New espresso machine - hints and tips in here please

[Jonny69]

We got rid of the blech coffee vending machine at work and it has been swapped for an 'Ascaso Dream' espresso maker instead.

http://www.ascaso.com/cafe/2005/eng_cafe05/dream.html

It takes both pods and ground coffee. Seems to make an acceptable espresso and cappuccino, even from the pods, just as well because I gather it wasn't cheap. Anyone know anything about this machine? Used it before? Any general hints and tips when using an espresso machine?

 

[platypus]

Er, put the water in, put the ground coffee in, press a button or two, sit back, get your coffee..?

 

[allllec]

Get yourself some Puly Caff and Puly Milk


Its not that expensive and is by far and away best products to use for cleaning various bits and bobs of the machine up.

 

[Siliconslave]

do you have a grinder? if not get a decent one (burr grinder Iberital MC2 is pretty much the best for ~£100) and then experiment with the grind level of fresh beans (keep them in the freezer or vacuum packed and get them from hasbean) untill your pouring a 30ml shot (or two, depending on the basket size) from the machine in approx 25 seconds... but thats just getting a little specific....

 

[allllec]

<off topic>
work in the industry siliconslave?
</off topic>

 

[Siliconslave]

<off topic>
work in the industry siliconslave?
</off topic>

enthusiastic amature (who probably spends too much time in coffee shops annoying the baristas)

 

[Jonny69]

Amateur you amateur

 

[Siliconslave]

Amateur you amateur

damn it

 

[huppy]

THis helped me out, a bit:

http://blog.moertel.com/pages/coders-guide-to-coffee

My parents gave me an espresso machine for christmas, after my dad decided i was spending too much on coffee from shops.

I'm still learning, but to me, so far, it's all in the bean. The frothing of the milk is fun, but doesnt really change what's in the cup.

It's all about the bean.

Dead important to keep them fresh - as it says in that article, I find they go bitter and not so nice the more you leave them out. As siliconslave said, ideally keep them in the freezer.

Also grind'em. (it's the funnest part)

And not too hot milk.

 

[Beerguzzler]

Fine grind the beans and pack them really tight into the holder when making an espresso so the water flows through fairly slow and gets a nice creme on the top. Also you want the milk to be around 160 degrees with the cappuccino, if it gets too hot it burns the milk. Keep the tip of the steamer just below the surface of the milk bringing it up now and then so it pulls plenty of air into the milk and creates lots of froth for the cappuccino.

Chris