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How to make a super automatic make decent coffee?

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  • scoota_gal
    replied
    Re: How to make a super automatic make decent coff

    Originally posted by RachelG link=1162687935/0#14 date=1163320749
    but why why why do I keep idly (or not so idly) looking at the specs of higher end machines and grinders??
    Yep, definitely a case of upgraditis occuring here! ;D


    Leave a comment:


  • JavaB
    replied
    Re: How to make a super automatic make decent coff

    Originally posted by Matt G link=1162687935/15#16 date=1163321685

    Tis a slippery slope when you begin dreaming about bigger and better. We call it upgradeitis.
    Thats why you buy a used commercial machine..... nowhere to go....

    Now whats that I heard about the synesso (ah have to wait a few years till they hit the S/H market)

    Leave a comment:


  • mbg963
    replied
    Re: How to make a super automatic make decent coff

    Originally posted by RachelG link=1162687935/0#14 date=1163320749
    but why why why do I keep idly (or not so idly) looking at the specs of higher end machines and grinders??
    Its what we all do! ;D I spend about 50-60% of my net time just crusin around reading machine reviews and any other coffe related stuff. I mean what else is the net there for?

    Tis a slippery slope when you begin dreaming about bigger and better. We call it upgradeitis.

    Leave a comment:


  • niallpedlow
    replied
    Re: How to make a super automatic make decent coff

    Oh oh someones caught the bug. Youll be well and truly satisfied with a popper - for a while ;D

    Theres nothing like serving up guests coffee, and letting them know its home roasted and having them salivating on the way to your place next time!!

    Leave a comment:


  • RachelG
    replied
    Re: How to make a super automatic make decent coff

    OK so Im getting microfoam, decent shots with thick crema and compliments aplenty... so why do I want more??

    Oh oh. Im doing some reading about roasting in the hope that a popper will satisfy me in conjunction with some decent beans and the current machine, but why why why do I keep idly (or not so idly) looking at the specs of higher end machines and grinders??

    Leave a comment:


  • Viviane
    replied
    Re: How to make a super automatic make decent coff

    Hi Rachel,

    Glad youre getting better coffee now. When I joined this site I was refilling Nespresso capsules - trying to make good coffee that way was a serious challenge. Ive upgraded now, but while I was waiting, I started roasting my own coffee. Its relatively cheap to do, around $30 for a popper or heatgun, about the same for a starter pack of green beans from here and off you go. Its a great way to have fun with your coffee while working out the best way to go machine-wise.

    Leave a comment:


  • telemaster
    replied
    Re: How to make a super automatic make decent coff

    Originally posted by RachelG link=1162687935/0#11 date=1162908060
    Thanks Mal, I have a funny feeling though that this is the start of a slippery slope to a new machine and grinder and associated accoutrements... bugger. :
    Yep slippery slope coming up- just try to slow down when youve passed the $10g mark!
    Seriously though, play around with the machine, try to see as many other machines in use, visit one of the sponsors etc.
    And most importantly, dont get too stressed about it. Its an interesting journey
    Brett

    Leave a comment:


  • RachelG
    replied
    Re: How to make a super automatic make decent coff

    Thanks Mal, I have a funny feeling though that this is the start of a slippery slope to a new machine and grinder and associated accoutrements... bugger. :

    Leave a comment:


  • Dimal
    replied
    Re: How to make a super automatic make decent coff

    Great stuff Rachel [smiley=thumbsup.gif],

    When youve got the coffee machine "trained" to operate the way you want it to, youll have to lash out and try your hand at roasting at home :.... seems like the next logical step and its so easy to do. Keep us up to date with your journey

    Mal.

    Leave a comment:


  • RachelG
    replied
    Re: How to make a super automatic make decent coff

    So it isnt perfect - however, thanks to the following:

    - bumping the temp back up
    - grinding the coffee finer
    - pulling off the silly plastic thingo at the end of the steam wand
    - working out how to make the milk do nice whirlpools and go nice and glossy and sweet(!!) and not turn into giant ugly bubbles
    - getting the cup out of the way of the first hot water bit and pulling the cup out when it starts to lighten up
    - practice, practice, practice and practice

    Im making an acceptable cup of coffee. Thank you so much for all your help! I will stick around and learn more and hopefully not suffer too much upgraditis...

    Leave a comment:


  • Presso
    replied
    Re: How to make a super automatic make decent coff

    Sorta defeats the "superauto" tag ;D

    Leave a comment:


  • rayzurhed
    replied
    Re: How to make a super automatic make decent coff

    I have an incanto which would be similar and only use it when we have parties- or to make the wifes decaf ;D
    But before Silvia, ( not my wife, but shes come to accept her) I used to trick the machine a bit to get a better brew. Firstly - the brew pressure is something you cant adjsut so its going to come out pretty fast and so to limit it grind the coffee finer and finer until it slows down and you get better extraction.
    Then - on my machine you need to change the brew temp to low and the dosing to LOW too and then updoes through the preground inlet. Effectively what this does is trick the machine into thinking there is a small amount of coffee to tamp and then when it comes to its preset tamp squeeze- theres more there- thus a tighter puck!
    I also wait for the first squirt of hot water before putting my cup under and pull it when I think its pale.
    Good luck.
    RH

    Leave a comment:


  • grendel
    replied
    Re: How to make a super automatic make decent coff

    Epic are open from 6.30, but if that is a stretch (a long way from the terrace!) then Velvet Espresso in King Street might be worth a look. They just opened and I think the barista there used to work with Corey from Epic at his last business. They are using a 5 sense blend.

    Automatics are hard, but Id recommend you experiment a lot! Youd be amazed the results you can get from unlikely machines. The difference is that a really good machine makes it easier for you to get your part of it right - a not-so-good machine means you have to work harder. Of course with some machines you have little chance of a good coffee but you sound like you are working at it the right way for the Saeco.

    Leave a comment:


  • luca
    replied
    Re: How to make a super automatic make decent coff

    *runs panting into room*

    Did somebody mention brew temperature?

    Pale coffee is usually due to (a) stale coffee, (b) too fast a pour or (c) too cold a brew temperature. The dead giveaway of a really cold brew temperature is that it starts to taste really acidic - like lemons. Im surprised that you would think that it is too hot ... I dont know what your superauto looks like inside, but if it uses a thermoblock to heat the water on demand, as many of them do, and the flow is very fast, the water will probably be too cold.

    If I were you, Id bite the bullet, buy some fresh coffee (maybe even something with robusta in it to give you a bit more leeway), use the setting for the most coffee possible that will get you the closest to something like 45mL in 20-25 seconds (probably the finest grind setting), then taste it on the highest, lowest and the middle temperature. $10 of beans is a small price to pay to learn how to get the most out of your machine.

    Cheers,

    Luca

    Leave a comment:


  • JavaB
    replied
    Re: How to make a super automatic make decent coff

    Originally posted by scoota gal link=1162687935/0#2 date=1162704582
    What you need to do now to get it to make great coffee is to trade it on a machine that really will make better coffee! ;D
    Welcome to CS

    Yep, that was my thought as well (just wasnt game to say it :-[ ).. IMHO the best you can hope to get from all but the MOST expensive super autos will be passable coffee.

    Leave a comment:

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