Hi,
After gaining a taste of real coffee I have taken the plunge (pun intended) and bought a machine and grinder. I took the advice and bought a Sunbeam EMO450 grinder which was as good as I could afford and a second hand gaggie espresso delux on eBay after watching all the Silvias go for more than double what I can afford...
So, I am wanting to check that I am using it Ok. I get Ok coffee but my shot times are very quick so I think I am doing many things wrong..
So heres what I do:
1. Fill up with filtered water, put an empty porta-filter on and turn it on and wait 10 mins
2. Run about a cup of water through the machine to heat up the PF
3. Let it drain, then take off the PF and using the large basket put in two level dessert spoons of freshly ground coffee, done on the Sunbeam on setting 7 or so and tamped fairly hard
4. PF back on, let the machine get up to temp again then then do the shot.
The coffee comes out black for a couple of seconds and then light brown and then basicaly it is all over by 15 seconds, I tend to let it keep going until I have 100mls or so.
5. Switch it off and then do the milk.
To my taste it is a bit bitter and not enough depth of flavour but still better than most shops.
If I make the grind finer it really doesnt change much, if I go to the smaller basket then it just cloggs - too much or too fine, or both of course!
Any suggestions, in particular:
A. Is my routine Ok
B. Should I be using the small or large basket for a single cup
C. How much coffee should I end up with, 100Mls seems to be what they give you in a cafe
D. is my shot time to short (from my reaqding it is...)
Many thanks - I am not unhappy with the coffee but think it could be a lot better, the beans are relativly fresh and smell great.
Thanks,
Scott.
After gaining a taste of real coffee I have taken the plunge (pun intended) and bought a machine and grinder. I took the advice and bought a Sunbeam EMO450 grinder which was as good as I could afford and a second hand gaggie espresso delux on eBay after watching all the Silvias go for more than double what I can afford...
So, I am wanting to check that I am using it Ok. I get Ok coffee but my shot times are very quick so I think I am doing many things wrong..
So heres what I do:
1. Fill up with filtered water, put an empty porta-filter on and turn it on and wait 10 mins
2. Run about a cup of water through the machine to heat up the PF
3. Let it drain, then take off the PF and using the large basket put in two level dessert spoons of freshly ground coffee, done on the Sunbeam on setting 7 or so and tamped fairly hard
4. PF back on, let the machine get up to temp again then then do the shot.
The coffee comes out black for a couple of seconds and then light brown and then basicaly it is all over by 15 seconds, I tend to let it keep going until I have 100mls or so.
5. Switch it off and then do the milk.
To my taste it is a bit bitter and not enough depth of flavour but still better than most shops.
If I make the grind finer it really doesnt change much, if I go to the smaller basket then it just cloggs - too much or too fine, or both of course!
Any suggestions, in particular:
A. Is my routine Ok
B. Should I be using the small or large basket for a single cup
C. How much coffee should I end up with, 100Mls seems to be what they give you in a cafe
D. is my shot time to short (from my reaqding it is...)
Many thanks - I am not unhappy with the coffee but think it could be a lot better, the beans are relativly fresh and smell great.
Thanks,
Scott.

. Easy to say I know but you have to start at the beginning like the rest of us. All the best and enjoy the journey,
)
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