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  • #16
    If anything it would normally speed up the flow a bit. Is it just the one time it's changed dramatically over day to the next and now it's pretty consistent day to day, or is it still changing a lot?

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    • #17
      Yeh its still pretty inconsistent. A good grind in the morning might choke the machine at lunch or afternoon and that same grind at the same time the next day might do the same or even be too fast.

      I bumped it up to 2.1grind setting and the machine choked, i put it to 2.15 and it was too fast so i used the same setting and tamped harder and it was fater then the shot before it! This morning i dropped it back to 2.1 (same grind it choked on the day before) and got slightly too fast. Tamped harder the next shot and i got the exact same recipe that i considered near perfect the other day (14.g, 30 sec, 29.5g out), ripper i thought until i tasted it and it was bitter.

      Just weird how it can change so easily, the only thing i can think of is the grinder. If its not grinding consistent on the settings then it is going to keep changing the shots. I am waiting on new burrs so will see if that helps otherwise i may look into the Niche Zero, just dont want to spend the money if the problem is somewhere else. Also have a thermometer sensor coming for the group head that will help me ensure i am getting my temps where they need to be.

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      • #18
        The only thing I can think of is the local temperature and humidity might be changing throughout the day? Either that or there's something in your dosing/distribution technique that's causing channelling sometimes.

        I would suggest you keep your tamping consistent, you want to minimise variables. Once the tamp has a bit of pressure tamping harder only affects how long it takes the first drop to appear. From that point on the shot will be very much the same. If you want a way to get consistent tamp pressure check this video out: https://youtu.be/SnieoHAGlds

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        • #19
          Good video!, will check out their otherones but looks as if i have picked up some bad habits, mostly from other vids where they mention one way to increase or decrease brew time is to tamp harder or softer but will try to keep that consistant from now on.

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          • #20
            I'm a newbie, worthy1, so may be way off beam.... There are so many variables and getting the Group Head thermometer will help manage one of those.

            Before giving up on your grinder I would consider getting a naked (bottomless) portafilter. It seems more likely that you have channeling occurring and may be grinding too fine. The evidence for that is that you are getting 1:1 extraction rates and 1:2 at other times from the same tamp/bean/grind. Spouted PFs hide channeling and that is where you get under-extraction and the most disappointment. I can't, for the life of me, get an even tamp so have resorted to a distribution tool and follow this up with a Decent V2 tamp. That has improved the consistency of my draws and reduced, but not eliminated channeling. (my efforts at WDT just seem to make the situation worse with my 18gm VST basket)

            Keep in mind that a 6 year machine, being sold off, might actually have a fault and need servicing. I think one of the site sponsors may be a service agent.

            Re grinder: I have a Sette 270Wi with latest firmware etc and the hopper can hold 200gm. However, I was finding that as the days went by, I was having to regularly adjust the grind. I am now finding I get much better consistency with measuring out what I am going to use that day. [typically 3 x 18gm] This leaves me favouring the NZ, were I to start again. (or the Eureka Mignon Specialita 55mm Flat Burr).

            Finally, I had much more satisfaction when going with more flexibility with the recipe. eg experiment with a range to suit the beans and your taste but only change one variable at a time. eg 18gm, 26s - 29s, 40gm - 60gm out and see. Try stick with the same bean/roast until you are satisfied you have mastered the issue.

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            • #21
              Jackster has a naked portafilter for sale that should fit your machine. Very handy things to have.

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              • #22
                Originally posted by level3ninja View Post
                Jackster has a naked portafilter for sale that should fit your machine. Very handy things to have.
                Thanks for keeping me in mind. I do actually have a naked which i use and yes i notice channeling. I just havent been able to do anything about it as the doses seem to be below the rim when dosing to specs cant level it with a finger or even a stockfleths move when its under the rim. I am waiting for distribution tool which will hopefully help with that part.

                I think its a combo of temps, even distribution and grind settings. I have just replaced the burrs and now it grinds to almost dust with bad clumps up to a point. When it finally goes a tad coarse it seems to coarse. Just seems no middle ground.

                Also i managed to score a near new Isomac dual boiler PID and its temps are now super consistent, just need to nail the other two areas now.

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                • #23
                  worthy1, I used to have a Macap M2M. Actually, I still have it but it no longer goes. I never found it to be a very consistent grinder, so actually I was rather glad when it died and gave me an excuse to get a new one. I now have a Eureka Silenzio and am happy as a pig in mud.The Eureka doesn't keep much of the grind in the spout, only 2 or 3 grams. Also it is very quiet, so spares the rest of the household when I get up at 5.15. And I have not needed to adjust the grind at all for most of the coffee I roast, although I have had a problem with Yemen Mocha Ismaili. I get round that by grinding the Yemen in the hand grinder, so I don't have to fiddle with settings on the Eureka. (I usually restrict myself to one Yemen a day.)

                  My advice would be to bite the bullet and upgrade your grinder, funds permitting.

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                  • #24
                    Originally posted by worthy1 View Post
                    Thanks for keeping me in mind. I do actually have a naked which i use and yes i notice channeling. I just havent been able to do anything about it as the doses seem to be below the rim when dosing to specs cant level it with a finger or even a stockfleths move when its under the rim. I am waiting for distribution tool which will hopefully help with that part.
                    The Purger palm tap method and/or WDT should solve that. Stockfleth has not been advised in several years.

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                    • #25
                      Originally posted by level3ninja View Post

                      The Purger palm tap method and/or WDT should solve that. Stockfleth has not been advised in several years.
                      Yes wasnt so much the distribution style it is more that because the grinds are so low i cant do any type of distribution. I do WDT and try to distribute as even as i can with that method but definitely not as even as when i see people use their finger. I guess i dont get how people have such a big pile in the basket where they can do it that way when mine is so under. Even with an updose of 1g it is still under (19g in 18g VST, 15g in 14g ep etc)

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                      • #26
                        Originally posted by AlexHeyworth View Post
                        worthy1, I used to have a Macap M2M. Actually, I still have it but it no longer goes. I never found it to be a very consistent grinder, so actually I was rather glad when it died and gave me an excuse to get a new one. I now have a Eureka Silenzio and am happy as a pig in mud.The Eureka doesn't keep much of the grind in the spout, only 2 or 3 grams. Also it is very quiet, so spares the rest of the household when I get up at 5.15. And I have not needed to adjust the grind at all for most of the coffee I roast, although I have had a problem with Yemen Mocha Ismaili. I get round that by grinding the Yemen in the hand grinder, so I don't have to fiddle with settings on the Eureka. (I usually restrict myself to one Yemen a day.)

                        My advice would be to bite the bullet and upgrade your grinder, funds permitting.
                        Thanks, yes i think it has a lot to do with it. I am enjoying having a hopper as i use to single dose but i do like the Niche Zero and might go back to single dosing and bite the bullet on that one.

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                        • #27
                          Originally posted by worthy1 View Post

                          Yes wasnt so much the distribution style it is more that because the grinds are so low i cant do any type of distribution. I do WDT and try to distribute as even as i can with that method but definitely not as even as when i see people use their finger. I guess i dont get how people have such a big pile in the basket where they can do it that way when mine is so under. Even with an updose of 1g it is still under (19g in 18g VST, 15g in 14g ep etc)
                          With this method? https://www.baristahustle.com/blog/h...te-by-tapping/

                          It took me a good couple of weeks before I saw any improvement but it's now my daily routine. I would caution you against don't too much to the coffee, you need to follow the advice on that link fully, make sure you're only using a half dozen taps at most etc.

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                          • #28
                            I do similar. As I have the funnel from the lido it dumps all in the middle. I use 3 vertical taps as I pour in the grinds. That takes it lower than the lip of the basket. Then I spread it to the edges with a finger. This makes a slight hollow in the middle. Then a half tamp and a tap on the side with the tamper to knock the grinds off the side of the basket.
                            then a full tamp and a spin on the way out.

                            Probably too fiddly for a cafe, but works for me. I think the slight hollow encourages a central flow out the naked pf.
                            Also currently using a trimmed aeropress filter top and bottom. Definitely less gritty at bottom of cup.

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                            • #29
                              if you can get your hands on one, grab a ek dosing funnel (less that 20 from coffee parts i believe) , the one that kinda looks like a bowl and dump the grinds into that if you are dosing cup, it makes it alot easier to be consistent, speaking from cafe experience.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8A4hIJmSZE&t=25s heres an example!, i do work there but i am in no way promoting them, but i can a test to the consistency of distribution that dosing method gives. there is really no need to touch the grinds, but there are many different ways of distribution this is simply my preferred way

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                              • #30
                                All good, my new burrs have settled in and i am now getting consistent shot after shot. Have adjusted a few things with some of the info on here but replacing the burrs really helped. I am still going to get a Niche Zero as i want to reduce waste and switch between beans easy (Decaf at night).

                                Thanks to everyone for their help

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