Siliconslave's how to make espresso thread

Hamster said:
I'm having problems with a very bitter/burnt taste from my Aeropress and the El Salvador La Ilusion Bourbon coffee that I got with my grinder from Hasbean along with the Skerton.
I've tried shortening the brew time from 60 seconds to 30 and that reduces the bitterness but it's still there and I'm still unable to taste any of the sweetness and fruit salad that I'm supposed to.
Using 17g per per brew (one cup), tried down to 13g and also using water at around 85C.

I am finding the Aeropress very hard to push down with this coffee so I'm not sure if that's an issue. Any ideas what I can do?
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Grind coarser. Sounds like you are running close to espresso ground in it, which is fine if you are doing it the normal way round, but inverted, coarsen the grind up.
 
Thanks Flibster. Why do you need a coarser grind if the Aeropress is inverted?

Also would be better, inverted with coarser grind or normal way up with my currect grind setting?
 
Hamster said:
Thanks Flibster. Why do you need a coarser grind if the Aeropress is inverted?

Also would be better, inverted with coarser grind or normal way up with my currect grind setting?
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There's very little brew time with the aeropress the intended way round as as soon as you put the plunger in it starts forcing the water throught he coffee, some even drips through before you put the plunger in normally.

Inverting the aeropress allows you to use less pressure and a coarser grind, allows you to get a drink that pretty close to french press if you really grind coarsely and allow it to brew for 3-4 minutes.

Which is better? Both have merits - I pretty much use inverted as I have the time to. When I was in the office I used the original method and dilutes with water afterwards. With inverted I can drink that straight.
 
Thanks again Simon. I've just made a cup the normal way round with the same grin and the coffee definitely tastes better but there's still, yet less of, the offending taste in it. The plunger is still proving very hard to push so I'm going to coarsen the grind and give that a go later.
 
Bleek said:
Here it is - http://www.dualit.com/products/coffee-grinder

Works perfectly well at a entry level price.
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Thanks for that. I'm quite intrigued about the Hario Skerton hand grinder though. so I think I'll go for that with my Aeropress. Now my next question is what beans to buy (probably from Hasbean, only because most people here seem to do so!). This is my first foray into fresh beans, but I'd be looking for a sweet, nutty flavour. Nothing harsh or bitter. Any recommendations along those lines?

Also, would Hasbean be the best place for the Aeropress + Hario Skerton + beans? Just wondering if there were any other stores that might do a bundle or something.. :confused:
 
Hamster said:
Thanks again Simon. I've just made a cup the normal way round with the same grin and the coffee definitely tastes better but there's still, yet less of, the offending taste in it. The plunger is still proving very hard to push so I'm going to coarsen the grind and give that a go later.
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Good good. :)

Ahleckz said:
Flibster, is http://www.thirdfloorespresso.com/ still worth going to? Heading over to Dublin next month, and saw that you recommended that place at the beginning of last year. Quite eager to try 'World class' coffee.
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Colin's place. Yes. Colin is a great chap and 2 4th places at the WBC in 2009 and 2010 shows he knows his coffee.

Scam said:
Thanks for that. I'm quite intrigued about the Hario Skerton hand grinder though. so I think I'll go for that with my Aeropress. Now my next question is what beans to buy (probably from Hasbean, only because most people here seem to do so!). This is my first foray into fresh beans, but I'd be looking for a sweet, nutty flavour. Nothing harsh or bitter. Any recommendations along those lines?

Also, would Hasbean be the best place for the Aeropress + Hario Skerton + beans? Just wondering if there were any other stores that might do a bundle or something.. :confused:
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If you're buying it all together, then Hasbean would be a good bed, or coffeehit if you are going to get beans from elsewhere. Nowhere seems to do a bundle at the moment.
 
Right, argh what a busy week. I'm finally sitting down to order my kit and realised I have no idea what beans to buy :p

I've done some trawling through Hasbean and I think I should start with something Brazilian. I like smooth, chocolatey, nutty, sweet flavours.

I was thinking these to get me going?
http://www.hasbean.co.uk/products/Brazil-Pre%2dBlended-Espresso-Perfetio-2010%2d2011-Crop.html

or perhaps http://www.hasbean.co.uk/products/Brazil-Fazenda-Sol-Nascente-Pulped-Natural.html

What are the pros and cons for blended or non-blended? :confused:
 
Don't know if anyone else has had this problem, but the rubber bit at the end of the plunger on my Aeropress is starting to smell of stale coffee really bad. I'm pretty sure this is affecting the taste of my coffees, though I can't be sure of course.

I would always clean it with soap and hot water right after using the Aeropress, but I guess I've made so many over the past year or so that the smell has soaked into the rubber. I've repeatedly tried to clean it by soaking it in hot soapy water for a day or two, but it still smells.

Anyone got any ideas on how to clean it properly or is it just time for a replacement?
 
manveruppd said:
Don't know if anyone else has had this problem, but the rubber bit at the end of the plunger on my Aeropress is starting to smell of stale coffee really bad. I'm pretty sure this is affecting the taste of my coffees, though I can't be sure of course.

I would always clean it with soap and hot water right after using the Aeropress, but I guess I've made so many over the past year or so that the smell has soaked into the rubber. I've repeatedly tried to clean it by soaking it in hot soapy water for a day or two, but it still smells.

Anyone got any ideas on how to clean it properly or is it just time for a replacement?
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Try immersing it in sterilising fluid overnight. You can get sterilising tablets from the supermarket.
 
Scam said:
Right, argh what a busy week. I'm finally sitting down to order my kit and realised I have no idea what beans to buy :p

I've done some trawling through Hasbean and I think I should start with something Brazilian. I like smooth, chocolatey, nutty, sweet flavours.

I was thinking these to get me going?
http://www.hasbean.co.uk/products/Brazil-Pre%2dBlended-Espresso-Perfetio-2010%2d2011-Crop.html

or perhaps http://www.hasbean.co.uk/products/Brazil-Fazenda-Sol-Nascente-Pulped-Natural.html

What are the pros and cons for blended or non-blended? :confused:
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Single Origin beans tend to have a pure flavour, blends generally are made to tone coffees down and create something more balanced or something with certain characteristics in mind.

Not tried either of those iirc, but there's lots of sweet chocolaty coffee coming in this time of year.

manveruppd said:
Anyone got any ideas on how to clean it properly or is it just time for a replacement?
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You could soak it for a little while in Urnex Cafiza, but as the rubber seals are only a couple of quid, it may well be worth buying a new one.

link
 
I think Flibster's right, not worth bothering with.

I think I'll combine the order with some more filters since I'm running low - anyone found a brand that's better than Aerobie's own?
 
manveruppd said:
I think Flibster's right, not worth bothering with.

I think I'll combine the order with some more filters since I'm running low - anyone found a brand that's better than Aerobie's own?
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try soaking it in hot water with a spoon or two of Bicarbonate of Soda for 30 min, or Puly Caff (if you want i can post you a baggie of some although you might get a knock on the door from the old bill....)
 
My dad, being an I-Tie is a massive fan of Espresso, personally I don't like them that much nor do I find caffeine effects me. As I'm not a connesuer I'm quite happy with my Nespresso machine.
 
BUSH said:
Thanks

Finally got the chance to spend the afternoon playing with the silvia and the hario skerton (my arms are knackered!)

Results are that I've finally cracked the steaming of the milk :D :D :D so i'm very pleased now, but think might need a grinder upgrade now......

i'm looking at upto 250 for a grinder (300 at a stretch) and from reading around i've seen the following:

iberital MC2 (seems highly recommended at entry level, good price)
Mahlkonig Vario (seems highly recommended but right at the tope of my budget, but also complicated (makes me think if it goes wrong it will be expensive!)
Eureka Mignon (less widely used, but seems well respected and I like the small size of it as kitchen space is a tad limited, and seems just about on budget)

thoughts?
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Its worth having a read of the following group review, mostly in your price bracket and makes some good comments

http://www.bellabarista.co.uk/pdf/compactgrinder1closerlookv3.pdf
 
Flibster said:
I'm really enjoying the Coava Disk filter in my aeropress, but requires a bit more care.
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Steel eh? Interesting, but I like having having a paper-filtered coffee sometime in the afternoon. It's cleaner and less oily than espresso, Turkish, or stove-top, it's nice to have a different option so i think I'll stick with paper!

Speaking of, I also need new rubber seals for my stove top, but I think I'll try to find some in a local store cause, don't want to pay £3 shipping on a £7 thing, feels like highway robbery!:D
 
I was wondering if the Iberital MC2 and a variant of a Gaggia Classic are still going strong as I have both to sell. Originally bought in this thread but now made redundant due to lack of space?
 
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