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  • Decent coffee accessories

    I've started this new topic, away from our espresso machine http://coffeesnobs.com.au/brewing-eq...ughts-999.html

    This topic is only for discussing our coffee accessories.

    I'm in the process of making videos showing each thing we make. Today, I released two new videos.

    -john





  • #2
    the last of the videos.

    This wraps up all the videos I needed to make to describe every espresso accessory I've made in the past 3 years.

    It's a bit strange that I put all this energy into making a new product, and then don't find the time to explain it.

    On a separate topic...

    I have two new accessories currently in development:

    1) a "pour over basket", to help you make V60-style pour-overs with your espresso machine. I'm working with Scott Rao on this. The goal is to create the right spray angle, and the right amount of turbulence. Our current prototype has 11 calibrated holes in a blank portafilter basket.

    Click image for larger version

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    2) a puck simulator (essentially, a blind basket with a calibrated laser-cut hole)

    And I'll post news about them here, when I've made progress on them. The "puck simulator" is ready to go, but I don't expect it'll be a "big seller", so I'm waiting until Rao is happy with the "pour over basket" and will make the two of them at the same time, since they're variations on each other.

    -john





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    • #3
      I'm looking at ordering a Decent Scale shortly; are they still on track for shipping 1st Jan as indicated on the website?

      Also, I see the API is open; are you able to share any information about it?

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by MrJack View Post
        I'm looking at ordering a Decent Scale shortly; are they still on track for shipping 1st Jan as indicated on the website?
        We're going to miss that Jan 1 date, probably by about 2 months. I am receiving beta 1 this week, of the finished scale. This will be my first time using the firmware rewritten from scratch with a new manufacturer I chose. The previous manufacturer I chose had it all done, but their final quoted price to us was crazy (we'd be more expensive than Acaia!), so I had to restart again with another company, hence the long delays.

        Originally posted by MrJack View Post
        Also, I see the API is open; are you able to share any information about it?
        The Decent Scale API will be very close to the same API of the Skale 2 that we currently sell. Here is the documentation I wrote:
        https://decentespresso.com/scale_api

        The main thing that will change is that the magic BLE numbers associated with a manufacturer ID will need to be different. And there is a bit more to the API to support the timer I added.

        Nonetheless, it's super trivial to get weight data from this scale. You just subscribe to the characteristic in Bluetooth and weight is streamed to you 10 times per second. No DRM or legal agreements needed. :-)

        Here is a photo of the prototype, partially disassembled. Naturally, the plastic in the final one will not be this ugly cream-colored stuff.

        Click image for larger version

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        – John

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        • #5
          I just bought the Decent thermometer as a Christmas present to me from my wife - but I seem to be using it already!

          The thing I like is the response speed compared with the mechanical thermometers I have been using. They lag almost 10-degrees from the actual temp. (ie: if I want 60-degree milk, stop at an indicated 50) This one is lagging only about two and is more consistent over the range, as compared with my multi-meter.

          The head is much larger than the cheaper mechanical unit, but I’ll get used to it.

          Now maybe I might drill a hole in my jug if I can find a drill bit I don’t mind blunting on the SS.

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          • #6
            yep the decent thermometers are the best i've ever used. very small lag behind temperature.

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            • #7
              Originally posted by steve7 View Post
              The head is much larger than the cheaper mechanical unit, but I’ll get used to it.
              The head is indeed larger because this was originally a meat thermometer, where the head size was not as important:

              Click image for larger version

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              I was able to convince Mingle https://www.mingle-instrument.de/et578a/ to modify this model to become a milk thermometer. But reducing the size would have meant going with a different company, and I knew this German manufacturer's thermometers already because I used their meat thermometers myself in my kitchen.

              if you do put a hole in your milk jug you'll find that the head is no longer in the way like it is if you use a clip. Personally, I think the reason that people rarely use thermometers is because the workflow is tedious. The hole in the milk jug helps a lot.

              I did a lot of experimenting on different hole sizes and found that 5.4mm was ideal. This provides a small amount of grip on the thermometer and keeps it from rotating or falling out as you pour milk out.

              Click image for larger version

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              You can see how this is supposed to work in the video below:



              -john

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              • #8
                Originally posted by decentespresso View Post
                I did a lot of experimenting on different hole sizes and found that 5.4mm was ideal. This provides a small amount of grip on the thermometer and keeps it from rotating or falling out as you pour milk out.

                -john
                That's useful - you don't see many 5.4mm drill bits!! and it falls just under 7/32, so maybe a 13/64 and a very small file!

                But all is saved - apparently I am getting one of your jugs - with the hole - for Christmas from my daughter. You have saved her the stress of working out what to get something for someone "who has everything" apparently.

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                • #9
                  Progress on the Decent scale

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                  The scale firmware has been written. Now we are waiting for black plastic versions of the parts to test for appropriate transparency, heat resistance, and quality. We still need to write the Bluetooth implementation and then go through beta testing. A few more months’ work still, sorry!

                  -john

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                  • #10
                    I was gifted a Decent knockbox for christmas. Loving it so far. Fair bit bigger than my last one but best of all I won't be cleaning coffee mess of the side of my coffee hutch any more. Bigger size means that I can now also knock with the basket basically behind the bar meaning the puck now comes out in one knock. I run a 21g pullman precision basket and used to have problems getting the puck to come out as I had to strike the bar with the middle of the basket

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by decentespresso View Post
                      [ATTACH=CONFIG]20883[/ATTACH]

                      The scale firmware has been written. Now we are waiting for black plastic versions of the parts to test for appropriate transparency, heat resistance, and quality. We still need to write the Bluetooth implementation and then go through beta testing. A few more months’ work still, sorry!

                      -john
                      Need any Beta testers John?

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by mentasm View Post
                        I was gifted a Decent knockbox for christmas. Loving it so far. Fair bit bigger than my last one but best of all I won't be cleaning coffee mess of the side of my coffee hutch any more. Bigger size means that I can now also knock with the basket basically behind the bar meaning the puck now comes out in one knock. I run a 21g pullman precision basket and used to have problems getting the puck to come out as I had to strike the bar with the middle of the basket
                        I presume this knockbox is Bluetooth enabled and sends back the puck weight to the Decent Espresso machine?

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by theonetruepath View Post
                          I presume this knockbox is Bluetooth enabled and sends back the puck weight to the Decent Espresso machine?
                          It measures Extraction Yield (EY%) in cup by calculating total remaining undissolved coffee solids in the spent puck.

                          -john

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                          • #14
                            That would actually be doable if you measured the weight of the puck and its moisture content, which could be measured by NIR. The difference between initial and final dry mass would give you the extract.

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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by Lyrebird View Post
                              That would actually be doable if you measured the weight of the puck and its moisture content, which could be measured by NIR. The difference between initial and final dry mass would give you the extract.
                              I was planning on asking Google.

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