Too Much Coffee Forums

Off Topic :: A1 coffee

Author: [Edward]
Subject: A1 coffee
Posted: Sep 07, 2010 - 11:59 AM (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 0

I am considering buying from A1coffee.co.uk, their prices seem reasonable. Has anyone had any dealings with them?

Ed

Espresso :: RE: New grinder

Author: [GeoffsCigars]
Subject: RE: New grinder
Posted: Sep 07, 2010 - 11:34 AM (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 2

So can anyone recommend a trustworthy UK Macap supplier? Only other ones I've found are CaffeItalia (not UK) and MyEspresso - both of whom get an equally bad press!

Espresso :: RE: The Perfect Cappuccino - MOVIE

Author: [Jurgen]
Posted: Sep 07, 2010 - 09:57 AM (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 2

Thanks CakeBoy

It seems to be available via the movie's website.
Was just hoping for a source in the UK (download (only legal ones of course ) or possibility of online order.

Anyone here with a spare copy?

J.
_________________
Vibiemme Domobar, Rancilio Rocky SD, various brands of fresh beans from Umbria...

Espresso :: RE: 5M Coffee - Barista Training?

Author: [Jurgen]
Posted: Sep 07, 2010 - 09:55 AM (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 6

guy wrote:

The picture on the 5M web site at this page

http://5mcoffee.com/About-5M-Coffee.html

shows a pretty ropey looking coffee, don't you think?

No point wasting time on photos and web prettiness when there is coffee to be made and baristas to be trained I guess

Yep, I agree...certainly not the best shot/photo.
Let's hope it's only the picture...

J.
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Vibiemme Domobar, Rancilio Rocky SD, various brands of fresh beans from Umbria...

Roasting - Equipment and Techniques :: RE: Hottop control panel

Author: [CakeBoy]
Subject: Re: RE: Re: RE: Hottop control panel
Posted: Sep 06, 2010 - 11:50 PM (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 15

GreenBean wrote:

CakeBoy wrote:

GreenBean wrote:

bruceb wrote:

Gouezeri wrote:

Think I still have 2kg Bruce
Come visit for the weekend?

Sounds good to me, just don't let that GreenBean guy get any of it.

Thanks for thinking of me guys . Actually I still have more than 2 Kg but I am saving that for special visitors. Must remember to cross you two off my list.

So that's it and all about it then ..... I'm no longer even good enough to be crossed off your list!

No�. no Cakey, I could never consider crossing you off the list. Why I would even go so far as to share my very last Machacamarca bean with you.

Espresso :: RE: New grinder

Author: [CakeBoy]
Subject: RE: New grinder
Posted: Sep 06, 2010 - 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 2

Hi Ed,

The Macap is a great grinder. Our 'go to' grinder is the M4. We also have a Macap MXA and a Mazzer SJ. IMO the build quality of both brands is excellent. The Macap is often a better price. I doubt you would be disappointed with either, and I would see them both as a step up from your old grinder.

Yes, I've seen the reviews as well. Slightly worrying and if I recall someone on the forum had an issue. I'll have a look for the thread and post a link if I find it.

Edit: Update

Second last post on this thread from PhilT refers. It might be worth PMing him.
_________________
www.CakeBoy.co.uk
This week, I are mostly eating cheese

Iberital L'Anna 1 Gp Hand-Fill | Wega Orion 2 Gp | Bezzera 1 Gp | Rancilio Audrey PID | Spidem Trevi
Iberital MC2 Timed | Macap M4 DS & MXA DS | Mazzer SJ | Starbucks Barista Grinder (Dualit E60/Solis 166)
Pinhalense 2x500g Gas Batch/Sample Roaster | Gene Cafe | IMEX CR-100
Aerobie | eSantos | Zassenhaus | Bodum Pour Over | Chemex | Hario Woodneck

Espresso :: RE: 5M Coffee - Barista Training?

Author: [guy]
Posted: Sep 06, 2010 - 10:43 PM (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 6

The picture on the 5M web site at this page

http://5mcoffee.com/About-5M-Coffee.html

shows a pretty ropey looking coffee, don't you think?

No point wasting time on photos and web prettiness when there is coffee to be made and baristas to be trained I guess

Espresso :: RE: New Zaffiro owner struggling a little: any hints?

Author: [guy]
Subject: Re: RE: Re: New Zaffiro owner struggling a little: any hints
Posted: Sep 06, 2010 - 09:19 PM (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 3

sicinius wrote:

No way round this. You have to adjust the OPV.

Thanks for the reply. I had read your thread before, and the one you linked on home-barista, too. I guess I am just going to have to take your word for it and get the tools out.

I'm getting good coffee from the Zaff these days --- until now I think I had underestimated the effect of dose on flow rate and flavour etc., and once I played around with that more, and kept notes, things got better. My understanding is that lowering the OPV pressure will make the machine more forgiving, less prone to channelling if my distribution isn't bang on, so I'll give it a go as soon as I can get a couple of hours alone with the machine...

Thanks again!

Guy.

Espresso :: RE: Gaggia classic problem

Author: [lisagotchi]
Posted: Sep 06, 2010 - 07:59 PM (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 13

Hi Tom and Glenn

I think I just got it wet so hopefully someone will be able to fix it for me. I'll let you know if the electrician manages to solve it for me.

thanks again all!

Lisa

Espresso :: New grinder

Author: [Edward]
Subject: New grinder
Posted: Sep 06, 2010 - 07:11 PM (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 2

Hi folks,

Unfortunately, while on loan to a friend, my Gaggia MDF got broken in my friend's car boot. Unlucky.

Now it is time to consider a new grinder, I am seriously considering the Mazzer Mini. Reviews on many sites point to it as being the ultimate home grinder.

I know the mini is expensive, but I do have some friends who run a coffee shop who are willing to order one for me off their supplier alongside a large batch of beans, in an attempt to drive the price down. When I get a quote I will know where I stand.

The coffee vendor noted the Macap range as a cheaper alternative, are they worthwhile?

Does anyone here have any experience with the commercial type grinders like the Mazzer mini and the Macaps? Any suggestions, pointers?

I see the mini for sale for quite cheap on a site called GoCoffee, but google shoppers review of the vendor are abysmal!

Ed

Espresso :: RE: New Zaffiro owner struggling a little: any hints?

Author: [sicinius]
Subject: RE: Re: New Zaffiro owner struggling a little: any hints?
Posted: Sep 06, 2010 - 05:23 PM (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 3

No way round this. You have to adjust the OPV. I just took a deep breath and did it. The higher pressure is intended for average cafe use, with coarser grounds, untamped pucks etc. It's not as bad as it sounds and the trickiest part is taking the tight fitting outer case off without scratching it. Slow and steady.

The adjustment is made by turning the brass part the silicon inlet hose is attached to with long nosed pliers. I marked the original position with a couple of nicks with the Stanley knife and turned mine almost a whole revolution. See pix on the link below. You can check the pressure without the portafilter as it's simply the pressure at which the water runs back through the outlet hose into the reservoir. Check it with a proper shot when you think you're done.

You can increase the temperature a tad as well using the spindle that looks as if it ought to have a knob on it but doesn't. This is a much finer adjustment and there are instructions for this (including which way to turn it!) somewhere on the coffeegeek site but I think clockwise is up, just a few degrees of arc is all you need here. Don't play with it until you've finished you OPV adjustment and are happy with that.

http://www.home-barista.com/espresso-machines/isomac-zaffiro-brew-pressure-too-high-t7245.html

My final bit of advice is to get the whole lot done while you have the house to yourself. Your SO may be more understanding than mine, but there are limits for everyone.

Here's my first hand experience . . . . . http://www.toomuchcoffee.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=7240&highlight=zaffiro
_________________
Isomac Zaffiro, Eureka Mignon, Isomac Gram Macinino, Aeropress, Stovetop espresso, various Moka stovetops, 3 cafetieres, 50's glass Cona. Behmor 1600.

Roasting - Equipment and Techniques :: RE: Hottop control panel

Author: [GreenBean]
Subject: Re: RE: Re: RE: Hottop control panel
Posted: Sep 06, 2010 - 04:51 PM (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 15

CakeBoy wrote:

GreenBean wrote:

bruceb wrote:

Gouezeri wrote:

Think I still have 2kg Bruce
Come visit for the weekend?

Sounds good to me, just don't let that GreenBean guy get any of it.

Thanks for thinking of me guys . Actually I still have more than 2 Kg but I am saving that for special visitors. Must remember to cross you two off my list.

So that's it and all about it then ..... I'm no longer even good enough to be crossed off your list!

Espresso :: RE: Synesso Hydra session

Author: [sicinius]
Posted: Sep 06, 2010 - 04:45 PM (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 3

If it's clumping into small bales then you're grinding too fine. I get a bit of clumping. I have it set so that three presses on the contact switch delivers 18g and tap the bottom of my naked PF on the PF holder a couple of times during each dispense then smooth the top of the coffee with my thumb before doing a nutational style tamp.

This is producing significantly better shots than my previous grinder and I wouldn't swap the convenience of the little grind adjustment wheel, which is fab, for any other system of adjustment, Mahlkonig Vario included.

I guess you could say I like my Mignon. 250g is just too much for it, 175 would be more like it, though there's a natty closure mechanism which lets you swap hoppers very easily.
_________________
Isomac Zaffiro, Eureka Mignon, Isomac Gram Macinino, Aeropress, Stovetop espresso, various Moka stovetops, 3 cafetieres, 50's glass Cona. Behmor 1600.

Espresso :: RE: Gaggia classic problem

Author: [Glenn]
Posted: Sep 06, 2010 - 03:25 PM (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 13

Might be worth dropping it into Beandoctor for a full service. Cost should be considerably less than a new machine.
_________________
Gaggia Classic | Iberital MC2 | Chemex | Aeropress | Refractometer & Extract Mojo� | mypressi TWIST� | Reg Barber Copper Base Tamper | and only the best beans

Places to drink coffee :: RE: I a Seoul Man

Author: [Bombus]
Posted: Sep 06, 2010 - 01:59 PM (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 3

Hehe Thanks Eward, glad you liked it! I think the length was due in part to being such a poor contributor to tmc but mainly my surprise and previous ignorance of such a wonderful and rich coffee culture. Most the stuff I had previously read and experienced was based around the European, US and Antipodean caf� scene and it was such a delight to see another healthy and developing scene. The only downside, which will be difficult to improve, was the quality of the dairy produce. The meat is fantastic out there but the milk isn�t so great.

I couldn�t agree more in terms of hardship for the owners, as it is very difficult in persuading the masses that there is something SIGNIFICANTLY better out there than Starbucks, which to most people is viewed as a gourmet product. My girlfriend was also attending a conference and was acting, in part, as a tour guide for some of her colleagues, one of who wasn�t happy until she could find a �skinny latte� at her regular Starbucks and then referred to her bucket of boiling, no-fat milk as great coffee. I know this comes across snobbish, but it was a shame that she turned her nose up at some fantastic coffee, produced by excellent baristas, which costs the same.
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Expobar Office Leva/Mahlk�nig Vario/Golden Reg Barber/Motta jug/Vietnamese drip/Moka Pot/Bumblebees