Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Problems dialling in VST basket please help

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • #16
    Not baking beans can be hard when you're roasting so long, but give it enough energy into first crack and you'll get to 2nd ok. I think you can get away with using your VST in conjunction with your breville. Won't be ideal, but don't upgrade your grinder yet. Prove its capability first :P also, you can do a crap tonne better than a Mazzer Mini when you upgrade.

    Comment


    • #17
      Hi Readeral

      I can complete a roast in 11.30 minutes for most beans 220 g and some SHB up to 12.30 minutes I reduce heat hearing 1st crack finished, I'm only a matter of seconds away from reaching 2nd crack though I reduce heat so not to go into 2nd crack - the aim is getting very close i.e. closer than I usually do.

      My interest has been tweaked what would you suggest as a better grinder to choose when it comes to make that purchase

      Comment


      • #18
        Originally posted by nzgreenbean View Post
        Hello Magic_Matt,

        I had a 6910 and the bottom shower screen seems the same to the EM7000.
        What I had worked out was that the proximity of grind to the filter screen seemed like the only variable that had any real influence on flow rate, I'm overdosing the VST basket to 22g I have not gone further a bit concerned as taking the basket way out of spec - perhaps I go just a little more perhaps 23 g and see - a smaller basket could be an option too - if grind proximity to the shower screen is the solution.

        Thanks
        Ah, if you're already at 22g more coffee probably isn't the answer. It does go to show how high you need to dose these machines though!

        Interesting that you mentioned altering the pump pressure - some people have successfully installed a light dimming slider on the pump wires to allow pressure profiling. I had intended to mod my 6910... but it modded itself into oblivion first

        Comment


        • #19
          I’m onto my third pump in this Sunbeam EM7000 and also the third steam valve which is particularly weak and susceptible to build up of scale despite regular cleaning cycle. It is just as well the parts are easy accessible and replaceable.

          This morning coffee was a text book pour, interesting to wasthe gauge being in the optimal setting recommended by Sunbeam but moreimportantly the flow rate was a steady mouse tail throughout the poor from theportafilter and providing good creamer too. The puck was good but still I’mover dosing the VST basket.
          In comparison to the double SB baskets the puck compared tothe VST 15 g is considerably thinner. Over time I’ll see if I can tweak thegrind and amount off coffee down to see if I can achieve 16 g in the basketwhile maintaining best known parameters for a good espresso.
          In fact what I’m tasting now through using the VST I need tochoose my beans more wisely for espresso

          Comment


          • #20
            Maybe worth trying a Synesso double basket - considerably larger and more forgiving than the Sunbeam double (I haven't used a VST, probably should've mentioned that in my post above ).

            Comment


            • #21
              I just pulled 40 coffees (split - so 20 portafilters worth) from a 20g VST for a group breakfast this morning, and I have to say it's undoubtably my favourite VST basket. If you're wanting to be in the 20g range, I highly recommend. I was using a fairly dark roasted bean however (not oily, but definitely roasted for espresso). Hopefully you can manage those darker roasts soon and find similar joy with your 15!
              Re grinders, you could find a plethora of options. Macap M4D, lower end of Compak E range like the E6OD, if you want to stay in the Mazzer world then a Super Jolly would make you much happier, and I personally use (and highly recommend) the Profitec T64. I was filling those 20g baskets in 7 seconds this morning. I would've been tearing my hair out with a Mazzer mini.

              Comment


              • #22
                Originally posted by readeral View Post
                I just pulled 40 coffees (split - so 20 portafilters worth) from a 20g VST for a group breakfast this morning, and I have to say it's undoubtedly my favourite VST basket. If you're wanting to be in the 20g range, I highly recommend. I was using a fairly dark roasted bean however (not oily, but definitely roasted for espresso). Hopefully you can manage those darker roasts soon and find similar joy with your 15!
                Re grinders, you could find a plethora of options. Macap M4D, lower end of Compak E range like the E6OD, if you want to stay in the Mazzer world then a Super Jolly would make you much happier, and I personally use (and highly recommend) the Profitec T64. I was filling those 20g baskets in 7 seconds this morning. I would've been tearing my hair out with a Mazzer mini.
                I do similar, it is my go to for larger gatherings. Loaded hopper, dose 20 to 21g in 5.5sec straight into PF, quick tap, tamp and pull. Split into 150ml Nuova point cups, makes a perfectly sweet, balanced little milk drink that people can't believe it has no sugar in it.

                Extremely consistent in all aspects, flow, colour, yield / tds.

                Comment


                • #23
                  Thanks Magic Matt,

                  Ive just recently bought two VST 15 and 20 g so Ill stick with these see how it all works out, although the pour is greatly improved and I'm only at day two so I cant complain and I'm sure it will get better from here especially after tuning into this forum a great bunch and a wealth of shared knowledge.

                  Comment


                  • #24
                    Thanks readeral for all the advice,

                    I do have the 20 g basket which I use split.
                    now I did another roast and let it go into 2nd crack before pulling it, though only letting it go for about 10 to seconds in the Behmor, my usual process is to remove the basket from the Behmor and take it outside for faster cooling, as I exited the house the beans could still be heard in 2nd crack and stopping as the cool air got to them. less than 20 seconds in 2nd crack, the beans colour looks great much darker. I was eager to try them so I let the beans sit only half an hour before having a flat white in whole milk - very nice taste. Tomorrow Ill try an espresso after the beans have sat a while.

                    I get your point too, in comparison my BSG 820 takes 2 shots at 10.6 seconds do get the dose I'm using about 22 g. I still have some experimenting to do with more appropriate weight matching the basket. I though I would enjoy some coffee before experimenting again, as the pour is good = 27 seconds for just over 40 mils of beverage.

                    Comment


                    • #25
                      Originally posted by nzgreenbean View Post
                      Thanks readeral for all the advice,

                      I do have the 20 g basket which I use split.
                      now I did another roast and let it go into 2nd crack before pulling it, though only letting it go for about 10 to seconds in the Behmor, my usual process is to remove the basket from the Behmor and take it outside for faster cooling, as I exited the house the beans could still be heard in 2nd crack and stopping as the cool air got to them. less than 20 seconds in 2nd crack, the beans colour looks great much darker. I was eager to try them so I let the beans sit only half an hour before having a flat white in whole milk - very nice taste. Tomorrow Ill try an espresso after the beans have sat a while.

                      I get your point too, in comparison my BSG 820 takes 2 shots at 10.6 seconds do get the dose I'm using about 22 g. I still have some experimenting to do with more appropriate weight matching the basket. I though I would enjoy some coffee before experimenting again, as the pour is good = 27 seconds for just over 40 mils of beverage.
                      G'day nzgreenbean

                      Just to throw a little more balance into this thread -

                      1) To those who think dark roasts are preferable - that is not the only way... Personally, I prefer light roasts. Oh, and I cannot abide even the slightest hint of burnt, baked or wood (or, for TC, "wheatgrass").

                      2) So far no one has mentioned the "roasts are best between 4 and 11 days" concept. That does not apply to most lighter roasts. Some light ones I use do not even come on stream until three to six weeks. If it still smells green - it is! If you are roasting light, they are possibly still underdeveloped (aged) which will throw your results out. Of course, if you are an "amount of crema" freak, the older the roast the less the quantity of crema. When any roast is fully developed, the crema quality (flavour) will be at its best for that roast.

                      3) Your grinder should be able to handle the VST easily. So many CSrs seem to think they won't deliver a good cuppa (too much "S" at work I think). I have a variety of friends with Breville Smartgrinders and SB 480's. They should work well with the VST IF you can grind fine enough to suit the pour. I lived with a pair of 480's for a couple of years - they coped well enough. I tried a whole bunch of other grinders and ended up with two Mahlkonig Vario gen2's - they were the only step up until well over the $A2500 (each) mark. BTW - the gen3 is now out, so my grinders are not "bleeding edge" anymore.

                      4) To the whole overdosing thing - I have owned two 6910's and a 7000. They only need to be overdosed if the roast is poor (including too young or too dark etc.), the grind is too coarse, the tamper has a curved base or the machine setup is wrong. The reason for that particular myth seems to have more to do with the fact that a 6910 / 7000 will handle overdosing with more aplomb than a lot of other machines (including some commercial ones which are a lot more expensive). To get the best out of a VST, the VST manufacturer recommends dosing within 1g of the rated size. Once all the usual suspects are dealt with, my own experience is that a very slight overdose (i.e. 15.4g in the 15) gets the best result. Every time a friend does a massive overdose in the VST I have made a better coffee using "close to the standard dose" using their gear.

                      5) Scales accurate to within 0.1g are essential to setup a VST with minimal pain. Otherwise you are literally "shooting in the dark" as each basket's dose will be different enough to make any diagnostics irrelevant.

                      Have fun with your journey...


                      TampIt
                      PS I mainly use a VST single dosed to 7.2g. When you optimise a VST the extra flavour means that you do not need mega doses anyway.
                      Last edited by TampIt; 7 May 2016, 12:36 AM.

                      Comment


                      • #26
                        Am I the only one that thinks VST's are a overhyped piece of equipment? I have several VST baskets which I stupidly splurged on when I first got into my home setup thinking it would deliver the best results, after all of which I've gone back to the standard LM baskets a long time ago. I'm yet to be convinced the VST's make much of a difference, especially in milk based drinks.

                        Some of the posts above have convinced me to dust them off and give them another go this weekend perhaps I was too hasty, will give the wife a couple of blind tests to get rid of the placebo effect

                        Comment


                        • #27
                          [QUOTE=evro50;578953]Am I the only one that thinks VST's are a overhyped piece of equipment? I have several VST baskets which I stupidly splurged on when I first got into my home setup thinking it would deliver the best results, after all of which I've gone back to the standard LM baskets a long time ago. I'm yet to be convinced the VST's make much of a difference, especially in milk based drinks.
                          /QUOTE]
                          No argument from me Evro, tried the VST's many moons ago, they quickly found their way into my drawer of unused bits and pieces.

                          Like you, have pulled them out a number of times, thinking perhaps I had missed something, each trial only served to convince me that they were only a well promoted piece of equipment that failed to deliver.

                          They now languish in the bottom drawer, I now use my EP or LM baskets exclusively, and I might add with great success.

                          Comment


                          • #28
                            Just use the baskets you like. *shrug* I like my VSTs, I make consistently good coffee with them.

                            Comment


                            • #29
                              I think the message to novices is that excellent, easier to use baskets, are available at a much lower price than VST.

                              I can get good shots from the VST's as well, however much less stuffing around with the other baskets I mentioned.

                              Comment


                              • #30
                                That is a good and valid point Yelta..

                                I personally like the results from my vst baskets and they did originally cause a bit of a headache. Never have trouble using them consistently anymore but as you said, for a beginner or someone who doesn't have the time to play around with the parameters of their setup, perhaps go for other reputable easy to use baskets mentioned in this thread or you'll just get angry at wasted coffee.

                                Comment

                                Working...
                                X