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  • telemaster
    replied
    Re: newbie with dumb questions

    I had a Breville grinder a few years ago with the same burr set- they pound the coffee rather than cutting it. At the finest grinding you get a mix of powder and very coarse. The only way around it I found was to pad the burrs up a bit with paper shims and then putting the coffee through it about 3 times- not good at all. I bought the Sunbeam grinder for my son to use with his Saeco V V with non pressurised filter and he really likes it. Its not my Cunill (yes it does make a big difference) but it will allow relatively good coffee- the Lux version (same burr as Sunbeam) included in my two daughters Quaha/ Nemox units do a great job
    Brett

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  • luca
    replied
    Re: newbie with dumb questions

    Hey, for $150 or whatever, the sunbeam grinder delivers A LOT! If you upgrade later, even if you can only sell it for $50, youre still doing well. That is, if it doesnt break. Actually, given that its so damned cheap, if you ever do upgrade to another grinder, you could well keep it and use it as a dedicated French Press grinder!

    Cheers,

    Luca

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  • bottles
    replied
    Re: newbie with dumb questions

    To make for some sort of closure for this thread I thought you all might like to know that I now have a new grinder (Sunbeam EMO480, maybe not the best but good enough for now, certainly much better that yesterday) Hopefully I am well on the way to becoming a much better shot maker.

    Thanks for the info everyone and keep the caffeine levels up.

    Leave a comment:


  • lucinda
    replied
    Re: newbie with dumb questions

    You could also consider the Gaggia MDF grinder at around $300

    here is some info
    http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1163393754
    http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1166755371
    http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1167433239

    The gaggia is stepped, has a doser and is a well built robust (all metal) machine. It took me a few days to get the hang of it but now I am used to it is t is great. Some people have played around with theirs but I havent done this and have had no issues with mine at all.

    Good Luck.

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  • JavaB
    replied
    Re: newbie with dumb questions

    Originally posted by bottles link=1168429000/0#4 date=1168431729
    I might look into buying a pre-ground bag of coffee from a good coffee shop (any recommendations for the Melboune eastern suburbs who would know what grind I require?) to seen if I need to invest in a new gringer as JavaB suggests.

    Mmmmm

    Just a little more info on bean life....

    There is a rule of 3s which applies to the "life" of the various types of bean

    Green beans last 3 years
    Roasted beans 3 weeks
    Ground beans 3 minutes!!

    So ground coffee goes off quite quickly.... you need to grind it as you need it. Dont leave it sitting in the "grounds holder" or doser of your grinder --- and if you buy it pre ground it will have deteriorated before you get it home... Vacuum packing doesnt help either Im afraid

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  • welone
    replied
    Re: newbie with dumb questions

    It seems that I was too green in assuming that almost any burr grinder is a good grinder.. and too slow in replying

    Sorry I cant help you with a buying advice as I live in Switzerland..

    greets

    marco

    Leave a comment:


  • COFFEECHASER
    Guest replied
    Re: newbie with dumb questions

    There are too many variables to get pre-ground coffee for an espresso machine. An "espresso grind" wont actually cater for all espresso machines. If you buy some you may strike it lucky but you may end up with a 10 second gusher or no pour at all.
    What sort of times are you getting with your pours at the moment? Are they consistent from shot to shot without grinder adjustment one after another?

    Leave a comment:


  • JavaB
    replied
    Re: newbie with dumb questions

    Originally posted by bottles link=1168429000/0#3 date=1168430941
    Thanks for the reply JavaB

    The grinder part pictured is the one I have here. (you have a Kru(a)ps grinder yourself or is that an archive photo?)
    Nope, it is a result of a quick web search....Google is your friend

    Those burrs arent what Id call a burr and will cause you all sorts of problems trying to get a uniform grind size (which you must have for espresso). And you must also be able to adjust the grind size by small amounts to get the correct extraction.

    If not what then do you think would be the best grinder to get as a match for the equipment I have?
    I kind of think you shouldnt spend as much on your grinder as the espresso machine! but then maybe that is where I am wrong.
    Well, yep.... thats kind of a mistake!

    The importance of the items to make a great coffee are (in order)

    Barista skills (can be acquired through practice)
    Good freshly roasted beans
    Quality grinder
    Coffee machine!

    And coffee machine is the lowest on the list..... (but still needs to be adequate which yours is!)

    The grinder needs to have fine adjustment (ideally without steps - or if stepped then very small steps)..... The cheapest is probably the Sunbeam at around $170 or so...... but these have had some reliability problems.... After that you are looking at as much or more as you payed for the machine (which is not surprising considering its importance in the process).....

    Id recommend the Iberital Challenge as a good value for money grinder... Have a read of :

    http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1163235531/0#0

    for details re grinders..... some (like mine) are very expensive ($1200!!) but you need not spend that much.

    And beans should be no more than 3 weeks post roasting..... no matter how they are stored. When you buy roasted beans they are probably > 1 week old when you get them!!! So buy say 250grams at a time and use them ASAP...

    or roast your own! My beans are generally <7 days old (depends on the variety as some require >7 days rest before use.....)

    But you do need a good grinder as you have a good coffee machine - anything less will not do it justice!

    Good luck on your journey.

    Leave a comment:


  • bottles
    replied
    Re: newbie with dumb questions

    Hi Welone I had a quick look at the thread that you suggest it looks like I have a long way to go, I can only imagine a shot with a head like the one shown there. I will read on in the morning.
    I might look into buying a pre-ground bag of coffee from a good coffee shop (any recommendations for the Melboune eastern suburbs who would know what grind I require?) to seen if I need to invest in a new gringer as JavaB suggests.

    It is good to have a direction to investigate. This evening is the first time I have used the web to try to get answers to my coffee making problems and so far it is going much better than the shots. Thanks.

    Leave a comment:


  • bottles
    replied
    Re: newbie with dumb questions

    Thanks for the reply JavaB

    The grinder part pictured is the one I have here. (you have a Kru(a)ps grinder yourself or is that an archive photo?)
    If not what then do you think would be the best grinder to get as a match for the equipment I have?
    I kind of think you shouldnt spend as much on your grinder as the espresso machine! but then maybe that is where I am wrong.

    The Grinders beans are sold extensively here in Victoria and in NSW as well. The logo is a real stand out on the cafes brollies. I get a 3 KG bag which lasts sometimes up to a month. I store it in a dark place in the pantry in its bag rolled up and kept shut with a paper clip. I grind only to make coffee (I make between 5 and 15 a day depending on if I am working from my home office or I am onsite. I discard the small amount of coffee I dont use if I am feeling like a single shot (7 as opposed to 14 grams)

    Leave a comment:


  • welone
    replied
    Re: newbie with dumb questions

    Hi bottles

    Have you seen the thread under http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1166313709/0 there are a lot of helpful posts for extraction problems with a gaggia classic.

    Do you use a single or a double basket? most of the experienced users recommend starting with the double basket, because its easier to create a nice puck.

    What about your flow rate? The golden rule states that a double shot (2 to 2.5 ounces) should take 20 to 25 seconds.

    dont let it take you down! I went through half a pound of coffee before I had my first drinkable espresso and the first good one came after two dozend of attempts..

    greets

    marco

    Leave a comment:


  • JavaB
    replied
    Re: newbie with dumb questions

    Hi bottles and welcome to CoffeeSnobs

    Firstly the Gaggia is capable of excellent espresso so that wont be your problem. I dont know the beans you mention but if they are freshly roasted they should be fine..... You may need to do some work on your technique but....

    That leaves the grinder. Although I dont know that particular model. your use of the "a" in spelling Krups is close to the mark! It is a burr grinder but as you will see in the picture below the burrs dont have sharp teeth and there are gaps between the teeth.... It looks more like a crusher of beans than a grinder.... and wont work very well at all for espresso where you need small uniform "coffee grinds" rather than coffee powder...

    So I suspect that is your problem!




    Leave a comment:


  • bottles
    started a topic newbie with dumb questions

    newbie with dumb questions

    I have been making my own coffees at home for a couple of years now and thought I did a reasonable job using really budget equipment. I had a $200 Breville espresso machine first which did a resonable job until it started leaking from the pump housing. So, I thought time to step up a bit. So I got a Krups machine (with a free burr grinder) for just under $300 thinking this should be at least as good. Nup, I often think the u should be an a and finally put it away in the back of the cupboard because it was so difficult to use and my expectations have considerably expanded due to my practice of drinking single shots at restaurants now days. Most places make good shots but some make great shots, this is where eating out becomes a really nice experience.
    Surfing the web I found that while still not going "big budget" the best machine would be a Gaggia Classic. So, I ordered one in and thought, way to go, this is going to be great. Uh oh, not so while the coffee tastes OK I get no crema at all and the shots are not "perfect" as expected.
    My question then is this :-
    I have a Gaggia Classic machine, a Kru(a)ps GVX2 burr grinder, I use Grinders beans (the one that the cafes use) and I have read and watched as many articles and videos as I can but I still cant make a perfect shot.
    So considering I cant change the machine so soon and the coffee beans are great when used in a cafe so it cant be them,
    1. is the Kru(a)ps grinder living up to its name or 2 is my tamping 3 grinding 4 measuring on 5 not crying enough, the problem?
    Finally I dont want to slash my wrists unless it will definitely help.
    Help anyone !!!
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