espresso making mags?

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Originally Posted by rod9301

And i use a distribution tool, the tamping tool has a hard stop, so it's always the same pressure

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Yes, it can be a simple as the shower screen getting just barely gunked up enough to alter the drip pattern of your group head. IMO, this is the single most archaic and inconsistent aspect of espresso machine design and one that I can't believe no one has tried harder to address.

Even the level of torque applied to the shower screen nut has an impact.

There could be other variables in your case, but this is the most common reason that I experience the symptoms you describe.

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FYI: seller for that grinder has 2 reviews on amazon, both 1*, that seller didn't ship.

So its a scam.

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Originally Posted by mntlion

Looking to have 2 grinders, one for reg roast and one for decaf or any unique beans I get.

Home use, llooking for timed doasing, right into portafilter

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I’ve found direct to portafilter to be great in theory but messy in application (hard not to lose material amount of grind particles - sometimes works well other times a disaster). YMMV. Sorry it turned out into a no go regardless.

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Originally Posted by mattig

Yes, it can be a simple as the shower screen getting just barely gunked up enough to alter the drip pattern of your group head. IMO, this is the single most archaic and inconsistent aspect of espresso machine design and one that I can't believe no one has tried harder to address.

Even the level of torque applied to the shower screen nut has an impact.

There could be other variables in your case, but this is the most common reason that I experience the symptoms you describe.

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How do you combat a gunked shower screen? Assuming you don’t mean just surface cleaning. Removal of O ring can be a pita.

Backflush daily. Throw some Cafiza into the blind ~weekly. Just curious if there are other screen specific actions I could be considering.

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Originally Posted by Doremite

I’ve found direct to portafilter to be great in theory but messy in application (hard not to lose material amount of grind particles - sometimes works well other times a disaster). YMMV. Sorry it turned out into a no go regardless.



How do you combat a gunked shower screen? Assuming you don’t mean just surface cleaning. Removal of O ring can be a pita.

Backflush daily. Throw some Cafiza into the blind ~weekly. Just curious if there are other screen specific actions I could be considering.

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That's about it. I use a steel brush while running the pump, backflush religiously, and wipe everything I can reach. I'll also periodically watch the shower pattern just to generally confirm evenness. If I didn't have a direct plumb machine, I probably would just backflush (and of course clean once a month).

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Originally Posted by mattig

That's about it. I use a steel brush while running the pump, backflush religiously, and wipe everything I can reach. I'll also periodically watch the shower pattern just to generally confirm evenness. If I didn't have a direct plumb machine, I probably would just backflush (and of course clean once a month).

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Thanks for giving me another element to obsess over ;)

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Originally Posted by Doremite

I’ve found direct to portafilter to be great in theory but messy in application (hard not to lose material amount of grind particles - sometimes works well other times a disaster). YMMV. Sorry it turned out into a no go regardless.



How do you combat a gunked shower screen? Assuming you don’t mean just surface cleaning. Removal of O ring can be a pita.

Backflush daily. Throw some Cafiza into the blind ~weekly. Just curious if there are other screen specific actions I could be considering.

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https://www.mischiefworkshop.com/pro...raded-version/

that + cafiza

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Originally Posted by mattig

Yes, it can be a simple as the shower screen getting just barely gunked up enough to alter the drip pattern of your group head. IMO, this is the single most archaic and inconsistent aspect of espresso machine design and one that I can't believe no one has tried harder to address.

Even the level of torque applied to the shower screen nut has an impact.

There could be other variables in your case, but this is the most common reason that I experience the symptoms you describe.

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What's the shower screen?

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Originally Posted by rod9301

What's the shower screen?

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It’s the fine mesh screen at the bottom of the group head that disperses water over the puck.

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Originally Posted by rod9301

What's the shower screen?

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The place the coffee comes out with all the little holes.

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Originally Posted by mattig

The place the coffee comes out with all the little holes.

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That’s the filter basket eh?

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Originally Posted by jackattack

That’s the filter basket eh?

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Sorry, I meant the place where the water comes out of the little holes before it hits the coffee.

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Using a puck screen can help dealing with an uneven drip pattern from the shower screen. Also keeps the whole group head cleaner and, at least to my unrefined palate, doesn't seem to affect any of characteristics of the shots I pull.

I've never tried the puck screen. How fiddly is it to clean after each shot? Does it come out caked in grounds, wet or dry?

Mine easily peels off the puck, quick rinse and bobs your uncle. I like it because it drastically decreases amount of cleanup of the shower screen/group head.

This discussion makes me appreciate my Flair 58.


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Originally Posted by doebedoe

Mine easily peels off the puck, quick rinse and bobs your uncle. I like it because it drastically decreases amount of cleanup of the shower screen/group head.

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Well damn. Learn something new everyday. Color me puck screen curious.

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Originally Posted by jackattack

I've never tried the puck screen. How fiddly is it to clean after each shot? Does it come out caked in grounds, wet or dry?

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Originally Posted by Doremite

Well damn. Learn something new everyday. Color me puck screen curious.

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Do it. My experience has been similar to doebedoe's. Drop it on the tamped grounds, pull the shot, tap the portafilter on the edge of whatever you dump your used grounds in, the puck comes out and the screen slides off the puck (messy if your puck is soupy but that isn't supposed to happen), rinse both screen and portafilter, done. The mesh is fine enough that grounds don't go in it and your group head stays very clean.
I think it's worth it.

I’d agree, the puck screen is easy to use. Wash it off and occasionally put it in the dishwasher. It’s totally necessary for the Flair.


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My wife and I are just starting to research a home espresso station since our coffee grinder (Oxo) has shit the bed. We have been using aeropresses for the past decade and are used to the ritual as well as the different outcomes with different techniques. We are looking to pull good shots first and then steaming milk is a secondary concern. What are the decision parameters we should be researching here? How would you build a kit that can grow as your skill and interests change without taking up too much counter space?

What would maggots recommend as a starting set up (espresso machine, grinder, any other accessories) preferably <$1,000? She has been suggesting something like this https://www.kitchenaid.com/counterto...es6551sx.html? but I'm hesitant to get a built in grinder.

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Originally Posted by PNW Lifer

My wife and I are just starting to research a home espresso station since our coffee grinder (Oxo) has shit the bed. We have been using aeropresses for the past decade and are used to the ritual as well as the different outcomes with different techniques. We are looking to pull good shots first and then steaming milk is a secondary concern. What are the decision parameters we should be researching here? How would you build a kit that can grow as your skill and interests change without taking up too much counter space?

What would maggots recommend as a starting set up (espresso machine, grinder, any other accessories) preferably <$1,000? She has been suggesting something like this https://www.kitchenaid.com/counterto...es6551sx.html? but I'm hesitant to get a built in grinder.

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depends

are you willing to hand grind your espresso? if so, $1k is a decent budget

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We aren't opposed to hand grinding, but may be willing to adjust the budget a bit to get an electric grinder. I'm just trying to get a lay of the land to present the different options to her. She always makes fun of me for my gear purchases, so I'm super excited to nerd out on something she will love.

I just bought a bambino not plus and a df54 to start out and have been happy with the results.
I really like how fast the bambino heats up compared to the traditional machines but it is plastic and doesn’t have a lot of controls.
The df54 seems great so far, dials in easy not too messy and reasonable grind speed.
I did a bunch of research and this seems like the best value available. More money can get you more features but does not guarantee a better shot.

I would make sure that you get a really good grinder. The espresso will be good in most machines. And you can always hear up the milk in a microwave and use z little propeller thing to foam it.

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Originally Posted by carlh

I just bought a bambino not plus and a df54 to start out and have been happy with the results.
I really like how fast the bambino heats up compared to the traditional machines but it is plastic and doesn’t have a lot of controls.
The df54 seems great so far, dials in easy not too messy and reasonable grind speed.
I did a bunch of research and this seems like the best value available. More money can get you more features but does not guarantee a better shot.

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Thanks Carl - this looks like a great entry point into the espresso world. Since you are in Seattle, where do you source your beans? We have historically loved Lighthouse Roasters in Fremont but are always interested in trying out something new.

Lighthouse is awesome, probably my favorite local roaster but I’m too lazy to drive across town so we buy the PCC branded dark roast from Tony’s most of the time since it’s a great value.

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Originally Posted by PNW Lifer

Thanks Carl - this looks like a great entry point into the espresso world. Since you are in Seattle, where do you source your beans? We have historically loved Lighthouse Roasters in Fremont but are always interested in trying out something new.

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