Coffee machine

[Grebel]

I am currently using the Krupps GVX 2 grinder on my entry level Icona. That grinder on it's finest setting is too fine for my machine. (Never trust what you read on the box. That Icona doesn't get anywhere close to 15bar... On the finest setting a might get a drop or two out. Nothing more) For a 25 second espresso shot I am grinding at just under half of the available setting. It will also gring coarse enough for my Aeropress, Moka and Bodum.

[V12man]

I really like the Breville Smart Grinder. @home has it for just below R 2000

Saw some good reviews for it.

 

Not sure if Weight Weenie and V12 Man will agree. They are the most informed people on this topic in my opinion.

 

Personally I would only use it for brew coffee - but that's for me, and I never drink brew coffee under normal circumstances, so it would be a very low use item for me - although my own grinder is capable of course grind settings I have never tried it, and would prefer not too experiment - if for some reason I develop a liking for brew, then it is definitely something to consider.

 

The initial batch did seem to have some issues at the fine grind settings needed for espresso, but Breville released a shim kit to fix that - and I pretty much stopped reading about it at around that time - although supposedly the issue is fixed. Some threads below.

 

In that price bracket (2 - 3k) I would look at the little Nuovo Simonelli grinder that can come bundled with the Oscar. ( I think it is in that price bracket - but WW will know a definitive number) and the small Isomac grinders (OK - I prefer the stainless look to paint).

 

http://www.home-barista.com/advice/is-breville-smart-grinder-any-good-for-espresso-t20897.html

 

http://www.home-barista.com/grinders/breville-smart-grinder-ranting-t21656.html

[DR ◣◢]

Any recommendations on a good descaler?

 

My AEG manual machine seems to dislike the espresso ground and tends to blow the pressure out the sides of the portafilter or blows the portafilter out of the machine.

 

My guess is it needs a descale or service.

[V12man]

Any recommendations on a good descaler?

 

My AEG manual machine seems to dislike the espresso ground and tends to blow the pressure out the sides of the portafilter or blows the portafilter out of the machine.

 

My guess is it needs a descale or service.

 

Maybe a new seal is needed - goes in the grouphead to seal the portafilter - they do go hard after a while - hard to get those things out sometimes - use a small self tapper or 2 into the rubber and a pair of pliers....

 

For descaling (check your manual to see if you can do it on your machine) just use citric acid or real lemon juice (which is a whole lot slower) - alternately just crush up a super auto descaling tablet.... I have a few of those, so if you don't come right easily I can leave one or two somewhere.

 

Here's the edit... bit quick on the post button

 

You should clean that seal first with a small acid brush to get rid of the old grounds before trying to swap it out.

 

You should also check you are not overdosing considerably, and the screw on the grouphead is preventing a good seal - you will see a mark in the coffee puck in the portafilter if you have contact (which is ok to a point - just not too much)

Edited August 15, 2013 by V12man

[DR ◣◢]

 

Maybe a new seal is needed - goes in the grouphead to seal the portafilter - they do go hard after a while - hard to get those things out sometimes - use a small self tapper or 2 into the rubber and a pair of pliers....

 

For descaling (check your manual to see if you can do it on your machine) just use citric acid or real lemon juice (which is a whole lot slower) - alternately just crush up a super auto descaling tablet.... I have a few of those, so if you don't come right easily I can leave one or two somewhere.

 

The seal is easy to get out. Will pop it out and have a look. I know you can revive seals with glycerine as a temporary measure.

 

I normally add a cup of vinegar to the water tank and cycle it a couple of times which helps.

[V12man]

The seal is easy to get out. Will pop it out and have a look. I know you can revive seals with glycerine as a temporary measure.

 

I normally add a cup of vinegar to the water tank and cycle it a couple of times which helps.

 

The vinegar will work - but slow - citric acid granules.... works much better...

 

If you are brave you can use dilute pool acid (HCL) but I would not do that - too aggressive on seals... strictly for completely disassembled machines.

[rouxtjie]

To use with which machine?

Budget?

Espresso only or do you want to grind for other methods?

How much counter space have you got? Height wise too.

Well....to be honest with an aeropress at the moment, but will be used eventually with a espresso machine with heat exchange...which I don't have a budget for at the moment

 

Here is my thinking I would rather get a good grinder now and use it with an aeropress and make okish americanos(I know the aeropress doesn't do a proper espresso shot but I will use it as such) and then when I do run into some money, get myself a proper machine like the oscar.

 

Space isn't an issue....willing to spend between 0-7000 rand but would like options.

 

Shot guys

[V12man]

Well....to be honest with an aeropress at the moment, but will be used eventually with a espresso machine with heat exchange...which I don't have a budget for at the moment

 

Here is my thinking I would rather get a good grinder now and use it with an aeropress and make okish americanos(I know the aeropress doesn't do a proper espresso shot but I will use it as such) and then when I do run into some money, get myself a proper machine like the oscar.

 

Space isn't an issue....willing to spend between 0-7000 rand but would like options.

 

Shot guys

 

Go with a good hand grinder - then you can take your aeropress travelling....

 

The Orphan Espresso Lido/Pharos seems like leading contenders, and you will have change from 7k.

[rouxtjie]

Go with a good hand grinder - then you can take your aeropress travelling....

 

The Orphan Espresso Lido/Pharos seems like leading contenders, and you will have change from 7k.

Ta thanks

 

machine wise...looking at a mazzer mini, but jislaaik, they not cheap

 

Would rather buy once though. Any idea where I could get the best deal for one of these

[rouxtjie]

Also I live in northriding, and see there is a coffe specialist shop in the northlands deco park. Any good? name of the place?

[V12man]

Ta thanks

 

machine wise...looking at a mazzer mini, but jislaaik, they not cheap

 

Would rather buy once though. Any idea where I could get the best deal for one of these

 

Importalia are the importers - speak to Ben.

 

Mazzer Mini Electric Model A or B is the one to have (no doser) - NOT cheap, but your kids will still be using it when you are 6 foot under - and get them to swap the hopper for a mini hopper too - fits better under counters.

 

And if you really want it bling - they have a polished one available...

[V12man]

Also I live in northriding, and see there is a coffe specialist shop in the northlands deco park. Any good? name of the place?

 

http://www.stilcoffee.com/ - their barrista is pretty good.

 

And I forgot to mention - they have cool cups too..

 

http://www.stilcoffee.com/afric_cups.html

Edited August 15, 2013 by V12man

[Weight Weenie]

http://onlinecoffeeshop.co.za/products/compak/coffee-grinders/compak-k3-touch-chrome-coffee-grinder is a good option Rouxtjie, as well as the mazzer mini and K6

[Weight Weenie]

Personally I would only use it for brew coffee - but that's for me, and I never drink brew coffee under normal circumstances, so it would be a very low use item for me - although my own grinder is capable of course grind settings I have never tried it, and would prefer not too experiment - if for some reason I develop a liking for brew, then it is definitely something to consider.

 

The initial batch did seem to have some issues at the fine grind settings needed for espresso, but Breville released a shim kit to fix that - and I pretty much stopped reading about it at around that time - although supposedly the issue is fixed. Some threads below.

 

In that price bracket (2 - 3k) I would look at the little Nuovo Simonelli grinder that can come bundled with the Oscar. ( I think it is in that price bracket - but WW will know a definitive number) and the small Isomac grinders (OK - I prefer the stainless look to paint).

 

http://www.home-bari...sso-t20897.html

 

http://www.home-bari...ing-t21656.html

About 3,5 ex for the Grinta.

 

12,5 incl now for the Oscar and Grinta special.

[rouxtjie]

Any feedback on this one

 

http://www.mahlkoenig.de/en_products/VARIO-home.html

[GBguy]

Mazzer Mini Electric Model A or B is the one to have (no doser) - NOT cheap, but your kids will still be using it when you are 6 foot under - and get them to swap the hopper for a mini hopper too - fits better under counters.

Or don't use the hopper at all. I've never used mine. Just measure the quantity of beans you need into the "throat" which normally holds the hopper (it'll hold enough for two double espressos) and put a cheap plastic tamper on top to prevent the beans from jumping out. After grinding, sweep out the throat with the same brush you use to clear the hole where the coffee grounds enter the doser. That way you have no loose grounds anywhere to go stale.