Siliconslave's how to make espresso thread
- Thread starter Siliconslave
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Thanks. Will be doing it anyway though! I've got the portafilter pressure gauge and fitting. Will let you know the results.
I've never had any coffee from them before. The report says that their second shop is in Uxbridge so will definitely try it out as it's less than 2 minutes walk from work.
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ditto on the OPV mod, although i'd be interested to test the actual pressure instead of using flow as an approximation...
And in other news:
Interesting, great for the owners of Taylor St but I can't help but think it'll be bad for the coffee they serve. I guess it totally depends on the level of involvement Tesco has, if its just a financial investment to help them spread its not a bad thing, my local decent coffee shop in Richmond is a Taylor St and its miles ahead of the normal high-street chains...
Its time for a proper 3rd wave chain (i know, 3rd wave and chain aren't really synonymous) to kick Starbucks/Nero/Costa into line?
On that note how are thing going with "your" place Flibster? when are we having our first OCUK coffee nut meet there
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the one in Richmond tends to sell some Union beans and occasionally has bean or SquareMile but they don't get a big enough turn over to make sure its really fresh. They used to bag up the Union beans they use for espresso as well but I've not bought from them for ages so not sure.
I need to use a pressure gauge again. Tried my machine out over the weekend and something isn't quite right with it. I think the pump is dying.
Can't help but agree.
If Tesco are just the money behind it then it has a better than even chance of producing coffee significantly better than all the other chains. A bit like Taylor St. now. It's not the greatest coffee in London, but it's certainly enjoyable.
I'm also wondering if they will continue to use Union beans. It could mean a major ramp up is needed for them. Could also mean that the bean quality drops, which would be a shame as Union to take a lot of care in selecting. Jeremy's a lovely chap too. Been given more than a couple of freebees by him.
I suspect that if Tesco are involved anywhere else, then it's going to be more interesting to watch what happens... perhaps not to drink it though.
On that note how are thing going with "your" place Flibster? when are we having our first OCUK coffee nut meet there
Well, had a couple of initial budgetary meeting. After being told how much he wants to spend on the espresso machine alone... and me having to be picked up off the floor. *It was in the mid 5 figure range!*
I have since suggested that perhaps spending half that would be better and then spend some of the savings on an Uber boiler might be more practical.
Oh and the grinder we are seriously considering is very, VERY cool.
Will allow us to run multiple espresso blends from a single grinder. And the arguments about the stupid things like cups designs... not the shape of the cups... whats on them!?! I'm more interested in are they comfy to hold, hold temperature well, resilient and so on...
It's certainly been... entertaining...
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Union sell through some supermarkets etc so I guess they have scale already to some degree, got a feeling they also supply some of the mid tear chains as well...
My concern with the Tesco thing is the level they'll be demanding as a cut & profit margin. Any serious increase in which equals cheaper beans, cheaper staff and more expensive drinks. The current Taylor Street staff are well trained and the beans reasonable, to replicate that on a larger basis with a higher profit margin would be nigh on impossible!
Well, had a couple of initial budgetary meeting. After being told how much he wants to spend on the espresso machine alone... and me having to be picked up off the floor. *It was in the mid 5 figure range!*
I have since suggested that perhaps spending half that would be better and then spend some of the savings on an Uber boiler might be more practical.
Oh and the grinder we are seriously considering is very, VERY cool.
And the arguments about the stupid things like cups designs... not the shape of the cups... whats on them!?! I'm more interested in are they comfy to hold, hold temperature well, resilient and so on...
It's certainly been... entertaining...
Sounds like fun - you got to push the branding, most people won't notice how nice a cup is to hold (unless it cuts their fingers off...)
I'm not sure how useful the Uber would be in a coffee shop tbh, the vast majority of the drinks sold would generally be espresso based unless you push a strong preference towards filter a-la Monmouth, in which case the Uber is probably a little slow? Still would be a great toy to play with
Sounds like fun - you got to push the branding, most people won't notice how nice a cup is to hold (unless it cuts their fingers off...)
I'm not sure how useful the Uber would be in a coffee shop tbh, the vast majority of the drinks sold would generally be espresso based unless you push a strong preference towards filter a-la Monmouth, in which case the Uber is probably a little slow? Still would be a great toy to play with
But until you decide on the cups themselves, you can't really decide on the branding. Depends on the cup shape, size and colouring for a start. It's also things like, can you get you fingers through the handle? We've just been going through the range by d'Ancap and Inker.
I'd kind of like to have some glasses and then get them etched with the logo. I think it'd look cool with the espresso behind it. No real other reason.
Uber's are very useful indeed. Especially if you'll be offering a range of teas and having a brew bar too. It's not the fastest method to brew coffee, but if you're using an aeropress it's not exactly slow. And it is an awesome toy.
I suspect the next *cough* discussion we'll be having is over brew methods. I'd love to simplify it with Aeropresses and V60's for single servings and chemex's to share. But I know he wants a syphon - which would then involve getting one of the £500 halogen heaters as you wouldn't really want to have butane burners in a a shop...
As long as you're not far from London, count me in as a customer!! Aeropress, V60, Chemex, syphon.....what an amazing choice!! The shop is certainly going to be unique out of London.
On another topic, I've had my Classic for a few weeks now and have been using Tesco Ashbeck water only. Thought I'd check the tank yesterday and found a dead moth inside it!! Glad I checked!!
I've taken the shower screen off, cleaned up the grouphead and soaked the bits in Puro Caff so that's nice and clean but I'm not sure about backflushing. There seems to be mixed opinion on whether you should do it with the Classic as the solenoid could get blocked. Any thoughts?
Also what's the recommended product for descaling? I only have Scaleaway lying around at the moment but not sure if it's up to the job.
The shop is certainly going to be unique out of London.On another topic, I've had my Classic for a few weeks now and have been using Tesco Ashbeck water only. Thought I'd check the tank yesterday and found a dead moth inside it!! Glad I checked!!
I've taken the shower screen off, cleaned up the grouphead and soaked the bits in Puro Caff so that's nice and clean but I'm not sure about backflushing. There seems to be mixed opinion on whether you should do it with the Classic as the solenoid could get blocked. Any thoughts?
Also what's the recommended product for descaling? I only have Scaleaway lying around at the moment but not sure if it's up to the job.
just as a follow up..and as this is a really long thread now
has anybody got anymore views on the porlex hand grinder from hasbean..will it grind fine enough for espresso?
all the reviews for the cheaper burr grinders from krupps and delonghi say they wont grind fine enough..and my missus isnt going to let me spring for another couple of hundred quid for a top notch electric grinder!
has anybody got anymore views on the porlex hand grinder from hasbean..will it grind fine enough for espresso?
all the reviews for the cheaper burr grinders from krupps and delonghi say they wont grind fine enough..and my missus isnt going to let me spring for another couple of hundred quid for a top notch electric grinder!
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I have a porlex but i've not used it for espresso. It seems to be a decent enough quality to grind that fine consistantly but it will knacker you out doing so... having said that its nothing the application of a hand drill couldn't solve
(i take no responsibility for any injury resulting from the combining of a power drill and hand grinder. Including, but not limited to damage from shrapnel if the burrs explode, burning from overheating of the burrs, explosion of the hand drill...)
Hey guys, I'm sure I've seen a similar question posted several times before in this thread, but anyway, I fancy some good coffee tomorrow. Any recommendations for central London? I've been to many a place, but fancy somewhere new, so fire away
Anyone have any recommendations on a good descaler?
Thought this mite be the best place to ask this.
We are moving into a new house in sept and want a proper coffee maker ala Starbucks etc.
We've got a couple £x00 budget for one.
Any suggestions on the best brand?
A milk steamer/frothier thing is a must.
And a spec me coffee grinder would be good too
Thanks.
We are moving into a new house in sept and want a proper coffee maker ala Starbucks etc.
We've got a couple £x00 budget for one.
Any suggestions on the best brand?
A milk steamer/frothier thing is a must.
And a spec me coffee grinder would be good too
Thanks.
Soldato
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- 27 Mar 2003
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Thought this mite be the best place to ask this.
We are moving into a new house in sept and want a proper coffee maker ala Starbucks etc.
We've got a couple £x00 budget for one.
Any suggestions on the best brand?
A milk steamer/frothier thing is a must.
And a spec me coffee grinder would be good too
Thanks.
I recently got my first coffee machine. The gaggia classic. This by all accounts on the net and my own personal experience is probably the best starter machine on the market for the money. If you can get this at the sub £200 mark then it is a bargin.
As for grinder
1) Porlex hand grinder. Excellent for filter cofee and should give you fine enough coffee grinds for an espresso machine. £30
2) Rancillio Rocky Electirc burr grinder. £250 Fantastic for all brew methods and a decent entry/slightly higher than entry level electric grinder.
If you have a specific budget in mind it might be easier to give you options that are more appropriate to your budget.
I would suggest that if you are buying an electric grinder then look for a burr one rather than a cheaper blade one.
If you are looking for a hand grinder then go with either the porlex or the hario.