Siliconslave's how to make espresso thread

jpaul · 23 Sep 2019 at 14:13

I had specced the Motta ones .. if they loose their raison d'être markings they can go back to the river source.

Raymond Lin · 23 Sep 2019 at 14:46

I bought a 1kg of this last month and I must admit I am really enjoying it. So much flavour, both chocolate and a hint of fruity notes, a little sweetness too. Ignore the lens, picked them up the same day.

thesquale · 28 Sep 2019 at 17:06

Picking up on this thread...i have a De'Longhi Eletta ECAM 44.660.B Bean to Cup. I find the coffee extremely weak and watery in its constitency after 4 months with the machine. If i adjust the "strengh" option to "strong", then the taste is not too bad but i would prefer a much denser coffee. There is a huge difference with a typical Nespresso machine for ex. I wonder if i have unreasonable expectations....

I adjusted the grinder setting by putting it to 1 but i did not know that it had to be done one unit by one unit and only when in action. So maybe i broke the grinder or something?

any pointers or advice ? or you all hate these machines anyhow !

THANK YOU

Grimley · 28 Sep 2019 at 17:33

My sister has a lower end De'longhi bean to cup machine, My nephews & I bought it for her for Xmas about 3 years ago. It's a piece of Junk that isnt that good at making coffee. I wouldn't buy one for myself that's for sure.

jpaul · 28 Sep 2019 at 20:16

(did I miss something) that's a bit harsh ... lots of people happy with that machine and its reliability in an older beans to cup thread where we discussed blends
https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/t...-coffee-machine.18757573/page-3#post-30869281
maybe one of them knows the answer

Grimley · 29 Sep 2019 at 06:59

To be honest I bought it from Argos when it was on sale (End of line?) for £180, for a Bean to Cup machine that's a billy bargain so perhaps I'm expecting too much from it. Looking back now perhaps I should've spent a bit more money on a manual Sage Machine.

thesquale · 29 Sep 2019 at 09:26

jpaul said:
(did I miss something) that's a bit harsh ... lots of people happy with that machine and its reliability in an older beans to cup thread where we discussed blends
https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/t...-coffee-machine.18757573/page-3#post-30869281
maybe one of them knows the answer

thanks !

thesquale · 29 Sep 2019 at 09:27

Grimley said:
To be honest I bought it from Argos when it was on sale (End of line?) for £180, for a Bean to Cup machine that's a billy bargain so perhaps I'm expecting too much from it. Looking back now perhaps I should've spent a bit more money on a manual Sage Machine.

mine cost more around £600....so hopefully....

heeeed · 4 Oct 2019 at 20:52

Just got in from work to home to see delivery of my lelit bianca
http://bianca.lelit.com/index-eng.html
today having recently also upgraded to a niche grinder.
https://www.nichecoffee.co.uk/

Moving house and suddenly having space to upgrade and have something awesome is amazing. Unfortunately I’m on call and can’t play until Sunday. Can’t wait to get playing. It’s been an expensive month, but hey ho

Nick1881 · 5 Oct 2019 at 12:28

heeeed said:
Just got in from work to home to see delivery of my lelit bianca
http://bianca.lelit.com/index-eng.html
today having recently also upgraded to a niche grinder.
https://www.nichecoffee.co.uk/

Moving house and suddenly having space to upgrade and have something awesome is amazing. Unfortunately I’m on call and can’t play until Sunday. Can’t wait to get playing. It’s been an expensive month, but hey ho

The same setup as me, you will love it.

I just had a lovely espresso with this months Dog & Hat sub, Unorthodox Coffee - Uganda Cycle Psycho.

Hope you have a good set of scales too.

jpaul · 6 Oct 2019 at 13:41

I know we discussed the LeLit paddle before, for pre-infusion, but what is the practical experience like n months in ?
Do you find you change it much, or, just leave it at what a (hardwired) E60 might do ?

edit: my memory is rubbish

Nick1881 said:
I have already been playing with the paddle and trying some of the profiling shots, I'm not sure I have the palate to be able to tell the difference. All I know is that the coffee I make at home now is some of the best I've ever tasted. I haven't tried the really fine grinds and long pre-infusion shot yet. Sadly I have come down with a cold today so my taste has taken a hit.

Nick1881 · 7 Oct 2019 at 17:28

jpaul said:
I know we discussed the LeLit paddle before, for pre-infusion, but what is the practical experience like n months in ?
Do you find you change it much, or, just leave it at what a (hardwired) E60 might do ?

edit: my memory is rubbish

I have done quite a few long pre-infusion shots and it does change the flavour profile, I also tried a 7 bar shot. I've probably not played as much as I should have though.

I think at least 90% of my shots are just standard, often I'm making an early morning shot before work and don't have time to mess about.

The flow control is just an added bonus really, even without it I think the Bianca is great value and I'm 100% happy with my purchase.

alx · 17 Oct 2019 at 06:09

Does anyone know the difference between the DeLonghi ESAM 4000/4200 and ECAM 22.110 bean to cup models? I know in previous threads people have liked their ESAM 4200 machines, however the ECAM 22.110 can be had for a similar price however not sure if it's a better model or not. Googling has thrown up inconsistent answers.

Begbie · 18 Oct 2019 at 11:20

Can anyone recommend any mugs? I've just smashed my last espresso mug which was a nice cheap. Rhinowares one. But it seems they don't make them anymore!

I'd rather not spend a fortune. But finding one that's the right volume seems hard. 70ml iirc?

Flibster · 18 Oct 2019 at 11:33

Acme and Loveramics are my go to mugs and cups.
notNeutral are also good.

70ml is definitely espresso cup territory.

jpaul · 18 Oct 2019 at 12:19

hadn't seen loveramic before ...

I like a rounded/bowl shape at base of cup, the classic illy ones I find a bit small, so my moneys currently on churchill 85ml ones like these
https://www.pubshop.co.uk/catalogue...e-espresso-cups-yellow-85ml-m794-p-40832.html
keep your eyes on ebay ... where I pucrhased mine(salsa design) from -
they give some headroom .. and bigger mass of porcelain keeps a smaller drink warmer

Begbie · 18 Oct 2019 at 14:26

Thanks guys, just got two acme ones for a tenner.

But also have a bid on 6 Churchill ones. No doubt I'll go from 0 to 8 pretty soon

Nick1881 · 18 Oct 2019 at 22:40

I have Not Neutral cups and really like them. https://coffeehit.co.uk/collections/notneutral 10% off your first order too.

Flibster · 19 Oct 2019 at 20:45

I find the tulip style cups more awkward as well, much prefer the rounded ones. Acme don't seem to do them anymore, shame.

Oddly, one of my most used cups is a Barista & Co grey cortado handleless thing. Love it. Not made anymore. Found it in TK Maxx a few years ago and have used it really regularly ever since. Should have bought all the ones they had. Also really like my WWII Corning glass handleless watch mug.. also not made anymore. Hmmm... spotting a pattern here.

jpaul · 20 Oct 2019 at 12:37

Begbie said:
But also have a bid on 6 Churchill ones.

I'd clocked these before I posted - evidently, you'd bidded elsewhere
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6-x-Churchill-espresso-blue-porcelain-cups-and-saucers-/223703205390