Siliconslave's how to make espresso thread

Quick question for the coffee machine/espresso experts here....

I've got a Krups coffee machine but have a problem with it. When I tamp down the coffee with very little pressure, the machine makes an espresso fine. If use a decent amount of pressure however, I get no espresso :(. I'm guessing that the machine is faulty and not getting enough pressure to get the water through, but could it be that the coffee is too fine?? I use a Krups burr grinder and I've trying grinding the coffee not on the finest setting.
 
what Krups? XP 4000 / 4020?

if so,yes it seems the grounded coffee is too fine- first time I used my Zassenhaus,I grounded it too fine,and the result is that not a single drop of coffee come out of the filter:)

I´m sorry to inform you that the Krups "burr" grinder is a fake burr grinder,in reality it smashes the beans instead of grinding it....

if it was the GVX2 model,you could read about it,and try to adjust it for espresso,here

http://www.home-barista.com/forums/should-i-get-krups-gvx2-burr-grinder-t4991.html
 
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Bennie-Mac said:
Does anyone else think this legendary thread should be made a sticky? I sure as hell do!
Click to expand...

Very unlikely - although it could make it into the archives. For some strange reason I have the image of Lopez posting "You Knows it!".

Although it's gone relatively quiet.. perhaps people are writing their Santa lists! :D
 
Ive been having a play with my new Gaggia espresso,im getting a decent crema I think....





Im using a Dualit burr grinder, which is set not as fine as I expected,its actually set quite coarse,the above is a 25 sec shot.Does it look about right?

In all honesty, my aerobie gives me just as nice an espresso using Australian Skyberry beans,
 
I'm thinking about getting an espresso machine and want to spend ~£150. Having read some recommendations, would the following be a good combination?

Krups XP4020 Expert Pump Espresso Machine
100402m01ae1.jpg


Details
Height 310mm
Width 245mm
Depth 255mm (excluding filter handle)
Weight 6.2kg
Voltage 220-240V
Power 1200W
Construction Black plastic with brushed stainless steel fascia
Water Tank Capacity 1.2 litres
Removable Water Tank yes
Boiler/Heater Type Thermoblock
Pump Pressure 15 bar
Number Of Group Heads 1
Filter Handle For 1 Or 2 Cups 2 filter baskets (crema enhancing)
Pod Adapter ESE pod filter basket (crema enhancing)
Internal Filter Diameter 51mm
Removable Drip Tray Float indicates when full
Cup Warmer yes
Warranty 2 year manufacturer's warranty






Krups GVX2 Black & Silver Burr Coffee Grinder
150600m01yr7.jpg


Details
Height 260mm
Width 125mm
Depth 160mm
Weight 1.3kg
Voltage 220-240V
Power 110W
Construction Black plastic with brushed stainless steel fascia
Hopper Material Clear plastic
Hopper Capacity 125g
Burr Type Flat burrs
Burr Diameter 40mm
Grinder Adjustment Positions 17
Warranty 1 year manufacturer's warranty


Would I need anything else with these? A tamper perhaps? And would a hand grinder be a better option?
 
ok, following on from my post about my Krups machine not working properly. I took it back to the shop and the very helpful attendant said that it wasn't the first time a Krups machine had been brought back with a similar problem. We decided to return it and pay the extra and get a Gaggia Baby Twin as a replacement :)!!!
Now, after netby's comments, I'll be looking for a new grinder too!!
 
well,I´m happy with my Krups XP4000/10,but I just have it for only a month or so- I think for the price it´s very good ( it costs 130 Euros here,which is very cheap for an espresso machine)- but I read some reviews saying that it lakes some build quality and some reviewers seems they are getting some problems with it,with some saying it have failed after some time of use- well this is a machine made in China :)- but I´m confident with the guarantee they give here,which is a full two years,by the CEE laws of consumers rights ( btw computers have same guarantee here in Portugal :))


The big problem I have with it until now is that the filters baskets are pressurized type,which means they just have only one hole in the centre of the filter( instead of been completely pierced like the normal filters) ,and a piece of plastic on the bottom of the portafilter , which is a trick in order the machine to make a nice "crema" ,but it´s like a kind of false "crema" - so I had a lot of work to find a non -pressurized basket filter who fits that machine,and now I get good results with it

The five M´s for a good coffee

http://www.gallacoffee.co.uk/acatalog/The_Five_Elements_for_Good_Espresso_.html


and another thigh i´d like to say about coffee:
if I use the same fresh grounded coffee beans in my stovetop coffee pot ( Bialletti Moka type) I get a great,tastefully coffee,at least as good as the one I get in the Krups ,only difference is that it do not have the "crema" on top,but the taste is wonderful,so the great secret for a really good cup of coffee,is : coffee beans who have been roasted note more than 3 months ago,then grounding it only in the moment of making the coffee (to keep the most of the freshness and aroma of it) (that´s why you need a grinder)and good quality water (I use bottled spring water) and voillá ,a really great coffee


if I was willing to spend more money in a machine for making a really great espresso( I just use it for one,maximum two espressos a day) I think the Gaggia would be my choice

and of course,a good grinder is a must for that machines- again i bought a Zassenhaus coffee mill because of the price( this is the most affordable option),which is a great mill,who gets you results as good as a 200/300 £ electric mill (only downside is that is manual operated) but again for an espresso or two a day ,not a problem for me ,really.
 
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Incoming :)

Brazil Camocim Organics Ipar
Brazil Camocim Organics Three C's
Brazil Camocim Organics Icatu precoce
Brazil Camocim Organics Bourbon
El Salvador La Ilusion COE No.1
Guatamala COE San Rafael Pacún, Gustavo Pérez

Note these will go straight into deep freeze without being opened with the exception of the COE No.1.

So how have people been going with their machines and beans?
 
My GVX2 is starting to annoy me. The grind is too inconsistent and sometimes the beans don't drop into the grinder meaning I need to shake it whilst running to get beans going through.

What are people recommending? I like the idea of a hand grinder but can't help feel that when I make tiramisu (think lots of espresso) it's going to get tiresome. Any recommendations for good electric grinders around the same price point as the zassenhaus?
 
I am looking to get an electric burr grinder now too, dunno whether i should get a £60 one or go all out and spend £150 on a Gaggia MDF.
 
It's actually quite well respected as a competitor to the Rocky.

The thing to worry about is (a) the burrs themselves and (b) the motor/burr assembly. It may look from the outside the same...

The burr pattern does play a part in the grinding process. Next ensuring that the burrs remain exactly at the right distance from each other and finally that the motor will work at low speed but torquey.
 
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