Siliconslave's how to make espresso thread

I bought a bag of this while on my way back from my road trip in Yorkshire a couple of weeks ago.

hotnumberscoffee.co.uk

Hot Numbers Coffee Roasters

hotnumberscoffee.co.uk hotnumberscoffee.co.uk

I've drunk it as Espresso with milk & Pourover without milk, I was surprised. I shared the pourover with a couple of other coffee drinkers at work & they liked it too. I think as time goes by this type of Specialty Coffee will become more available due to climate change. I'd be interested to know what others think here.
 
My learning the Gaggia was painful this morning. I think I may be overloading the basket with 18g of this new Tesco coffee (I know - will be improving this soon) and a thin puck screen. Coffee was very slow to progress through and felt like it was being choked. Also not a good idea to steam milk first as this definitely pushes the boiler to higher temperature which then affect the shot if not careful. Also I used the DF54 for the first time and I clearly need to learn what's the right settings for this. My milk frothing is still really bad. I know some of this is learning mistakes and I have a good idea of where it's going wrong, but still a tough morning when all I wanted was a coffee! :(

I've also noticed the GC does noticeably expunge after every shot. Where it is more subtle is if you have not portafilter and just run water through the showerhead. I guess that's because there's less pressure to push the water back?

I also continued my noob coffee journey with the arrival of two more bits; a small cheap shot glass with a pourer notch and an Aeropress Clear. The appeal of trying some filter coffee was too strong. I think equipment wise I'm pretty maxed out now so need to keep the learning up.

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If it’s choking it’s probably too fine a grind. Dial it back a little and try again. To be in the zone it’s usually like fine sugar or salt. If it’s powdery it’s closer to Turkish coffee and if it’s like sand it’s closer to moka pot sort of size etc. This can vary quite a bit though, depending on the beans, roast level, age and also mass/depth, portafilter and puck prep.

I know you’re aware but you won’t get great results from supermarket brand coffee. If buying from the supermarket I found good success with Lavazza Qualita Rossa beans as they were quite easy to dial in and consistent. I also like the blend for everyday as it has a little Robusta in it I think too.

What you call expunging is perfectly normal as others have said and from what I’ve observed the amount and ferocity of expulsion does not necessarily correlate with your technique or quality of espresso produced. So I wouldn’t worry about that. It will give a pop and shoot water most times and should land in your drip tray (although my Shades of Coffee low profile tray and long pipe can splash me from time to time). The 3-way solenoid is designed to work that way. You can get away with cleaning it not that often but maybe once every couple of weeks or month depending on usage via a backflush.

As noted I would steam after espresso.

What basket is it? If it’s an 18g basket and you’re weighing into it that should be ok.
 
alex24 said:
What basket is it? If it’s an 18g basket and you’re weighing into it that should be ok.
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I've mostly been using the stock Gaggia double-shot basket. I've also got this no-name, slightly larger one with the bottomless portafilter I bought from Shades of Coffee. I will try the IMS Baristapro precision 18g one tomorrow. I just haven't got around to using it yet. I weigh the coffee before grinding it, assuming that's enough because both are minimal retention grinders.

I've since found this DF54 grinding chart which actually includes bean roast type and ranges. So that's fairly critical information that the first link I checked missed and hence my mistake. So now armed with this information I can retry the DF54. Given I've been using the Kingrinder K6 for a week, or so longer I've gotten more used to its grinding sizes for Espresso and Moka Pot.

Tried the Aeropress Clear tonight. A bit like the Moka Pot my first attempt was too strong, however I can see potential - so easy to make a cup of coffee on this. I just need to play around with grind size and recipes in the future.

Ty - I've noted the beans suggestion as fall back option.
 
If it's a 18g basket, and you are using a puck screen, I would use like 16-17g of coffee instead.

Also, I would get a blind basket (a basket with no holes), for clearning...also known as back flushing. Using something like Cafiza. Just add like half a tea spoon into the blind basket and lock it into the machine, turn it on. Water will mix with the Cafiza then suck it back up through the internals cleaning it out. Wait a minute or so and let it do the chemical cleaning. unlock the portafilter and then lock it in a few more times and do it again.

Then rinse it out and do it without any Cafiza. Then flush it through. Takes a few minutes and it will help clean the inside.

This stuff is great, if you put like a tea spoon full into a mug, add hot water and put your puck screen into it, and just let it sit. It cleans it really well. Or put a table spoon full into a bowl then put your portafilter into that. No scrubbing, just let it do it's lthing. Its really good at reacting to old coffee stains and remove it. .
 
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Raymond Lin said:
Also, I would get a blind basket (a basket with no holes)
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Already ahead of you on this one! Only reason I got it was because it was £3 so added it to my Shades of Coffee order.

In terms of cleaning, how often are you are you using cafiza to clean?

I've read descaling once is 2-3 months. Depending on use.

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Timber said:
Already ahead of you on this one! Only reason I got it was because it was £3 so added it to my Shades of Coffee order.

In terms of cleaning, how often are you are you using cafiza to clean?

I've read descaling once is 2-3 months. Depending on use.

KNtiL9R.jpg
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It depends how often you use your machine. Since I used to only use it on weekends, it was like once every 2 months!
 
alex24 said:
I know you’re aware but you won’t get great results from supermarket brand coffee. If buying from the supermarket I found good success with Lavazza Qualita Rossa beans as they were quite easy to dial in and consistent. I also like the blend for everyday as it has a little Robusta in it I think too.
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Good suggestion - they're the only "supermarket beans" I found even remotely palatable! (Although having started buying freshly roasted from Hormozi & Wogan's, even going back to those is a bit nasty...)
 
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Basically made my best milk-based coffee yet.

Didn't fancy the process of the espresso machine so ground 15g of coffee, DF54 at 30, inverted in the Aeropress with 90ml (smidge over) of water. Stirring well, left to stand for one minute. Then turned over and plunged through most of the 'hiss'. Added my frothed milk from the Aerocinno 3 (which I measured just about lit up the 65 marker on the Sage milk jug).

And it's really sweet. I know the AP is known for that, but that was beautiful. Some of my Moka Pot results have been really good and I can feel the smoothness on the Gaggia. But this was a great experience. Lovely.
 
After watching some reviews, went traditional AeroPress over any of the variants like Travel or Travel Go plus with tumbler or even the clear.

Arrived at Amazon locker, will pick it up later today. It's been over 10 years since I last had one. Might get a metal filter too so no need to carry paper filters for travel.
 
Timber said:
In terms of cleaning, how often are you are you using cafiza to clean?

I've read descaling once is 2-3 months. Depending on use.
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Backflush after done drinking espresso for the day, which is usually after my second, perhaps third if dialling-in new beans.

Cleaning cycle with Cafiza every week, assuming daily espresso usage, otherwise once every 10-ish days.

Full clean and descale bi-monthly, teardown and seal check bi-yearly.

Make sure you are running your machine on ‘good’ water!
 
glitch said:
Unless things have moved on dramatically, metal filters suck when compared to the paper ones. And come on, it’s not like it would take up much more room to take the good stuff with you.
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Not the official one but there is a 3rd party one that splits the difference between paper and French press. Putting the plunger on then pulling it back a bit to create a negative pressure should hold it enough to stop it dripping.


I haven't ordered it yet, going to wait to see how my grinder fits into the AeroPress and where I can tuck the papers first.
 
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Raymond Lin said:
After watching some reviews, went traditional AeroPress over any of the variants like Travel or Travel Go plus with tumbler or even the clear.

Arrived at Amazon locker, will pick it up later today. It's been over 10 years since I last had one. Might get a metal filter too so no need to carry paper filters for travel.
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Do have a V60 to compare to, just out of interest? Will a V60 be as sweet as a AP? Wasn't going to get a V60 but I'm now wondering.

glitch said:
Backflush after done drinking espresso for the day, which is usually after my second, perhaps third if dialling-in new beans.

Cleaning cycle with Cafiza every week, assuming daily espresso usage, otherwise once every 10-ish days.

Full clean and descale bi-monthly, teardown and seal check bi-yearly.

Make sure you are running your machine on ‘good’ water!
Click to expand...

Ty. Sounds like you a dazily espresso user with 14-18 cups a week? Just so I can put this into context. So if I use my machine say 5 times a week then I could Cafiza it every 3 weeks, maybe?

Sounds like I need to order some Cafiza and descaling solution very soon.

Also for the Full clean and teardown is there an online guide of good reference for this?

We have a Brita water filter and I've been using only water from that so far. Probably made 6 cups since Tuesday.
 
Timber said:
Do have a V60 to compare to, just out of interest? Will a V60 be as sweet as a AP? Wasn't going to get a V60 but I'm now wondering.
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V60 and AeroPress make very different coffee. Worth having both, but you need a grinder that is capable to get the best from V60 as it needs a very different 'particle' profile to your espresso and AP grinds.
Timber said:
Ty. Sounds like you a dazily espresso user with 14-18 cups a week? Just so I can put this into context. So if I use my machine say 5 times a week then I could Cafiza it every 3 weeks, maybe?

Sounds like I need to order some Cafiza and descaling solution very soon.

Also for the Full clean and teardown is there an online guide of good reference for this?

We have a Brita water filter and I've been using only water from that so far. Probably made 6 cups since Tuesday.
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Daily coffee, be that V60 or espresso or a bit of both. I limit myself to 60g of beans per day.

You should backflush after every use, as it gets out any lingering coffee and oils that have crept back inside the machine during brewing. Cafiza and a cleaning cycle should be around fortnightly, in my experience, but YMMV.

Teardown might not be necessary on your machine, but it is on mine (Sage Dual Boiler) as it helps with preventative maintenance and for knowing your way around.

What do you have? Gaggia? Home-Barista is usually the go-to for any nerding out, just watch the regulars on there as they don't get outside much and can come across as extremely snobby/judgemental. Ignore them.

Brita isn't good enough for a coffee machine unless you have soft tap water to start off with as it does very, very little. You ideally want to be using high-quality bottled water (Waitrose Lockhills, Tesco Ashbeck) or get Reverse Osmosis water and delve into the weird and wonderful world of water chemistry and go full nerd.
 
Timber said:
Do have a V60 to compare to, just out of interest? Will a V60 be as sweet as a AP? Wasn't going to get a V60 but I'm now wondering.



Ty. Sounds like you a dazily espresso user with 14-18 cups a week? Just so I can put this into context. So if I use my machine say 5 times a week then I could Cafiza it every 3 weeks, maybe?

Sounds like I need to order some Cafiza and descaling solution very soon.

Also for the Full clean and teardown is there an online guide of good reference for this?

We have a Brita water filter and I've been using only water from that so far. Probably made 6 cups since Tuesday.
Click to expand...

I have all the methods...Moka (somewhere), V60, Hario Switch, Clever dripper, Chemex, AeroPress (given away now bought again), French press, Espresso machine.

They are all very different but Hario Switch makes the most consistent and easiest workflow (from start to. cleaning for me so I use that daily.

p.s. I don't use Brita or bottled water, my tap water is amazing. My kettle is basically lime scale free after 5 years.
 
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glitch said:
V60 and AeroPress make very different coffee. Worth having both, but you need a grinder that is capable to get the best from V60 as it needs a very different 'particle' profile to your espresso and AP grinds.

Daily coffee, be that V60 or espresso or a bit of both. I limit myself to 60g of beans per day.

You should backflush after every use, as it gets out any lingering coffee and oils that have crept back inside the machine during brewing. Cafiza and a cleaning cycle should be around fortnightly, in my experience, but YMMV.

Teardown might not be necessary on your machine, but it is on mine (Sage Dual Boiler) as it helps with preventative maintenance and for knowing your way around.
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Ah OK. I think my two grinders can do pour over (DF54 / Kingrinder K6) amongst other ranges. I was drawn to the AP over V60 as I think the AP is more forgiving with a kettle (currently over have a normal kettle) but also some other comments.

I read somewhere to flush the GC after every shot, which I've done as well as clean the shower screen and use a puck screen. But I add this to my workflow and will order some Cafiza etc.

glitch said:
What do you have? Gaggia? Home-Barista is usually the go-to for any nerding out, just watch the regulars on there as they don't get outside much and can come across as extremely snobby/judgemental. Ignore them.
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Gaggia Classic 2024 E24 Evo Pro. Turned up on Tuesday.

glitch said:
Brita isn't good enough for a coffee machine unless you have soft tap water to start off with as it does very, very little. You ideally want to be using high-quality bottled water (Waitrose Lockhills, Tesco Ashbeck) or get Reverse Osmosis water and delve into the weird and wonderful world of water chemistry and go full nerd.
Click to expand...

Eek. East England / Essex so hard water. I'm not sure bottled water is the way I wanted to go, but will see about that in the workflow.

Raymond Lin said:
I have all the methods...Moka (somewhere), V60, Hario Switch, Clever dripper, Chemex, AeroPress (given away now bought again), French press, Espresso machine.

They are all very different but Hario Switch makes the most consistent and easiest workflow (from start to. cleaning for me so I use that daily.
Click to expand...

Seems to be a bit 50:50 on the AP vs V60 from comments I've read. I guess both are cheap enough I maybe should pick up a V60 at some point. The AP blew me away this morning with that 'sweetness'. The Moka pot is easier and more consistent than the espresso machine, but the Espresso has richer, smoother shots. That's what little I've gathered in my week, or so on these.

Noted on the Switch. Albeit compared to the Moka & Espresso machine the workflow on the AP is childs play. If the V60 / Switch makes that even easier then wow.
 
Sitting in Costa drinking an Americano with Oat Milk (same Alpro barista I have at home). Mine is sweeter, more complex, more interesting drink.
 
Best thread to ask I guess

Looking for an entry level grinder and stuck between the Fellow Opus or the Barratza Encore. Mostly using for Aeropress and French press…
 
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