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BDB - Vol, Time or Manual

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  • BDB - Vol, Time or Manual

    Hello Everyone,

    I'm curious as what owners of the BDB are using for their shot extraction and why they have choosen it. Do you use the built-in Volumetric or Timed method or do you just do it manually. And why did you pick your method?

    I suspect if the grind is the same and the puck prep constant Volumetric and Timed would give the same results. But maybe I'm wrong.

    Your thoughts please.

    TIA

  • #2
    Manual for me, with scales under the cup for accurate extraction weight - not volume. I only drink espresso and milk based espresso. I use the timer and weight to tell me whether my grind is right..... trying to reduce variables. I use my taste buds to tell me whether the "recipe" of those parts was successful. It is such a shame I need to redo the experiment up to 3 or 4 times a day!!!!!!

    Comment


    • gregeeh
      gregeeh commented
      Editing a comment
      Yes, weighing is the best however it is difficult to do when making two caps, splitting the shot, at the same time using Acme cap cups. To find a set of scales large enough for the 2 cups, that you don't have to mortgage your house to buy, and also fit under the PF is not easy.

      I just wish the BDB had built-in scales.

    • GymbroJones
      GymbroJones commented
      Editing a comment
      I use this one: https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/aw/d/B0...b_b_asin_title

      Does exactly what you're after.

    • gregeeh
      gregeeh commented
      Editing a comment
      GymbroJones - Thanks for the suggestion but the platform is only 129mm x 129mm and needs to be at least 140mm x 140mm to fit my two cups. You must have smaller cups!

  • #3
    I use manual, but have the volumetric set up for my wife. I think volumetric is better than timed for day to day use.

    Comment


    • deegee
      deegee commented
      Editing a comment
      I also use manual, with a naked P/F. I sometimes have two different beans in use at the same time, and they will usually have slightly differing flow rates with the same weight and grind, so I prefer judge the cut-off point by watching the colour of the flow and the volume in the cup.

      level3ninja - how consistent / accurate do you find the volumetric that you have set up for your wife ?.
      When I first got the BDB I tried both the timed and the volumetric and was not impressed by either method, but the machine was new to me, and I didn't try either method for long before settling on manual.

    • level3ninja
      level3ninja commented
      Editing a comment
      deegee when I'm using the same bean through the same grinder for a stretch I'll use it too. I'm usually not doing that though. I find it to usually be within +/- 5% providing the puck prep is identical.

  • #4
    Originally posted by level3ninja View Post
    I use manual, but have the volumetric set up for my wife. I think volumetric is better than timed for day to day use.
    * Note just read DG's comments above....but will continue with my post unchanged.

    L3N - not questioning- but asking how accurate / consistent is the flow meter in yours or others you've used?

    IMBM but Greg's post over the last 2-3 weeks all seem to be following a consistent path ......Chasing / Questioning Flavour out of the shot.

    I'd suggest with Gregs stated restrictions above, he might be better off changing for a period of time to doing two seperate shots so he can hone in on the recipe /volumes / flow rates that deliver what he is seeking?

    If Im mistaken Greg....excuse my incurse..... and follow on with normal transmission.

    Comment


    • gregeeh
      gregeeh commented
      Editing a comment
      EspressoAdventurer - Yes, you are on the right track. I'm chasing the taste of some beans I used in a Barista Course recently. Plus I"m going through an upgraditis stage at the same time. The course seems to have set me off

      Appreciate your comments, and BTW what does IMBM stand for, have not seem that before.

  • #5
    I quite happily used the volumetric controls until they stopped working for me. It worked well until it didn't. It would run the pre-infusion cycle and then as soon as full power kicked in, it would end the shot. I am under the assumption that something has gone "dodgy" with it, but as this machine is only 8 months I'll continue until closer to warranty being up before doing anything about it.
    I am currently using scales and it works well.
    To your question, all variables being exact, then I would expect either control "should" work the same. But in reality probably wouldn't. Weighing each output would certainly be more accurate.

    Comment


    • #6
      Originally posted by EspressoAdventurer View Post
      I'd suggest with Gregs stated restrictions above, he might be better off changing for a period of time to doing two seperate shots so he can hone in on the recipe /volumes / flow rates that deliver what he is seeking?
      I'm not sure what you mean by changing to two separate shots. I think his best course of action is to do everything on manual until he's nailed his own consistency.

      See above for accuracy comment

      Comment


      • EspressoAdventurer
        EspressoAdventurer commented
        Editing a comment
        RE: well stating the obvious......
        space
        size of cups
        one set of scales for both cups

      • level3ninja
        level3ninja commented
        Editing a comment
        Ah you meant splitting the shot, I thought you meant pulling it two times. Caught up now!

    • #7
      From Greg's post a couple back . Getting a good scale that fits in BDB.... Maybe others chime in, especially if the scales can fit two cups.
      My first pair of $10 dollar cheap scales are small and a bit laggy, my current set is the simple scale sold by decent, ( no timer) they are thin enough to allow good size cups and probably wide enough, they are listed at a reasonable $51 but postage would be a killer. I also bought a set of cheap alixpress type (time and weigh) with rubber jacket, good scales, good size but a bit taller so not all tall cups will fit , ( I believe these are a name brand knock off but for $30 they were good)

      Comment


      • FNQ
        FNQ commented
        Editing a comment
        the platform base of the decent "simple' scales is 100mm x 100mm and the overall depth is 16 mm. I am drinking my morning flat white from a 100mm high mug, which is accommodated ( just) under naked portafilter and 18 gm basket,,,,,,I think a deeper basket will still fit, as it is the handle of the portafilter that can jam against the edge of the cup underneath if I use a deeper set of scales.
        Side note.
        A Columbian V. G. with a trailing amount of Ethiopian Shakisso ( I just emptied the small remainder of the bag) ---- is a very good way to kick into the day.

      • gregeeh
        gregeeh commented
        Editing a comment
        Thank you FNQ

      • gregeeh
        gregeeh commented
        Editing a comment
        The decent simple scales with 100mm x 100mm platform would not be large enough for 2 cap cups, as it would need to be around 140 - 150 mm. The height of 10mm is really good though.

        Found a 3D Printer file for an extension plate that suits the decent scales. Might be an option.
        https://i.imgur.com/BZpEKAF.jpeg

    • #8
      I use a mix of manual and volumetric. The flow meter is pretty good in these machines by all accounts. Timed dosing is far less accurate as it's susceptible to any small variation in ANY variable - grind, dose, age of coffee, ambient temp, ambient humidity etc. Volumetric is generally fine when I'm just making espresso for a milk coffee once it's dialled in. Sometimes it needs a small adjustment before the end of a bag of coffee, but sometimes that adjustment is achieved through grind setting rather than changing the volumetric setting. If I'm making a single origin espresso to drink straight and I want it to be good quality I use manual every time as I've done the slayer mod on my machine and often play with the pressure as well.

      Comment


      • #9
        For those interested here's what I ended up with so I can weigh my split shots. The Decent Simple Scale and a 3D printed platform to suit.


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