Minimizing Espresso waste

[Cervelo Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Cervelo]

I find that I throw away a sizeable amount of coffee each time I prepare a couple of cups. How do others minimize the wastage? My Mini Mazzer tends to throw the grounds around when the portafilter is nearly filled due to a possible static buildup. Ive tried slowing down the clicks but that doesnt seem to make a difference.

[TC . Find all posts View Profile Close TC]

Re: Minimizing Espresso waste

I find that I throw away a sizeable amount of coffee each time I prepare a couple of cups.  How do others  minimize the wastage?  My Mini Mazzer tends to throw the grounds around when the portafilter is nearly filled due to a possible static buildup.  Ive tried slowing down the clicks but that doesnt seem to make a difference.

Macap M4D....(and a K10 for when I want to throw some coffee around)  8-)

[flynnaus Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close flynnaus]

Re: Minimizing Espresso waste

Hi

How much wastage are we talking about here? I might lose up to a gram if Im only making one shot but if Im doing more, I will scrape the excess grounds back into the doser for the next shot. The grounds I dont use I store in a plastic tub and use for the priming shot after doing a  detergent backflush.

As for dispensing the grounds, I tend to hold the portafilter handle to the left when thwacking the doser handle as the Mini tends to throw that way. You can try reducing how much is dispensed each thwack by tightening* the nut inside the doser to dose the minimum amount each thwack. Fill about 3/4 full then tap on the bench to settle then add mor. I also rotate the handle to try to distribute the grounds fairly evenly rather than in one pile. Others rattle the handle to achieve the same thing.

Something else you can try is the Weiss distribution technique which means cutting a yoghurt cup to fit inside the basket and low enough to fit under the doser.


* this is from memory so I hope someone corrects me if it is the other way around

[Cervelo Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Cervelo]

Re: Minimizing Espresso waste

I like your idea about using up the grounds. Ive simply been throwing them out and quite a bit since following the >35 second ground rule. I sweep out the mouth of the Mazzer prior to my next shot. I likely throw away a double or triple in grounds from the base of the mazzer and the clearing of the mouth every morning.

[Thundergod Sleep is overrated Find all posts View Profile Close Thundergod]

Re: Minimizing Espresso waste

I havent had any wastage to use for my seasoning shots for a very long time now.

I measure my beans into the basket first then pour them into the grinder.
I get most, if not all, of what I put in, back out by clearing the chute with a paint brush after grinding and giving the grinder another pulse or two to throw the last of the grounds down the chute for one last brush.

If you dont want to measure the beans first, simply change your routine to sweep the mouth of the mazzer before dosing.
Youll need to put less beans in but will no doubt work that out as you go.

[Cervelo Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Cervelo]

Re: Minimizing Espresso waste

Duh. How simple. I tightened up the mazzer doser and yes, tomorrow morning Ill sweep the grounds first.

Thanks

[Thundergod Sleep is overrated Find all posts View Profile Close Thundergod]

Re: Minimizing Espresso waste

Might as well drink them rather than dump them.

[gronk62 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close gronk62]

Re: Minimizing Espresso waste

Im not sure if Im allowed to post links to threads on other coffee websites so please slap me if Ive been naughty


This is the remedy I stumbled across for my messy mazzer http://www.home-barista.com/forums/how-to-tame-messy-mazzer-doser-t6499.html

It works fantastic and I recently made one out of thin aluminium sheet. I had to modify the design slightly to make it fit.

[flynnaus Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close flynnaus]

Re: Minimizing Espresso waste

Ah yes, the Schnozz. I forgot about that. Downloaded the file ages ago but never got around to using it. Thanks for the reminder - Ill definitely give it a try.

[Thundergod Sleep is overrated Find all posts View Profile Close Thundergod]

Re: Minimizing Espresso waste

Theres a whole thread on here somewhere with pics of deflectors that stop the coffee shooting to the left.

In your case gronk if what youve done doesnt hold firmly, you can make up something similar and secure it with those screws on the front of the grinder.

[Cervelo Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Cervelo]

Re: Minimizing Espresso waste

These suggestions are great. Ive already made some changes that have improved the mess. Now if only I could make that "godshot".