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  • LaughingAtFate
    replied
    Re: K3 settings

    Holes on the side? What holes on the side?

    For me, the correct grind for my K3 seems to be around the area where the little spot on the top of the adjuster wheel (the silver raised bit) is directly to the front, As per directions on the internet, I tightened the grind up til I heard the burrs touching, then dragged it back courser an eighth of a turn, that put me into a sort of espresso zone that I could fine tune

    Make sure that you grind at least one shot through the system after you adjusted the grind. Also, if you are tightening up the grind, do run the grinder, else it clogs up the chute, and you just dont get any coffee.

    If you want to get ballpark figures as to whether your grinder is set to espresso and not Too fine, the pinch test is an effective method, pull some of the coffee out, and squeeze it between thumb and forefinger, if you can see a fingerprint in the resulting cake, The coffee is too fine, if the coffee doesnt cake at all, its too course

    As it stands, it sounds like youre not quite close to that zone yet

    -- edited additional --

    As part of the process of espresso, most group heads seem designed to be such that if you tap once to settle the grinds, then wipe a straight edge over the top to knock off excess, you achieve near to the right dose

    I would not be filling your basket up to the point where its hard for you to lock it on, Thats severely overdosing, and can lead to more trouble then what its worth

    You want to find a way to make sure that youre getting consistancy, whether its by finger, dosing tool, or straight edged card

    Fill it once, Wipe it down, then tamp, Dont fill it up more as that can damage your espresso machines collar

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  • Dead_Can_Dance
    replied
    Re: K3 settings

    Bit more than a day but Ive got some info to give and receive..

    Firstly, timed its still ~12 seconds.
    Im filling the portafilter sometimes so much I can hardly lock it onto the machine.
    If this is the case, does it mean the grind is still too coarse?

    The coffee is pouring sometimes out the little holes on the side (I took out the pressurised part) as well as the usual holes onthe bottom of the portafilter. Thoughts about that ?

    Thanks, again!

    Leave a comment:


  • Dead_Can_Dance
    replied
    Re: K3 settings

    No, Ive been adjusting when Im not grinding. Will try it out.

    Its tasting and looking better, not all black.

    Will give you guys an update after tomorrows coffee

    Leave a comment:


  • Barry O'Speedwagon
    replied
    Re: K3 settings

    Originally posted by 6342464378644649786346494442270 link=1328059482/12#12 date=1328762561
    I used scales and even with 30 pounds pressure still 13 seconds.

    I start timing when I see the first drop?
    OK. So you might already be achieving a 20sec pour (which is in the ballpark). Does your coffee still taste bad?

    Also, when you are adjusting the grind, are you doing this while the grinder is running? If not, might be worth backing the grinder off a little (towards the coarse end) and then re-adjusting while grinding.

    BOSW

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  • saoye
    replied
    Re: K3 settings

    Originally posted by 18393D38031F3D3203183D323F395C0 link=1328059482/12#12 date=1328762561
    I start timing when I see the first drop?
    Timing starts the moment you pull the lever or press the button to activate the brewhead.

    Leave a comment:


  • Dead_Can_Dance
    replied
    Re: K3 settings

    Great video.
    It helped with ideas to keep clean but the portafilter sits on the k3 and the slide/guide just above so it leaves no room for a plastic sleeve?

    The beans are coming up to three weeks old.
    I used scales and even with 30 pounds pressure still 13 seconds.

    I start timing when I see the first drop?

    I think tomorrow Ill try the 5 cent test.

    Originally posted by 444F554E544B4940270 link=1328059482/8#8 date=1328670792
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fGUppjxx94

    Leave a comment:


  • trentski
    replied
    Re: K3 settings

    and how many days post roast are the beans?

    Leave a comment:


  • Theok
    replied
    Re: K3 settings

    Oh hang on,,,,when are you starting the timing?

    Leave a comment:


  • Theok
    replied
    Re: K3 settings

    Originally posted by 7D5C585D667A5857667D58575A5C390 link=1328059482/7#7 date=1328670674
    Ill add, the ground beans are getting balls/clumps as well, too fine ?
    Depending on the beans thats pretty close. Some roasts contain more oil than others so will clump earlier, but youre pretty close.
    Have you tried tamping on a bathroom scale to see how much you are actually tamping.
    I feel that double tamping may be a bit much.
    With the K3 I can vary the grind so much, 18g basket, and get a 20 second pour easily. You can even slow it down to a 20ml in 20seconds if you so desire.
    I pulled mine apart last night for a good cleanout for a new brand of bean, and it took about 4 baskets to get right for the new bean. (Spewin cos its a beautiful roast, never had anything like it. I call it Cherry Ripe  )

    Leave a comment:


  • chrislng
    replied
    Re: K3 settings

    Different everything I know but this is a video of my technique which you may find useful if you fast forward it you get some video of dosing, tamping etc.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fGUppjxx94

    Leave a comment:


  • Dead_Can_Dance
    replied
    Re: K3 settings

    Ill add, the ground beans are getting balls/clumps as well, too fine ?

    Leave a comment:


  • Dead_Can_Dance
    replied
    Re: K3 settings

    Okay.. Ive had some practise but I have more questions..

    When I dose I spill a fair bit, so often knock it down..
    I found because it fills in one spot of the portafilter I tried tamping it down then adding more on top otherwise I have to grind, tap, grind, tap X 5+.
    Double tamping bad ?

    My grind setting is getting close to the very max, so what sort of signs can tell me its too fine?

    Im still getting about 13 seconds pours.

    Leave a comment:


  • Barry O'Speedwagon
    replied
    Re: K3 settings

    Ditto both the replies above. Also....youll probably find it easier to get the dose/grind settings right using a double filter basket (wasted a bit of time myself stuffing round with the single).
    BOSW

    Leave a comment:


  • Theok
    replied
    Re: K3 settings

    Once you get pretty close to the correct grind, just a couple of mm adjustment makes a world of difference.
    So go easy on the adjustment once you start to get a slower extraction.

    Leave a comment:


  • chrislng
    replied
    Re: K3 settings

    First you have to get your dose then you adjust your grind.

    10 Seconds sounds way to quick so it is a matter of adjusting your grinder to a finer setting.

    There are numerous checks. I havent used 5c test but you fill, tamp, and place a 5cent piece on top of the puck, lock it in and the 5c imprint should just be visible. Ultimately after you have brewed your shot remove the portafilter and there should be a slight impression of the shower screen and the puck should be firm to the touch. In terms of early warnings obviously if you try and lock the portafilter in and its resisting this is an indication of overdosing.

    When you get it right make note of how far you tamper travelled into the depth of the basket as this will be your guide for future; note try to tamp the same each time and dont adjust how hard you tamp to reach that point as this will change the playing field.

    Once satisfied with the dose then adjust finer to slow/coarser to quicken the pour. The aim being a 20-30 second pour for 30ml that doesnt blonde until right near the end of the time frame.


    As for tamping most important thing really is ensuring its level moreso than pressure. As long as its firm you dont need to tamp the crap out of it, you just want a firm, polished surface.

    Tamp with finger touching the rim of the basket as your sense of depth will be improved around the base of the tamper through the sense of touch rather than eyeballing it.

    Leave a comment:

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