Siliconslave's how to make espresso thread

[JonRGV250]

Love the mac tools setup - very different.

Couple of updates - my good luck with deliveries ran out today. The DF64/83 aluminium dosing cup arrived with a couple of nicks/scratches on one of the sides. It was packaged (I assume) very well from the manufacturer so I don't blame Bella Barista for not spotting, but not sure whether to ignore it, or return. I know these are tools that are going to get dinged up/wear and tear etc. I've emailed them to see what they say. But as it's pretty much identical to the plastic cup and therefore fits the DF54 perfectly in either the rubber sleeve, or the two grooves (which doesn't tend to advertised as such).

Only been able to make one coffee so far. 18g to 36g but came through in 20secs so need a finer grind. And I completely messed up the milk frother controls/heating so that was half cold. Tasted beautifully smooth otherwise. I've been re-organising stuff in the kitchen so hopefully get a chance to make another coffee at some point!

I’ve definitely send it back, I can’t imagine it was particularly cheap.
The rest is just practice and is half the fun.

 

[Raymond Lin]

I would just ask for a replacement cup...

 

[Haggisman]

Did you use a wdt and leveller tool?
Do you have a puck screen?

Yes to WDT
No to leveller (one of the things with the 3 slopes you spin on top?)
Yes I have a couple of puck screens (mesh one and drilled one), but not tried using them yet

 

[JonRGV250]

No to leveller (one of the things with the 3 slopes you spin on top?)

Yes, silly cheap from Ali-X

Yes I have a couple of puck screens (mesh one and drilled one), but not tried using them yet

Do try them, imo they work really well.

 

[Timber]

I’ve definitely send it back, I can’t imagine it was particularly cheap.
The rest is just practice and is half the fun.

I would just ask for a replacement cup...

I've emailed them, see what they come back with. It was £22.something. I couldn't find anyone else in the UK with it, £38 to order from the US.

 

[Haggisman]

Yes, silly cheap from Ali-X

Do try them, imo they work really well.

I'll give one a go tomorrow morning

 

[Timber]

I've emailed them, see what they come back with. It was £22.something. I couldn't find anyone else in the UK with it, £38 to order from the US.

Had to chase Bella Barista just now, they have said that all the metal DF64/83 dosing cups they have in-stock are like this; marked (which I can believe because the thing was so well packaged). They have offered a refund, or 10% off. The latter option is a bit 'naff but I'll probably take it, i.e. it's not the most expensive thing in the world and I don't know if I can be bothered returning it.

With regards to the Gaggia Classic I have a question for any fellow owners; do you notice your drain pipe dump water after every shot?

The very first time I used it I did notice the GC dump water. Since then I've used the slimline water tray from Shades of Cofffee (just a thin, molded plastic tray and you put the stock metal grate on top - caught in one of my photos above), which has a longer metal drain pipe. Yesterday and today I've not see it drain and I don't know if this is a side effect of the longer drain pipe, or something to worry about. I could fit the stock drain pipe again and see what happens.

In terms of my shots, I think I'm getting it. 18g of this particular coffee, K6 grinder set to 37/38 clicks, and I pull 36g in c.30-32 seconds. Shot looks beautiful with that small crema. I've picked up the art of temp surfing I think to get the shots at a nice temperature too. However my steam wand game is awful. I'm struggling and clearly need to watch some guides on Youtube.

I also think one thing I am missing is my larger 'grande' lattes from the Nespresso. And the amount of cleaning up you have to do afterwards, but that's a mindset change to not want to clear everything right away. But I will say this, there is a clear difference in flavours. The GC shots are so rich and smooth.