Any comments on my technique will be highly appreciated. I can tell something is not quite right because the pour gets light very quickly. Maybe the grind isn't fine enough?
You've asked for tips - here's one: while you're grinding/tamping the coffee etc, the machine remains in the "ready" state, as indicated by the light on the brew switch. After this light switches on, the temperature in the boiler will be gradually dropping. When you finally put the portafilter in, the temperature will be several degrees lower than it should be. Is the coffee sour? Try to start brewing quickly after the 'ready' light turns on, up to 10 seconds. Also, did you prime your machine?
Heej! I've got the exact same gear (Ascaso i-Mini & Gaggia Classic).. I've also had problems with making espresso in the beginning! I noticed you're using the smaller cup for the portafilter.. the 1 dose cup right? You should try the bigger one and then top it off and try different kinds of grind sizes! The reason the smaller cup doesn't work that good is because of its shape. The grind at the bottom doesn't get compressed enough into a solid puck! This is much easier to do with the 2-dose cup..
Can you elaborate? Anyhow, now there is something wrong with the grinder, i can't ground finely enough with it. So the espresso machine is holding up rather well after 10 years, but I am dissapointed about the grinder. I will have to exchange it and I am looking to get an upgrade while I am at it, but the prices are crazy.
@rixcat Sometimes i have to readjust it, yes. After two month's use it needs a little readjustment. No biggie, just move the wheel half a circle from time to time. The only problem i had with it was when somthing jammed it (some plastic was in the cofee bag) - i had switch to the largest grind and then in dropped.
@rixcat That would be very helpfull. I didn't think for one moment the plastic was from the grinder. Seems like it isn't that strongly built after all...
I use the 12 or 14 g cup (don't know which one it is really), so i make 2 single espressos out of it. It is not the small cup, i never use that one. Also, it is not the pressurized version which usually ships with the gaggia. My wife is satissfied with the result for now, so I stopped my research for now.
The grinder has a "blind" size selector - that means you can't know for sure what setting you are using, unless you test it with some cofee. As an upside, it is capable of selecting a very wide range of settings instead of being limited to 5-10 as usual home grinders. The thing is to experiment with the settings until you meet the required extraction time for 30 ml of cofee. At first it is hard to set the right size, but as you get used to it, it becomeseasier.
Have you looked at the Ascaso grinder adjustment ring retrofit? I was wondering if anybody thought it was useful. It's still technically 'blind' but it seems to give you a better guesstimate to start with
You've asked for tips - here's one: while you're grinding/tamping the coffee etc, the machine remains in the "ready" state, as indicated by the light on the brew switch. After this light switches on, the temperature in the boiler will be gradually dropping. When you finally put the portafilter in, the temperature will be several degrees lower than it should be. Is the coffee sour? Try to start brewing quickly after the 'ready' light turns on, up to 10 seconds. Also, did you prime your machine?
Heej! I've got the exact same gear (Ascaso i-Mini & Gaggia Classic).. I've also had problems with making espresso in the beginning! I noticed you're using the smaller cup for the portafilter.. the 1 dose cup right? You should try the bigger one and then top it off and try different kinds of grind sizes! The reason the smaller cup doesn't work that good is because of its shape. The grind at the bottom doesn't get compressed enough into a solid puck! This is much easier to do with the 2-dose cup..
Only 18 sec, you should extract between 22-30 sec and 25sec would be perfect @ 30ml . Try set the grinder finer.
your grind is too coarse for espresso. after 17 seconds it can be seen very well
Can you elaborate? Anyhow, now there is something wrong with the grinder, i can't ground finely enough with it. So the espresso machine is holding up rather well after 10 years, but I am dissapointed about the grinder. I will have to exchange it and I am looking to get an upgrade while I am at it, but the prices are crazy.
@@adrianchioto you need a very fine grind for espresso. 20-25 seconds the trickle from the coffee machine should be very thin
@rixcat Sometimes i have to readjust it, yes. After two month's use it needs a little readjustment. No biggie, just move the wheel half a circle from time to time.
The only problem i had with it was when somthing jammed it (some plastic was in the cofee bag) - i had switch to the largest grind and then in dropped.
i think that finer grind and get a bit easier on the temper should do the work
@rixcat That would be very helpfull. I didn't think for one moment the plastic was from the grinder. Seems like it isn't that strongly built after all...
Perfect shots man !!, what coffe do you use?.
Are you happy with the grinder and Gaggia?.
Thanks !
I've found an issue with your technique. The song in the background is just plain wrong.
Agreed!
Robert Cray👍👍
I use the 12 or 14 g cup (don't know which one it is really), so i make 2 single espressos out of it. It is not the small cup, i never use that one. Also, it is not the pressurized version which usually ships with the gaggia. My wife is satissfied with the result for now, so I stopped my research for now.
He was pulling a double so something like 45-60ml would be appropriate, not 30ml.
@soundmagpie I don't use the pressurized basket, it's an aftermarket item and it works fine.
i do not speek very highly of the coffee misheen
@commets- i am extracting 60 ml = 30 ml x 2
which grinding size do you use?
The grinder has a "blind" size selector - that means you can't know for sure what setting you are using, unless you test it with some cofee. As an upside, it is capable of selecting a very wide range of settings instead of being limited to 5-10 as usual home grinders.
The thing is to experiment with the settings until you meet the required extraction time for 30 ml of cofee. At first it is hard to set the right size, but as you get used to it, it becomeseasier.
Have you looked at the Ascaso grinder adjustment ring retrofit? I was wondering if anybody thought it was useful. It's still technically 'blind' but it seems to give you a better guesstimate to start with
Holy crema!
Wow for the crema: did you prove that flat blades are better than conical burrs ? Or it's the coffee you use ??
martin836ful Conical burrs there are. The cofee is lavazza red label.