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Post by BilliumB on Nov 9, 2017 14:28:18 GMT
Hello folks - thinking about moving to beans. What's the most reasonably priced burr grinder that's worth getting?
Probably only making a couple of cups at a time and wondering about an Aeropress - is that the best way to move on from tins of instant stuff like Nescafé Azera?
Cheers. Bill
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espresso
Nov 9, 2017 14:50:35 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2017 14:50:35 GMT
Coffee forum legend has it that one of the advantages of metal burrs is that they don't burn the coffee. My upgrade from metal burrs to the ceramic Vario was such a big jump it wouldn't be possible to claim that was due to the ceramics alone. But I'm very happy with the grinds I get. It took me a bit of fiddling around after getting the machine to settle on dose weights, grind fineness, and of course bean choice. Have fun! PS - I doubt boiler temperature produces a burnt taste. The coffee boiler wants to be at about 93 degrees. I think the issue is that the new machine is extracting the full flavour as it actually produces proper pressure on the group head as it has a rotary pump. It is currently running at about 9 bar according to the pressure gauge. Mrs H does not like her coffee as strong as me, so it is no wonder she does not like the Italian roasted Illy. I also think that the new machine takes more coffee than the old, somit makes sense that it is stronger. I have changed the beans to something slightly lighter and will see what she thinks of that. I may need to keep my old grinder for when she wants a coffee. The change from my conical burr grinder to the 65mm flat burrs certainly gave a better coffee. Changing the machine gave me a new learning curve to climb, but I am getting there. I have actually some new baskets to try and get things better. The single supplied looks like it is not easy to use due to the shape, so I have an IMS “the single” coming. Hopefully the double basket will let me use less grounds as well. It currently takes about 18.5g so I get through a bag quite quickly! |
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Post by Slinger on Nov 9, 2017 17:18:00 GMT
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Post by pinkie on Nov 9, 2017 17:26:34 GMT
Have you thought about upgrading the mains cable?   Sorry, couldn't resist.  That'll be the answer. No question  Otherwise, the amount of coffee you put in the group and the amount of water you run through it obviously affect the strength. There's some awfully purist stuff around, but the real coffee foo brigade would weigh the coffee (7 grams) they are grinding and run the water through till it starts to "honey" (1 floz) That is what I was referring to earlier - I pack mine a bit "heavy" - put too much coffee in, but make more than a regular shot - run too much water through. And I get no complaints - just bigger than official single espresso shot size coffee (only slightly) You can disappear up your own arse, like the famous OOzlam bird, if you are not careful. Good luck finding the right combination. You could always try grand mere...  |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2017 20:07:25 GMT
Try Grand mere?
If all else fails, why not!
If I have not nailed the coffee by the time you visit, it will be a challenge for you to look at. (I think I am not far away with the different beans).
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2017 22:06:50 GMT
Hello folks - thinking about moving to beans. What's the most reasonably priced burr grinder that's worth getting? Probably only making a couple of cups at a time and wondering about an Aeropress - is that the best way to move on from tins of instant stuff like Nescafé Azera? Cheers. Bill If you are thinking of an Aeropress, you may want to look at some of the better hand grinders - feldgrind seems to ring a bell, but I need to check the name. They are much more reasonable, and fine for low volume use. |
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Post by pinkie on Nov 10, 2017 8:25:17 GMT
The Aeropress is a different approach to "barrista". It's more like the "French Press" - squidger. I like coffee made in those, but its a completely different drink from espresso.
You can experiment with different coffees using one of those, since they need a coarser grind than espresso, and so vacuum packed ground coffee is likely to be suitable.
If you get the bug, as Wonky says, you can then start to grind your own beans with a burr grinder . But you can start with ground coffee.
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Post by MartinT on Nov 10, 2017 8:59:00 GMT
I really like Sainsbury's ground Ethiopian coffee.
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Post by BilliumB on Nov 10, 2017 14:51:46 GMT
Had a look at the feldgrind - certainly looks a good way to start. If the freshness of coffee is the critical element, then grinding with a good basic burr grinder seems worthwhile.
What's the best way to produce an excellent Americano, my usual choice?
Cheers. Bill
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Post by julesd68 on Nov 10, 2017 15:14:13 GMT
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espresso
Nov 10, 2017 19:27:24 GMT
via mobile
Post by pinkie on Nov 10, 2017 19:27:24 GMT
Americano is a long black coffee made by adding hot water to espresso to produce a coffee like filter or French press. So either make a slightly weak press or make a press and dilute it with a bit of hot water. It will never be exactly like a shop Americano because it doesn't start with espresso which uses a finer grind,but you'll get close
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Post by Tim on Nov 10, 2017 19:55:10 GMT
It will never be exactly like a shop Americano because it doesn't start with espresso which uses a finer grind, but you'll get close Or even better, depending on your viewpoint Bill, I have two grinders a Porlex for travel and a Zassenhaus at home, with an AeroPress. I favour South American arabica, Colombian Supremo is my favourite bean. As to making, well that's a loaded question and depends on preference. To get consistently good coffee I weigh mine, 16 - 18g depending on the bean, ground to filter coffee medium ground. Freshly drawn filtered water, let it boil then wait 2 minutes and then into the AeroPress. I use the inverted method, let it bloom and slowly press into a pre-warmed mug. Hey presto, it's the same every-time and for me better than a shop bought coffee as I like the clean fresh taste from an AeroPress, more than a pulled shot. Each to his own though and you need to experiment to find what works for you. This method is a fairly standard way that a lot use and near on identical to the way I've been drinking coffee for the last 5/6 years, apart from I invert the AeroPress. Inverted The Seattle Coffee Gear channel on YouTube is just about everything a coffee geek needs for research. I've had fancy machines and pretty much every type of filter coffee maker, but nothing works as well for me as the AeroPress and I take it away with me when I travel. But if you like Espresso and pulled shots, this probably won't be your thing - it's down to personal choice of how you like the flavour. But it's a simple way to make good coffee without the expense, clean up or maintenance of a machine. Coffee can be as daunting as Hi-Fi when you first get into it and just as controversial to A type personality men! This is my type of coffee book;  |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2017 20:52:31 GMT
I have to admit I am tempted by an aeropress for work.
We have one of those (ghastly) Nespresso Pro machines. The worst bit is that the coffee is free, but I just don't like it.
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Post by Tim on Nov 10, 2017 21:06:41 GMT
I wouldn't knowingly consume anything from Nestlé - but I agree those machines are nasty the coffee is nastier still  |
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Post by BilliumB on Nov 10, 2017 21:24:07 GMT
Thanks for the feedback - I think I'll make a start with an Aeropress plus a hand burr grinder, probably the Feld2 from knock (it looks like this is a replacement for the feldgrind). The investment won't be too great and at least it should be much better than the expensive Nescafé tins.
I always drink Americanos, or simply black coffee, but wonder if this is just a habit - perhaps I need to be a bit more adventurous!
Does the burr grinder plus Aeropress sound sensible,or might I be better going down the Nespresso route?
Cheers. Bill
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2017 21:42:10 GMT
Nespresso is expensive, and not particularly good IMHO.
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Post by Tim on Nov 10, 2017 22:11:03 GMT
Nespresso is expensive, and not particularly good IMHO. What he said, it's processed coffee, not fresh and tastes disgusting IMO. Those capsules are a disgrace environmentally too, huge con making out they are recyclable, the inventor is now very ashamed of what he did and won't touch them. That's another story though. Nowt wrong with Americano, it's all I like, milk in coffee destroys the flavour of good coffee - black is the only way for me. |
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Post by BilliumB on Nov 10, 2017 23:21:15 GMT
Feld2 grinder ordered - and hopefully will be made soon! Aeropress next.
Question - are paper filters best with the Aeropress, or are there better alternatives?
Cheers. Bill
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Post by ChrisB on Nov 11, 2017 0:56:44 GMT
I have to admit I am tempted by an aeropress for work. We have one of those (ghastly) Nespresso Pro machines. The worst bit is that the coffee is free, but I just don't like it. I have three Aeropresses and keep two of them at work (2 offices 30 miles apart!). The best thing about using one at work is that the whole thing is so easy to clean up when you've brewed. I used to use a French press at work but of course the grounds stay in the jug after you have drunk your coffee. When you have your mind on your work, you don't think about the jug until the next time you want a coffee. Then you have to clean up. Not so with the Aeropress. When you've brewed, take the mesh cage off the bottom and fire the grounds into the bin. Rinse the press off, quick rub dry, and it's all done, ready for the next brew. |
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Post by Tim on Nov 11, 2017 10:21:55 GMT
I used to keep one at work, but don't need to now Do I have to buy the doughnuts now for gloating? |
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