Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Distribution tools

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

  • Magic_Matt
    replied
    Originally posted by ArtW View Post
    hmmmm, interesting how the flashy new distribution toys that ONA and Pullman are producing are getting the attention when Breville has been giving away a nice metal distribution tool with the BDB for a long time and even before that there was the Scotty Calaghan tools.
    [ATTACH=CONFIG]15159[/ATTACH]


    I think if you choose to spend money on distribution tools or time on twirling toothpicks or what-have you then that's your choice but unless you have examined your extraction with a naked portafilter and determined that you need to improve your distribution then you're wasting your money /time. The naked portafilter should be your first stop as a diagnostic tool to improve your distribution and its probably all you really need. Its also half the price of the ONA/Pullman options.
    Yep, I always use a naked p/f unless splitting a shot [emoji106]

    Can't say I'm particularly unhappy with my results in the cup, but I do wonder if there's a simple and elegant way to improve distribution. Depending on the dosing method, I do sometimes get slightly uneven extractions (either donut or favouring one side of the p/f mostly). No clumping, and I'm not a fan of WDT for a few reasons (had to use it when I had my Sunbeam grinder). In general I'm a fan of messing with the grinds as little as possible after they exit the grinder.

    Doesn't seem to have a serious impact on the results in the cup - and no doubt there are cheaper ways to address it, including simply living with it - but if a simple twist of one of these tools is genuinely beneficial to distribution it's worth the extra few seconds imo.

    Leave a comment:


  • ArtW
    replied
    Originally posted by artman View Post
    Agree the naked gives you a clear view of any issues in distribution/tamping.

    Doesn't the OCD distribute and level? The Breville tool is just for cutting the correct dose after tamping isn't it? Ie distribution can still be off. Although the tool can be handy for keeping dose consistent, overfill slightly and cut to the same consistent level.

    Cheers
    Hmmm, just watched Phil Mcknight video on youtube and you're right. In which case I don't think its a good idea to be messing with your puck after you've tamped.

    Leave a comment:


  • artman
    replied
    Agree the naked gives you a clear view of any issues in distribution/tamping.

    Doesn't the OCD distribute and level? The Breville tool is just for cutting the correct dose after tamping isn't it? Ie distribution can still be off. Although the tool can be handy for keeping dose consistent, overfill slightly and cut to the same consistent level.

    Cheers

    Leave a comment:


  • ArtW
    replied
    hmmmm, interesting how the flashy new distribution toys that ONA and Pullman are producing are getting the attention when Breville has been giving away a nice metal distribution tool with the BDB for a long time and even before that there was the Scotty Calaghan tools.
    Click image for larger version

Name:	razor.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	10.6 KB
ID:	745020


    I think if you choose to spend money on distribution tools or time on twirling toothpicks or what-have you then that's your choice but unless you have examined your extraction with a naked portafilter and determined that you need to improve your distribution then you're wasting your money /time. The naked portafilter should be your first stop as a diagnostic tool to improve your distribution and its probably all you really need. Its also half the price of the ONA/Pullman options.

    Leave a comment:


  • greenman
    replied
    I use an OE funnel on my group handle, I weigh beans and manually dose my Super Jolly E and brush out chute and cone as it grinds into basket, I use the handle of the small brush to distribute the grinds in the VST basket then use a small spatula to level off grinds then tamp = this method has been consistent for me with a minimum of mess (if that is possible!!)
    Have researched the OCD and been tempted but don't think I would use it after the novelty had worn off.

    Leave a comment:


  • Barry O'Speedwagon
    replied
    I use a toothpick / cocktail stick....but I also have a non-standard method. I grind from the M4D into a macchiato glass, which I then dump into the portafilter (on which I have an OE dosing funnel). I use the toothpick to even things out / get rid of clumps before tapping to settle the grinds, then tamp. Takes no time at all, and both myself and the missus make a consistently good coffee.

    Why dose into the mac glass? The OE funnel sometimes comes loose if you use the portafilter to depress the grind button on the M4D.

    Leave a comment:


  • Heston
    replied
    I've had my OCD v1.0 for a little over a month and love it. Some quick benefits I've found are:

    - Additional prep method to chose from and explore;
    - Quick and painless prep when can't be bothered or time poor;
    - My wife who wants a good coffee but isn't interested in the 'craft' of coffee can now make herself one when I'm not around;
    - Improved consistency of shot prep, each as good as my best with other prep methods; and
    - Prep for my combination (Profitec500, mazzer mini M, VST 20g) has seemed to be pretty temperamental, OCD fixes that.

    On the other hand, if a tool relieves you of the chance to be as involved in the process then how far are you from having a 'super-automatic' machine? For reasons above I'm a big fan and it's a permanent feature on my bench top, but I can see why some might find it a bit redundant.

    Leave a comment:


  • Magic_Matt
    replied
    Well, I'm hoping to be the second part of that equation to be honest... [emoji848]

    Leave a comment:


  • Yelta
    replied
    Originally posted by Magic_Matt View Post
    Thanks

    No particular problem; just scoping out whether they're justifiable bling
    When did we ever need justification for another coffee toy.

    I guess the ultimate judge is time, if you find a new gadget languishing in the drawer unused after a few months you have your answer.

    However! all is not lost, list it in Coffee Hardware For Sale, your bound to find someone with similar problems willing to pay a fair price, hoping, as you did, to solve the problem with a new toy, and in the end realising it's primarily down to technique, and so the process goes.

    Leave a comment:


  • Magic_Matt
    replied
    Thanks

    No particular problem; just scoping out whether they're justifiable bling

    Leave a comment:


  • Yelta
    replied
    Like Chris I don't have problems with distribution, never have.

    To me, simply another pointless link in the chain.

    I guess if you do have problems in this area, one of em is worth a try.

    Last edited by Yelta; 22 February 2017, 07:14 PM.

    Leave a comment:


  • 2muchcoffeeman
    replied
    Do they work? Yeppers- if your distribution is poor and you need to work on it...

    I found that my distribution's pretty good, so for me no significant gains...That said, they have plenty of fans...

    If you're into bling, they do that pretty well...

    Leave a comment:


  • Magic_Matt
    started a topic Distribution tools

    Distribution tools

    So, the OCD is at V2.0 and has spawned an ocean of clones and imitations. Meanwhile others think they have better designs.

    Does anyone have a strong view or argument in favour of the OCD vs say Pullman Chisel? Or any other option?

    Are they all overkill or even snake oil for domestic use, where one person does all the coffee making and consistency/a repeatable process isn't really difficult to achieve?

    The people want to know...
Working...
X