Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Please help newbie with Silvia

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

  • Please help newbie with Silvia

    Gday all

    Im looking for a bit of help with my Silvia. To do that Ill describe my process for making espresso:

    I weigh 19.2g (or there abouts!) of coffee (currently Di Bartoli Signature blend) and then grind it on setting 3 of my Rocky.

    I then weigh it to make sure there are no beans left in the grinder and then remove the clumps. I then put all of this into my Synesso double basket and tamp all of it inside my basket. I use an Espro tamper so there is no difference with my tamp.

    Once I have tamped I chuck it on the machine and start my PID (from the other provider with pre-infusion). From this I get 60 - 80ml of espresso with early blonding, but generally good colour.

    I then leave the portafilter in the machine whilst I froth milk and when I remove it the puck is always wet (but it has the dimple mark from the screw).

    What I am worried about is that I am grinding at far too fine a level and I am using too much coffee per double. Is it possible my machines pressure is set too high?

    Any help or tips would be greatly appreciated.

    Cheers

    James

  • #2
    Re: Please help newbie with Silvia

    Originally posted by 5F4E554848594E565B3C0 link=1237100283/0#0 date=1237100283
    From this I get 60 - 80ml of espresso with early blonding, but generally good colour.

    Whhhaaaaattttt... 80 ml = Over extracted in my books.... Like cooked...

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Please help newbie with Silvia

      Originally posted by 6C434A485F604C434C4A48404843592D0 link=1237100283/1#1 date=1237102833
      Originally posted by 5F4E554848594E565B3C0 link=1237100283/0#0 date=1237100283
      From this I get 60 - 80ml of espresso with early blonding, but generally good colour.

      Whhhaaaaattttt...   80 ml  = Over extracted in my books.... Like cooked...
      It also possible that you are overfilling the basket and the puck cracks when it hits the filter screen

      Grind to a consistency of table salt and adjust from there

      You also need to find the depth level of your puck after tamping to just miss the brew head filter screen when you lock in the PF

      Once you find the puck depth level that is unique to your machine use it for future reference

      Weight of grinds is not the best indicator

      KK

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Please help newbie with Silvia

        Originally posted by 56797072655A76797670727A727963170 link=1237100283/1#1 date=1237102833
        Whhhaaaaattttt... 80 ml= Over extracted in my books.... Like cooked...
        I was distracted the other morning and ended up with the same.
        I had a headache (maybe caffeine withdrawal) so was desperate to down some anyway.
        God it was disgusting.
        Even as a flat white I only managed to drink about 100ml (needed the caffeine).

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Please help newbie with Silvia

          Originally posted by 7B475A414B4A5D48404B2F0 link=1237100283/3#3 date=1237109136
          Originally posted by 56797072655A76797670727A727963170 link=1237100283/1#1 date=1237102833
          Whhhaaaaattttt... 80 ml= Over extracted in my books.... Like cooked...  
          I was distracted the other morning and ended up with the same.
          I had a headache (maybe caffeine withdrawal) so was desperate to down some anyway.
          God it was disgusting.
          Even as a flat white I only managed to drink about 100ml (needed the caffeine).
          Know the feeling...  I always pull short these days at about 20 - 25 sec at most for a double...

          I like the tast and the flavour...  Its not about getting the last bit from some 16gm -  18gm of ground beans..   I have an over sized  pf that takes about 24gm...  I will still pull it up at 25 to 30 sec...

          Unless I am distracted  ;D

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Please help newbie with Silvia

            It seems I am missing something here: I thought one should aim at something like 25-30 secs for 50-60ml with a double basket. (?)

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Please help newbie with Silvia

              Originally posted by 60656A75040 link=1237100283/5#5 date=1237110147
              It seems I am missing something here: I thought one should aim at something like 25-30 secs for 50-60ml with a double basket. (?)

              20 - 25 sec / Usually gives about 50 to 55ml.... Depending on how focused I am.

              I was distracted ... Started one thing and posting another...

              Not unlike me in the bedroom...

              Quality time with the wife, but thinking of coffee with a dark creama... Then I usually mention WORK...

              Needless to say... The rest of the night is shot....

              Thus, if I was to pull a 80ml shot out of a double.. Unless suffering from a coffee withdraw symptoms ... I would toss it in the sink... It is shot.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Please help newbie with Silvia

                Originally posted by 41444B54250 link=1237100283/5#5 date=1237110147
                It seems I am missing something here: I thought one should aim at something like 25-30 secs for 50-60ml with a double basket. (?)
                Your not missing something thats about right

                Question are you getting blonding for the last 5 seconds

                KK

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Please help newbie with Silvia

                  Hi KK

                  Last night, I read 50 secs and not 50ml in AMs message. (I must have been tired.)

                  In any case, I rarely count seconds, but prefer to just look at the shot having nice viscosity and stop just at the onset of blonding. That does happen at around 40ml (plus good crema), which sounds a bit early, I guess. May have to improve technique a bit. Espresso tastes good though, at least, to my rather uneducated palate.  Am using my PIDed Silvia with original double-basket and a generic S/S tamper.

                  Ran out of BrownBay beans this morning. http://coffeesnobs.com.au/Templates/Forum/default/sad.gif

                  Will have to source some beans locally in Newcastle for today. Thinking about where to go for that.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Please help newbie with Silvia

                    Originally posted by 55505F40310 link=1237100283/8#8 date=1237152546
                    Last night, I read 50 secs and not 50ml in AMs message. (I must have been tired.)
                    Na I did type that as I was tired... Then corrected.. But did not note it :

                    Once my system is set up at about 25 - 30 sec, the volume is also checked for the double basket...

                    However after that it is a look and feel that takes place... Thus usualy shorter in the time and volume is also short of the check / setup...

                    People tend to forget that so many factors can impact, that it is not just about the time and the volume...

                    I guess the first post got me with a 80ml pour from a double...

                    Sorry if my post and mix of sec and ml confused you... It was me

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Please help newbie with Silvia

                      Hi AM,

                      Thanks for clarifying. Thought I was loosing it completely...

                      In any case, I will measure time and volume again as soon as I get new coffee in.

                      Cheers, Daniel

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Please help newbie with Silvia

                        Hi all,

                        I too am new to coffee making and recently purchased a Silvia.  Like others I get about 100ml in 25 seconds!!  

                        This morning I filled the basket (am I supposed to fill it flush with the top lip?) and tamped.  When I put the portafiller in place and then immediately remove, I see the bolt has left a large indent in the coffee surface.

                        I also find that the puck sticks to the screen and won’t come out with the portafiller.  

                        As I type this I suspect Im answering my own questions...could it be that Im over filling the basket?  :-[

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Please help newbie with Silvia

                          Originally posted by 6355425057270 link=1237100283/11#11 date=1237190417
                          Hi all,

                          I too am new to coffee making and recently purchased a Silvia.  Like others I get about 100ml in 25 seconds!!  

                          This morning I filled the basket (am I supposed to fill it flush with the top lip?) and tamped.  When I put the portafiller in place and then immediately remove, I see the bolt has left a large indent in the coffee surface.

                          I also find that the puck sticks to the screen and won’t come out with the portafiller.  

                          As I type this I suspect Im answering my own questions...could it be that Im over filling the basket?  :-[
                          1: As per any number of posts... The shower screen should be just touching at best.. At the start..

                          2: 55 - 60ml MAX in 25-30 sec for a double basket

                          If you getting 100ml in 30sec..

                          Then;
                          1: Beans not fresh
                          2: Beans not ground correctly
                          3: Tamp not right

                          This is all user controlled...

                          Comment

                          Working...
                          X