So over the past few weeks Ive been experiencing some pretty ordinary extractions and its driving me mental. The shot seems to start well with a nice pre-infusion and a slow drip drip (typical ristretto extraction) then it frees right up after about 10ml and runs like a bad cafe shot. I cant seem to get a real depth of colour or flavour in it either. There is no channeling in the puck or worm holes. When knocked out, the basket is wet. This is new for me.
I am using a Simonelli Oscar, a sunbeam 0480, Pullman tamper made by Greg to fit my Synesso basket and I roast regularly (once or twice a week) to ensure freshness.
The Oscar seems to be in the same fantastic condition it always is, and I clean it regularly and always use filtered water. Nothing has changed there.
My grind, dose, tamp technique is the same as Ive used forever. Although lately I have been messing around with it to try and rectify the problem but to no avail.
The weather has been a little up and down recently but its nothing I cant overcome so I dont think that is the problem either.
Sooooooooo unless there is something Im missing, I am pointing the finger at my grinder. Yes it is a few years old and no I havent replaced the burrs. But this is also my reason for posting. New burrs from Sunbeam cost $90 and its still going to be a Sunbeam grinder when Ive replaced them. Is this the way to go? Or is this the time to upgrade? If so, what to?
I cant spend the national debt on one at the moment so do I need to buy second hand or is there something out there brand new for a few hundred that would be a good step up? Rancillio Rocky maybe?
All thoughts would be greatly appreciated, cheers.
I am using a Simonelli Oscar, a sunbeam 0480, Pullman tamper made by Greg to fit my Synesso basket and I roast regularly (once or twice a week) to ensure freshness.
The Oscar seems to be in the same fantastic condition it always is, and I clean it regularly and always use filtered water. Nothing has changed there.
My grind, dose, tamp technique is the same as Ive used forever. Although lately I have been messing around with it to try and rectify the problem but to no avail.
The weather has been a little up and down recently but its nothing I cant overcome so I dont think that is the problem either.
Sooooooooo unless there is something Im missing, I am pointing the finger at my grinder. Yes it is a few years old and no I havent replaced the burrs. But this is also my reason for posting. New burrs from Sunbeam cost $90 and its still going to be a Sunbeam grinder when Ive replaced them. Is this the way to go? Or is this the time to upgrade? If so, what to?
I cant spend the national debt on one at the moment so do I need to buy second hand or is there something out there brand new for a few hundred that would be a good step up? Rancillio Rocky maybe?
All thoughts would be greatly appreciated, cheers.

Obviously time will tell how good it really is but at the moment Im stoked
Comment