I have found that the VST 15g is hard to keep consistent. It definitely does not like brew ratios beyond 1:2 whereas the standard Wega portafilter extracts more slowly and is OK with 1:3. I would say the VST extracts very quickly from a finer grind due to its design. It simply does not need a large brew ratio. The pour breakdown quickly after 1:2 as there is not much left to extract by that point. The VST would be ideal for a ristretto too as it would have extracted a very concentrated shot, much more than my standard Wega basket.
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Naked Coffee Filter - Like A Virgin for the Very FIRST Time
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The naked portafilter is like my head pressure gauge, I will pull it out occasionally for checking purposes.
I can't see me using the naked portafilter regularly. I prefer just the spouted one, it is nicer and easier to use. It balances nicely on the bench and sits in the grinder fork nicely.
Keeping the brew ratio no higher than 1:2 will help. It looks to me after this point, the pour breaks down and I think that this is causing too much variation in cup weight. I get variations I never got when I was dosing at lower brew ratios.
I will be doing more testing with the naked portafilter though. I think it has justified its purchase already.
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would have thought it should be your naked companion who should feel self conscious?Originally posted by wattgn View Postbut the mere fact of being watched by my naked portafilter companion made me self-conscious.
Seriously though, a naked basket will keep your puck prep honest. It frustratingly plain to see when I didn't get the puck prep spot on.
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The ratio you use should be chosen by taste. What is the taste difference between a 45g yield and a 30g yield?
I find darker roast levels tend to work better at shorter ratios, but otherwise as I generally drink medium or medium-light roasted beans I prefer ratios above 1:2, typically 1:2.5 +/- depending on the bean.
Once my puck prep abilities got to a certain level* I found that my taste preferences shifted to longer ratios. I think that the better puck prep allowed for higher yields without the bitterness of overextraction from channelling.
*in no way a comment on anyone's abilities but my own, just seems to be the natural cause. If you prefer a different ratio I'm not saying you're any better or worse than me at anything.
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It is interesting to see it play out in the naked portafilter...
I have tried the VST 15g, the IMS B70 2T H26.5 (18g weighed in) and the original basket that came with the Wega (18g weighed in).
The VST is pretty well straight down sides, the IMS does slope in and the Wega basket the sides slope in quite sharply.
I think that there is no doubt that the VST extracts the most as it has the most surface area at the bottom of the filter. The driest puck goes to the Wega basket (solid as a vegan's turd) and that is probably as this basket has the least volume (compared to the IMS) so less head space. The VST also requires the finest grind.
All of them performed well looking at the pour using the naked portafilter.
I will probably just stick to the VST and pull back the ratio to 1:2 or a bit less. This means 15g so about 28 - 30 g in 25 seconds...my aim from now on. I can see the point of pulling an even lower ratio as it definitely changes the flavour. I think shorter shots are sweeter and more chocolatey. I use milk most of the time so it doesn't matter so much but I do like having a reasonable espresso ready to go as well. 30g in the cup is just enough.
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Does it matter?
Not if it tastes good to you! But I suspect your not happy with it Wattsy.
If so you could try these mods.
Dosing at 15g, Id suspect its too little dose weight. with too course a grind at your stated shot specs, observations and taste.
VST state they developed they're baskets with a specific headspace in mind. 1.5 to 2mm.
I dont know what machine your using (IIRC an Expobar Minore?) and be aware with some machines that dimension will vary.
On my Rocket the VST 15g basket allows me to dose at around 16.3g with a heavy tamp with 1.6mm'ish headspace.
5c piece = 1.35mm, 10c = 1.75mm
Suggestion.....
16.x grams dose, 32 /36 out, in 32 to 38sec = around 1g / sec overall with 7sec pre-infusion
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Well, 1:1 is a risretto, and 1:2 is the notional 'standard'. I guess I prefer about 1:1.8, but plenty of people lke higher ratios (particularly those who favour the luongo type stuff).
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1:3 seems way too long for espresso. I usually go for 1:1 or at most 1:1.5. If I want more volume I simply add hot water to dilute it out to effective 1:3. Even 1:2 is too much in my experience as you are extracting the bitter parts at that end of the extraction.
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Naked Coffee Filter - Like A Virgin for the Very FIRST Time
I am having a CoffeeSnob get together at my place in Woodvale Perth Sunday 24th October 11AM for those of who want to and can attend. I thought the topic posted here might be a relevant backdrop to the meet up.
I resisted buying one of these until I didn't which was yesterday...
I figured it might help me to refine my tamping and distribution technique. It didn't quite turn out as I thought.
I think that my technique was reasonable already but the mere fact of being watched by my naked portafilter companion made me self-conscious. I did one refinement which may have helped although my first pour was fine before making any changes...just in case I thought.
What I didn't expect was the influence the naked portafilter would have on the brew ratio I was using. I was using 15g in a 15g VST basket and the lovely pour would literally tail off into an untidy spectacle after 15 seconds or so as the whole thing thinned out too much...think bleached blonde. I was aiming for about 45g weighed over 25 seconds which is a brew ratio of 1:3.
I tried similar with my IMS 18g basket and discovered similar which is a brew ratio of 1:2 is fine, a ratio of 1:3 means the tail end lacks viscosity and the nice tornado shape breaks down viewed naked from below the waistline.
It brings me to the point...does it matter? My opinion at this point is that it probably does matter and once the viscosity reduces to not much greater than water that is a step too far. As usual, opinions vary but one thing you can't argue with, being naked reveals all the imperfections that are normally hidden. It requires trust in order to reach a satisfactory conclusion.

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