Maximum freshness for low volume consumption.

[ezralimm]

This thread applies to people who:
1) Have a ready supply of fresh (<3wk from roast date) coffee.
2) Grind on demand.
3) Does not store beans in the hopper.

The problem is that the grinder tends to build up ground coffee inside the machine. That ground coffee goes stale in under an hour, and if you are only having two coffees a day, your coffee will always have some of this stale grounds falling into the filter basket.

Ive recently figured out a way to have the most consistent and fresh coffee despite only having two shots a day while minimizing the amount of coffee wasted.

Heres the trick:

1) Measuring: Use a filter basket of the same size to scoop beans in to the grinder. Scoop slightly more than you need (a few tries and you will get a feel of this).

2) grind-dose-level-tamp-pour the shot. Drink your coffee.

3) LEAVE the little bit of whole coffee beans in your grinder.

Now the next time you have a shot:

4) Switch on the grinder and whatever comes out, throw it away. The whole beans still in the grinder are alot fresher than the stale ground coffee cought in the burrs. It sort of flushes out all the stale grounds.

5) Repeat 1-4. This ensures a minimal amount of stale coffee goes into each shot.

[Thundergod]

Re: Maximum freshness for low volume consumption.

Close to what Ive been saying for ages.

1) Measure into spare same sized basket (just enough).

2) Brush out grinds caught in chute.

3) Dose-level-tamp-pour the shot. Drink your coffee.

4) Repeat 1 - 3. No stale coffee goes into each shot.

[ezralimm]

Re: Maximum freshness for low volume consumption.

lol awesome.

Im sure that method would work for most grinders.

Im using the budget 4080 grinder so there really is a grinds retention problem. As in, you could not possibly brush the grounds from the last grind out of the grinder unless you open it up. If you brush from the chute, no matter how thorough you are, one simple jerk back and forth and more grounds will come out - meaning there was some left over. Spin the grinder and even more ground coffee from previous grinds will spill out even when the hopper is completely empty.

Hence I find it much easier just to flush with each new shot if the grinder has been left unused for more than a couple of minutes.

[simonsk8r]

Re: Maximum freshness for low volume consumption.

Great advice! I myself measure out my beans, roughly put in 25 grams for the first double-shot, then 20ish grams for the next, then about 15 grams for the next. Isnt too much wastage at all, play around with measuring amounts! Doesnt take long either for those who think its too much fiddling around

[Thundergod]

Re: Maximum freshness for low volume consumption.

lol awesome.

Im sure that method would work for most grinders.

Im using the budget 4080 grinder so there really is a grinds retention problem. As in, you could not possibly brush the grounds from the last grind out of the grinder unless you open it up. If you brush from the chute, no matter how thorough you are, one simple jerk back and forth and more grounds will come out - meaning there was some left over. Spin the grinder and even more ground coffee from previous grinds will spill out even when the hopper is completely empty.

Hence I find it much easier just to flush with each new shot if the grinder has been left unused for more than a couple of minutes.

Fair enough.
I dont think you said what grinder you had.
I recently sold my Sunbeam grinder but had pulled it apart many a time so know exactly what you mean.

[stuartgrant]

Re: Maximum freshness for low volume consumption.

Ezra,

Theres also a trick people use for the Rancilio Rocky grinder where they get a slightly domed (soft-)plastic lid from Tupperware or similar, making sure it fits perfectly onto the grinder hopper, and use it to pump a bit of air through the grinder after every session - apparently it forces all the stuck grounds out quite efficiently. I havent heard this described for any other model of grinder but Im sure its perfectly possible to find the right sized plastic lid.

But your method obviously works, too!
Cheers
Stuart.

[Thundergod]

Re: Maximum freshness for low volume consumption.

I havent heard this described for any other model of grinder but Im sure its perfectly possible to find the right sized plastic lid.

A "click-clack" lid is the usual for a Rocky.
I havent heard of anyone using a Tupperware lid.

As for finding the right size, that might prove harder than you think.
My Macap hopper is between click-clack sizes.

But Ive developed a technique that works almost as well using the original lid if its the right type.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvmTGOuOryA[/media]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvmTGOuOryA

Having sold my Sunbeam I cant remember what its lid looks like; I hadnt used it for quite some time before selling it and dont recall trying this method on it.

See the original thread @ http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1263620858

[lilTanker]

Re: Maximum freshness for low volume consumption.

Ive this attachment on my vacuum thats was never used, not sure what it was for, I think its an attachment to attach something else.. anyway, its perfect, its clean (goes through the dishwasher) I attach that to the end of my vacuum and suck the left over grinds out through the exit bit (damn I cant remember what its called

Its not exactly perfect, but its fast, simple, effective and makes my vacuum smell like coffee hahaha, plus no part of the vacuum comes into contact with the grinder thats dirty..

I know, I know, some people are probably giving me a funny look, but Im a neat/clean freak, plus the whole grinder gets wiped down with rubbing alcohol on a regular basis (like I said Im a clean freak heh)

[simonsk8r]

Re: Maximum freshness for low volume consumption.

I do the same lilTanker (apart from rubbing alcohol on the grinder). Its quick, easy, gets the job done!

[Mono]

Re: Maximum freshness for low volume consumption.

Ive this attachment on my vacuum thats was never used, not sure what it was for, I think its an attachment to attach something else.. anyway, its perfect, its clean (goes through the dishwasher) I attach that to the end of my vacuum and suck the left over grinds out through the exit bit (damn I cant remember what its called

Its not exactly perfect, but its fast, simple, effective and makes my vacuum smell like coffee hahaha, plus no part of the vacuum comes into contact with the grinder thats dirty..

I know, I know, some people are probably giving me a funny look, but Im a neat/clean freak, plus the whole grinder gets wiped down with rubbing alcohol on a regular basis (like I said Im a clean freak heh)

Yep, I was doing the same until the wife complained about the stale coffee smell. Fortunately we also have a ducted vac system so now it gets used...................and presto, no more smell.

Steve

[anuyadav]

Re: Maximum freshness for low volume consumption.

Ezra,

Theres also a trick people use for the Rancilio Rocky grinder where they get a slightly domed (soft-)plastic lid from Tupperware or similar, making sure it fits perfectly onto the grinder hopper, and use it to pump a bit of air through the grinder after every session - apparently it forces all the stuck grounds out quite efficiently. I havent heard this described for any other model of grinder but Im sure its perfectly possible to find the right sized plastic lid.

But your method obviously works, too!
Cheers
Stuart.

yea i use this technique as well. It works just as well with your original hopper lit. Just flick it a few times like in thundergods video and that does the trick.

I do this every time before placing beans for a shot. Works great. :P

[ezralimm]

Re: Maximum freshness for low volume consumption.

Ive this attachment on my vacuum thats was never used, not sure what it was for, I think its an attachment to attach something else.. anyway, its perfect, its clean (goes through the dishwasher) I attach that to the end of my vacuum and suck the left over grinds out through the exit bit (damn I cant remember what its called

Its not exactly perfect, but its fast, simple, effective and makes my vacuum smell like coffee hahaha, plus no part of the vacuum comes into contact with the grinder thats dirty..

I know, I know, some people are probably giving me a funny look, but Im a neat/clean freak, plus the whole grinder gets wiped down with rubbing alcohol on a regular basis (like I said Im a clean freak heh)

OCCCD
Obsessive Compulsive Coffee CLeaning Disorder

Vacuum cleaners? I salute you 8-)

lol/


Erm, ive given the lid flipping method a try. Doesnt really work with the EM0480... or maybe its my technique. Dont know, but for now ill still flush the burrs with beans.