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Rancilio Silvia v3 + Auber PID + Compak K3 touch VS Nuova Simonelli Oscar + Rocky

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  • CafeLotta
    replied
    Originally posted by locosam View Post
    Honestly, the markings on the k3t grinder make not sense to me.
    Basically, i have the pointy top bit pointing 'East" which is a good place to start.
    In the end i made my own markings.
    In the pic i had set it to coarse to make a moka pot, but usually i would have the top marker lined up with where my 0 number is.
    Once you get it right though, its a great grinder
    The numbers are just a reference point to enable you to return to the same setting. I use the vertical straight edge of the black plastic piece to line up the numbers. In the photo its set to 25 which is my reference point. For different beans in different coffee machines I use between 23 to 25 on my grinder but on other grinders the reference numbers will more than likely be different. I use the "pinch test" to get a rough setting before brewing then fine tune by reading the brew.

    Click image for larger version

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  • junbok80
    replied
    Thank you for your commends and advices!!
    I did take K3T to the shop I bought it from and it turned out that K3T at finest setting was not grinding finely enough. It is currently at their service department.

    I will let you guys know once I have the grinder back. Somehow I am relived that It's not the machine and possibly not my skill..

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  • TC
    replied
    A correctly assembled K3 will grind fine enough to choke any machine- and in fact, itself.

    If you are having problems grinding fine enough, I'd be looking first to coffee quality, then technique and finally have the grinder checked. I doubt that there will be an issue with the grinder. We have never experienced a defective unit. We have however done the job correctly for a few owners who pulled one apart for cleaning and then incorrectly reassembled the grinder.
    Last edited by TC; 6 February 2013, 03:01 PM. Reason: further info

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  • viktor
    replied
    >>I still have problem with pulling espresso though. I bought a new Compak K3 Touch and I grind as finest as possible.
    I would try grinding on the finest setting as you do and try brewing on other machine (possibly in the place which sold you the grinder).
    Based on what you are saying I cannot see how it can be problem with the machine, looks like the grinder issue.

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  • Barry O'Speedwagon
    replied
    I suspect you'll find that the relationship b/w the markings on the k3t and the fineness of the grind vary quite a bit. Your current setting (for moka) would choke my e-61 machine with most beans. I typically have the pointy bit not too far from aligned with the centre of the shute for espresso (maybe a touch finer). I guess the message is don't get too carried away by other people's settings.

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  • locosam
    replied
    Honestly, the markings on the k3t grinder make not sense to me.
    Basically, i have the pointy top bit pointing 'East" which is a good place to start.
    In the end i made my own markings.
    In the pic i had set it to coarse to make a moka pot, but usually i would have the top marker lined up with where my 0 number is.
    Once you get it right though, its a great grinder
    Attached Files

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  • CafeLotta
    replied
    Originally posted by junbok80 View Post
    Tamp once, tap the side gently, tamp once more then spin the tamper a bit. This is how I learnt when I did a barista course recently.
    Just to try to eliminate any possible causes, don't tap the side and don't do a twist. Just tamp straight down after levelling. When you level are you completely filling the voids that are usually left after grinding straight into the basket? Have you tried the "pinch" test on your grind setting?

    Leave a comment:


  • sidewayss
    replied
    My take of all that is if you have been getting good results prior to the Oscar and you're not getting any channeling/striping and getting all the shots running too fast, then it could be the machine.

    I have the K3 and I dont have problems with a fast pour on the Silvia.

    The setting is currently on 48 which is aligned with the bean marker at the start of the "Fine" word. Meaning in line with the letter F.
    It is a fair way off the finest setting. This gives me a 60ml in 30 seconds for a double basket. I emphasis, a double basket.

    Have a chat to the CS member who sold you the machine and ask him or her if there is a current problem with the machine that was not forewarned.
    Then yes, take it to have it checked out if no result. Let us know how you went.

    Leave a comment:


  • junbok80
    replied
    Originally posted by CafeLotta View Post
    Are you sure you are not getting channeling? This could give you too quick a pour. Grinding on the finest setting of the Compak K3 should be choking your machine. Check the link below and go to the end of the review for a description of how to determine a starting point for how fine to grind -

    Compak K3 Touch and Elite Details

    When filling your filter basket, grind until the mound starts to spill over the sides. Stop the grinder then tap the bottom of the portafilter once on the bench to collapse the mound of grinds then top off again until grinds spill out. Level the grinds with your finger taking care not to compress the grinds. A sweep horizontally across the filter basket only. Then tamp straight down in a smooth motion. Don't twist the tamp. Try this and see how you go. Look for any sign of small holes in the puck after brewing.

    Are you using fresh beans? Try a different bean?
    I have been using fresh beans ordered from a roaster in Sydney and also some from JetBlack espresso. I always thought I had no problem with my tamping.. if I am getting channeling, it's hard for me to see what I am doing wrong. I dose, scoop out the coffee power with my finger horizontally. Tamp once, tap the side gently, tamp once more then spin the tamper a bit. This is how I learnt when I did a barista course recently.

    I almost think this is something to do with the machine? the pressure setting maybe??

    Leave a comment:


  • CafeLotta
    replied
    Originally posted by junbok80 View Post
    I still have problem with pulling espresso though. I bought a new Compak K3 Touch and I grind as finest as possible.
    I fill up the basket with double spouted portafilter, tamp hard with 58.2mm tamper. Then the shot is extracted way too fast - 2 x 30ml shots in 12~13 seconds. I am lost here.
    Are you sure you are not getting channeling? This could give you too quick a pour. Grinding on the finest setting of the Compak K3 should be choking your machine. Check the link below and go to the end of the review for a description of how to determine a starting point for how fine to grind -

    Compak K3 Touch and Elite Details

    When filling your filter basket, grind until the mound starts to spill over the sides. Stop the grinder then tap the bottom of the portafilter once on the bench to collapse the mound of grinds then top off again until grinds spill out. Level the grinds with your finger taking care not to compress the grinds. A sweep horizontally across the filter basket only. Then tamp straight down in a smooth motion. Don't twist the tamp. Try this and see how you go. Look for any sign of small holes in the puck after brewing.

    Are you using fresh beans? Try a different bean?

    Leave a comment:


  • junbok80
    replied
    Thanks guys!

    I ended up getting a used Oscar from one of the CS members here.
    I have been struggling a lot with the steaming but as the original owner suggested, blocking the 2 holes with toothpick does the trick for me. Now I get some nice microfoam almost every time.

    I still have problem with pulling espresso though. I bought a new Compak K3 Touch and I grind as finest as possible.
    I fill up the basket with double spouted portafilter, tamp hard with 58.2mm tamper. Then the shot is extracted way too fast - 2 x 30ml shots in 12~13 seconds. I am lost here. The only time I get proper shot is when I dose with too much coffee and I can barely fit the portafilter in the grouphead. I don't think this is normal.

    I am thinking about taking the machine to JetBlack for a calibration. Anything you can suggest? Would the basket be an issue if it's too old?

    Leave a comment:


  • sidewayss
    replied
    Junbok, if you're still deciding, I,d recommend the Oscar based on your usage.

    Whatever you choose, remember that it's better to spend well and be happy with it rather than spent less and be unhappy with the result.

    Leave a comment:


  • Barry O'Speedwagon
    replied
    Originally posted by CafeLotta View Post
    Thanks for the clarification BOSW. Makes a big difference being able to use the "tongue" on the K3T in manual mode as well as timed mode. Still can't see the point of the timed function myself as have never found grinding to be a "set and forget" excercise. Fine tuning as beans mature and grinds adjusted accordingly. Definetly think the K3P is the better buy at $100 less.
    Agree, as a general rule. Certainly wasn't the timed feature that determined my decision.....the colour scheme of the available K3P didn't suit the bench space where I was going to put it.

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  • CafeLotta
    replied
    Originally posted by Barry O'Speedwagon View Post
    I think I've found the source of confusion. I have owned a K3T for a year and a half, and can assure that my description above is accurate (maybe the names on the button settings are different). I've never used the timer function, and always grind to a dose level using my eyes, and the using the tongue to start the grinding process.

    If you have a look at Talk Coffee's website (Chris please correct me if I'm mis-interpreting this):

    http://www.talkcoffee.com.au/downloa...nder-flyer.pdf

    It states the Australian spec. of the K3T uses the " 'tongue' style operation rather than the button to commence grinding".

    I had a look a few overseas instructions manuals for the K3T, and what you describe is perfectly consistent with them. It's just not not consistent with how my K3T purchased in Australia through Cosmorex is set up. I suspect the Wega uses the standard Euro set-up.

    Cheers
    BOSW
    Thanks for the clarification BOSW. Makes a big difference being able to use the "tongue" on the K3T in manual mode as well as timed mode. Still can't see the point of the timed function myself as have never found grinding to be a "set and forget" excercise. Fine tuning as beans mature and grinds adjusted accordingly. Definetly think the K3P is the better buy at $100 less.

    The Wega equivalent to the K3T I bought as a used item was said to have been sourced from a site sponsor interstate. Maybe the Wega is EU spec or are direct imported? Would love to know how to modify my Wega so I can use the tongue for manual grinding instead of the toggle switch. Maybe they were wired this way in case the switch on the tongue failed you could still grind using the toggle switch?

    Leave a comment:


  • Barry O'Speedwagon
    replied
    I think I've found the source of confusion. I have owned a K3T for a year and a half, and can assure that my description above is accurate (maybe the names on the button settings are different). I've never used the timer function, and always grind to a dose level using my eyes, and the using the tongue to start the grinding process.

    If you have a look at Talk Coffee's website (Chris please correct me if I'm mis-interpreting this):

    http://www.talkcoffee.com.au/downloa...nder-flyer.pdf

    It states the Australian spec. of the K3T uses the " 'tongue' style operation rather than the button to commence grinding".

    I had a look a few overseas instructions manuals for the K3T, and what you describe is perfectly consistent with them. It's just not not consistent with how my K3T purchased in Australia through Cosmorex is set up. I suspect the Wega uses the standard Euro set-up.

    Cheers
    BOSW

    Leave a comment:

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