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  • When time is a factor - warm up times

    Hi,

    Im looking to upgrade from a auto machine to a proper espresso machine but am a little concerned by some of the warm up times Ive seen mentioned on this site. One talked of 45 minutes?
    Im a doctor and so am often in a hurry or pushed for time. Am I committing myself to such long warm up times if I invest in an authentic manual espresso machine?

  • #2
    Re: When time is a factor - warm up times

    Hi drcoffee - generally machines tend to vary (mine takes around 30 minutes or so), however the way to get around this - depending on your machine: some dont like it, but most do - buy a power outlet with a digital timer on it.

    Its not very expensive - mine cost $25.00 from Bunnings a couple of weeks ago and has 4 outlets - and you can then set it to switch on half an hour before you plan to be awake. My alarm goes off at 5.45am, so I have it set to switch on at 5.15am and switches off again at 7.00pm in the evening.

    Cheers
    Di

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    • #3
      Re: When time is a factor - warm up times

      As per what Hoyks suggests, but it depends on what you mean by proper espresso machine. The HX (heat exchanger) machines will take 30 - 45 minutes or longer.

      My old single boiler dual purpose Vibiemme Piccolo I could have ready to use in 20 mins. As it required a bit of priming to ensure the boiler is filled, I didnt run it from a timer. But stick a towel over the group head and it would warm up quicker. Also, running some hot warer from the boiler through the grouphead would help too.

      Machines based on thermoblocks such as Sunbeam, Gaggia and Breville etc would generally be ready in 5 - 10 mins.

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      • #4
        Re: When time is a factor - warm up times

        A coffee machine is no different to a car or a human body

        They all have an optimum operating temperature

        So to answer your question yes warm up time is needed, as to how much is dependant on the machine as noted above

        KK

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        • #5
          Re: When time is a factor - warm up times

          Generally speaking, you could just leave it on 24/7

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          • #6
            Re: When time is a factor - warm up times

            Doc, it is worth noting that machines can be used earlier than the recommended warm up time, although the result will not be optimal. I was desperate for a coffee this morning so only gave the machine 5min before making a flat white. Result was still better than most cafe coffees and not much worse than if Id waited 45min.

            Im sure people with more educated paletes than me will cringe at the above comment.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: When time is a factor - warm up times

              Originally posted by 37363C2F31342E5D0 link=1247456883/5#5 date=1247462930
              Doc, it is worth noting that machines can be used earlier than the recommended warm up time, although the result will not be optimal.I was desperate for a coffee this morning so only gave the machine 5min before making a flat white.Result was still better than most cafe coffees and not much worse than if Id waited 45min.

              Im sure people with more educated paletes than me will cringe at the above comment.
              Thats a fair call but the thermoblock machine has a lot to do with that. I wouldnt even bother with my HX machine at 5 min. The group would barely be warm by then. The water coming out of it would be way too cool so would extract no flavor at all. The smaller machines would be a must if you want a coffee at the last minute.

              Back to OP though guys he said he is a doctor. I think the point is that drcoffee wont know when he needs the machine turned on so a timer is out of the question. The only solutions would be smaller boiler machine or thermoblock system or get a machine that is efficient that can be left on. Aeropress is also an option if it is only black coffee that is needed.

              JB

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              • #8
                Re: When time is a factor - warm up times

                Originally posted by 6B545255484F7E634E584D44210 link=1247456883/6#6 date=1247464114
                drcoffee wont know when he needs the machine turned on  
                I didnt infer that; only that he wouldnt have 30 mins or so to cool his heels waiting for the machine to warm up. I think it comes down to...

                depends on what you mean by proper espresso machine

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: When time is a factor - warm up times

                  Originally posted by 76777D6E70756F1C0 link=1247456883/5#5 date=1247462930
                  Doc, it is worth noting that machines can be used earlier than the recommended warm up time, although the result will not be optimal.  I was desperate for a coffee this morning so only gave the machine 5min before making a flat white.  Result was still better than most cafe coffees and not much worse than if Id waited 45min.  

                  Im sure people with more educated paletes than me will cringe at the above comment.
                  Some may, but at the end of the day it is your call... and your pallet..

                  Some may even say, they can pick the difference..  But I have only met a few that really do have that capacity...  It also depends on the machine and the beans... People keep forgetting that the output is so dependant on so many variables... That a straight out answer is not always available... Thus the reason so many struggle with consistency.


                  Oh... And in a mad rush.. I too have been guilty. Still better than a pod and nesspreso or instant


                  Originally posted by 56696F687572435E736570791C0 link=1247456883/6#6 date=1247464114
                  Back to OP though guys he said he is a doctor.  I think the point is that drcoffee wont know when he needs the machine turned on so a timer is out of the question.  The only solutions would be smaller boiler machine or thermoblock system or get a machine that is efficient that can be left on

                  Even the EM6910 can take some time... And after being on for a while slips into standby mode..

                  DrCoffee has hit any number of topics on CS with limited background information and very open questions/statements...

                  I think the issue that the good DrCoffee has not fully explained; is his level of appreciation of coffee or requirements....

                  Originally posted by 474D584F4F405452210 link=1247456883/7#7 date=1247465069
                  Quote:
                  depends on what you mean by proper espresso machine

                  So until that is resolved there will be a round robin of Questions and responses...

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: When time is a factor - warm up times

                    Just wake up earlier to make your coffee/coffees.

                    I wake up an hour earlier to spend quality time with my toys every morning

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: When time is a factor - warm up times

                      Originally posted by 2503140B0C53620 link=1247456883/9#9 date=1247470057
                      Just wake up earlier to make your coffee/coffees.

                      I wake up an hour earlier to spend quality time with my toys every morning
                      Please keep it G rated...

                      I wake my wife up (When she is at home) to get it ready for me... When I come home, she turns on teh machine when she hears the garage door go up...

                      If she is really missing me and wants me out of the shed... She has been known to make it as well...

                      Machine or Wife ???? Can not quite work out which one needs to upgraded first

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: When time is a factor - warm up times

                        Hey Anger management,
                        I have a cultured palate and appreciate the finer things in life (and coffee) but on the other hand Im a realist who works 70 hours a week so I dont know if Ill have the discipline to get up an hour earlier
                        Unfortunately I dont have the time to be a true snob

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: When time is a factor - warm up times

                          With enough planning, you can pull off anything. Drcoffee, I am a med student who still manages to fit in several great home made espressos a day, in between classes, hospital rotations, parallel consults with GPs, emergency shifts and the Hey come and see this cool sign phone calls that we get around the clock, and then still have to run my own business to fund my way.

                          The first secret, is coffee is the most important thing. Everything else must bow to it! ;D ...Not really, after all I havent been kicked out of medicine yet. But I really do view it as an essential part of my day, and although it may get rescheduled, it is always still on my to do list and never cancelled.

                          The second, as mentioned above, is selection of machine. I have a single boiler dual purpose lever espresso machine - LaPavoni Europiccola. (Depends on what you mean by proper espresso machine). It really can be ready to go in about 10 minutes if you need it to be. Turn it on, get in the shower - clean, dry, dress, pull espresso. Though, if you are on call and want one on your way out the door, you need to leave your machine on (in which case the Europiccola is no good for this) and have beans in grinder ready to go as soon as the phone rings.

                          Third, find a machine you can use where you work. In my hospital, you need to get very friendly with the obstetricians who have an espresso machine in their tea room. I won them over by giving the machine a proper clean - shower screen off, caffetto used, descale machine, present the case: Dr Obstetrician, I have a 2 year old presenting with bad tasting pulls on a background of neglect. After administering caffetto 1g/kg stat and undergoing a descale procedure the patient pulls significantly better tasting shots. I am concerned about the potential for future neglect and seek advice on notifying the case to DoCS (Dept of Coffee Services)...

                          Finally, there is the Level 10 meeting (must sound very official when pronouncing this). Level 10 in my hospital is the JMO hangout area. When my colleagues and I really need a caffeine break, we schedule a Level 10 meeting. It gives the impression that it is obviously something official that we must attend...oh, sorry this wont be as effective for yourself, kinda relies on the little responsibility at this stage of training.

                          You can do it Drcoffee. You Drs seem to pull off amazing feats without time. To help bump it up your priority list, view your lack of decent caffeine as an impairment to your ability to perform your duty and thus the only ethical response is to take a coffee break.

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                          • #14
                            Re: When time is a factor - warm up times

                            AM is right, we really need to know what drcoffees requirements are. We may have already scared him off to his nearest dept store to buy a fully automatic kraps.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: When time is a factor - warm up times

                              Or have you heard of something called the handpresso?

                              You could put it in your pocket, whip it out and make espresso anywhere, anytime! even during surgery!!

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