Re: Too Much Extraction with my Silvia
I too have found that an underfilled basket give a wet puck and a faster flow. I fill my basket so that grinds mound over the basket, then I lightly tap portafilter on knock box bar to settle, then a light tamp followed by main tamp. If I have too much coffee the portafilter will not lock in, after a bit of practice I usually get it spot on. After extraction the puck is firm and dry and taps out quite easily in knock box. Pulling heaps of shots and practice is the key to getting to know Silvia...............................
cheers
Greenman
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Too Much Extraction with my Silvia
Collapse
X
-
Re: Too Much Extraction with my Silvia
I confess I am still a greeen bean!
I easily get 14 to 16gms in my standard double.
I let it overfill a bit naturally under the Rocky. Level the top with a meat skewer so I dont compress it. Then tamp and it weights 39 (net 14gms) to 41 (net 16gms). A dry test - it leaves an indent of some of the screen nut. I am using a Pullman convex tamper.
The puck comes out solid in one piece with a small tap. Either weight works well.
Dumiya
- Flag
Leave a comment:
-
Re: Too Much Extraction with my Silvia
Your standard siliva double gets filled with only 12g of coffee?
I find to get the right extraction on my silvia, Ive got to fill the standard double with at least 17g. Anything less and I get wet pucks.
- Flag
Leave a comment:
-
Re: Too Much Extraction with my Silvia
Nicholasm,
Firstly dont bother with the single basket.
Standard Silvia baskets are 6g & 12g respectively, it is almost impossible to get a good pour with the single and the 12g double is also a challenge for beginners.
Personally, Id get a larger double [ie 14g] I use a ridgeless Bezzera and can thoroughly recommend the ridgeless profile.
I find ridgeless [straight walled] much easier to dose and tamp, plus the slightly larger size [to the Silvia 12g] is more forgiving.
I just noticed Pullman Tampers, can now supply a Synesso ridgeless basket/Custom Tamper combination, so Id thoroughly reccommed that option, plus you still get to use your machine whilst your waiting. .......& I agree that a stiffer PF sprong is the way to go.
- Flag
Leave a comment:
-
Re: Too Much Extraction with my Silvia
Youd have to measure your basket then they made to suit your measurement each tamper is custom made, alternativley you could order a new double basket from them and it would be measured up to fit that one.
- Flag
Leave a comment:
-
Re: Too Much Extraction with my Silvia
Check out http://www.coffeetamper.com.au/faq.html#basket-discrepancies
58.01 is not the correct size, we just put that there so we can tell when someones just copied the example rather than measuring it exactly!
You dont have to send in your baskets but its always the safest way. Otherwise we can work on what we have on the Silvia which is a fair bit of data but theres always the chance it may not fit, as the photos on that link show. The alternative is to buy a Synesso basket with your order and then well take care of the sizing. I use a ridgeless Synesso with my Silvia and its great apart from needing the stronger spring. The ridged Synesso would be an acceptable alternative if you didnt want to buy a spring.
Greg
- Flag
Leave a comment:
-
Re: Too Much Extraction with my Silvia
thanks chris,
I know what to look for in a good puck. Im getting a dry puck but the top of it isnt flat. Im confident that my bean is a good bean as ive been through some good beans and some crappy beans and im at the point where i can tell the difference.
I think i need a pullman tamper but really couldnt be bothered sending my basket in. Does anybody know the correct measurements of the basket for a pullman? Is it 58.01 as suggested in the example order on the pullman site?
- Flag
Leave a comment:
-
Re: Too Much Extraction with my Silvia
Hi Nicholas,Originally posted by nicholasm link=1192011786/0#5 date=1192090860Hi thanks for your responses.
First up the coffee is fresh as, almost too fresh. Roasted last thursday and i gave it till sunday before using it. I buy from a local caffe in Balwyn that has gotten great write ups
Yes I am using the single basket, i find that this is more of a problem with the single basket.
Im not sure about you but if you make your grind very very fine (remember the iberital has infinite steps) you can definately tell the difference.
yes I am running my machine hot, very hot. First i let it heat up for about 20 mins, then to be sure i tempreture surf.
The tamp is probably one of my weakpoints, its a cheap 22$ stainless steel one that i bought with the machine. its end is not flat its a bit convex and it doesnt totally cover the basket
Without a doubt you will have problems in one of 3 areas:
1. Incorrect dose
2. Poor grind adjustment
3. The wrong coffee.
Get the dose right and consistent. You will know youre right when the puck is identical EVERY time. If its wet/sloppy you are underdosing which is the biggest error I see in those new to espresso. Get a good tamper and use it consistently.
Once the dose is right, then adjust the grind to get the optimum pour. I often suggest drips that want to become a pour- or atlernately 25-30ml in about a 25second pour time.
Have a read of my e-61 tips. This might assist you.
If all else fails, bring your kit in and Ill gladly give you a hand....
regards
Chris
- Flag
Leave a comment:
-
Re: Too Much Extraction with my Silvia
Hi thanks for your responses.
First up the coffee is fresh as, almost too fresh. Roasted last thursday and i gave it till sunday before using it. I buy from a local caffe in Balwyn that has gotten great write ups
Yes I am using the single basket, i find that this is more of a problem with the single basket.
Im not sure about you but if you make your grind very very fine (remember the iberital has infinite steps) you can definately tell the difference.
yes I am running my machine hot, very hot. First i let it heat up for about 20 mins, then to be sure i tempreture surf.
The tamp is probably one of my weakpoints, its a cheap 22$ stainless steel one that i bought with the machine. its end is not flat its a bit convex and it doesnt totally cover the basket
- Flag
Leave a comment:
-
Re: Too Much Extraction with my Silvia
Hi Nicholasm,
First thing is to make sure your coffee beans are fresh.
You have your own grinder so you can grind just before you brew.
Next thing is.... are you using the single or double filter basket?
The single basket is really difficult to make work, better to use the double basket,
and if you really only want one shot then waste the other half.
Apart from that, dosing consistently and then adjusting the grind will soon have you making great coffee.
Dosing consistently takes a little practice,
however I found the best method is something like as follows;
Grind into filter basket, till about 1/3 full, then rap your hand against the pf,
the help settle the grinds,
(you may use any suitable kitchen utensil to break up any clumping at this point if you desire),
repeat this at approx 2/3 and when filter basket is full,
then tap pf down onto the bench 2 or 3 times (this is what really settles the grinds into the basket),
top up and level off with the back of a kitchen knife or similar.
Then tamp, with attention to being even,
lock the PF in and there should be slight resistance as the showerscreen just touches...
Now check the pour rate, and adjust the grind to give around 50-60mls in 25-30 seconds,
pour should start slow and dark, even drippy, then progress to thin stream, medium brown colour lightening off and more bubbly, then look for real pale colour with no bubbles, this is blonding and the time to end the pour.
Then check the taste and you can adjust grind further to improve taste if required.
Occasionally I get caught with faster pours, but some taste OK as short as 15 seconds, and some as long as 40 seconds, consequence of home roasting and frequent changing of blends.
Hope this helps,
Regards
Bullitt
- Flag
Leave a comment:
-
Re: Too Much Extraction with my Silvia
What tamper are you using?
Hope its not the Rancilio plastic bendy thing.
- Flag
Leave a comment:
-
Re: Too Much Extraction with my Silvia
Hi
I wouldnt have thought a fine grind would make the coffee unbearably bitter. If the coffee is bitter first thing I would try is to take apart your grinder and give the burrs and chutes a very good clean. With the Rocky I was surprised at how much old coffee is left in there. Took me months to discover that! Now I clean it every 2 weeks.
If youre tamping hard and the portafilter is too full to lock in, then my guess would be that your grinder is not grinding fine enough. Also beans older than 2 weeks will generally need a finer grind than when you first get them. As a test, go to your local coffee shop and ask them to grind some fresh beans for you, and then run home within 3 mins and extract!
Good luck!
Kan.
- Flag
Leave a comment:
-
Re: Too Much Extraction with my Silvia
hi,
How long have you had silvia?
she takes a bit of time to get to know her. She has to settle down in her new home! Some of the problem you have may be with the beans.
I am trying Illy grinds to check my own grind. I stick to 14-16 grams in the double filter. I press quite heavily (pullman). At the moment I think the extraction is a bit quick - but the taste is very good.
I have brewed quite hot = just as the light goes out. I have just installed a PID from Jim. Now I brew at 109C at the top of the boiler. It make a very consistent brew.
I must admit silvia and I took a bit of time to get to trust each other. Now I am am really glad I got her.
Maybe something here for you
Dumiya
- Flag
Leave a comment:
-
Too Much Extraction with my Silvia
Hi Coffeesnobs,
Im struggling to get good extraction with my new silvia (25mls in 30 seconds). im finding that after about 10 - 15 seconds I already have too much coffee in my cup.
The thing is I know what to do to rectify it but Im still struggling. Ive tried making the grind finer (Ive got an Iberital Challenge) and Ive gone to the point where the coffee was so fine that the taste was unbearably bitter (in a bad way). its
Then ive tried filling my portafilter with more coffee and tamping it down with a lot more pressure BUT i struggle to get the group head locked in, ie its like there is too much coffee packed in to portafilter so when thats the case i have to start agin.
Could it be related to my tamp? Could the stream of water be coming down through the sides of the portafilter?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.Tags: None
- Flag

Leave a comment: