Caporegime
If you're near workshop et al you should try black sheep - they were very nice when I worked in the area. They were a nice option for a variety if I got bored of Workshop or Prufrock. 
Siliconslave's how to make espresso thread
- Thread starter Siliconslave
- Start date
If you're near workshop et al you should try black sheep - they were very nice when I worked in the area. They were a nice option for a variety if I got bored of Workshop or Prufrock.
I have meetings all over London pretty frequently so I try and vary where i go, but looks like there's one just by my office, will give it a go next week
scratch that, its not open yet
will have to go on the pending list!
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So I got an aeropress a couple of days ago and was planning on using it this coming weekend. I got some coffee last weekend and have just noticed it's beans and not ground coffee (it was a drinking weekend away...)
So, my last coffee grinder disappeared many years ago, what's a good option for a grinder to get? Preferably safe to clean in the dishwasher, although if it isn't safe it'll still probably end up in there when the missus loads the dishwasher... I have no idea how much these things should cost or what is a sensible option. I assume burrs are better than blades?
So, my last coffee grinder disappeared many years ago, what's a good option for a grinder to get? Preferably safe to clean in the dishwasher, although if it isn't safe it'll still probably end up in there when the missus loads the dishwasher... I have no idea how much these things should cost or what is a sensible option. I assume burrs are better than blades?
Associate
Porlex or Hario hand grinders (both have ceramic burrs) are good value
Man of Honour
You won't be wanting to clean any grinder you buy in the dish washer however.
If it's rinse wash then all the better
For the sake of argument, what is the minimum price for a [edit: good] automatic grinder?
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Man of Honour
Just brush it now and again - no need for water at all You can do more thorough cleans extremely rarely if you like.
Unless things have changed, the cheapest grinder for espresso is the Iberital MC2 (~£140 new andless than £100 secondhand) but with an aeropress you can get good results with a cheaper grinder. Someone else will be able to say for sure but I'd have thought one of the cheap ~£50 burr grinders you can get on Amazon and the like would be good enough.
You can do more thorough cleans extremely rarely if you like.Unless things have changed, the cheapest grinder for espresso is the Iberital MC2 (~£140 new andless than £100 secondhand) but with an aeropress you can get good results with a cheaper grinder. Someone else will be able to say for sure but I'd have thought one of the cheap ~£50 burr grinders you can get on Amazon and the like would be good enough.
Caporegime
Don't get a blade grinder, burr all the way. Hand grinder like the porlex or Hario can be had for sub-£50.
Cheapest leccy burr grinder (that is any cop) is indeed the MC2. Baratza also make some good grinders for less than £200.
Cheapest leccy burr grinder (that is any cop) is indeed the MC2. Baratza also make some good grinders for less than £200.
Soldato
Made my first Aeropress coffee this morning! I got a 5 bag picked for Aeropress sample pack from the York Coffee Emporium in the end. Did in the 'regular' way up, about '3' on the Skerton grinder (does that look fine enough?), stirred a little, plunger in to vacuum seal and stop it dripping, waited a bit to get to like 1.5-2mins, gave it another stir then plunged very slowly. Picked a random one out the five - came out pretty smooth and tasty for a first attempt although I'm sure I can improve...
Caporegime
Enjoy
Caporegime
Gonna try out Rave's Signature blend this week. Have had fudge blend for the last month or so, it is nice
Signature is great (loyal to rave for 2 years bar small indiscretion with Stewarts)
About de-scaling - do others do their porta-filter ?
Both Rancilio and Bazzera pf's have weak chroming inside pf (why is that?)
and the likes of puly-caf do not shift all the residue (I suspect coffee is acidic too) so have started to immerse the pf too in de-scaler.
heard bbc radio prog on milk for baristas considering trying out the white-side.
About de-scaling - do others do their porta-filter ?
Both Rancilio and Bazzera pf's have weak chroming inside pf (why is that?)
and the likes of puly-caf do not shift all the residue (I suspect coffee is acidic too) so have started to immerse the pf too in de-scaler.
heard bbc radio prog on milk for baristas considering trying out the white-side.
It's really worth trying the inverted method. HB have an old video that is still the basis for my brew method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFQsmaopufg
Notes;
- Warm the AP as well as the mug!
- I boil the kettle and leave it to cool for 2mins to get the right* temperature
- I stir for 10secs and brew for 50secs
- Once you've put the lid on (still inverted), push the plunger carefully to expel the extra air
*No idea if that comes out at the right temperature but it tastes good so
Someone pointed me in the direction of this thread on another thread I started
I have posted this in a few places and I'm being told if I'm spending £300-£500 for the machine I might as well buy a really good grinder and something else? Any help appreciated, I love me a good coffee haha
Caporegime
Rancilio Silvia + Rocky grinder package would crap all over either of those, but is marginally more expensive.
If you *must* choose between the two, the Sage is better.
If you *must* choose between the two, the Sage is better.
If you're focused on a bean to cup - Sage Oracle is about as good as it gets.
Grinds and tamps automatically, steams milk automatically and pulls good shots. You can even override the shot and milk auto systems and do it manually, but tbh, it does a damn good job.
Downside... Damn it's pricey.
Grinds and tamps automatically, steams milk automatically and pulls good shots. You can even override the shot and milk auto systems and do it manually, but tbh, it does a damn good job.
Downside... Damn it's pricey.
Caporegime
How would you say it compare to a semi-auto and a bit of practice?
How would you say it compare to a semi-auto and a bit of practice?
It's almost idiot proof. Even my other half made a drinkable coffee on one.
You could always just use the grind and tamp facility and then manually activate and end the rest and steaming the milk, inside it's a modified Sage Dual Boiler which is a damn good little machine.
I'm currently running a Quickmill Andreja E61 and a Santos #1 grinder and I'd take that every time tbh, but that's because I really enjoy the ritual of making a coffee, but it's not for everyone. Plus, it does take quite a bit of practice to get up to the consistency of the Oracle.