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Useful accessories (for making better coffee)

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  • TampIt
    replied
    Originally posted by Sullo View Post
    heya Tampit like as in running a bit of vinegar thru a machine instead of commercial fluids?
    Diluted just under 3 tablespoons vinegar per litre. If doing a cantankerous steam wand I dilute it another 50%. I wouldn't use it straight!

    TampIt

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  • Sullo
    replied
    heya Tampit like as in running a bit of vinegar thru a machine instead of commercial fluids?

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  • zydeco
    replied
    Thanks for the various input and, yes, 100% agree about the need for good clean water.

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  • TampIt
    replied
    I fully agree with L3N above.

    Most "accessories" except 0.1g scales and milk jugs are merely to compensate for inadequacies in either the gear or the technique of the "mano".

    A decent grinder these days does not clump, do static or any of the other traditional historic problems. The various funnels, dosers etc are only to cover up poor grinders (cafe use excepted).

    Despite my "TampIt" handle plus the various "high end" 316 stainless steel (i.e. no static cling) tampers I own, I have made do with the nearest flat base "best fit" plastic bottle and lid (even 2.2 litre fruit juice bottles at a pinch). Whilst I appreciate good gear, as long as a tamper fits properly you can make a good / great cuppa. When you have lost your "P-Plates" you may find nicer balance and getting into various shapes may make a slight difference - mainly to ease of use.

    Cleaners - I have used white vinegar in various machines since 1970. A couple of them I have owned for 15+ years with no issues. The "specialty cleaners" do not do a better job and take a lot longer to remove the tainted taste they impart. Not a fan...

    Having said all that, there is one other "essential accessory": using anything other than really good, clean water may not only destroy your machine (bad, very bad), any cuppa you make will taste like the water (possibly even worse).

    As long as you enjoy the cuppa in front of you, the rest is mere icing on the cake.

    TampIt

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  • level3ninja
    replied
    Scales that measure to 0.1g can be helpful. If you've been using the same beans for a long time you may get less out of them than someone just starting out, or you might find out you've been dosing inconsistently. You don't have to buy "coffee scales", spend <$30 on eBay and you'll be fine.

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  • zydeco
    started a topic Useful accessories (for making better coffee)

    Useful accessories (for making better coffee)

    I was just ordering some replacement group head gasket seals and, browsing the site, saw a bunch of coffee making "accessories" including measured shot glasses, scales and pressure calibrated tampers. (Yes, I don't get out very often). My situation is that I've been making espresso for quite some time, use the same beans (so some variation due to age, humidity etc. but not a lot) and pour directly into the glass / cup. Which, if any, of these accessories go beyond being a gadget to being part of peoples everyday workflow and help to produce good shots?
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