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  • Wet Puck

    This morning noted a quite wet, almost sloppy pucks.

    99% humidity
    two different bean blends from local roasters in date (within two weeks of roasting)
    both extracted exactly as per recipe for the blend (grind, dosing weight, tamp, water temp, extraction weight)
    pour was *slightly* watery
    taste was a little weak

    The basket was unusually wet when removed from the machine for the first shot

    Is humidity my problem?

    Thanks

    Gordon

  • #2
    Originally posted by flashpixx View Post
    This morning noted a quite wet, almost sloppy pucks.

    99% humidity

    The basket was unusually wet when removed from the machine for the first shot

    Is humidity my problem?

    Gordon
    Probably not Gordon, about the only affect I find humidity has is when grinding, very low humidity sees grinds sticking to grinder surfaces.

    Have you contemplated using an Espresso Parts HQ Filter Baskets? excellent baskets, very easy to use and come to terms with, I certainly don't have a problem with wet pucks.

    Over the years I've tried a couple of the more exotic baskets, have always finished up back using the EP offering, easy to use, not in the least bit finicky and produces excellent espresso.



    I have the 14 to 18 gram, dosed to 18 grams, $20 from Talk Coffee in Northcote, Victoria.

    Comment


    • #3
      Agree, I'm in QLD and don't notice any impacts from humidity in the puck.

      More likely to be the grind, head into Turkish territory and you can get soggy pucks.

      Cheers

      Comment


      • #4
        Ninety nine percent humidity????

        Where are you brewing, outoors in the tropics during a monsoon?

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by Yelta View Post

          Have you contemplated using an Espresso Parts HQ Filter Baskets? excellent baskets, very easy to use and come to terms with, I certainly don't have a problem with wet pucks.
          I haven't, and thanks for the tip. I will get one and give it a try, a small investment for a potentially good return.

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by robusto View Post
            Ninety nine percent humidity????

            Where are you brewing, outoors in the tropics during a monsoon?
            Perth Hills. one of those weather events when hot air is trapped from the day before and mixes with moist air from an approaching front. clears by 8am when the sun burns the clouds away

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by flashpixx View Post
              I haven't, and thanks for the tip. I will get one and give it a try, a small investment for a potentially good return.
              I suspect you will like the result.

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by flashpixx View Post
                This morning noted a quite wet, almost sloppy pucks.

                99% humidity
                two different bean blends from local roasters in date (within two weeks of roasting)
                both extracted exactly as per recipe for the blend (grind, dosing weight, tamp, water temp, extraction weight)
                pour was *slightly* watery
                taste was a little weak

                The basket was unusually wet when removed from the machine for the first shot

                Is humidity my problem?

                Thanks

                Gordon
                Hey Gordon!

                It's possible that you're underdosing a tad bit.. alot of recipes don't take into account your setup and basket size specifically, so you may be going by their dose recommendation but it may be a bit shallow still with whatever basket you're using.

                Just going by wet puck, watery pour, weak taste, it sounds to me you need to up the dose (and consequently a tad bit coarser grind). But you can still stick to the recipe ratio they recommend (eg if it asks you to dose 19g in for 38g out, try 20g in for 40g out within the same time period).

                Experimenting is the fun part, enjoy

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by simonsk8r View Post
                  Hey Gordon!

                  It's possible that you're underdosing a tad bit.. alot of recipes don't take into account your setup and basket size specifically, so you may be going by their dose recommendation but it may be a bit shallow still with whatever basket you're using.

                  Just going by wet puck, watery pour, weak taste, it sounds to me you need to up the dose (and consequently a tad bit coarser grind). But you can still stick to the recipe ratio they recommend (eg if it asks you to dose 19g in for 38g out, try 20g in for 40g out within the same time period).

                  Experimenting is the fun part, enjoy
                  Hi Simon

                  Thanks mate, yes I do enjoy the experimenting.

                  I dose the Pullman 19-22g basket to 22g and aim for 36g out. This is per the recipe

                  I've been playing with my dosing and tamping. After filling the basket I smooth the grind with my finger, lightly tap and tamp.

                  I've eased up on my tamping pressure which doesn't seem to impact on the extraction weight, but has reduced the wetness.

                  I haven't tried running a toothpick through the grinds. I have just received a tiamo dosing cup so I'll see if that improves the distribution in the filter.

                  I reckon if I can get the Pullman basket to work well, then my technique "might" be up to par

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by flashpixx View Post
                    Hi Simon

                    Thanks mate, yes I do enjoy the experimenting.

                    I dose the Pullman 19-22g basket to 22g and aim for 36g out. This is per the recipe

                    I've been playing with my dosing and tamping. After filling the basket I smooth the grind with my finger, lightly tap and tamp.

                    I've eased up on my tamping pressure which doesn't seem to impact on the extraction weight, but has reduced the wetness.

                    I haven't tried running a toothpick through the grinds. I have just received a tiamo dosing cup so I'll see if that improves the distribution in the filter.

                    I reckon if I can get the Pullman basket to work well, then my technique "might" be up to par
                    Ah yep cool, I guess what I meant was that the basket rating (its dosing range eg 19-22g) is a generic guideline and doesn't suit all coffees, it really depends on a few factors, as a darker roasted coffee will take up "more room" in volume compared to a lighter roast. Shower screen depth on your machine too is a consideration, but the coffee itself will take up different amounts of "room" depending on its roast depth.

                    I have a 20g pesado basket, but with my current coffee I'm dosing between 22 and 23 grams, 20g would be far too shallow. So whilst your recipe calls for 22g, for your specific basket it may need a bit more. I'm really not too sure about some basket ranges, if anything it's a rough guide to tweak to suit your circumstance.

                    Just some proverbial food for thought, but great that you're experimenting with your distribution

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Dare I mention the Five Cent Test....

                      Mal.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by flashpixx View Post
                        I've been playing with my dosing and tamping. After filling the basket I smooth the grind with my finger, lightly tap and tamp.

                        I've eased up on my tamping pressure which doesn't seem to impact on the extraction weight, but has reduced the wetness.
                        You could also try adjusting the grind a tad coarser using the original tamp pressure. How does it taste? Maybe use the ratios as a guide and let your taste buds be the final judge?

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by Dimal View Post
                          Dare I mention the Five Cent Test....

                          Mal.
                          This?
                          Grind and tamp, load 5 cent piece... *Lock in...

                          Unlock, remove 5 cent piece..

                          Have a look and what do you see.

                          1: Coin has been embedded in puck - Massive Overdose *: *(Or ya have a bloody big nut from the shower screen pushing down - change it fpo
                          2: No imprint what so ever - Under dose ???
                          3: Slight imprint of the coin in the puck ??

                          Number 3 could be a good place to start pulling shots and inspecting the result.

                          Remember different beans will expand differently and be dependant on the grind and tamp as well.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by simonsk8r View Post
                            Ah yep cool, I guess what I meant was that the basket rating (its dosing range eg 19-22g) is a generic guideline and doesn't suit all coffees, it really depends on a few factors, as a darker roasted coffee will take up "more room" in volume compared to a lighter roast. Shower screen depth on your machine too is a consideration, but the coffee itself will take up different amounts of "room" depending on its roast depth.

                            I have a 20g pesado basket, but with my current coffee I'm dosing between 22 and 23 grams, 20g would be far too shallow. So whilst your recipe calls for 22g, for your specific basket it may need a bit more. I'm really not too sure about some basket ranges, if anything it's a rough guide to tweak to suit your circumstance.

                            Just some proverbial food for thought, but great that you're experimenting with your distribution
                            OK, I get ya! I am likely underdosing based on the 5 cent test. There is not a nut protruding from the shower screen so I "could" load the basket to within 1.5mm of the shower screen?

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by CafeLotta View Post
                              You could also try adjusting the grind a tad coarser using the original tamp pressure. How does it taste? Maybe use the ratios as a guide and let your taste buds be the final judge?
                              I do like the taste, I fear if I load any more in the basket I might find it a bit too strong for my taste. I may need a smaller basket perhaps??

                              Comment

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