Siliconslave's how to make espresso thread

Youstolemyname said:
So then. V60 or clever dripper?

Anyone tried both? I am thinking of getting some sort of pour over device as I like the Chemex so much but want a one cup solution.
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Got many pour over solutions here. :D

Clever dripper can also be used as a full immersion brewer, but using it as a pure pour over isn't as good as other pour over methods.

V60 *O2 size* Magnificent pour over. As close to the chemex as a single brewer will get, especially as you can use the chemex filters in it. And you can get the Able/Coava Kone and use that in both the Chemex and V60 as well.

You've also got the Aeropress, but using that as a single pour over is a bit of a waste.

Then there's the Kalita wave. It's growing on me. The flat bottom is interesting, but overall I still prefer the Chemex & V60.
 
I've got a 4 cup Chemex & aeropress - just after a 1 cup brewing solution really. Steve has recommended the clever as opposed to the v60 as the cup profile is different; the v60 is very similar to the Chemex I believe?
 
Youstolemyname said:
I've got a 4 cup Chemex & aeropress - just after a 1 cup brewing solution really. Steve has recommended the clever as opposed to the v60 as the cup profile is different; the v60 is very similar to the Chemex I believe?
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Pretty much. The fact that the filters are interchangeable between the V60 and the Chemex means that the profiles are very similar.

Clever is certainly different. Can use it as a normal filter cone or as a full immersion brewer like the french press.
 
Quick update while on the train.

The 2012 UK Barista Champion is Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood.

In 2nd place was newcomer James Bailey, and 3rd was Howard Barwick.

Tomorrow theres the Brewers Cup, Ikbik and the Cup Tasters championships. Should be a shorter day. Being steamed online as well.

Anyway, caffeine crash happening right now and am utterly knackered.
 
Well I bought a £10 espresso 3 cup aluminium stove pot, I thought I'd give it a try for a tenner.

wow - imo its better then a espresso machine. Only problem I have now is not over dosing and killing my self with caffeine.
 
Hey guys,

Any recommendations on a brew guide for getting the most from my Clever Brewer? Hasbean's advice is a bit sparse for this brew method and I am seeing a lot of conflicting advice about.

Grind? Steep time of 4 min? Bloom included? Should I bother with a bloom? :)
 
E61 Grouphead said:
Hey guys,

Any recommendations on a brew guide for getting the most from my Clever Brewer? Hasbean's advice is a bit sparse for this brew method and I am seeing a lot of conflicting advice about.

Grind? Steep time of 4 min? Bloom included? Should I bother with a bloom? :)
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Check out www.brewmethods.com

Personally, I use a paper filter first and then a swissgold filter on top. Rice well with hot water.

French press grind, 3.45 brew time works for me. No need to bloom.

As soon as the timer beeps, whip out the swissgold, that removes most of the grinds and then the rest is removed by the paper filter.
 
Got a week off before I go to Switzerland for three months with work (would it be silly to take my Gaggia with me? I do get excess backage paid for up to £500!) so spent the morning enjoying some fine coffee.

First up was Prufrock, hadn't had breakfast so went for an 8oz with milk and an almond croissant. Coffee was top notch as usual but I might try a 6oz next time as I would like to have a bit more taste of espresso coming through.

Then after wondering about a bit I popped in to Monmouth in Covent Garden and had a double espresso which was good as well. I was going to buy some beans but decided against it in the end.

Finally went to Notes and bought a pack of the Guayacanera by Square Mile for at home. My grind is a little out as it only took 19/20 secs to pour two 1oz shots (love my hasbean shot glasses :D) but it was lovely, much more flavour than jailbreak with a lot of fruitiness to it.

I'm by no means an expert on coffee (yet!) but it strikes me that in central London at least you really are only ever about a 10-15 min stroll from a good cup of coffee. Shame that more people aren't switching from the chains to independents given their proliferation.

Here's hoping I can find a decent espresso in Zurich!
 
Grimley said:
Ordered now thanks. I hope this is going to be worth it. :D
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IT IS!!! :D I've just ground some of the jailbreak blend beans with my porlex grinder & downed a latte made with them & can safely say that was the best mug of home brewed coffee I've ever made myself! :D

I was a bit concerned though, the espresso came out as a dribble. its not the first time its done that with this machine. I ground the beans four stops below its maximum setting, is that OK? The portafilter handle was at 90 degrees, which I think its right, or should it be less? does anyone think I packed the ground too much?
 
Grimley said:
IT IS!!! :D I've just ground some of the jailbreak blend beans with my porlex grinder & downed a latte made with them & can safely say that was the best mug of home brewed coffee I've ever made myself! :D

I was a bit concerned though, the espresso came out as a dribble. its not the first time its done that with this machine. I ground the beans four stops below its maximum setting, is that OK? The portafilter handle was at 90 degrees, which I think its right, or should it be less? does anyone think I packed the ground too much?
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If there is water sitting on top of the puck when you pull the portafilter out then it's either ground too fine or tamped too tight. Obviously, you need to do this fairly soon after pulling the shot.

I've also been told *not tried this* that if you put the porterfilter in and then remove it again, you should just see the indentation of the showerscreen screw. My showerscreen isn't standard, so that won't work for me. That just tells you that the space between the top of the puck and the showerscreen is correct. If you don't see it, then tamp less, or add more coffee. :D

I'm really bad for tamping too tight and having 28 second shots only giving about 35-40ml of espresso. But as it tastes good, I don't really care that much. :D
 
Guys, ages ago on here and elsewhere on the net I was advised a Gaggia Pro takes a 58mm tamp but this isn't the case, I purchased a 57mm and it's too big for my Gaggia's basket?

I used a tape measure and whilst not highly accurate from what I can tell the I/D is 53mm, perhaps 54mm at a push - so I'm thinking a 53mm tamper?
 
Sorry if its been asked before, but how do you get that thickness in the coffee? I've got an Aeropress, Stove Top (not sure of the name) and it never comes out like a thick fluid... literally comes out as slightly thicker than water.

Doesn't taste 'proper' - I spent £100 on a coffee machine but that didn't really make it too well.. Wondering if the one in the OP or is this any good? "FrancisFrancis! X7.1 Coffee Maker"?

My £100 one broke, I compressed the coffee but the water/steam was coming out of the top rather than going through the coffee and been stuck with an aeropress since! Dont get me wrong, tastes better than Instant... but I'd like that proper 'thickness'.
 
I am looking at taking the plunge and buying one of these

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Now I need something to put in it, I usually drink (and like) Taylors Hot Lava Java everyday at work, so I thought this stuff may be good, any thoughts?

I do not want or have £100 spend on a grinder before it is mentioned.

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Thanks :)
 
cymatty said:
I am looking at taking the plunge and buying one of these

Now I need something to put in it, I usually drink (and like) Taylors Hot Lava Java everyday at work, so I thought this stuff may be good, any thoughts?

I do not want or have £100 spend on a grinder before it is mentioned.

Thanks :)
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Do you already have a cafetiere? If so spend £30 on a porlex grinder rather than the stove top pot and get some fresh beans. You will get much better coffee than using preground for around the same price.
 
Total coffee noob here:

Just been told my dad's getting a Gaggia Classic as a leaving present from work. No doubt he'll come to me asking what to do/how to get the best out of it. Any advice? Looking around grinders aren't cheap, so i doubt he'll want to splash out on one straight away.
 
As a start like many and myself included get a porlex hand grinder they are worth their weight in gold.

A nice easy and inexpensive way to grind beans before dipping into the more expensive electric grinder market.

I've had my porlex for over a year and is a marvelous piece of kit and will be forming part of my coffeee travel pack when I get round to completing it.

Then obviously depending on the budget you can start looking at a quality electric grinder.
 
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