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  • Dosing Levels

    I know each machine has its own personality, so wanted to check dosing levels in regards to the puck indentations.

    My wife has nicked our camera, so no pic, but what Im seeing is a very light criss-cross pattern from the shower screen along with a deeper circle around the outside, with some coffee forced up the edge of the pf basket.

    The pour is starting nicely, but ending too fast. Assuming dosage is correct, I just need to get my grind sorted and Ill be in espresso heaven

    On the off chance you havent seen my recent thread, Im on a VBM Domobar Super.

    Grant

    EDIT: Some pics to help the description





  • #2
    Re: Dosing Levels

    Also just bought a new VBM and am getting a pretty similar results after finally getting my dose and grind this morning (after a couple of days of pain)

    B

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    • #3
      Re: Dosing Levels

      So is this a grinding or a dosing issue?? anyone know or did you guys work it out??

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Dosing Levels

        I have the same machine and I am no expert but this looks like too much coffee. I got a credit card and cut the straight edge to a slight curve and and I use this to level off after filling and tapping. My basket is from Pullman tampers so made to fit. At a guess I would say after tamping my coffee level would be a good 5mm plus below top of basket. Also as you lock PF in there should be no scraping of coffee up against the shower screen. This is just my opinion but if I have any grainy feeling as I lock PF in then the shot will not go as well. To add to this not all coffee packs the same or swells the same so once you have mastered one it may well be slightly diffferent for the next.

        Enjoy !

        CB

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        • #5
          Re: Dosing Levels

          My bet is Overdosing in the first instance...


          But would dearly like to hear more.

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Dosing Levels

            Originally posted by AngerManagement link=1231140889/0#4 date=1231319642
            My bet is Overdosing in the first instance...  


            But would dearly like to hear more.
            I have a kilo of coffee on its way from Andy (and if Im lucky a new grinder) so this weekend will be a raft of shots with plenty more info to share here!

            Grant

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            • #7
              Re: Dosing Levels

              It only appears to be ever so slightly overdosed.

              Try a smidge less coffee and a slightly finer grind.

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              • #8
                Re: Dosing Levels

                Originally posted by Oonga link=1231140889/0#2 date=1231318335
                So is this a grinding or a dosing issue?? anyone know or did you guys work it out??
                Didnt really follow it up, as I was running low on beans and didnt want to experiment. Ill try and gather a number of photos of varying dose and volume with a brief description. I know I can figure it out on my own, but its far more fun to share the experience!

                Grant

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                • #9
                  Re: Dosing Levels

                  Thanks Grant,

                  I look forward to your follow ups with different grinds and doses.
                  It will not only be more fun but educational for other coffee snobs in training like myself

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Dosing Levels

                    I have the Domobar and find that much of the time I tend to over dose (not intentionally). Easy to do with the low shower screen. My portafilter ends up close to 7 at times on the clock instead of 6 or 5ish once locked in. Some times Im lucky to even get the sucker on.  :P It varies from bean to bean, roast to roast... Typically I level off with the straight edge of a knife after filling the basket. I find that most often I am happiest with the pour and whats in the cup if I get just a slight resistance when locking in the filter, and a VERY slight indent in centre of puck from shower screen.

                    No resistance and no indent, even after playing around with the grind, and typically the result is a puddle on top of the puck and poor extraction.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Dosing Levels

                      Hi Grant,

                      Your dose looks like a bit too much, but its hard to tell from those photos, as the puck expands after the pump is switched off.  Anecdotally, I would say that I found the VBM machines to require a lowish dose.  Certainly, if you are having trouble locking the handle in, you should dose less.  You might want to pull the handle out immediately after inserting it next time to see if there is a shower screen impression in the dry coffee, in which case you should dose a little less.  Too high a dose can cause channeling.  If you want to dose more, you will have to either chop your portafilter to take a triple basket or sell your VBM for another machine. The VBMs seem to be pretty popular, so the second option is probably easier than it might seem.

                      Cheers,

                      Luca

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                      • #12
                        Re: Dosing Levels

                        On my Bezzera Galatea
                        I need to dose to a level of 8mm from the top of the basket to the top of the puck, otherwise I have problems

                        Get the right level by experimenting and use that as a future reference point

                        I should point out that the correct puck level is just under by a hairs whisker from the screen when PF is locked in
                        Some may also advocate just touching the screen by a hairs whisker

                        KK

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                        • #13
                          Re: Dosing Levels

                          I had a play on a VBM DS the other night and straight away had to change my usual dosing technique to account for the lower screen. No biggie, really.

                          OR you could always just grab a bottomless portafilter, throw in a triple basket and updose(or dose like those with higher shower screens)... hey, it works for Campos (insert cheeky snicker)

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Dosing Levels

                            Originally posted by Buschy link=1231140889/0#9 date=1231328765
                            I have the Domobar and find that much of the time I tend to over dose (not intentionally). Easy to do with the low shower screen. My portafilter ends up close to 7 at times on the clock instead of 6 or 5ish once locked in. Some times Im lucky to even get the sucker on.  :P It varies from bean to bean, roast to roast... Typically I level off with the straight edge of a knife after filling the basket. I find that most often I am happiest with the pour and whats in the cup if I get just a slight resistance when locking in the filter, and a VERY slight indent in centre of puck from shower screen.

                            No resistance and no indent, even after playing around with the grind, and typically the result is a puddle on top of the puck and poor extraction.
                            I found I have tended to under-dose on my machine Buschy. The correct level is about 5mm from the top of the basket. If its lower after tamping, Ill updose, otherwise pours are too fast, with channeling or wet puck. I also agree it depends on the bean.

                            I use a small steel ruler to chop up the grounds and then level off using a NSEW sweep (technique learned from Charlie from Jetblack).

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Dosing Levels

                              Originally posted by YeeZa link=1231140889/0#12 date=1231337900
                              I had a play on a VBM DS the other night and straight away had to change my usual dosing technique to account for the lower screen.
                              Its interesting that whenever people talk about expobars online they are quick to point out that their high value for money is (apparently) accompanied by flaws like the low shower screen and the poor fit and finish, yet these flaws seem to be glossed over when people mention the much more expensive vibiemmes. I got the impression that the vibiemmes had a lower screen that the expobars, but I havent used either machine that much, so I didnt want to say anything until someone confirmed it. As for fit and finish, both machines draw flak for not having rolled edges, but I cant remember the expobars unfinished edges being as painful when carrying the machine as the vibiemme. Maybe, at least in this respect, people prefer to imagine their emperors wearing clothes.

                              Cheers,

                              Luca

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