Siliconslave's how to make espresso thread

you can just ignore any whirlpool as the steamwand that comes as default or turbu frother whatever they call it injects air into the milk and the outcome will be the same no matter what technique you use.

Just make sure its not spraying out water , I usually stick it in an empty come for 10seconds or so until all the watery steam is gone.

also if your machine came with the pressurised basket your grind/tamper wont make any difference to the flavour of your espresso shot.


Get a non pressurised basket asap
 
Its not a pressurized basket.

The steam want i think has a air hole tho not 100% sure its just when i blew in the plastic bit that is removable and blocked the end off air was getting out.

I was under the impression that most ppl that do the steam wand stuff put the steam on full blast, this seems to make the milk just bubble like mad even more imo. Maybe im either using too much milk, about 250ml i think in my pyrex jug (suppose i should have check how much i should use lol), before tho it was half a mug in a mug which i thought ok well it doubles so ill have a full mug of textured milk. Tho i think its like 1/3rd of the capacity of whatever ur using is what is needed not 50% full when frothing.

Still 2nd cup came out nice imo. Might try just an espresso tomorrow tho i did take a pic of what it came out like. Not sure how much pressure i do when i tamp as its in the air and against my hand but it felt compacted well enough to me.

Oh and yeah i know the trick about ejecting water from the wand first, i did that both times before i started the frothing.

Pics.

<- stupid over bubbly frothing attempt
<- shot of espresso lavazza pre ground espresso coffee (timed to 27 sec using mobile from switch on to make (start of noisy bit)
< - The cuppa. Which despite the milk fails, still tastes really nice.
 
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Looks like you could wash the car with that amount of foam :p

I don't know anything about your Cookworks machine but try starting off steaming with the wand further down in the milk and as you start steaming, slowly lower the jug until the tip is near the surface and you get the 'ripping' sound now and again. If you have the wand tip too near the surface, you get large bubbles which isn't really what you want to aim for. As you do this the milk is stretching so the level of milk rises in the jug. When you start to feel the jug getting slightly warm, lower the tip into the milk to try and create a vortex. This stage incorporates the microfoam you created into the milk and also heats it up. Stop when you get to 65C.

Make sure you clean and purge the steam wand after you've finished steaming otherwise you'll end up siphoning milk back into the boiler and that's not good at all!!

Have a look on youtube. There are loads of videos on texturing milk and creating microfoam. I'm guessing you're not going to get incredible results if you've got a panarello type of wand but you can get more acceptable milk. Also see if you can find a cheap milk pitcher. It's unlikely you'll be able to get a good spin on a large pyrex jug like that.

It takes a hell of a lot of practise to create good microfoam!! If you don't want to waste your milk whilst practising, use water instead of milk and add one drop of washing up liquid. You'll also be able to see a little better what's happening to the liquid in the jug when you're steaming.

Good luck!! :)
 
slowly lower the jug until the tip is near the surface and you get the 'ripping' sound now and again
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You don't get the ripping some with a turbo frother because they inject air into the milk and not just pure steam.

you get the same microfoam whether the tip is almost touching the bottom of the jug or whether its near the surface.

Oh and yeah i know the trick about ejecting water from the wand first,
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but when it looks like steam its still wet steam mostly which leads to watery milk.

You need dry steam put the frother in an empty cup and turn it on with just the steam coming out if the mug starts to fill with water the steam is to wet
 
arknor said:
You don't get the ripping some with a turbo frother because they inject air into the milk and not just pure steam.

you get the same microfoam whether the tip is almost touching the bottom of the jug or whether its near the surface.t
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I'm not really sure what his steam wand is like but it may be possible to get slightly better results if the air hole could be blocked.
 
Took the plastic knob off the steamer and the milk was a lot better tho ive noticed i start bubbling even this way if i use full power on the steamer so i try to do about 50% or 40% and it works better this way. Maybe its running out of steam and just injecting air thats why i get the massive bubbles overflow going on. But i did find the milk thicker and less bubbly with the plastic off the wand tho so i might just keep it off.

Some pics of the wand incase anyone wanted a look, with the plastic off and on, when plastics off the bottom nozzle thing can unscrew btw.

Thought id show the baskets and stuff too tho not sure if anyones fussed about seeing em but including em just on off chance.



 
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My personal tip would be go into a Costa coffee when they're not busy, buy a cappuccino and ask them to show you how they froth the milk. At least that way you'll be shown first hand :)

I used to work for Costa when I was at uni and I recall showing a few customers how it was done.
 
as reccomended i ordered the espresso starter pack and some oporapa from Hasbean, ive also just taken delivery of a new better fitting 58mm tamper and ordered a new (12oz) milk jug and temptag

i think ill be best trying each one over the next few day then putting the rest in the freezer and using one at a time.

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Hey guys need some advice: HasBean has stopped selling paper filters for the Hario vac pot, and the only other place I've been able to find them is espresso-products.co.uk, who unfortunately charge way too much for shipping! Anyone got an alternative source I could get them from?
 
Just thought I would post to say I got a aeropress, a porlex and some beans. Totally amazing and really worthwhile. Brilliant cup of coffee and anyone considering what they need to 'get started' in coffee should just go out and buy it right now. (or stay in and order on the internet, as i did)
 
whitecrook said:
Just thought I would post to say I got a aeropress, a porlex and some beans. Totally amazing and really worthwhile. Brilliant cup of coffee and anyone considering what they need to 'get started' in coffee should just go out and buy it right now. (or stay in and order on the internet, as i did)
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Can't think of a better starting point!! Hope you're enjoying your coffee :)
 
Walter Sobchak said:
So what's this Harris and Hoole coffee shop like then?
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I heard the hipsters are boycotting it because its not a family run independant chain like they though, It's actually a tesco venture :D

The hipsters probably went to costa or starbucks instead so I'd imagine Harris and Hoole is an awesome place to avoid douche bags whilst enjoying a nice coffee
 
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