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  • NQR Giotto/ Compak K3 setup

    Proud new owner of the rocket giotto and K3 Compak......my heads been buzzing from caffeine overload.

    I have noticed that some of the shots are not as hot as I expected. Is this because I havent pre-heated the glasses enough?

    Ive waited 20-30 minutes for the machine to warm and the pressure gauge is always btwn 1 and 1.3 bar.

    Any suggestions



  • #2
    Re: NQR Giotto/ K3Compak setup

    Could be the glasses not being heated enough.
    How about the portafilter, are you leaving that in the machine so it is hot?

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: NQR Giotto/ K3Compak setup

      I know the feeling! We bought exactly the same machine to replace the same set-up. A Giotto but with a Macap grinder, to replace our Silvia and Rocky. We bought the Giotto last Friday and the grinder on Saturday. We have probably managed a couple of passable efforts since! Its like going back to the beginning We are sure it will be worth it but so far we have used about a Kg of good beans trying

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      • #4
        Re: NQR Giotto/ K3Compak setup

        Ill try leaving the portafilter in the basket to see if it makes a difference.

        I forgot to mention that despite the temp issue the flavour is good.

        My dosing and tamping needs +++work.

        Friend of mine microwaves his cups.......sounds like its worth a try.

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: NQR Giotto/ K3Compak setup

          hey jezamino
          i guess you want to leave the portafilter/ handle in the grouphead with the basket inserted into the handle and leave it there whenever your machine is on.

          leaving your cups on top of your machine should keep em warm enough, or a quick fill and dump with the hot water wand will do.

          aaron

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          • #6
            Re: NQR Giotto/ K3Compak setup

            Hi there
            Definitely leave the portafilter in the group head when the machine is on.
            I too used to only leave it in position when making a coffee and it is surprising what a difference it makes to the flavour.

            Also try using the double basket as the norm rather than the single, i get much better shots from the double, the single is much more finicky and unforgiving to poor technique and as the machine is new to you, you need to get a consistent technique going first.

            Mal

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            • #7
              Re: NQR Giotto/ K3Compak setup

              Hi Jeza,

              Everything needs to be warm.

              The Giotto is an incredibly reliable machine and Scase testing puts it "close to bang on" when used properly- perhaps with a small cooling flush in the current configuration.

              It may well be that you have become used to vulcanised shots from some of the lousy machines found in cafes. So I guess there are two possibilities...Either the Giotto could be NQR, or maybe the its just that the nut on the group handle requires calibration  ...

              The definitive way of ascertaining what your machine is doing is to have it tested with a Scace device. Quite a few CS sponsors have them- Jetblack, Di Bartoli and Talk Coffee just to name a few...

              Purchasing from a sponsor with the right equipment ensures that you dont just buy a box....

              Good luck...

              2mcm

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: NQR Giotto/ K3Compak setup

                Question 1.....what exactly does the scace device do?

                Question 2......what does the nut on the group handle do?

                .....very interesting

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: NQR Giotto/ Compak K3 setup

                  Originally posted by 3738273C30343335325D0 link=1238319700/7#7 date=1238360023
                  Question 1.....what exactly does the scace device do?
                  Taken from the Espressoparts site:
                  Mr. Greg Scace, The inventor of the Espresso Machine Thermofilter Temperature Device ......

                  Aficionados know the importance of temperature when it comes to brewing espresso. The temperature of the brewing water must be kept within narrowly defined parameters in order to obtain the best taste. If one properly prepares the coffee and brews under the correct temperature and pressure conditions, then the customer experiences coffee nirvana. But if the brewing temperature is different from that required by a specific coffee and degree of roast, then sour or bitter tastes spoil the experience.


                  Question 2......what does the nut on the group handle do?

                  .....very interesting
                  ;D That would be the person you see when you look in the mirror...so the answer is a whole heap when it comes to espresso!

                  Hope that helps...

                  2mcm

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: NQR Giotto/ Compak K3 setup

                    Originally posted by 757A657E72767177701F0 link=1238319700/0#0 date=1238319700
                    Proud new owner of the rocket giotto and K3 Compak......my heads been buzzing from caffeine overload.

                    I have noticed that some of the shots are not as hot as I expected. Is this because I havent pre-heated the glasses enough?

                    Ive waited 20-30 minutes for the machine to warm and the pressure gauge is always btwn 1 and 1.3 bar.

                    Any suggestions

                    For my machine which is similar to yours
                    I turn it on for a minimum of 40 min with an occasional group head flush to get things moving
                    But normally I wont make a coffee until it has nicely heated up all over and that takes about 1 hour

                    To warm the coffee cup/glass and the Porta-filter you can run the machines hot water tap in them to get them up to temp


                    KK

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: NQR Giotto/ Compak K3 setup

                      Took all the above advice on board.....

                      PF in the group whilst warming
                      Hot water in the cups a s well as warming them on top
                      Double basket used

                      .....best coffees Ive made on the setup so far.

                      Any opinions on a flat tamper vs a slight convex tamper???

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: NQR Giotto/ Compak K3 setup

                        a) first and foremost talk to your equipment supplier. That should negate the necessity to proceed any further here.......

                        b) This should be nothing more than the development of familiarity with a new piece of equipment.

                        c) If the machine has been on for atleast 20 minutes there shouldnt be a problem with the brew IF you first purged some water from the group. This has a twofold effect:
                        1) If the machine is already well heated it allows you to see if the brew water is too hot and needs a little purging to cool it down OR
                        2)  If the machine is NOT already well heated or up to temp the action of pumping water through the group actually helps speed up the process of warming the group up to temp.

                        However if you are in a hurry and need to brew the coffee and go, by the 20 minute mark (from cold start) I would be surprised if it wasnt ready or able to produce a good brew. Touch the group. If you burn yourself of if you cant leave your hand on it more than a second its ready. Warm your cups.

                        These are things you learn through experience and dont require the use of scientific intruments to give you any answers.

                        Use any kind of tamper YOU like and it will work for you. We use both convex and flat depending on what the last operator left beside the machine and whether we could be bothered trying to find the other......

                        Regardz,
                        Attilio
                        original CS site sponsor and
                        purveyor of common sense advice.

                        Comment

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