Life is too short for bad coffee - The Off Topic thread

Hodors Appletart

Hodors Appletart wrote: »

I used the reusable hemp filters in the clever for the first time this morning

couple of things I noticed.

Using my usual grind the drip time was way quicker so I need to grind finer I think

there was also a weird taste, I'd boiled and then dried the filters as instructed

I adjusted the grind size for my second cup, it still ran through very quickly, but the taste is gone. Lots of sludge though

going to grab a bag of cheap beans and experiment

I just can't get to grips with the reusable filters at all, they drip way too quickly, and don't filter fine enough so the cup is always sludgy - I've tried using two filters but it's the same, and again this morning there was a weird metallic taste from my first cup.

I've been rinsing the filters immediately after each use, and then before each cup.

I'll continue on with them, but I'm on the verge of giving up

cnocbui

Weepsie wrote: »

Anyone here have and/or used a flair at all?

Tempted by one but unsure if I should get the neo which is the most forgiving and cheapest, or classic/signature which are more expensive or the pro which is possibly unnecessary entirely.

I've an original Rok presso and I like it and have upgrades it but waiting on new bayonet screws to arrive for it.

I don't understand how these types of devices are supposed to work, can someone fill me in? I get the mechanical principles perfectly, but I don't understand how these srts of things can extract coffee with water thats at 92°C.

To get a warm cup of coffe from my espresso machine I have to boil water in the microwave, run it through the filter holder into my ss cup - twice - pop the filter into the now warm water and put that back in the microwave and boil again and repeat before loading the grounds, emptying the hot water from the cup and running a shot before everything cools down

So how do these presses not suck all the heat out of the water almost instantly?

Weepsie

You preheat the portafilter and chambers with boiling water and/or steam. The portafilters on the flair are fairly thick so once they are hot, they should be okay to go.

You don't have to have it bang on 92, you should be able to get it in the range. The workflow is probably a bit tedious for some, but your own workflow seems a bit much from a machine too.

The ROK needs 2-3 flushes of water often. I leave boiling water in it while im prepping other thing, flush it, then to a another quick flush and heat cup too.

The Flair and the Robot have an awful lot of fans and great feedback for the most part, so people are obviously getting good results. I don't want to have a machine permaplaced on my counterspace is one reason for me, and I like that mechanical things anyway. They have a new one next month, that has a small electrical element to keep everything heated. Uses a standard portafilter too, but I'd wager it will be €€€

stuchyg

Iv been thinking of getting a flair myself. Isnthere anywhere in Europe they can be bought, likely to get hit on customs otherwise

Squidgy Black

stuchyg wrote: »

Iv been thinking of getting a flair myself. Isnthere anywhere in Europe they can be bought, likely to get hit on customs otherwise

Coffee24.de are the german distributor and they ship to Ireland

Weepsie

I found a super deal for a flair pro on eBay, and thought I had delivery from UK sussed, but now PayPal and eBay are blocking me from adding a new UK address completely now.

F*ckin Brexit.

Maxicoffee in France have the neo in white for 130 delivered

stuchyg

Weepsie wrote: »

I found a super deal for a flair pro on eBay, and thought I had delivery from UK sussed, but now PayPal and eBay are blocking me from adding a new UK address completely now.

F*ckin Brexit.

Maxicoffee in France have the neo in white for 130 delivered

Is that ebay or direct via site

Weepsie

The flair pro was a private sale.

Maxicoffee is via their own site. The god shot in belgium have the entire range of flairs too. Neo is 132 , Classic 175, Signature 275 and Pro 350 or something.

Krusty_Clown

cnocbui wrote: »

but I don't understand how these srts of things can extract coffee with water thats at 92°C.

To get a warm cup of coffe from my espresso machine I have to boil water in the microwave, run it through the filter holder into my ss cup - twice - pop the filter into the now warm water and put that back in the microwave and boil again and repeat before loading the grounds, emptying the hot water from the cup and running a shot before everything cools down

Are you talking about 92°C in the cup? Seems like a very lengthy process for an espresso machine with a price tag north of €1k. I have the PID on my Sylvia set to maintain the water temperature at 106°C (equivalent brew water temperature around 96°C). It runs on a smart timer and is timed to start heating at 7:30am for a first cup at 8am. A quick flush into the cup while grinding the beans and it's ready to go. Espresso shot is around 70°C, which is just about drinkable temperature. Steam gets up to about 155°C in about 30 seconds, for milky drinks (single boiler machine). Are you trying to get your shots much hotter than 70°C?

cnocbui

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Are you talking about 92°C in the cup? Seems like a very lengthy process for an espresso machine with a price tag north of €1k. I have the PID on my Sylvia set to maintain the water temperature at 106°C (equivalent brew water temperature around 96°C). It runs on a smart timer and is timed to start heating at 7:30am for a first cup at 8am. A quick flush into the cup while grinding the beans and it's ready to go. Espresso shot is around 70°C, which is just about drinkable temperature. Steam gets up to about 155°C in about 30 seconds, for milky drinks (single boiler machine). Are you trying to get your shots much hotter than 70°C?

No, I'm trying to warm the metal bits that otherwise cool down the shots. The water going through the grounds is at the right temp but then it hits the cold mass of brass that is the filter holder then it's further cooled by the SS cup.

I am in a very hard water area so I am using distilled water in my machine, so This is the alternative to just running water through the machine, given the tap water is more plentiful than the distilled.

It sounds like a bother but It's not really as I just run the preheat water in the microwave while I wait the minute or so for the machine to heat up after switching it on.

No doubt I'm about to get flak for using distilled, but most people don't know about masking or believe it doesn't apply to them.

Pen Rua

I was lurking on this forum the other day, and I saw an Aeropress recipe and I can't find it since. I feel like it's starring right at me. I recall the poster saying steep for 2+ mins, and then another poster saying that was too long for their taste. Where is it hiding?!

adrian522

I was the one saying I wouldn't do it for that long.

I use a modified version of the Blue bottle recipe. It's quick and works for me.

I use 16g ground coffee and use water off the boil.

https://bluebottlecoffee.com/preparation-guides/aeropress

Pen Rua

adrian522 wrote: »

I was the one saying I wouldn't do it for that long.

I use a modified version of the Blue bottle recipe. It's quick and works for me.

I use 16g ground coffee and use water off the boil.

https://bluebottlecoffee.com/preparation-guides/aeropress

Thanks! I go back and forth between a moka pot and Aeropress - back on my Aeropress kick. Have always used the scoop and eyeballed it, but James Hoffman's videos have convinced me to try aim for consistency with a scale (even if the one I have isn't to point-one of a gram)

adrian522

Yeah, filter is a lot more forgiving than espresso in that regard.

I weigh out the coffee alright, but then just cover the grounds from the kettle in the first step and then top up the aeropress in the second pour.

Hodors Appletart

It's me

for my aero I use

15g medium fine grind

inverted method

put in the coffee, then add 30g of water just off the boil - stir and bloom for 30-45 seconds then top up the water to 250g, steep for a further 2mins and then press slowly

The Nal

Hodors Appletart wrote: »

It's me

for my aero I use

15g medium fine grind

inverted method

put in the coffee, then add 30g of water just off the boil - stir and bloom for 30-45 seconds then top up the water to 250g, steep for a further 2mins and then press slowly

Recently bought myself one and am currently enjoying a post lunch cup done exactly as above. Delish. And strong!

Krusty_Clown

cnocbui wrote: »

No doubt I'm about to get flak for using distilled, but most people don't know about masking or believe it doesn't apply to them.

You can make your coffee with lukewarm custard if that's what makes you happy. Coffee is such an individual appreciation (my wife and I enjoy completely different coffee experiences) that I always cringe a little when I read about posters telling other posters they're wrong about their bean choice or what they like and dislike. I was more interested in your coffee regime. Incorporating a microwave would represent a nightmare for me, but coffee seems to me as much about the pursuit of perfection, as the taste, so you do you!

Pen Rua

Hodors Appletart wrote: »

It's me

for my aero I use

15g medium fine grind

inverted method

put in the coffee, then add 30g of water just off the boil - stir and bloom for 30-45 seconds then top up the water to 250g, steep for a further 2mins and then press slowly

adrian522 wrote: »

I was the one saying I wouldn't do it for that long.

I use a modified version of the Blue bottle recipe. It's quick and works for me.

I use 16g ground coffee and use water off the boil.

https://bluebottlecoffee.com/preparation-guides/aeropress

Both methods shared here were great, and streets ahead of my attempt following the instructions on Aeropress' own website.

My kitchen scale doesn't go to 0.1g, so I'm losing some accuracy there. I also found it hard to measure the exact water in the first addition, and I went over in both cases.

Hodors Appletart

a scale that does 1g is ok for my recipe


I don't understand why you had issues there?

Colonel Claptrap

Show me your setup.

I'll show you mine.

Pen Rua

Hodors Appletart wrote: »

a scale that does 1g is ok for my recipe


I don't understand why you had issues there?

I'm not finding issues in the increments for sure, I just had previously read a scale going in 0.1g increments if preferred. My scale does lag and it is slow to update. So by the time I think I've poured Xg of water, it's actually Yg.

Hodors Appletart

ah right, yeah a lag is going to be problematic, but you could pour slower the when you get close to the desired amount stop and then go really slowly

cnocbui

Colonel Claptrap wrote: »

Show me your setup.

I'll show you mine.

If you insist.

The Nal

Colonel Claptrap wrote: »

Show me your setup.

DaveyDave

Anyone know a place to get a proper coffee around Santry/DCU? With word of outdoor visits possibly coming back I'd be meeting up with a friend outside for a walk and a coffee.

Only decent coffee places I know are in and around the city centre but not familiar with anything North of the Liffey.

Bigbooty

DaveyDave wrote: »

Anyone know a place to get a proper coffee around Santry/DCU? With word of outdoor visits possibly coming back I'd be meeting up with a friend outside for a walk and a coffee.

Only decent coffee places I know are in and around the city centre but not familiar with anything North of the Liffey.

Wavetable is not so far from DCU. Speciality coffee shop/soon to be record store.

Hodors Appletart

Gourmet Food Parlour in Santry Demesne might be worth a look, it's a nice place to go for a walk too.

Looks like they sell Java Rep coffee, which to me is ok, but not up there with the best indie roasters available, but certainly better than petrol station coffee

Weepsie

DaveyDave wrote: »

Anyone know a place to get a proper coffee around Santry/DCU? With word of outdoor visits possibly coming back I'd be meeting up with a friend outside for a walk and a coffee.

Only decent coffee places I know are in and around the city centre but not familiar with anything North of the Liffey.

Bua on mobhi road, though queues are nuts. There's a coffee shop in dcu that might be okay. Anderson's just use ily or lavazza but it's okay.

driftwood if you fancy a long boring walk up glasnevin avenue towards finglas.

Decathlon has a bear mrkt cafe but don't know if it's open

cnocbui

The Nal wrote: »

'I think it's coffee Jim, but not as we know it.'

caviardreams

Really off topic here but loving the new Bell Lane logo / branding

Still annoys me that they only do their filter blends in pre-ground and not whole bean mind you!

KnicksInSix

Anyone know if any shop in Dublin sells the Kalita 155 in stainless steel?

Weepsie

Been a bit of talk of places around Phibsboro for coffee. Seems to be another one. Fools & Horses (I think) just at the laneway where permanent TSB and the Shopping centre. Don't know what coffee they are using, but I have seen someone on the canal with a Bear Mrkt coffee cup and I don't know where in the area sells it, unless that's what Bang use.

VM Varga

Weepsie wrote: »

Been a bit of talk of places around Phibsboro for coffee. Seems to be another one. Fools & Horses (I think) just at the laneway where permanent TSB and the Shopping centre. Don't know what coffee they are using, but I have seen someone on the canal with a Bear Mrkt coffee cup and I don't know where in the area sells it, unless that's what Bang use.

Not Bang Bang anyway. They do Silverskin.

breeno

Weepsie wrote: »

Been a bit of talk of places around Phibsboro for coffee. Seems to be another one. Fools & Horses (I think) just at the laneway where permanent TSB and the Shopping centre. Don't know what coffee they are using, but I have seen someone on the canal with a Bear Mrkt coffee cup and I don't know where in the area sells it, unless that's what Bang use.

Fools and horses in Walkinstown use Upside coffee so good chance it's the same I'd say. It's quite nice to be fair.

Weepsie

Where did this bear mrkt come from then I wonder.

I originally thought it was the honest2goodness market so maybe there.

Decathlon has a bear mrkt by the by. Not running at the moment of course

Hodors Appletart

h2g use Cloudpicker

I picked up some Chinese coffee there this morning

This one

Bigbooty

That Diego burmedez coffee from bell lane lived up to the hype. What an exceptional coffee. Best I've had in 2021 by some margin. Juicy, complex, clean with the most wonderful aroma I've smelled from a coffee. It has so many layers to it which is reflected in the bonkers processing method. Very Happy to have purchased two bags.

caviardreams

Bigbooty wrote: »

That Diego burmedez coffee from bell lane lived up to the hype. What an exceptional coffee. Best I've had in 2021 by some margin. Juicy, complex, clean with the most wonderful aroma I've smelled from a coffee. It has so many layers to it which is reflected in the bonkers processing method. Very Happy to have purchased two bags.

I'm a fan of Bell Lane at the best of times so must give this a go - I really wish they did 1kg bags though. €15 for 250g is just a bit steep for me... but if it's that good....

Bigbooty

caviardreams wrote: »

I'm a fan of Bell Lane at the best of times so must give this a go - I really wish they did 1kg bags though. €15 for 250g is just a bit steep for me... but if it's that good....

I don't think you'll regret it as a wee treat despite the price. It really is something quite different but good different and not I have to pretend that this is nice different.

mad m

Bigbooty wrote: »

That Diego burmedez coffee from bell lane lived up to the hype. What an exceptional coffee. Best I've had in 2021 by some margin. Juicy, complex, clean with the most wonderful aroma I've smelled from a coffee. It has so many layers to it which is reflected in the bonkers processing method. Very Happy to have purchased two bags.

How did you brew it?

Edit: added a few to cart thinking it would give free delivery but nada. SHIP50 doesn’t work now.

Bigbooty

mad m wrote: »

How did you brew it?

Edit: added a few to cart thinking it would give free delivery but nada. SHIP50 doesn’t work now.

I brewed it on the kalita 185. Here's my recipe for those interested which I use for the most part, 98oc temp (just off the boil), 20g/310ml. 60 ml bloom to 45 seconds. Second pour to 140ml then I pulse pour 3-4 times to 310 with drawdown finishing at about 2.45 to 3.15. Give it a little stir during the initial bloom and then a swirl later to flatten the brew bed.

If you're spending 50 quid you should be getting free delivery imo.

Weepsie

Have a flair pro arriving tomorrow or Thursday. excited to give it a go. Might need to upgrade the grinder next, but I'll see what results I get with the 1zpresso q2 first.

I see myself using it loads at first then going back to v60

Weepsie

Arrived. First shot, looked the business, grind slightly too fine, and tamped too much. Didn't have the piston set properly. Tasted okay though.



Second shot forgot shower screen and water just went through. That one was bad.

Weepsie

Much better today. It's obviously fiddly, and more fiddly than a Rok presso, but that it can fold up and go in a press and not take up counter space is great. Do all the heating while I'm making breakfast anyway. Clean up is also slightly fiddlier, but even then not as bad as I imagined.

Weepsie

New screws finally arrived today (couldn't get the correct type here without ordering hundreds), so I refurbed my original ROK Presso to compare it with the Flair.

I already upgraded it to the GC model so it's better than it was orginally but the new bayonet screws sorted out the leaks it had started having.

Anyway, it gave a better "espresso" than it had given in some time. Flair is still better, but it would want to be given the price. ROK much less faffing though.

stuchyg

Weepsie wrote: »

New screws finally arrived today (couldn't get the correct type here without ordering hundreds), so I refurbed my original ROK Presso to compare it with the Flair.

I already upgraded it to the GC model so it's better than it was orginally but the new bayonet screws sorted out the leaks it had started having.

Anyway, it gave a better "espresso" than it had given in some time. Flair is still better, but it would want to be given the price. ROK much less faffing though.

If someone wanted a manual espresso machine for 1 or 2 shots a day which would you recommend

Weepsie

I'd say the flair. They are a similar price point (unless you go with the pro). You can get used roks cheap enough on ebay from time to time if you can get around brexit issues, but the flair retains the heat a bit better, and at least lets you keep an eye on pressure and there's more things to help you dial in where you are going wrong or right.

That said, ROK gc is not bad, and perhaps a bit more forgiving, but at their best, the flair is better.

I'll do a bit more comparison over the next week or 2. Have a 1zpresso jx-pro landing tomorrow, so that will really help eliminate some issues. The q2 is great, but not quite good enough for espresso long term.

Bigbooty

Bit of a weird one but has anyone brewed kombucha coffee? Was going to give it a go in a few weeks time after I have a few scobys on the go.

Hodors Appletart

No, but please do put your method in here, I'm very interested in home fermentation and brew beer and make things like Sauerkraut and Kimchi

Next step is Kombucha and Ginger Bug

caviardreams

What kind of grind size are people using for the clever dripper generally? I have started going a bit finer and really enjoying it - a little sorry I didn't go there sooner

A lot of guides say go for medium-coarse, but I'm at a medium-fine atm.