressure, better steam wand, but the Gaggia support/community in the UK is a plus point. Parts and mods that are readily available, more so that the Silva. Also the Gaggia was available in this nice black colour and was a bit cheaper. Bought from Gaggia UK although packaging left a lot to be desired, just in a plastic black wrap.
  • DF54 Grinder - Bought from Sigma Coffee. I did look at the DF64 but I'm not sure it was worth it at this stage. With the Grinders I'm happy to work my way up. And I have the aforementioned Kingrinder K6 for decaf/when required.
I've still got some stuff to arrive from Shades of Coffee including the OPV Springs Kit, Bottomless Portafilter, IMS Precision Basket and some other bits. I've also got the DF64 metal dosing cup which I managed to find in the UK for £22 arriving tomorrow. I need to clarify what the warranty is the Gaggia before potentially invalidating it, so will hold off the OPV mod atm, but at least have it.

Tempted to buy an Aeropress too, just to add to this journey, but lots to look forwards to over the next few days and weeks. Still have a few Nespresso capsules left, but the coffee I did have this morning was curiously disgusting so might just prompt me to get this straight into use.

I may have questions soon :)

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In case of warranty the OPV mod can be reversed in a few minutes, it’s super easy to fit/remove the spring.
Oh, and enjoy your new toys :D
 
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JonRGV250 said:
In case of warranty the OPV mod can be reversed in a few minutes, it’s super easy to fit/remove the spring.
Oh, and enjoy your new toys :D
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Good to know. I need to read the instructions and all that. Thank you.

Also should add there were a number of people in this thread who were helpful in working towards this setup. I've also kept an eye on other new Espresso machine owners to see their experience and have taken notes from the 'online coffee bean' thread so I can work through some of those too. So again thank you.

And finally good to know there is life after imgur and above freeimage.host works!
 
I use a tea towel for protecting against mess. My setup is very similar to Raymond’s and I don’t have much spray if any and get really very consistent results, but from time to time it can happen. On balance I’m happy to use a bottomless portafilter so I can see clearly how I may need to micro-adjust as the coffee gets older. That can also simply be tracked with time and weight which I also measure but I get more satisfaction and visual feedback from the bottomless portafilter.

I have to clean the group head/shower screen and sometimes other spills (depending on what drink I’m making) so expect to do a bit of cleaning anyway.

@Timber that’s a great setup that should take you from basic to pretty experienced, good choices.
 
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come on - we'd be much more impressed if the wife had accepted a mac tools worktop in the kitchen, a design classic - draws with knives and other kitchen tools

tamping spouted pf is much easier.

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Love the mac tools setup - very different.

Couple of updates - my good luck with deliveries ran out today. The DF64/83 aluminium dosing cup arrived with a couple of nicks/scratches on one of the sides. It was packaged (I assume) very well from the manufacturer so I don't blame Bella Barista for not spotting, but not sure whether to ignore it, or return. I know these are tools that are going to get dinged up/wear and tear etc. I've emailed them to see what they say. But as it's pretty much identical to the plastic cup and therefore fits the DF54 perfectly in either the rubber sleeve, or the two grooves (which doesn't tend to advertised as such).

Only been able to make one coffee so far. 18g to 36g but came through in 20secs so need a finer grind. And I completely messed up the milk frother controls/heating so that was half cold. Tasted beautifully smooth otherwise. I've been re-organising stuff in the kitchen so hopefully get a chance to make another coffee at some point!

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