Basket Change and Comparison

[Semillon Member Find all posts View Profile Close Semillon]

Following the advice of several forum members, I ordered a Synesso ridgeless double basket to replace the standard issue Rancilio double that came with my Silvia.

I had actually nailed down the dosing/tamping process pretty well with the old basket, my process was to grind directly into the portafilter until 3/4 full, tap on the bench twice to settle, finish the grind, tap once and level. The resulting shots were good with a crema of various shades of brown and hazelnut. The dose was approx 18g.

With the depth of the new basket, any settling at all while grinding into the portafilter would mean that there is not enough coffee in the basket at the end to be able to level it off - however without any settling taps the same dose of approx 18g works fine.

With the new basket I am tending to get a fairly monotone, hazelnut coloured crema, is this a bad thing? What dosing/tamping methods are others using with the Synesso basket + Silvia combo? Curious to hear about the dose weight especially.

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

Re: Basket Change and Comparison

I measure the beans in a 1/4 cup measuring cup. Throw them into the grinder.

When I used my Rocky I do exactly what you do.

When I use my La Cimbali with a doser I use the tamper on the front of the doser when the basket is half full. This a very light tamp just to break up clumps and fill the basket more evenly. Then fill the basket till it is just heaped and level off. Then tamp.

I dont use dose weight method. I probably should try, see what difference it makes. Happy with what I do now.

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

Re: Basket Change and Comparison

hey bassway - i have tried your method of chucking in just enough beans for the double im about to pour, but found popcorning to be too problematic, and the shots running too fast when compared to a shot on the same grind setting with 1/4 hopper full o beans.
maybe u have a tamper on top of the beans to stop that?

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

Re: Basket Change and Comparison

hey bassway - i have tried your method of chucking in just enough beans for the double im about to pour, but found popcorning to be too problematic, and the shots running too fast when compared to a shot on the same grind setting with 1/4 hopper full o beans.
maybe u have a tamper on top of the beans to stop that?

Maybe its my grinder - La Cimbali Junior?

No popcorning.

It does have a shutter on the bottom of the hopper. Maybe thats there to stop popcorning. The hopper doesnt lift off. It is screwed in. So it isnt there for empting the hopper.

I havent noticed the difference with it shut or open but I have modded the grinder. I found that grinds and beans got stuck in the top burr carrier.
They could sit there and go rancid.
After cleaning out the amount of beans needed for a shot could vary as some could sit in the carrier.
I might have been getting an unwanted "blend".
If I was to get an unwanted blend the grind settings wouldnt be quite right.
So I got a piece of PVC pipe the same size as the burr opening hole.
I have this horrible habit of finding design problems and fixing before I experiment.

I started the "throw only what you need in" around the same time as getting the Junior. With the Rocky I would pour in what I thought I needed. In the morning I make 2-4 shots. Two for me, two for the wife. then pour back into the bag what I didnt use. But the hopper would only have beans upto a 1/4, usually less.

The other advantage to "throw only what you need in" is that I can have different coffees. One drink might be a Yirgi, then a Sumartra.
I usually have 2-4 bags of roasted ready for drinking. The label I put on the bag will have the variety, roast date and the grinder setting.
I am finding that some varieties/roasts are good for espresso but not that great for lattes and some great for lattes.
My wife is a latte drinker and I generally have an espresso.
Plus when we have visitors and they want a coffee, I can offer them different types. Some people like a strong big body, some like a light fruity type.
Keeps the house happy! ;D