Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

No Stupid Questions Thread

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • No Stupid Questions Thread

    I wanted to create a thread for people who have second thoughts about posting a whole thread to ask a question, or to ask it in another thread. In this thread there will be no judgement or ridicule, just the best answers we have to whatever coffee question you have. Not that there is much of that in the rest of CS, but I know how intimidating it can be to try and join a conversation with the regulars who have been serious hobbyists / coffee professionals for years and years.

    So what are you wondering about?

  • #2
    Oh thank you so much!! Here goes:

    1. For non plumbing options (difficult circumstances with home, but will do it in the future), I’m thinking of using brita maxtra plus limescale filters AND brita aquagusto for my machine (ECM Elektronika). Is that overkill? Or is one enough? If so, which one?

    2. My shot basket has 16g engraved into it. Does this mean it should not have any more than 16g of grounds? Or is it more dependent on distance from grounds to the shower head (~8mm)?

    3. I’ve read descaling should be done by a professional. What’s the difference between that type of descaling, and the type where I put descaling solution into the tank and let it run?

    4. How often should I descale my machine at home, and how often should I bring it to a professional to have it serviced/cleaned?

    5. How often should I back flush my machine?

    That’s all for now, thanks in advance!

    Comment


    • FNQ
      FNQ commented
      Editing a comment
      Hi Jaystea. in regard to your 16 gm basket,- it kind of depends on the basket. Most double baskets can take more ( my 18 regularly takes 20) and so your headspace idea is very valid . If your basket has a ridge line at 16 gms approx then to go above that line introduces a new variable into your tamping - it may or not be problematic - give a couple of different dose sizes a try and use the taste test.-

  • #3
    I’d say once a year to a qualified tech. If your machine is new there are plenty of tutorials online about descaling a home machine safely - especially if it’s a new machine. I’m not a fan of Brita. Check with a local water filter pro or a local CS site sponsor. Use water from the store or even the big jugs of water from Office Works before Brita is my advice.
    Last edited by sprezzatura; 27 June 2020, 12:49 PM.

    Comment


    • #4
      Hmmm...

      That's interesting re: Brita filter systems mate.
      Is the damage related to excess scale accretion, pin-hole corrosion in boilers or something else?

      We moved away from Brita here due to results in the cup, the coffee just wasn't as nice in the cup, compared to a decent 3M system.

      Mal.

      Comment


      • #5
        If not Brita, what would you recommend for in-tank limescale reduction? For reference, I drink a double shot latte daily.
        I'm in the south east suburbs of melbourne where the water hardness is purported to be 12-45ppm.
        Last edited by Jaystea; 27 June 2020, 01:01 PM.

        Comment


        • #6
          Corrosion pinholing, rust (in a V.3 Slayer - all sorts of damage to that Slayer - until we changed filtration), carbon fines in ... everywhere but in the flowmeters of LM was the worst. There are much better alternative systems now.

          Comment


          • #7
            Originally posted by Jaystea View Post
            If not Brita, what would you recommend for in-tank limescale reduction? For reference, I drink a double shot latte daily.
            I'm in the south east suburbs of melbourne where the water hardness is purported to be 12-45ppm.
            Wow! That’s really good - or is it? Maybe too soft. I’ve got horrid water (Brisbane). How about a non-ion exchange, non-heavy scale control filter? Have a look at a Puretec Ultra Z and a gooseneck to your sink and you have good drinking water too. If you really don’t want/can plumb in, something from BWT? They make a jug/filter system. Maybe don’t even worry about it and just use a cheap-o inline, plug in resin cylinder that goes right in the reservoir/tank in the ECM?

            Comment


            • #8
              Originally posted by Jaystea View Post
              If not Brita, what would you recommend for in-tank limescale reduction? For reference, I drink a double shot latte daily.
              I'm in the south east suburbs of melbourne where the water hardness is purported to be 12-45ppm.
              Best thing you can do if you only make one drink a day is cycle water through the boiler(S). Refresh that water and don’t let the minerals build up.

              Comment


              • #9
                I have a question. Mal probably knows this one: What’s the story with Texas and Silver Spur, Queensland? Did Americans settle here?
                Attached Files

                Comment


                • Dimal
                  Dimal commented
                  Editing a comment
                  Wannabe cowboys mate... ;-)

                • Barry O'Speedwagon
                  Barry O'Speedwagon commented
                  Editing a comment
                  As far as I know the Wikipedia explanation is correct (my Nan was born up there). Following a dispute between squatters and earlier settlers, the blokes with more $$$ and guns decided to call it Texas as a joke.

              • #10
                Originally posted by Jaystea View Post
                Oh thank you so much!! Here goes:

                1. For non plumbing options (difficult circumstances with home, but will do it in the future), I’m thinking of using brita maxtra plus limescale filters AND brita aquagusto for my machine (ECM Elektronika). Is that overkill? Or is one enough? If so, which one?
                I've used something like this for a few years, and find it convenient and effective (I'm in Canberra where the water is very soft anyway). You can use a variety of canisters in it.

                https://www.jetblackespresso.com.au/...-water-filter/

                Comment


                • #11
                  I’ve been using under sink 0.5 micron cartridge filters for a few years now, they just sit between the cold tap and the line to your sink. Fresh filtered water, no mods or extra items on the bench. When I was in Canberra one cost about 150 from a fyshwick filter place, highly recommended. Lasted 9months before I moved, as above Canberra water is pretty good.

                  For areas with poor water quality (Darwin!), I recommend a twin cartridge setup, same as above but there is a primary sediment cartridge then a secondary 0.5 micron cartridge. Sediment cartridges are 10 bucks, 0.5 micron around 50. You replace the sediment as soon as water flow starts to reduce, the Fine filter lasts some time on this basis.

                  I also use softeners in the machine to be safe.

                  Comment


                  • #12
                    Originally posted by Jaystea View Post
                    Oh thank you so much!! Here goes:

                    1. For non plumbing options (difficult circumstances with home, but will do it in the future), I’m thinking of using brita maxtra plus limescale filters AND brita aquagusto for my machine (ECM Elektronika). Is that overkill? Or is one enough? If so, which one?

                    2. My shot basket has 16g engraved into it. Does this mean it should not have any more than 16g of grounds? Or is it more dependent on distance from grounds to the shower head (~8mm)?

                    3. I’ve read descaling should be done by a professional. What’s the difference between that type of descaling, and the type where I put descaling solution into the tank and let it run?

                    4. How often should I descale my machine at home, and how often should I bring it to a professional to have it serviced/cleaned?

                    5. How often should I back flush my machine?

                    That’s all for now, thanks in advance!
                    Backflush: So important! So over and under utilised. Here’s how I do a prosumer lever machine:

                    1. Insert backflush disc or blind basket. Machine needs to be hot or detergent won’t dissolve properly.
                    2. Lever up and engage pump count to 8
                    3. Lever down and exhaust. Unclip the portafilter and dump water out of it and lever up, pump on for 3 - 4 seconds right into drip tray. Lever down; Pump off.
                    4. 1/3 scoop of detergent. They all work - I use Pullys or Cafetto EVO. Clip in portafilter. Engage lever to preinfuse but not pump (mid-lever up). Leave it for at least a minute if you’re not in a hurry to get out the door to totally dissolve the detergent.
                    5. Lever up and engage pump for 6-8 count. Then lever down to exhaust. Repeat this 3 times without unclipping.
                    6. Unclip portafilter. Dump out the gak and detergent suds into drip tray or sink.
                    7. Lever up engage pump for 3-4 seconds into drip tray.
                    8. Clip portafilter with clean backflush basket/rubber disc and do at least (see 5) for rinse.
                    9. Unclip portafilter and clean it and blind filter with hot water from tea tap. Dry with microfibre cloth. Reinsert your clean 18g ECM double basket (because you cleaned it in the sink and dried it with a microfibre cloth too).
                    10. Lever up and run water for 3-4 seconds. Dump out drip tray into sink and rinse it. Refill your reservoir. Congratulations, you’re done.

                    Comment


                    • #13
                      Originally posted by sprezzatura View Post

                      Backflush: So important! So over and under utilised. Here’s how I do a prosumer lever machine
                      Good write up, didn't answer his question though. He's also got an Elektronika so no brew lever.

                      Originally posted by Jaystea View Post

                      5. How often should I back flush my machine?
                      I'd recommend water backflush after every session and a chemical backflush once every 3-4 weeks provided the frequent water backflush has been done. There was a big thread on backflushing recently which had a lot of information, search the forum and it should pop up if you want more information.

                      Comment


                      • #14
                        Originally posted by noidle22 View Post

                        Good write up, didn't answer his question though. He's also got an Elektronika so no brew lever.



                        I'd recommend water backflush after every session and a chemical backflush once every 3-4 weeks provided the frequent water backflush has been done. There was a big thread on backflushing recently which had a lot of information, search the forum and it should pop up if you want more information.
                        Jaystea So it is! In that case you will use the continuous pour option (usually button 5 which is default programming volumetrics with a longer press and hold) on the 5 keypad (unless ECM has a ‘smart’ backflush option - some machines do - check the owner’s manual).

                        Comment


                        • #15
                          What is the ideal gap I should leave between the shower screen and coffee puck? Also, My shower screen is concave, should I adjust my dose for the correct gap at the centre and smaller at the edge, or conversely correct at the edge and greater in the centre?

                          Comment

                          Working...
                          X