How to get the grind right for a Ponte Vecchio machine?

[3rutu5]

How to get the grind right for a Ponte Vecchio machine? I've got a Ponte Vechhio Export on the way and know that getting the correct grind is key. Is there anyone out there with the Export or Lusso with some advice for a Lever Rookie?

I also need to look at getting a entry level grinder and i hear that the Sunbeams/brevilles around the 150-250 buck mark arent really that good espressos.....so thinking of the isomac or rancilios

[noidle22]

The Breville Smart Grinder and Sunbeam EM0480/EM0500/EM0700 are all very capable of grinding for espresso.

However, side by side with a higher end conical burr grinder or flat burr grinder, there is a difference. The higher end grinders will give you a better result in the cup.

Another thing to note, the Breville/Sunbeam may last 3-5 years. A quality grinder, eg. Macap, Compak, Mazzer etc. will last for much much longer.

Site sponsor Talk Coffee did a good writeup of grinders: Buying guide- coffee grinders | Talk Coffee

[flynnaus]

Obtaining the correct grind is more about the grinder setting and the beans you use than the espresso machine. The rest is trial and error. I would be aiming higher than entry-level. If you are considering a Rocky or isomac, you may as well extend to a Compak K3 which has the reputation of the best value for money grinder around.

[3rutu5]

My wife actually brought me home a gift today, which was a Breville BCG600, which wasnt what i was wanting.....but.....will do in the meantime, whist i save up some coin for one around the 500-700 buck range like suggested. Lets see how much coffee i waste getting the grind right on my first lever machine...

[speleomike]

Hiya

I have a Macap grinder for my PV but I have found that for the PV and my LaPav less pressure on the tamping is better. I set the grid the same but just push down with two fingers lightly. Also have a manual grinder (cheap one with the wooden box underneath) and it goes fine, again just use less force in tamping.

Mike

[3rutu5]

Hiya

I have a Macap grinder for my PV but I have found that for the PV and my LaPav less pressure on the tamping is better. I set the grid the same but just push down with two fingers lightly. Also have a manual grinder (cheap one with the wooden box underneath) and it goes fine, again just use less force in tamping.

Mike

Cheers Mike, this may sound like a bit of a silly question, but when it comes to these machines is it a fine grind? This is my first real machine (had a delongi and crap breville around 10 years ago) as I generally for the past 18 years use one of a few stove top percolators and too be honest just walk into my local roaster once every few weeks and ask for "a kg ground for a stove top"

[speleomike]

Hi

Its the same fineness as for nearly all espresso machines - thats finer than for french press - but coarser than turkish coffee.

The roaster also might you an espresso grind when you ask for stove top - he may not adjust it for stove top at all. My stove top works fine on espresso ground size. Just say this time grind for espresso machine.

Next time your in a cafe have a small container along and just ask the barista to give you a dose of ground beans. They will have lots of grounds around the base of the grinder that they can give you. That then is your starting off point as well.

Feel the grinds you have bought between the tips of your fingers, roll them around with your eyes closed. Feel them. Then adjust your grinder to give you the same grind.

Mike

[3rutu5]

just was doing some googling on grind types per application....i had no idea that a stovetop and esspresso were both fine and similar...