Is WDT Right for You? Discussion Thread

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

I am a little stirred from the WDT shaming by some baristas here ;-)

Jeez, alright then! God damnit.... I admit using WDT (opened paperclip) to get a good top-to-bottom distribution in my 22g VST basket. I only use a naked PF and the WDT has made a huge difference in my extractions, which are now 100% free of any channeling. I never wanted to self-critizise my technique too much but rather resorted to blaming the high humidity in tropics and ... a few other things... Yet, I always feel a weird kind of shame and embarrassment when reaching for the clip.

So I need to up my game and aim for a paperclipless distribution? I have promptly ordered Scott Rao's book from JetBlack. It was a tad more expensive than the paper clip but hey, we only live once. (I can't wait to quote passages from the book if I ever end up doing a barista course. I'll be the most pedantic pain-in-the-ass student the instructor has ever met.)

LG (Didn't mean to stir anyone up...)

P.S. I LOVE complexity and will probably continue to secretly stick my paperclip in for a quick stir when nobody's watching...

Do what works for you. For a variety of reasons, I use a toothpick to distribute grinds in the portafilter, then knock down. Works consistently in my set up, might not work for others.

[LauriG]

I am a little stirred from the WDT shaming by some baristas here ;-)

Jeez, alright then! God damnit.... I admit using WDT (opened paperclip) to get a good top-to-bottom distribution in my 22g VST basket. I only use a naked PF and the WDT has made a huge difference in my extractions, which are now 100% free of any channeling. I never wanted to self-critizise my technique too much but rather resorted to blaming the high humidity in tropics and ... a few other things... Yet, I always feel a weird kind of shame and embarrassment when reaching for the clip.

So I need to up my game and aim for a paperclipless distribution? I have promptly ordered Scott Rao's book from JetBlack. It was a tad more expensive than the paper clip but hey, we only live once. (I can't wait to quote passages from the book if I ever end up doing a barista course. I'll be the most pedantic pain-in-the-ass student the instructor has ever met.)

LG (Didn't mean to stir anyone up...)

P.S. I LOVE complexity and will probably continue to secretly stick my paperclip in for a quick stir when nobody's watching...

[flashpixx]

+1 great read, and regular references

[Meggs8]

we’ve all forgotten about books in the age of the internet.

[ATTACH]24083[/ATTACH]

Yes great book. Just finished reading it. So much good info in a small book.

The Professional Barrista's Handbook. Scott Rao

[OCD]

mosquitoes that you saddle and ride,

In Ballarat we've got tiny little ones (all the better to sneak up on you) but the lumps they leave are just as big and just as itchy.

[woodhouse]

we’ve all forgotten about books in the age of the internet.

[Meggs8]

TAFE offer barista training courses.

Off Topic. Grew up in Bairnsdale / Nicholson. Spent waay too much time at the hotel in the late '70's. Was the only place that attracted anything like a band worth watching. Remember the ferry across to Raymond Island (still going?), mosquitoes that you saddle and ride,

Yes off topic - apologies.

Mozzies are still as bad and sandflies have joined the marauders but after traveling around Australia and looking for spots to escape to from Melbourne, I think Paynesville is the best place in Australia. Gippsland lakes are incredible, climate is wonderful and there are one two good eateries. What more could you ask for? More / bettercoffee spots. But yes Yelta, trial and error, the web and CS does get you a long way.

[Yelta]

Do have some sympathy for those who live the country, 4hrs from a big city. 8hr return drive or the expense of a nights accommodation.

Not trying to engage in a pi**ing contest, but, I bought my first espresso Machine whilst living in Andamooka SA, 700 km from the nearest barista.

Learning involved a bit of trial and error, not a big deal though.

[flashpixx]

Do have some sympathy for those who live the country, 4hrs from a big city. 8hr return drive or the expense of a nights accommodation.

TAFE offer barista training courses.

Off Topic. Grew up in Bairnsdale / Nicholson. Spent waay too much time at the hotel in the late '70's. Was the only place that attracted anything like a band worth watching. Remember the ferry across to Raymond Island (still going?), mosquitoes that you saddle and ride,

[Yelta]

No going back to the city for us either.

Mal.

Amen to that.

[Dimal]

Haha...

No going back to the city for us either.

Mal.

[Meggs8]

Well, it is easy...

Once you have necessary knowledge and skills under your belt and if you live in or near a big city, then there is no excuse not to attend a reputable basic barista course.

I learnt from a guy (barista) on my way through Cairns when ever I stopped over for a few days on my way to/from somewhere else. He produced some of the best espresso I had ever experienced and we got to know each other through my frequent visits when, after a while during quiet periods (not many of those), he let me loose on the machine and explained everything that was going on. Those lessons stuck and when I eventually had enough green stuff to buy our first real espresso machine/grinder combo, it didn't take long to apply those lessons to our own setup and enjoy some great coffee, from then on.

Most basic barista courses are not that expensive either and when you consider the significant benefits, it's a wonder these aren't part of every machine/grinder package sold.

Anyway, end of my little rant...

Mal.

Do have some sympathy for those who live the country, 4hrs from a big city. 8hr return drive or the expense of a nights accommodation.

CS is a great help and yes barista courses give you a huge leap forward. Would never go back to the rat race of Melbourne but it would be nice to have the choice of good baristas and the occasional helpful hint. There might be some benefit of living in the city???

No give me space and tranquillity!

[OCD]

Well, it is easy...

Once you have necessary knowledge and skills under your belt...

Just like riding a bike, ice skating, swimming, juggling, etc, etc - easy when you know how.

[Yelta]

And it is pretty simple , if you are capable of basic analytical thinking and have the type of mind that understands the way things work.

[Dimal]

Well, it is easy...

Once you have necessary knowledge and skills under your belt and if you live in or near a big city, then there is no excuse not to attend a reputable basic barista course.

I learnt from a guy (barista) on my way through Cairns when ever I stopped over for a few days on my way to/from somewhere else. He produced some of the best espresso I had ever experienced and we got to know each other through my frequent visits when, after a while during quiet periods (not many of those), he let me loose on the machine and explained everything that was going on. Those lessons stuck and when I eventually had enough green stuff to buy our first real espresso machine/grinder combo, it didn't take long to apply those lessons to our own setup and enjoy some great coffee, from then on.

Most basic barista courses are not that expensive either and when you consider the significant benefits, it's a wonder these aren't part of every machine/grinder package sold.

Anyway, end of my little rant...

Mal.