When friends drop over!

[barri]

I posted in another thread how I have changed from making singles in a single basket to double ristrettos and as Maxwell Smart used to say.... "and loving it". However, when friends drop over I have lost efficiency. When one friend drops in I simply make them a double ristretto which is already dialled in but when 2 friends drop in do I make two separate singles as I now have or alter the grind, which is annoying, and do a split double? Also another friend dropped in wanting a double cappuccino which I would have normally done by a split single (60mls) in the one glass.

Previously I use to make singles (12gms) for me and using the same grind I could make a split double for two friends or a double cap as mentioned above. Now that I'm making double ristrettos 90% of the time for one person, which means a finer grind, I have lost the ability to quickly switch to another drink unless I alter the grind.

How do other people handle this?

[kopigeek]

I posted in another thread how I have changed from making singles in a single basket to double ristrettos and as Maxwell Smart used to say.... "and loving it". However, when friends drop over I have lost efficiency. When one friend drops in I simply make them a double ristretto which is already dialled in but when 2 friends drop in do I make two separate singles as I now have or alter the grind, which is annoying, and do a split double? Also another friend dropped in wanting a double cappuccino which I would have normally done by a split single (60mls) in the one glass.

Previously I use to make singles (12gms) for me and using the same grind I could make a split double for two friends or a double cap as mentioned above. Now that I'm making double ristrettos 90% of the time for one person, which means a finer grind, I have lost the ability to quickly switch to another drink unless I alter the grind.

How do other people handle this?

Two grinders? maybe invest in a hand grinder for the odd people who order a non-ristretto and leave your main electric grinder dialled in for ristrettos.

[EspressoAdventurer]

I just simply record my grind settings for single ( 9-10g and yes you can get a great shot from the right single basket / grind / etc) or dble basket.
A HQ 14g and synesso 7 g single work well together with very similar grind settings.

Can I suggest you mark the collar on your grinder with a white out pen ( small dot for single, two for... etc) .
This is easily removed / reset for diff beans / roasts etc.

Also the reason why it's good to know your dosing level / weight to suit your basket / machine combination(s).
I then only dose the amount I require for each shot into my grinder.
You can make one grinder work for you - just requires some thought / effort to suit your needs.
I rate my grinder more on its adjustability / repeatability than grind speed.

Good luck hope this helps

[DesigningByCoffee]

Make everything with a double basket / double spout and:

• into one cup for a double
• into 2 cups for two singles
• into two cups for a single … and you drink the extra one! Easy!

No grind alts involved

To clarify - I normally make 2x 160ml flat whites using split doubles - if there is one extra to make I'll do the above and down the extra shot or make a short double f/w in a 240ml 'cafe cup'…

Cheers Matt

[barri]

Thanks for the replies. Esspressoadventurer, that sounds workable. I have a good grinder (Macap M4D) and it is easy to note down the grind setting for each drink. Matt, your way is also workable but I'd lose my double ristrettos (30mls in 30sec from the double basket) which I'm now enjoying as my default drink.

I can't have my cake and eat it. I think I'll have to alter the grind which isn't that often.

[DesigningByCoffee]

Matt, your way is also workable but I'd lose my double ristrettos (30mls in 30sec from the double basket) which I'm now enjoying as my default drink.

Hi Barri
No - just two spouts pouring into the one cup - I did this for 5 years before getting my naked p/f

[barri]

Matt, doesn't your way mean dial in 60mls in 30 seconds into two singles or 60 mls into one cup for a double and ditch one of the singles if I'm making a cup just for me. A true ristretto is 30mls in 30 seconds but the alternative is not a true ristretto, that is, cut the shot short for 30mls into the one cup from the double spout. I know its the easier way of doing "ristrettos" but I find they don't have the same intense flavour as a true ristretto but is a viable alternative.

[DesigningByCoffee]

Hmmmm … got me thinking …
My double ristrettos from a double / triple basket have always been about 40ml, taking anywhere between 40secs and 1.5mins (depending on the grind - the conical and my lighter roasts let me get away with this) though I've never timed them exactly.
Then I suppose I split one of these in half (25ml-ish) if I want two singles - pour a fraction more if I want a bit more volume. Never worried about having two different techniques for espresso and ristretto - too much fiddle for me. Purists might baulk at my sloppy numbers - I just drink what I like!
And they're plenty strong and rich…

[barri]

That makes sense. It definitely is more efficient than altering the grind. Maybe I am being a little too puritanical. OK time to experiment tomorrow.

Pity as I've only just discovered these intense ristrettos

[blend52]

What it so difficult about adjusting the grind ?
you know the setting for your ristretto, so all you need is to establish another set point for regular espresso.
.....or settle for a less than ideal shot ?

[barri]

Fair point but I have to dial in twice for every new bean and ageing beans and I hate wasting beans. Anyway once I get into a routine it should get easier to switch grinds.

[barri]

Quick follow up. I have now dialled in singles, doubles and double ristrettos. I keep a log of the timer settings and grind on my macap m4d for each drink. Going from singles to doubles go one notch finer, doubles to double ristrettos go just under a notch finer. Easy peesy!! Interestingly in order of enjoyment, 1 Double ristretto 2 Singles 3 Split double.