Siliconslave's how to make espresso thread

Funny you should say "measure it" because I was hunting high and low for a ruler but we dont have one....go figure? I have now ordered a 58mm tamp

Siliconslave, what do you do about water quality? Our tap water isn't bad taste wise but I've been thinking about using Somerfields bottled table water (19p for 2 liters) as I've read it's pre filtered and not really mineral intense.
Just curious as to what is the norm water quality wise......I've already spent a fortune on the kit so I dont want to mess things up with poor tap water :)
 
Mint_Sauce said:
Should be here tomorrow hopefully as will the beans, I'll post up pics when I get it. Hopefully the grinding bi inside is ok, still for £15 it's worth the risk. Here it is on the bay.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=320300803246
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let us know how you get on with it. look forward to your review :)

may be worth checking that the burrs are clean. reading the coffee forums they suggest running 'minute rice' (pre cooked & dehydrated rice) through it.

though can't seem to see minute rice in the supermarket

can anyone recommend an alternative
 
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after a bit of research into cleaning hand grinders i present grape nuts!

i will be running these through my zass hand grinder (once it turns up from germany)

i got a packet of grape nuts from tesco for £1.19 a pack with the intention of running 1/3 of a cup through the grinder once every 3 months.

was also looking at 'minute rice' but this is not readily available in uk. (btw ordinary rice is not recommended)
 
Have they discontinued the Gaggia Classic? I noticed it had disappeared from the shops at the weekend and I could only find a Gaggia Baby. Might have to snap one up if I spot one.
 
manveruppd said:
Why not? I used ordinary rice to clean my Zassenhaus when I got it a couple of years ago, (I think) on coffeegeek.com's reccomendation.
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Normal rice is supposed to be too hard. It'll wear the burrs your grinder down prematurely.

This is why there is a vastly overpriced product out there called Grindz. It is expensive everywhere I've seen it.

I might try the Grape Nut method though! :)
 
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Jonny69 said:
Have they discontinued the Gaggia Classic? I noticed it had disappeared from the shops at the weekend and I could only find a Gaggia Baby. Might have to snap one up if I spot one.
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After reading that i went into House of Friaser to take a look and asked the guy, apparently Gaggia have discontinued it and released a whole new range with an improved easy access water tank. But the down side is that it still have that plastic milk frother and worst still (IMO) is the new control design. It went from the solid switch it had on the Classic to the button like you get on a monitor. The whole thing (across the design) also look more fragile too.

The good news is that it pushed the Classic price down from £300 instore to £199 !!! I've reserved one and picking it up one day after work this week.
 
Bossk128 said:
Normal rice is supposed to be too hard. It'll wear the burrs your grinder down prematurely.

This is why there is a vastly overpriced product out there called Grindz. It is expensive everywhere I've seen it.

I might try the Grape Nut method though! :)
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OK, luckily I only did it once :) This grinder dates from 1935 and still grinds coffee as fine as table salt, would be a shame if I killed it!
Never thought of cleaning it since buying it though... it sees daily use so no opportunity to collect dust :p
 
manveruppd said:
OK, luckily I only did it once :) This grinder dates from 1935 and still grinds coffee as fine as table salt, would be a shame if I killed it!
Never thought of cleaning it since buying it though... it sees daily use so no opportunity to collect dust :p
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Aye, I've not cleaned mine in 13 months :D. It's supposed to be a good thing to do as oils from the beans can build up on the burrs and go rancid, giving off flavours to your coffee.
 
I am going to get a Gaggia Classic today :D and now I need a proper grinder (only have a blade one at the moment). I am torn between a Gaggia MM which is £60 or this Zassenhaus one I found online for £45. I also just found out that Zassenhaus has gone bankrupt in Germany so these could be a collector's item !

How good is this Zassenhaus ?

 
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Don't forget you can get refurbished models from the Gaggia website, which come with a 12month warranty. Classic is still for sale on there, as well as some of the newer models.
 
Scottland said:
Don't forget you can get refurbished models from the Gaggia website, which come with a 12month warranty. Classic is still for sale on there, as well as some of the newer models.
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I just had a look, a refurb from them is £199, but i can get a new one from House of Fraser for the same. I think the choice is out of my hands :D
 
Raymond Lin said:
I am going to get a Gaggia Classic today :D and now I need a proper grinder (only have a blade one at the moment). I am torn between a Gaggia MM which is £60 or this Zassenhaus one I found online for £45. I also just found out that Zassenhaus has gone bankrupt in Germany so these could be a collector's item !

How good is this Zassenhaus ?

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Hey mate, is that zassenhaus on auction or is it a store? i could do with a second grinder as my one isn't easy to switch between profiles (ie for a French press...) If its one on an auction i'll leave it for you... otherwise i might have to get one (linkie please)
 
Siliconslave said:
Hey mate, is that zassenhaus on auction or is it a store? i could do with a second grinder as my one isn't easy to switch between profiles (ie for a French press...) If its one on an auction i'll leave it for you... otherwise i might have to get one (linkie please)
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New online in a store, I just bought it.



http://www.manufactum.co.uk/Produkt/173836/838327/ZassenhausCoffeeGrinder.html

I was worried a bit as their site doesn't have online payment so i rang the number on the site and spoke to a lady who says that the item will come with an invoice and i just pay the balance with a cheque. :)

Should be with me within 7 days.
 
Raymond Lin said:
I was worried a bit as their site doesn't have online payment so i rang the number on the site and spoke to a lady who says that the item will come with an invoice and i just pay the balance with a cheque. :)

Should be with me within 7 days.
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Wow, thats a little weird... i work in online payments and pretty much no-one does that apart from some big business to business places... bonkers!
 
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