Natalie, how's the coffee going lately?
Not sure about the grinder calibration issue - hard to know without being there. What i can tell you is that investing in a better grinder (if your budget allows) is a worthwhile move! keep an eye on the second hand ones on the forum and you can get a bargain.
When i use to use a sunbeam em450 grinder i use to get so frustrated at the inconsistent grind. seemed like it changed all the time even if i hadn't touched the settings. (This new one might be better, i'm not sure)
in terms of single basket, most of us on the forums shun them haha. just use the double even if just doing one shot. bin the other shot , or better yet - just drink another coffee!
Something else to consider is enrolling in a home barista course - i'm sure one of the melbourne sponsors would do one (Chris at Talk Coffee? Paul at ******?). a worthwhile one time investment to get your foundations right.
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Bad shots with Sunbeam 6910
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( I hope I used this quote function right 🙂Originally posted by iggs View Post* an important question - what grinder are your using? That might be your limiting step
I've purchased a Sunbeam EMO 700 https://www.sunbeam.com.au/Coffee-an...n-Grinder.aspx
the grinder is another issue all together. When I purchased the grinder ( 2 weeks before purchasing the machine) I used it with my capsule machine to fill my Sealpods ( stainless still pods for Nespresso) the poor machine could not handle such fine grind so I had to use it on setting 25 even though the instructions recommended to use setting7-15 for espresso machines. I have tried to recalibrate it. I'm unsure whether or not I was successful at settinf the grinder for a coarser grind. It looked the same (hard to tell) so I stuck to using setting25 until I purchased a sunbeam espresso machine. Apparently you cannot re-set it to "factory settings" and I'm unclear to whether I have successfully recalibrate it so I guess Ill have to leave it as is. ( ps the other reason I stupidly attempted to recalibrate is because my ancient Breville grinder had only like 6 settings with "espresso" one of them and the grind was much coarser so I assumed that was "the right one" rather then the much finer sunbeam one)
I'm finding the" coin" method is indicating I have been overfilling my basket and now its more like 4-5 mm gap to the rim. The shot "looks" better, it's nearly the speed I would want it and I'm getting a "rusty" crema rather than yellow. I got a new bag of beans today too from the place that roasts them at the shop. I'm getting quite a bit of bitterness and no amazing "caramel", " raspberry" etc notes. With a ton of milk it's palatable but as an espresso - pretty disappointing.
I've also been using a double shot basket eact time. Should I stick to that or try to purchase a "better shaped" single shot basket for the times when I only make one beverage?
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Seeing as this could get involved, out of respect for the OP i've started a new thread.Originally posted by Javaphile View PostDid you not read all of my previous post?
What is unclear in that?
Java "Still twitching" phile
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Glad you are finding this discussion helpful Natalie.
Personally I never used the coin test but it seems to be a helpful diagnostic tool as the other snobs have mentioned.
Here's some random thoughts:
* again i'd urge you to not worry about the gauge. it can be distracting. just look at the pour speed.
* the key is changing one variable at a time. once you've got a set dosing procedure (how much coffee you put into the basket) then just adjust the grind to increase or decrease pour time. if you keep changing multiple things every time, hard to establish what the problem is.
* personally i don't think tamp pressure changes things all that much. I use a pretty light tamp, just making sure it's level. there are different schools of thought on this though.
* an important question - what grinder are your using? That might be your limiting step
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Keep in mind that you should end up with just a light impression of the nickle in the grounds, not with it embedded all the way.
Java "Lightly does it" phile
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" I had a laugh" was not supposed to be there. Some autocorrect nonsense
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Thanks a lot, guys. I feel like you are giving me much more valuable info than my 6 hours of YouTube barista videos lol I have tried the 5c coin thing today. When I first put the grounds in the basket and then inserted it there was no impression of the screen, but when I put a 5c coin I found it was hard to lift it off without "messing the grounds" after 3 attempts I sort of lifted it with as little damage as possible and the coin sunk nearly level with the grounds so basically the whole thickness of the coin printed on the coffee. I have tried pulling 2 double shots with that level. First time the "pressure gauge" showed "underextraction" and the second time it went to the "normal range" but only half way through the shot. The pour was way too fast again in my opinion. I will try experimenting with getting finer grounds and "compacting" them more, but I'm not confident that that will fix it...
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Oh My! Nothing like being unique I guessOriginally posted by MrFreddofrog View PostSorry, I use the thicker coin like a ruler. It will tell me how far off I am when it is not enough. I still aim for 5c thickness. Using a 5c only tells you when you've got it right. Before that point, there is no impression so you have no idea by how much you are missing.
And are you saying you do this without pulling the shot? Once the grounds swell, won't they hit the screen leading to dirty/oily screens and increased maintenance?
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Crikey! this is a new concept to me.Originally posted by MrFreddofrog View PostSorry, I use the thicker coin like a ruler. It will tell me how far off I am when it is not enough. I still aim for 5c thickness. Using a 5c only tells you when you've got it right. Before that point, there is no impression so you have no idea by how much you are missing.
And are you saying you do this without pulling the shot? Once the grounds swell, won't they hit the screen leading to dirty/oily screens and increased maintenance?
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Did you not read all of my previous post?Originally posted by MrFreddofrog View PostAnd are you saying you do this without pulling the shot? Once the grounds swell, won't they hit the screen leading to dirty/oily screens and increased maintenance?
What is unclear in that?Originally posted by Javaphile View PostUuummmm......No. The standard that has been used here from day one is the Aussie 5 cent piece and you don't pull a shot with it in. Fill your basket/portafilter tamping as usual and lock it into the grouphead then remove it. There should be no sign of contact between the screen and the puck. Then gently place a 5 cent piece on top of the puck and lock it into the grouphead and remove. There should be just a slight impression of the coin in the puck. Additionally; experimentation using clear portafilters has shown that the puck does not swell during extraction. Rather, when the 3-way valve opens at the end of the shot the pressure being released through it causes a suction in the basket/portafilter which pulls the puck up against the screen causing the impression of the screen in the puck.
Java "Still twitching" phile
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Sorry, I use the thicker coin like a ruler. It will tell me how far off I am when it is not enough. I still aim for 5c thickness. Using a 5c only tells you when you've got it right. Before that point, there is no impression so you have no idea by how much you are missing.
And are you saying you do this without pulling the shot? Once the grounds swell, won't they hit the screen leading to dirty/oily screens and increased maintenance?
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So increase your dose level until you do get an impression. That's the whole purpose of the test, to determine the proper height of the puck! Using a thicker coin just so you get an impression defeats the whole purpose of the test. As does pulling a shot with the coin in place.
Java "Coin what?" phile
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My bad. I think I choose a thicker coin cause when it didn't leave any impression I had no idea how far it missed by.
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Uuummmm......No. The standard that has been used here from day one is the Aussie 5 cent piece and you don't pull a shot with it in. Fill your basket/portafilter tamping as usual and lock it into the grouphead then remove it. There should be no sign of contact between the screen and the puck. Then gently place a 5 cent piece on top of the puck and lock it into the grouphead and remove. There should be just a slight impression of the coin in the puck. Additionally; experimentation using clear portafilters has shown that the puck does not swell during extraction. Rather, when the 3-way valve opens at the end of the shot the pressure being released through it causes a suction in the basket/portafilter which pulls the puck up against the screen causing the impression of the screen in the puck.Originally posted by MrFreddofrog View PostOne trick to correct dosing is to tamp and put a $1 coin on top of the coffee grounds. As you pour your shot, the coffee grinds will swell and push the coin into the screen. You should just see a dent in the coffee puck.
Java "Twitch" phile
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