Weighing coffee

[mjoyce]

Hi there,
As a happily experimenting newbie, one thing I want to do is make sure my dose is consistent. I'm using a Macap M2M and VBM Junior HX. Loving them both, but still need a lot of practise.

I've got a Hario scale with 0.1g increments, but am curious as to what methods people like to use to weigh their beans.

Option 1) - keep the grinder bin empty, weigh the beans pre-grind and grind straight to the portafilter. Probably the most accurate method, but a little tedious.

Option 2) - dose into the portafilter and then weight. This doesn't seem to me to be a good idea since the scale is only accurate within 3g at weights above 500g.

Option 3) - grind into another container, weigh this, then tip to the portafilter. This is what I'm doing so far, but it's very messy and I usually end up spilling grinds everywhere.

My ultimate goal is to get to the level where I don't need to weight every single dose, but can grind into the portafilter at a consistent level.

Thoughts anyone?

[bentkalec]

You can quite easily make (or buy) a funnel to transfer the ground coffee into the portafilter. I use a 1.25L bottle with the top and bottom cut so it fits just inside my Silvia basket. The bottle naturally tapers anyway and is a good 5-10cm tall so there is no spillage. Then even out the grinds in basket as per your method, tamp and go. If I wasn't a student again I would buy something shiny and stainless but it works perfectly and no spills!
Ben

[Barry_Duncan]

Hello mjoyce.

I suggest that you experiment to see what gives you good and consistent results.

I haven’t weighed for a while. I measure my beans with a small scoop into the empty grinder. That way I keep them fresh.

I expect that you have access to some great local beans there in Jakarta. Let us know what it is like.

Enjoy your coffee.

Barry

[kopigeek]

Hi Mjoyce. I have the same set up as you. I weigh before I grind and keep my hopper empty. Basically I single dose.

I always pull double shots so about 18grams in the double filter basket.

I've become pretty consistent and only adjust my grinder based on the bean and freshness.

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

My ultimate goal is to get to the level where I don't need to weight every single dose, but can grind into the portafilter at a consistent level.

Thoughts anyone?

While this may give you a consistent level, in my experience the M2M produces more consistent grind size with a full chute and some beans in the hopper. Single dosing allows more 'popcorning'. Whether that impact is detectable to you I can't say.

[MrJack]

I dose and weigh the PF + grinds. With my naked PF, and triple basket, total weight is 412g for an 18g dose.

[gibberblot]

There is an option 4: take the basket out, dose directly into the basket, weigh, and then pop it in the PF. When I'm having struggles getting a good shot I often weigh my dose, and this is the method I use. It is the neatest, fastest, and most accurate way I've tried.

[shortblackman]

Used to use your option 3. Grind retention was an issue.

i cut the base out of a take away short black cup to use as a funnel. Worked perfectly.

now happy owner of an hg1, and weigh beans before grinding. Much easier. (At only 6 times the cost!)

[MrJack]

There is an option 4: take the basket out, dose directly into the basket, weigh, and then pop it in the PF. When I'm having struggles getting a good shot I often weigh my dose, and this is the method I use. It is the neatest, fastest, and most accurate way I've tried.

Then maybe you should try option 2.

[gibberblot]

A double spout portafilter does not fit on to my scales. Even if it did, accuracy of 1g is pretty low for consistent espresso.

[MrJack]

Cut off the spout then

Surely the method is equally inaccurate if weighing the basket without the portafilter.

[burr]

Just my two cents... I single dose beans into the hopper by volume (spare basket) and grind them into the basket with a slight excess. Grinds are then scraped level with a chopstick, tapped flat on a teatowel/edge of bench 2-3 times to settle (too much unevenly distributes them), and tamped. I've weighed it and it seemed to be about a gram over the basket rating, but produces consistent results every time. This is with a 15g VST with naked PF.

I expect that a uniform, level surface won't be achievable without scraping flat - in which case what is the purpose of weighing the grinds?

p.s. my dosing routine has changed many many times, and probably will again

[barri]

(Option 5.) Buy a another set of scales that can read 0.1gm up to a kg. That way you can weigh the group handle, basket and coffee after tamping. Quick easy and no mess. Look on ebay they're very cheap.

[mjoyce]

The scales I have still give 0.1 g readouts with a portafilter in place (which weighs about 560g), but the manual states they are only accurate to +-3 g between 500g and 2000g. I will do some experiments on the weekend to see how precise they are at the 500-600g range. Precision is more important than accuracy. I don't need to compare my dose of coffee against a block of platinum in France, I only need to compare it against the last dose I made. So as long as "my" 14g of coffee is the same as my previous 14g of coffee, I'm set.
Failing this, I think making a funnel and option 3 sounds good.

[Thundergod]

I use option 1.
Currently weighing 18g into an 18g VST basket.

Barry O I shut the hopper gate on my Macap to hopefully reduce popcorning.
Even if that doesn't actually work, I can't see it. ;-)

I also change the weight rather than adjust the grinder.