Siliconslave's how to make espresso thread

Muska · 10 Feb 2020 at 17:36

I never got the hand of a bottomless portafilter sadly!

https://londiniumespresso.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=211
This always caught my eye for distribution, I never got around to trying it, but I'm sure something could be fashioned for cheaper.

LuckyBenski · 10 Feb 2020 at 18:18

Muska said:
I never got the hand of a bottomless portafilter sadly!

https://londiniumespresso.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=211
This always caught my eye for distribution, I never got around to trying it, but I'm sure something could be fashioned for cheaper.

Very reasonably priced as gadgets go but it's crying out for a DIY attempt

jpaul · 10 Feb 2020 at 21:22

one small step for coffee kind ... β testing now

[ http://www.byleew.nl/experiment/measuring-effect-londinium-distribution-tool/ ]

it is possible it cost more than £30

Muska · 10 Feb 2020 at 22:14

Bravo!

Siliconslave · 11 Feb 2020 at 12:13

Love it!

The ‘spring’ in a safety pin looks perfect cut down and jammed into a cork, or even a turned bit of wood.

TacoGalaxy · 11 Feb 2020 at 19:49

I just use a paperclip...

Dj_Jestar · 11 Feb 2020 at 20:33

The pointy bit from my old milk thermostat to break up the clumps, then a distributor to er.. Distribute.

jpaul · 11 Feb 2020 at 21:21

two further versions (safety pin ... thin wire)
wires winning .. needs to be narrow, not to throw the coffee out, or displace it, too much.

did think some kind of ultrasonic mechanism/probe would work ?

Siliconslave · 12 Feb 2020 at 09:31

jpaul said:
did think some kind of ultrasonic mechanism/probe would work ?

a ultrasonic pad to put your PF on? That would be a little over the top

Ayahuasca · 17 Feb 2020 at 11:48

Thanks for that above suggestion with photos, I actually had a cork with four wires coming off with hoops already on the end. I've cut them off and stuck them into the cork and it's working a treat for breaking up the clumps!

GiraffePencils · 25 Feb 2020 at 16:19

Hey everyone,

So I like coffee, Like me a flat white when I'm out and about.
Would like to have that at home.

I currently have moka pot/aeropress/hand grinder for beans.

What would people recommend in terms of machine? Can I get a good one for ~200 or am I needing to fork out much a lot more for good stuff?

I don't want to end up with something that'll deliver sub-par coffee but looks good in the kitchen etc. I want to enjoy every one I make and enjoy the fact I made it....if that makes sense haha

Grimley · 25 Feb 2020 at 16:39

Cheapest:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sage-Bar...796981?hash=item5b323bb235:g:HfcAAOSwnhdeT9gi

GiraffePencils · 25 Feb 2020 at 16:54

Grimley said:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sage-Bar...796981?hash=item5b323bb235:g:HfcAAOSwnhdeT9gi

ooooh, looks good
Concerned about the 'missing Items' though?
Would it be worth getting:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/333248417578#viTabs_0
or would I be able to get replacements cheaper?

Grimley · 25 Feb 2020 at 17:13

my auction site link would probably be the cheapest option. I'm not really a Sage appliances fan TBH. They are made to a price so there's going to be more plastic internals than I would like. You really want a copper boiler for your espresso machine.
I'd buy a separate espresso machine & grinder myself which I did 3 years ago.

Best to start off would be second hand; Gaggia classic (at least more then 5 years old) or a Rancilio Silvia (which I have) & a Eureka Mignon. Coffee Forums UK always has good quality used machines on there, if you are hesitant about buying from the auction site/Gumtree/FB marketplace etc.

Merlin5 · 25 Feb 2020 at 19:39

Oops, wrong thread.

jpaul · 26 Feb 2020 at 11:56

GiraffePencils said:
ooooh, looks good

Grimley said:
my auction site link would probably be the cheapest option. I'm not really a Sage appliances fan TBH. They are made to a price so there's going to be more plastic internals than I would like. You really want a copper boiler for your espresso machine.
I'd buy a separate espresso machine & grinder myself which I did 3 years ago.

Best to start off would be second hand; Gaggia classic (at least more then 5 years old) or a Rancilio Silvia (which I have) & a Eureka Mignon. Coffee Forums UK always has good quality used machines on there, if you are hesitant about buying from the auction site/Gumtree/FB marketplace etc.

I think you're a bit hard on them afaik they have a stainless steel thermoblock, even if they have an abs cover (my HX has abs side panels)
teardown video show similar pump to my HX https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KOMX4zOUfI
so, given additional economy of scale, yes, they may make more profit too, but I don't think its kings new clothes.

The quick heat up and PID, versus a silvia are attractive too , temoperature surfing without a PID on the siliva is one of the reasons I changed to a (2nd hand) HX.

(per earlier posts) duo temp pro ~£150 and a separate grinder is probably where I'd go.

Grimley · 26 Feb 2020 at 14:26

/\/\/\ I didn't really have much choice as regards an espresso machine because of space. I fitted a PID to my silvia about 3 or 4 months after I bought it. The PID itself seems to show odd readings when the pump is working, I have no idea why it does that but it does the job I want & the interweb has not revealed the cause of the odd readings, so I cant be arsed to repair it. I'd love a better machine but it's down to the space that I have.

jpaul · 16 Mar 2020 at 08:42

Puly Caff 900g ... some available on ebay at £8 ... previous has lasted 7 years .. probably don't back flush enough.

Problem with portafilter being blow off during shot ... handles at 5 oclock ... which I used to believe was completely stable but,
I now need to hold the handle initially, otherwise it can unwind with the pressure.
I had assumed once you are past 6oclock you are on the flat section of grouphead, as opposed to the tapered initial section .... so I don't get it.

LuckyBenski · 16 Mar 2020 at 09:29

jpaul said:
Puly Caff 900g ... some available on ebay at £8 ... previous has lasted 7 years .. probably don't back flush enough.

Problem with portafilter being blow off during shot ... handles at 5 oclock ... which I used to believe was completely stable but,
I now need to hold the handle initially, otherwise it can unwind with the pressure.
I had assumed once you are past 6oclock you are on the flat section of grouphead, as opposed to the tapered initial section .... so I don't get it.

Rubber could be hardening in your gasket. Better when it's warmed up maybe?

Dj_Jestar · 16 Mar 2020 at 10:24

Buy a silicone ring to replace it. Way better.