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

caviardreams

Anyone tried three fools coffee? Their sub at 1kgfor 32 euro looks good but never tried them.

The Nal

Enjoying the Grumpy Mule espresso beans. Just solid strong full bodied stuff.

Hodors Appletart

anyone got a good source for green beans?

Krusty_Clown

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120861397#Comment_120861397

Depends on what you want. Are you looking for value or quality?

Quality: If you're looking for quality, then I'd buy from RoastRebels, but you're going to be looking at €11/kg for their cheaper coffees, up to €25/kg for the kind of coffee I'd like to be roasting (natural Yirgacheffe), plus expensive delivery (free for orders over €120). Mostly organic beans. Good supplier for coffee roasting equipment too (which can help with the minimum delivery spend). Only place I'd go to get good natural-processed coffees.

Cheap: For cheap (and local) it's hard to look past DiscountCoffee, where you'll pay €10/€11/kg. It's grand. Check for debris/pebbles! I haven't found any, but....It's mentioned on their website. Fast delivery (like I said, they're local). Good if you're still experimenting with roasting, and may write off a few roasts.

Balance quality/value:

Mondodelcafe:€12-€16/kg, decent variety, good packaging, expensive shipping (€13-€16), so buy in bulk.

Cafedujour: Nice variety, cheap (€9-€12/kg), low-cost delivery (€6.95), and pretty fast. No real indication of processing method. Like Mondodelcafe, they don't seem to sell upper-end coffees as green beans.

A couple of points of note:

Coffee beans (as a raw material) are exempt from vat. Most UK roasters/green bean sellers no longer ship to Ireland since Brexit. You might find some who do, but I gave up looking. Some Irish coffee roaster (like Badger & Dodo) sell green beans, but not at a price point where I'd consider them.

cnocbui

If you ever wondered what the Irish roasters markup is on roasting green beans is, it's about 470%, at least for one coffee i looked at, anyway.

https://www.cofinet.com.au/europe/#

https://www.belllane.ie/products/johan-vergara-washed-caturra-250g

@Krusty_Clown : I gather you are using a dedicated roaster, I'm using an oven with beans from mondodelcaffee. Do the beans expand much in volume when roasted in your machine? I find the beans from Mondo start out much smaller than their roasted beans and end up about the same size they started at when roasted.

Krusty_Clown

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120862314#Comment_120862314

Hi cnocbui, I'm using a behmor 1600 roaster, which is a dedicated roaster (electric drum style). About the size/shape of a typical microwave. I will typically roast around 400g at a time, and when roasted, the volume goes up by about 30%, while the weight goes down by about 15% (will end up with around 360g-375g). The weight loss is a combination of the chaffe (silverskin) and the moisture loss during roasting, as well as some small beans/debris that falls out of the drum during the roast.

Hodors Appletart

I'm roasting in an Airfryer, so experimenting at the moment.

I'll stick to the discountcoffee stuff for now, thanks for the input

Hodors Appletart

Do Velo roast all of their coffees dark?

Just picked up the Ethiopian in Tesco, it's a Yirgacheffe, but they've for some reason roasted all the character and flavour out of it.

Bawnmore

Not worth it's own thread as it's probably a straight forward answer I'd imagine - had a bag of freshly roasted beans recently from a roaster close to here that would be known for high quality, and just couldn't get it dialled in. No matter what adjustments I was making, I just couldn't get it to a point where the throughput wasn't rushing through the puck. Through the whole bag, I was trying to get it down to about 18g in/36g out in 25-30 seconds and the closest I could get at the finest grind settings (Sage Grinder Pro) was 16 seconds, even with 20g of the grounds.

I thought it might be something up with the machine likes seals or something, but I'm back to Bell Lane beans this morning and all back to normal.

My assumption is one of the following or a combination of them:

1. The beans were a light to medium roast.
2. My grinder wasn't up to the job.

I won't be losing any sleep over it, but it'd be nice to know :)

adrian522

What kind of grinder do you have? I've had to adjust my Vario on occasions with an Allen key to put the burrs closer together.

Also I think temperature/humidity affects things as well. My grinder settings are a good bit finer the last few weeks that what I would normally have.

If as you say the new beans seems to be grinding ok then nothing to worry about but I also don't understand what would happen in the roast process that would cause that effect.

DaveyDave

Anyone use or know of a good place to buy reusable coffee filters? Just looking for a more eco friendly solution for a cheap drip machine at work.

Bawnmore

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120929297#Comment_120929297

Thanks - it's a Sage Grinder Pro I have, so not high end by any means. That said, I'd usually start off dialing in new beans around setting 8 and espresso grind would usually be between setting 7 and 10 depending on how fresh the beans are. I've gone through 4 or 5 cups on the Bell Lane beans between yesterday and today and it's landed around setting 10 on the grinder.

With the other beans, I was down at settings 2 and it'd sometimes (not often) make a click noise as if the burrs were jamming momentarily so I probably wouldn't be comfortable bringing them any closer. It's obviously not the end of the world in any case, just interested if it's a limitation of my setup or the something with beans themselves possibly.

alec76

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120930615#Comment_120930615

Bring it as close as it goes, don’t be worry. Make sure you making adjustments while burrs are spinning, not idle . Some of the beans could be tricky.

Having said that , Sage Grinder not a good one: clumpy, noisy,coldnt grind fine,coffee grinds very uneven. As unproud owner of same grinder would strongly suggest to get better one .

Hodors Appletart

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120886097#Comment_120886097

back to this, after a few failed Clever Dripper (Hoffman Method 23g/325g medium fine grind) I switched to an Aeropress espresso method (21g/70g very fine grind 50g output, topped up to 170g Americano) and the coffee is much tastier

Same with the Columbian beans from Velo

So it's worth doing a few different methods if certain beans aren't working for your usual method

the beer revolu

Changed the gasket on my Gaggia Classic. I fall in love with the machine again every time I get around to doing this! 😁

Bawnmore

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120989580#Comment_120989580

It makes such a difference - I changed mine a few months back and the old one was rock solid. My steam wand is a bit leaky at the moment so that's next up.

the beer revolu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120989824#Comment_120989824

So easy to get the portafilter in! And no holding onto it while brewing so it doesn't slip 😉

I don't use the steam wand. I suspect my next machine (if the GC ever dies) will probably not have a steam function.

Bawnmore

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120989902#Comment_120989902

"If the GC ever dies" is my motto.

the beer revolu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120990772#Comment_120990772

Well, mine going since 2006. Fitted a new boiler in around 2014. Not too bad 😉

alec76

I’ve got myself early Christmas present, Profitec PRO 700, what a machine ,such a beauty. I only start using flow control and it is a lot of fun.

limnam

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120992324#Comment_120992324

Looks like a great machine.

Every time you post you cost me money.

How much bunce we talkin'?

alec76

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120992459#Comment_120992459

 I was dreaming about e61 machine with dual boiler and  flow control  last few years, mostly thinking about  Lelit Bianca  to be honest , which is probably most popular machine  in this price range.    Had a chat with Ciaran from Homecoffeemachines , they  are selling Lelit Bianca , Profitec  Pro 700  and also ECM Synchronika ( Profitec owned by ECM btw)  all three  are e61 , dual boiler, rotary pumps . I went for Profitec 700 at the end, mostly for the build quality.  Probably the most beautiful machine I have ever seen

How much bunce we talkin'?

It wasn’t impulse buy, I think I deserved it :)

cnocbui

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120992459#Comment_120992459

It's a very similar machine to a Quickmill Essence and the price would be similar at around €2.8 K.

https://www.stoll-espresso.de/espressomaschinen/quickmill/quickmill-essence-dualboiler-espressomaschine

alec76

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120995368#Comment_120995368

This one looks more premium compared to "budget" Profitec.

I would say it almost identical to ECM Syncronika. Joystick switches for steam and water Vs regular style knobs etc.

You also have to add another €200 for Flow Control option.

https://www.homecoffeemachines.ie/products/ecm-synchronika?variant=44310937338172

emmawalker

It's true, once I could drink any coffee and I didn't care about its quality, now I buy only selected beans or buy it in a coffee shop

Hodors Appletart

My Baratza Encore grinder was acting up, I was getting huge chunks in any grind setting, I tried cleaning it out (which I do regularly, but thought something might be stuck or somehow hampering the burrs) and adjusting the calibration screw (which I'd been meaning to do for ages) but nothing worked.

I had noted a tear in the rubber gasket that sits under the hopper, so I ordered a new one from Cloudpicker, along with some beans - both arrived this morning and I swapped out the gasket - boom, back to full working order.

Hodors Appletart

Anyone got a good milk frother?

Hodors Appletart

I picked up a couple of coffees in the Honest2Goodness Market at the weekend, from a Dutch roaster called Rum Baba. i'm trying to find out a bit more about their process, because it's some of the most inyteresting coffee I've had in a long while

This one, I don't think I've had a thermal fermentation, and the flavours listed are absolutely spot on, it's really lovely and strange.

https://rumbaba.nl/products/costa-rica-fernando-cordero-espresso-coffee

Profile: Chocolate Cherry Liquor Bonbon

Area: San Ramon, Costa Rica

Farm: Cordillera de fuego, Luis Campos

Varietal: Arabica; Catuai

Processing: Thermal Fermentation

I did pick up a second but I can't see it listed - roast dated were mid September so pretty fresh too.

the beer revolu

I got upgradeitus!

Have a Gaggia Classic from about 2006. Lately, I've been complaining about the temperature of my coffee and decided I want a machine with a PID but didn't fancy moding the classic.

So, the other day, the Classic stopped working. No water from the group head. I did all the tricks and hacks - right down to dismantling the solenoid. Still no water from group.

So, I decided to get the machine I've had my eye on. We never, ever use the steam wand so the, ECM Puristika seemed like an obvious choice. It's more money than I thought I'd ever spend on a machine but if you want a PID and 58mm portafilter, there aren't so many options. Also, it's a real looker, imo!

So, I'm impatiently waiting for new machine and drinking cowboy coffee 🤠

alec76

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121248853#Comment_121248853

Looks fantastic, ECM all about build quality. (I found window spray cleaner is probably the easiest way to keep polished chrome shiny)

I wasn’t aware that you could get single boiler machine with e61 group head. Massive 750 ml brewing boiler too , for the machine this size ( I have same size boiler on my Profitec 700 machine) You won’t regret buying this , that for sure.

the beer revolu

Baby oil is great on chrome, too.

alec76

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121254980#Comment_121254980

With window spray you could clean it and “polish”in one go though, not sure if baby oil good for cleaning:)

ps. Where did you get it from ?

the beer revolu

Home coffee machines Ireland.

alec76

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121257592#Comment_121257592

What is the first Impressions? Home coffee machines famous for very quick delivery, surely you up and running already ☺️

the beer revolu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121260309#Comment_121260309

Yup. Delivered in 2 days and all queries dealt with promptly and well. Very happy with the service.

So, I'm still getting to grips with the new machine. I'm too mean to waste lots of beans dialling everything in but I'm very close now. I'm hoping for perfect shots today.

It's a beautiful bit of kit. Heavy, well built and great looking. So far, I'm in love.

Heat up time is longer than with the Classic but is still pretty quick.

alec76

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121262611#Comment_121262611

What grinder are you using with this machine?

PID control quite easy to use . Increase temperature for light roast and decrease for medium/dark.

Brewing pressure set to 8.5-9 bar.

You cant do flow profiling with this machine ( you could actually, but have to install something like this :

https://www.bluestarcoffee.eu/Mobile/en/ie/Coffee-Sensor-E61-Flow-Control/m-m-5081.aspx?PartnerID=21&gclid=CjwKCAjwysipBhBXEiwApJOcu5fs_n3YaPWkKdR7AX0_6hF3wZmvzSFVINn2hWzz-qWt4_taMVgUDRoCMeEQAvD_BwE&utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=Ireland

the beer revolu

I've a Rancilio Rocky and am not of the mind to upgrade at the moment. If I ever were to upgrade, I'd want a grinder that weighs the dose.

Pulled a pretty much perfect shot (as far as I'm concerned) today. Glass/cup needs to be warmer now that the coffee isn't coming out too hot, I've found. Also my scales is out of battery.

I'm not terribly interested in adding flow control. We're not coffee hobbyists, really. We only use one particular coffee (old school, Italian dark, chocolatey espresso blend). We just really enjoy our espresso and I was struggling with the temperature of the coffee from the Classic being too hot.

So, the boxes I wanted ticked were: a pid and a 58mm group head. Also taking into account that we've never used the steam wand on the GC, the Puristika seemed made for us. Kinda pricey, mind, but I didn't want to buy a new machine and end up missing the GC which served us so well (and is working again 😂).

So far I'm very happy.

The Nal

Anyone tried this?

https://www.theguardian.com/food/2023/dec/06/scientists-claim-to-have-discovered-secret-to-perfect-espresso

the beer revolu

That's old news.

adrian522

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121465447#Comment_121465447

No but I will give it a go, Hoffman has a video on it, seems to vary by grinder. He also says to replicate results you need to be giving the beans 3-4 sprays of water not the one that would be sufficient to reduce static etc.

the beer revolu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121465493#Comment_121465493

Seems some of it was new, apologies. I'd heard of spraying beans with water before.

the beer revolu

An update on the puristika :

I've learned that the Gaggia Classic is a very forgiving machine as regards grind and dose.

I don't really understand why but the ECM is not so forgiving. If your grind and dose aren't pretty much spot on, the shots just aren't great! I started weighing my dose (something I never felt the need to do before) and I picked up a cheap timer for grinding. Now that my dose is consistent, I'm able to get really great espresso shots. Unsurprisingly, it takes much longer than the GC to heat up, so a little patience is required, there.

So, having upped my game, I, now, love this machine.

caviardreams

Anyone tried the hoop? see coffee angel stocking it now. Looks similar to clever dripper

https://coffeeangel.com/products/ceado-hoop-coffee-brewer?_pos=1&_sid=e0017f1b2&_ss=r

Hodors Appletart

I will in me hoop try that

adam240610

Does anyone else have a lucky dip 3fe sub? Got the same coffee today as my second most recent one, which is a bit disappointing, haven't had that happen with any other coffee subs over the years

Hodors Appletart

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121514377#Comment_121514377

one of the reasons I stopped getting subs, the chances of this happening, or ending up with some washed brazilian three months running is too much. Much prefer to just go to my local coffee shop and pick up a couple of bags as required, the usually have fresh bags, from different roasters, regularly.

caviardreams

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121516870#Comment_121516870

Tbf that's never happened me with several roasters. I would be disappointed with that. WCC often go out of their way to give you some of their smaller/exclusive quantities and first dibs on their new beans (they have new stock all the time), as do bear mrkt. Honestly can't remember the last time I got a brazilian bean if ever.

But I totally understand wanting to choose yourself when you need it. It's more flexible too.

Hodors Appletart

I'm also lucky that a coffee shop I visit regularly, often has excellent beans in from all over, not just Ireland, but Germany, Netherlands etc

They operate out of a food/farmer/craft market in Glasnevin and I pop in every saturday and I'd say every 2 or three weeks the selection changes, and there is usually two or three different beans available so what I don't get one week I'll get the next. There's also Driftwood in Finglas and they sell Upside beans so if I'm running short late in the week I head over there and grab a bag of something, usually African, usually natural or honey process. All good.

The very odd time, I might go online and have a look at the likes of B&D, Cloudpicker or whatever and if something looks interesting I'll order it

Hodors Appletart

My wife picked up a Krups machine that does drip and espresso, it needed some cleaning up and a descaling, and there was a part missing from the espresso workings that I was able to order.

Did the first run through of the Drip this morning, used 65g for a litre of water with some Guatemalan coffee I got in Aldi for testing, it was fine, but dark roasts aren't really for me. The mrs liked it, but found it a bit strong so I'll dial back the ratio a bit for the next batch.

The part for the espresso hasn't arrived yet.

cnocbui

I started out tentatively with trying roasting my own green beans and now I have gone full on, with my last two 5 Kg orders being nothing but green beans. I didn't even need to buy any gear because I found my oven does a good enough job for my sensibilities.

Now I get consistently excellent tasting coffee for half the price, though there is some time and a small degree of effort required.

Anyone looking for a reliable quality machine should consider QuickMill. I picked up a year old Pegaso in 2017 and it has reliably made probably about 8760 espressos since and it's showing no signs of declining performance or of getting tired. Even the grinder is still perfoming well, with only perhaps an extra half click extra of adjustment to get the same fineness. I found an interesting overhaul and clean video of one on Youtube by professionals and the internals inspire confidence and getting to the grinder for burr replacement looks to be far easier than I had been imagining, so I no longer have any fear of having to do that little job at some point.

When I got it, it was missing a tiny spring and mushroom headed pin valve that sits in the screw that secures the group head bits. These were easy and cheap to obtain and it's been great since. I wondered why someone was selling such a nice machine after only a year and theorise they lost these parts down the sink doing a clean and didn't realise it, so it dripped a lot and they thought it was defective and so moved it on, to my great benefit.