Siliconslave's how to make espresso thread

Youstolemyname · 15 Jan 2018 at 21:28

So I got the Delonghi 4200S for Christmas. It produces fantastic coffee! Very VERY pleased with it and the simplicity of a bean to cup makes it a doddle to brew an Americano.

Hasbean beans obviously taste wondrous out of it but pains me to say the Lavazza Rosso beans are actually very drinkable from it.

Would definitely recommend as a machine for those looking for something easy to use that produces a very drinkable cup with discernible flavour profiles.

Muska · 15 Jan 2018 at 23:04

Had a bit of a result tonight, after a little trip out I'm now the proud owner of a Rocket Appartamento and a yellow Eurika Mignon. Both under a year old, and the seller gave me plenty of additional things, couple of milk jugs, Motta tamper, knock box, he even filled the hopper with beans for me!

Now I need a set of scales, some time and I have a bottomless portafilters on order to aid me. I also need to decide if I'm keeping the Mignon or the Mazzer grinder, I'm pushing my luck a bit with the wife trying to hold onto both!

Dj_Jestar · 16 Jan 2018 at 00:15

Teh shiny.
From the look of it, the Mignon is better suited to your kitchen

jpaul · 16 Jan 2018 at 12:34

nice - the lever handle on the e61's is asthetic
yes - the clearance to get the grinder hopper and water tank access requires a dedicated piece of kitchen furniture.

Dj_Jestar · 16 Jan 2018 at 14:22

The Mignon is just sexy, too. Less grind retention from Mazzer's, from what I understand.

Muska · 16 Jan 2018 at 15:41

Yes, I have no way around getting to the water tank unfortunately due to the units above but the grinder has a different home where the height is not an issue, I just wanted a shot of it all together

First thoughts on the Mignon, it clumps (not the end of the world) it's also quite a bit noisier than the Mazzer. Plans if keeping the Major are to remove the hopper completely, I've seen people use a £4 rubber lens hood from ebay that fits perfectly and has the added benefit of being compressible to help flush some of the retention out of the shoot. Then I need to decide which direction I mod the doser for single dosing. I might see how the clean sweep mod goes for starters but ideally I'd lose the doser.

The Appartamento is a beautiful bit of kit though, I'm still dialing in my grind a bit although I feel I'm almost there now. My milk frothing needs some work though!

Raymond Lin · 16 Jan 2018 at 20:38

I have to say, Waitrose beans, £6 for a 450g bag, it is quite good. Better than the M&S stuff. Less acidic, smoother.

jpaul · 16 Jan 2018 at 23:49

Raymond Lin said:
I have to say, Waitrose beans, £6 for a 450g bag

The columbian or the fairtrade ? I was surprised, need to post pic, they use the fairtrade in their 'free' coffee machines; I meant to find out what the machines are.
(also saw some stupid parents holding up their children to push the machine buttons - Waitrose will have a big legal action soon, like McDonalds)

Still using Asda Columbian from earlier post.

Raymond Lin · 16 Jan 2018 at 23:58

jpaul said:
The columbian or the fairtrade ? I was surprised, need to post pic, they use the fairtrade in their 'free' coffee machines; I meant to find out what the machines are.
(also saw some stupid parents holding up their children to push the machine buttons - Waitrose will have a big legal action soon, like McDonalds)

Still using Asda Columbian from earlier post.

It's the teal colour bag, larger 450g size.

NickK · 17 Jan 2018 at 08:43

If you want something jazzer like then the MCAP4 doserless is good although like all big machines it will hold some grinds.

jpaul · 17 Jan 2018 at 08:44

that is in the waitrose machines - never had one, but now looking at pic, they don't do espresso anyway - that says something about the demographic of the waitrose shopper

Raymond Lin · 17 Jan 2018 at 12:58

jpaul said:
that is in the waitrose machines - never had one, but now looking at pic, they don't do espresso anyway - that says something about the demographic of the waitrose shopper

Looks to be the same one.

Muska · 17 Jan 2018 at 13:07

Best cup I've knocked out so far, I know I've a long way to go! It's amazed me the difference in taste cup to cup while I've been dialing in the grind/tamp, this one was very enjoyable.

robj20 · 18 Jan 2018 at 06:01

So bean to cup, is it best to just put enough beans in for a day at a time rather than the full bag.

utajoker · 19 Jan 2018 at 16:31

anyone got an tips on brewing in a cafetiere?

I swill with hot water before i brew the coffee, that is about it.

I normally brew for 4-5 mins.

Thanks,

Dj_Jestar · 19 Jan 2018 at 20:09

Best advice I ever got for brewing with a cafetiere was "buy an aeropress"

though chemex better if doing multiple cups in a single brew.

Joking aside: coarse grind, 15mins brewing, stirring briskly every 5mins.

utajoker · 19 Jan 2018 at 21:37

i have an aeropress but its easier to brew for 2 of us with a cafetiere.

I shall try brewing for longer.

Any way to stop the residue at the bottom of the cup?

Dj_Jestar · 19 Jan 2018 at 23:32

Coarse(r) grind. The residue is the "fines" which you'll always get some of, but naturally the finer you grind the more you'll get.

godinman · 20 Jan 2018 at 12:00

I'm looking at getting an espresso machine, I'm either looking at a Delonghi Dedica or a second hand Gaggia Classic.

I know the answer will be the Gaggia however the reason I'm looking at the Dedica is that it's good to go within a couple of minutes rather than 15 making it something I'm likely to actually use in the morning before work.

So my question is, what would the actual difference in my coffee be between the two machines? Bearing in mind I've read a guide on changing from a pressurised basked / portafilter and changing to a steam wand on the Delonghi if that would be an issue.

Muska · 20 Jan 2018 at 12:05

Just a side note to your question, but had you considered a timer plug so it would be fired up and ready before you leave for work?