Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

IMS Matrix Shower Screen First Impressions

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

  • IMS Matrix Shower Screen First Impressions

    Courtesy of Tompoland for helping me out and supplying me with the IMS Matrix shower screen as a donation towards the fair crack fund. I promised that I would make a first impression and somewhat a review on this shower screen.

    I am comparing this IMS Matrix towards the IMS nanotech shower screen that I have been using in my ECM Synchronika since new in November 2021.
    My first thoughts would be that this shower screen could get rid of the use of the puck screen as the shower screen in its self is a puck screen, it is dense that you cannot see through it and does not show that coffee granules should pass through the screen.

    I compared the flow of water from both of these shower screens without a portafilter in place to see how the water runs, which shouldn’t be the same result when a portafilter is in place under pressure with a puck of coffee for water to penetrate through

    I did not pull side-by-side shots of each, but instead I pulled the same dose, same shot one day and the same dose, same shot the following day. I am using my own roasted Ethiopian Shakisso/Ethiopia Yirgiacheffe blend roasted at a medium to medium-dark. First shot with the nanotech plus puck screen the shot ran 20g in 40g out in 26 seconds( about where I usually pull), it was a medium body with nice flavours and I couldn’t complain about the taste. The 2nd shot I swapped to the matrix and used the puck screen as well, the same dose, same grind resulted in a 38 second shot, I noticed this was very smooth, I felt like the heavy body that I usually get from my niche was subsided, maybe because of the matrix and then puck screen but that’s only my own thought, it was a lot smoother than when using my nanotech shower screen. The following day I pulled the same dose same shot with the matrix but did not use the puck screen, this shot resulted in a 25 second pull, no real channeling but it tapered off towards the centre a lot cleaner than with the nanotech ( a good sign in my books). The flavour was somewhat similar to the matrix with puck screen, but maybe not as smooth or as clean( this could be the difference in the shot time also, I’m no professional).

    My only con to this matrix shower screen was the cleaning, as you can’t just wipe the surface, instead you have to dab or use a group head brush, I gave it the usual 2-3 second flush after the shot, most of the coffee came off but I noticed some residual spots, but were easily dabbed off with a cloth, a few extra seconds in cleaning than with the nanotech, but nothing to run home about and complain

    I thought that I might resign the puck screen, but I feel like for my personal preference, I prefer the taste with it, even if it means a quick wash each time when using. I have to grind alot coarser when using the matrix + puck screen but that’s not a big issue at all

    All in all, I would recommend the matrix shower screen as I feel like its worth giving a shot, it should help some of those that are having channeling issues, but at the end of the day, channeling usually comes down to the users puck preparation, as breaking up clumps with WDT is necessary unless your grinder produces fluffy clouds of grinds ( but I would still WDT regardless).

    I hope you enjoy this somewhat review/first impression, and only take this info with a grain of salt. I am by no means a professional, just a home barista, looking to improve my coffee passion further, I don’t do proper testing methodology like some of you do like using a TDS and EY % etc etc

    Enjoy, I will attach some video links to each of the 2 shots that I pulled with the matrix as I forgot to film the nanotech shot ( So matrix + puck and Matrix without puck)
    IMS nanotech flow- https://imgur.com/a/4xzZY61
    IMS Matrix flow- https://imgur.com/a/C5Xo3uJ
    IMS Matrix + Puck screen- https://imgur.com/a/N2OYII0
    IMS Matrix w/out puck screen- https://imgur.com/a/NQ1DpIv
    Attached Files

  • #2
    I also got an IMS Nanotech last week.
    The taste improvement is subtle but there is definitely less random channeling. And the shot consolidates to a single stream faster (using a naked PF).
    So it looks prettier which is the important thing.

    Comment


    • FilthySudo
      FilthySudo commented
      Editing a comment
      Yep I much preferred the nanotech over the stock screen, but comparing to the matrix is slightly different again

  • #3
    i gather these are for e61 style group heads and not made for la marzocco or slayer?

    Comment


    • FilthySudo
      FilthySudo commented
      Editing a comment
      I’m surprised they haven’t released it to more machines already being it’s IMS but also a collaboration with DVG, but the cheapest in aus seemed to be around $80 so they wernt cheap, but when you factor in the cost of a shower screen being around 30-40 for an ims, and then if you’re buying a branded puck screen and some of those go for $40+ then I guess that covers the cost in one go

    • JohnA
      JohnA commented
      Editing a comment
      $69 aus i have seen them for, so to me, as you said when you consider other comp shower screens around $40, thats not bad at all.
      If they do as said, id happily be purchasing these all the time, as i am sure many other would also

    • FilthySudo
      FilthySudo commented
      Editing a comment
      Sorry I meant to say 70 not 80. But yes, clearly not big in the aus market but I have seen a few US users with them, but still relatively new by the looks

  • #4
    $50 from coffee parts, includes e61 nanotech version, replacement silicone group head seal and paper shim.

    Comment


    • FilthySudo
      FilthySudo commented
      Editing a comment
      I’m assuming you’re talking about the nanotech, this post is about the matrix not nanotech

  • #5
    Fast work and thorough thanks FilthySudo

    Comment


    • FilthySudo
      FilthySudo commented
      Editing a comment
      Thanks for that!

  • #6
    For anyone who's interested in buying the Matrix shower screens they are available to purchase on our website: https://eastlinkespresso.com.au/prod...er-screen-e61/

    You can also see our post in the sponsors page: https://coffeesnobs.com.au/forum/new...sso#post919992

    We have been testing them for a few months with both E61 and lever machines. The results have been impressive, with an increase of TDS all around our testing.
    Flavours and coffee nuances tend to be much smoother and complex, especially when pulling light roasted beans. If you are accustomed to using a puck screen this is the right choice for you.

    Cleaning the Matrix itself can be tricky but no residuals can pass through it, so your machine will be nice and clean for longer. Some users have reported some issues with the lever getting stiffer than usual since there's no coffee oils lubricating the E61 cam shaft. More greasing may be required.

    There's no future plans on producing different versions suitable for La Marzocco, Rancilio, LSM Lever and Decent for the moment but we will keep you posted if anything pops up.

    We will post a full review in the upcoming weeks on the sponsor page.

    V

    Comment


    • BanjoPaterson
      BanjoPaterson commented
      Editing a comment
      Nice site V - looks like CP and AB have competition for my custom. :-)

  • #7
    With the Matrix or the puck screen, as there is less coffee/oils going back through the group head, do you clean less often? When I say clean I mean backwash with espresso machine cleaner.

    I would have thought with less grim going back up the group you could extend the time between backwash cleaning.

    Comment


    • FilthySudo
      FilthySudo commented
      Editing a comment
      I backflush after each shot, and having only had it installed for 3 weeks I haven’t done a chemical backflush yet as I do a full e61 strip down including taking shower screen and soaking it in cafetto ( every 2 months) and then every month between I do a chemical backflush rather than a full tear down. But from doing the full clean I noticed hardly any gunk on the inner side of the matrix screen, I did notice coffee oil built up on the actual sides of the shower screen it’s self but that was about it. That can only just be from tightening the portafilter in and the coffee oil sticking to the sides

    • coffeemachine
      coffeemachine commented
      Editing a comment
      FilthySudo how many coffees are you making a week?

  • #8
    I am noticing a lot less of gunk inside the shower screen now. I am using filter paper not the screen puck, means I just throw away the paper filter at the end of the shot. Less mess all round, so got to be happy with that. Will shift to monthly backwash with chemicals now as I think the machine is going to be a lot cleaner. Will see how that goes.

    Comment


    • #9
      Don't know if a Filter Paper will significantly reduce the volume of soluble oils through the Group, and it is the oils that cause most of the grief with regard to quality in the cup, over time.

      I suspect that coffee oils will still manage to get into the Group and begin oxidising and accreting as time progresses, getting more and more rancid in the process. Has been discussed many times over the years but given how economical Cafetto Espresso Clean and others are to buy and use (my last 500g tub lasted more than 10 years), cleaning more often with a reduced amount of the cleaner keeps the group in pristine condition and thereafter, terrific quality espresso in the cup. My regime is to clean with Cafetto EC once per week using about a quarter of a scoop of powder each time. Does an excellent job...

      Mal.

      Comment


      • amberale
        amberale commented
        Editing a comment
        how often do you relube the valves Mal?

      • Lyrebird
        Lyrebird commented
        Editing a comment
        I'm not Mal, but I stopped relubing the valves. I now find that they are a bit sticky when first cleaned, free up a lot during the rinse cycle (I judge whether I've rinsed properly by the way the lever feels) free up further with the first few coffees and are fine thereafter.

        I'm talking about a full CIP using the device I've shown before and a basket full of cleaning compound (I use straight percarbonate because I have kilos of it on hand).

        I do this weekly (except when I forget). We go through about a kilo of coffee in a week.

      • coffeemachine
        coffeemachine commented
        Editing a comment
        Hey Mal what volume of coffee do you go through a week?

    • #10
      That is true Dimal, it is quite cheap and lasts ages. Dimal what is your cleaning process? Do you back wash each week and then also remove the shower screen and soak in Cafetto? How many coffees are you making a week?

      Very keen to hear about others cleaning routine. I used to do a backwash with soaking of shower screen/baskets/portafilters every three weeks, now I am thinking of increasing the cleaning frequency.

      I make about 15 coffees a week, so I feel weekly cleaning would be over kill. I am thinking of the following routine.
      - every two weeks back wash with Cafetto (no strip down)
      - every month back wash as above and then also do a strip down, so remove the shower screen and soak in Cafetto along with the portafilters and baskets

      To others out there, what is your cleaning routine?

      Comment


      • FilthySudo
        FilthySudo commented
        Editing a comment
        My cleaning routine is ever 2nd month I teardown the e61 group head, soak all metal parts in cafetto for 15 mins, including shower screen, basket and puck screen, I also pull apart my niche grinder, and then every month in between this is grinder and cafetto chemical backflush of the machine. It’s probably overkill, but that’s my routine. I lube with Molykote 111 on the valves, cam and the group gasket

      • BanjoPaterson
        BanjoPaterson commented
        Editing a comment
        As someone high 'on the spectrum' and making 2-3 espressos daily (18gm coffee; 36gm espresso 25-35 seconds); this is my routine:

        Daily
        - After each espresso flush brew group for 2-3 seconds with jug underneath
        - After finished with the morning espresso; 2 x blind filter (no detergent)
        - Clean the O-ring and shower screen*
        - Rinse VST filter (remove from portafilter) under tap and dry using microfibre cloth until there is no visible residue in the holes when held to the light
        - Rinse drip tray screen and drip tray, then wipe dry (wipe water off underside. My Silvia is a v6, but can't trust rust issues)
        - Wipe off any splatter on stainless steel back panel and dry
        - Quick wipe of scales, should they need it
        - Tea towel and blow out any fines in dosing cup and dosing funnel

        Takes about 3-5 minutes, but I feel it's worth it.

        Weekend
        - Back flush with blind filter - 5x detergent; 5x without; flush brew group
        - Put VST filter basket in plastic container with Cafetto while doing back flushing

        First Weekend in Month
        - Monthly routine PLUS
        - Take off shower screen, dispersion etc and soak in Cafetto; rinse when done
        - Clean Rocky Rancilio - discovered (last weekend) the little cleaning pellets are near useless for the Rocky as it doesn't remove the fine ring of coffee above the top burr. You just get a muddy ring above the top burr. These are probably good for other grinders, I suspect. I should put these pellets on 'forward it' at some stage for local pickup in Canberra.

        First Weekend Every Even Month
        - Descale using Dezcal (apparently good for brass boilers). Canberra's a soft water area, so once every two months should be fine

        First Month out of Warranty and Every Two Years After That (This is what I did with my old Gaggia, but will begin in 2024 with the Silvia)
        - Open boiler and inspect scale. Replace boiler O-ring; steam O-rings; descale. Check thermostats and replace if necessary; redo thermal paste on thermostats.

        *I use chux to wipe the group and O-ring; a different chux to wipe the stainless bits; and microfibre cloths, rather than dishcloths, to dry the stainless steel bits.

    • #11
      We go through roughly 350-500g of home roasted coffee per week. Extra roast batches are added in after the first bag nears empty...

      Currently don't use an E-61 based machine, but when we did (a couple over 10 years or so), stopped lubing the internals after the first 12 months as it wasn't really necessary, per Lyrebird's explanation above.This regime was adopted after regular inspections revealed that relubing just wasn't necessary, the coffee oils provided enough for that purpose.

      Water only backflushes between sessions and last session of the day, Cafetto backflush on the weekend with plenty of follow-up rinsing and a seasoning shot after that. Also use Portafilter 'sneeze' at the end of each session too, to remove loose particles from the shower-screen and lower group nooks and crannies.

      Mal.

      Comment


      • coffeemachine
        coffeemachine commented
        Editing a comment
        Thanks Dimal and FilthySudo. Appreciate the reply. We use about 250gm of coffee a week, will try the every 2nd week and see how that goes.

    • #12
      Thanks Guys.
      I water back flush usually once a week with a LB style device and then chemically back flush about one a month.
      I am over due to pull my mushroom and lube the FCD but I haven't felt the need to do more than once a year lubes on the rest of the E61/Bianca.

      Comment

      Working...
      X