Siliconslave's how to make espresso thread

K.C. Leblanc · 3 Jun 2013 at 18:12

FeFiDoh said:
Video of it in action
http://youtu.be/oct-MsEfvco

That really doesn't look like something that would go in a Starbucks overhere.

haz_pro · 3 Jun 2013 at 19:40

Well, would you believe I have found the time to do the OPV mod already! First time I have had a solid hour of free time for quite a while; couldn't have come at a better time.

I had to adjust the OPV about 6 times before I managed to get a good 10bar reading on the pressure meter. I haven't had a chance to have a shot yet using the new pressure but may have some time tomorrow which I'll look forward to.

Hamster, is it worth me keeping the gauge for a few days to see if anyone else wants it? Otherwise I can send it straight back to you tomorrow; I just figure it saves on postage if I send it straight on to someone else (presuming someone wants it).

Hamster · 3 Jun 2013 at 19:44

Probably best hanging onto it for the time being. I'll let you when I need it back

thewanted · 3 Jun 2013 at 20:27

Siliconslave said:
i'm pretty boring so just have a largish black bodum one that sits in the cupboard gathering dust but there are a load of nice ones out there, the double walled ones look pretty good

The double wall 1 litre Bodum is £90!

Damn you for suggesting a double walled French press. I didn't even know that they existed.

Scam · 3 Jun 2013 at 22:40

To be honest I wouldn't ever bother with a french press any more. Why not just get an aeropress?

Flibster · 3 Jun 2013 at 22:41

FeFiDoh said:
Flicking through my Flipboard earlier came across an article that was talking about a Clover coffee machine. Starbucks bought the company that invented them and had been using them in a few stores but appear to be rolling them out in more now.

Video of it in action
http://youtu.be/oct-MsEfvco

Looks like a cross between a French press and an aeropress. Would be interesting to try one and see how wel it makes a cup. Also pretty crazy expensive at around $11k I believe.

K.C. Leblanc said:
That really doesn't look like something that would go in a Starbucks overhere.

There are several Starbucks stores in the UK that have them. Cost to the store is about $5000

Spent some time chatting to the chap who was on the starbucks stall operating on at the London Coffee Festival.

I know Hasbean Steve had one, not sure if he still does though. Last time I paid him a visit, I was told it wasn't working. Found out later that it was working, and that all it took was that Colin Harmon gave it a clean.

When I first saw them, I really wanted one. Now it's owned by starbucks... Not so much. Wouldn't want to deal with Starbucks for spares. Add to that, they won't sell them to the general public.

thewanted · 3 Jun 2013 at 22:48

Scam said:
To be honest I wouldn't ever bother with a french press any more. Why not just get an aeropress?

I honestly have no idea. Maybe I should?

I like filter coffee though. If I use the aeropress and then add hot water to increase the volume, will I get **** tasting coffee?

haz_pro · 4 Jun 2013 at 08:38

thewanted said:
I honestly have no idea. Maybe I should?

I like filter coffee though. If I use the aeropress and then add hot water to increase the volume, will I get **** tasting coffee?

I would personally go with another french press.

To create the amount of coffee you seem to be making with the french press, using an aeropress, would take a lot of time. Unless you diluted the output of the aeropress but I would prefer not to personally.

molinari · 4 Jun 2013 at 09:57

thewanted said:
I like filter coffee though. If I use the aeropress and then add hot water to increase the volume, will I get **** tasting coffee?

Depending on the beans you use, you should get a very nice tasting coffee! I wouldn't want to try and make more than 2 coffees with an Aeropress though, it may be too watered down. I use a French Press for 3+ cups.

Flibster · 4 Jun 2013 at 10:37

How about a Chemex?
Or A Kalita carafe?
Or even the V60 Carafe?

thewanted · 4 Jun 2013 at 11:51

Flibster said:
How about a Chemex?
Or A Kalita carafe?
Or even the V60 Carafe?

I've never heard of any of these, let alone seen them! I'm really out of the loop for someone who spent £80 on a grinder.

Thanks, I'll check them out

FeFiDoh · 4 Jun 2013 at 14:01

Ordered my Classic today as my vouchers turned up, got it for £138 incl. delivery.

I have the motta brush in basket from cream supplies
58mm tamper from above
a blanking plate from ebay
non pressurized basket from ebay

Where can I get that Puly Caff stuff that I need for the machine? Creamsupplies do Puro Caff is that similar?

Thanks! Can't wait for my machine to turn up

Siliconslave · 4 Jun 2013 at 14:52

FrenchTart said:
@Siliconslave: You have mail

nice one, thanks

Flibster said:
There are several Starbucks stores in the UK that have them. Cost to the store is about $5000

When I first saw them, I really wanted one. Now it's owned by starbucks... Not so much. Wouldn't want to deal with Starbucks for spares. Add to that, they won't sell them to the general public.

id be interested to know which stores, would be interested to try it out sometime. The biggest problem with starbucks owning them is that they'll be used with starbuck's hateful coffee only - such a waste!

haaammit · 4 Jun 2013 at 20:37

Quick descaling question - once every 6 months I wazz a sachet of Puly Caff Baby descaler though my Silvia. Is it safe to add a few drops of food colouring to the mixed up descaler so I can when it has started to come through the group-head and steam wand?

I think this is a good way to ensure both complete saturation and elimination of the descaling mixture from the boiler/group-head/steam wand.

Any thoughts? Cheers

Scam · 4 Jun 2013 at 22:31

thewanted said:
I honestly have no idea. Maybe I should?

I like filter coffee though. If I use the aeropress and then add hot water to increase the volume, will I get **** tasting coffee?

Using the Aeropress with the inverted method gives a filter-esque coffee which is far far superior to any french press. It's a no brainer. The only downside to the Aeropress is that's it's basically impossible to make more than one coffee at a time.

allllec · 5 Jun 2013 at 08:14

FeFiDoh said:
Ordered my Classic today as my vouchers turned up, got it for £138 incl. delivery.

I have the motta brush in basket from cream supplies
58mm tamper from above
a blanking plate from ebay
non pressurized basket from ebay

Where can I get that Puly Caff stuff that I need for the machine? Creamsupplies do Puro Caff is that similar?

Thanks! Can't wait for my machine to turn up

Here Sir

http://www.happydonkey.co.uk/hd0032-puly-caff.html

Kind Regards

Alec

FeFiDoh · 5 Jun 2013 at 13:01

Nice one alllec will order that shortly. Just had an email and text to say DPD will be delivering my gaggia tomorrow woo

Rojin · 5 Jun 2013 at 13:10

Scam said:
Using the Aeropress with the inverted method gives a filter-esque coffee which is far far superior to any french press. It's a no brainer. The only downside to the Aeropress is that's it's basically impossible to make more than one coffee at a time.

I make two out of it all of the time. You won't get any more than that though.

Going to Cali · 5 Jun 2013 at 19:01

FeFiDoh said:
Nice one alllec will order that shortly. Just had an email and text to say DPD will be delivering my gaggia tomorrow woo

Welcome to the club. Make sure you replace the steam wand and I would also recommend adjusting the pressure.

thewanted · 5 Jun 2013 at 21:25

Scam said:
Using the Aeropress with the inverted method gives a filter-esque coffee which is far far superior to any french press. It's a no brainer. The only downside to the Aeropress is that's it's basically impossible to make more than one coffee at a time.

Cheers for the info. I'm on holiday from tomorrow for 11 days, but when I get back I'll start doing some research on all these different methods.