WDT Definitely... Puck screens are still a little hit & miss lately... I feel although there are far too many designs to make a decision on them as a whole.
I just got a screen, and I feel like it has a purpose depending on the application. In my case on a cheap machine (Breville Infuser), I was chasing my tail with channeling shots (bottomless portafilter), no methods or techniques could get me that clean looking mess free shot... Right away after trying the puck screen, it's a much cleaner shot now. Probably the most important sub notes are, the Infuser seems to have poor shower screen water distribution to begin with, it also makes a mess of it's group and screen in general, needing heavy amounts of rinsing post shots. So in my case, the puck screen really does seem worth it, but I can imagine lots of machines just "do better", meaning it has diminishing returns.
This is all very good points... I feel like my test results might not quite apply to vibration pump machines... another good test would be to upgrade the shower screen to a higher quality than factory on the breville & see if the difference could be made there.
If the only reason you're wanting one is to keep the shower screen clean, I wouldn't bother... the amount of water & cleaning the puck screen needs far outweighs a simple back flush & wipe of the shower.
For me the puck screen takes up some head space and keeps group head so much cleaner so I don't have to run dummy shots to clean group head before next shot so for me I don't mind pulling screen from knock box, with lite tap I can usally get screen to fall first then harder tap for puck, this is with Breville 54mm portifilter, works for me and don't have to refill water reservoir as much :) , keep up the great video's
Thanks so much for your input. I would suggest still flushing some water through before/after shots forn2 reasons... #1. Prime the vibration pump with fresh, hot water l. #2. Oils will still end up behind your shower screen, causing a build-up & give you inconsistent shots. 👍
I alway run a 30-35 sec dummy shot through my Breville Barista Pro with dual wall basket to get the ThermoJet to heat up before I do a shot, makes a difference :) @@mitchdoescoffee
To get the screen out just just cup your hand over the portafilter and tap hard a few times. I like the clean shower screen and dryer puck. Works well with group61 head but better with La Pavoni is the best.
I bought a puck screen for the sole purpose of keeping the shower screen clean and it works well for this purpose. What you don't mention as a negative, this I learned from Lance Hendrick, is the cleaning of the puck screen. Lance recommends one of those sonic vibration cleaners saying this is the only method that works well at getting the grime out from the tiny little openings of the screen. I don't know if he is right or not but I suspect he is.
Wiping the shower screen & back flushing occasionally seems ALOT easier than digging out a puck screen, wiping, cleaning, drying... So I really don't understand why anyone uses it for any type of convenience.
I feel like using the puck screen have made me grind coarser to get into the same time range, which should invite more even extraction. What I do know for certain, this has made most of unpleasant astringency go away without much chance to prep and setup, which is worth it in my book.
@@mitchdoescoffee Currently Crem One Profiler, equipped with standard IMS screen. I have been using the puck screen with my previous machine, the Sage Dual Boiler with the same results.
@Narezaath ah yes. By the looks of my research & feedback, it looks like puck screens are more helpful with vibration pump machines, assisting with distributing the water a little "nicer"
Hi Mitch, the .8mm with center hole for a La Marzocco machine seems to leave a little water above the screen after extraction, not as compressed a puck. Not sure if as good as the regular mesh ones (that I used on a non-center screw brew headed E61 machine). Things are getting complicated
Hey mate, thank you for your comment... Since making this video, I have done many more experiments & it seems as if all puck screens have so many differences that this video might be completely void for so many people... I have found that these puck screens can be doing far more negative differences than positive... especially if it is cold... (dropping your brew temp) or if it is placed unevenly (channelling around the screen) I think the only REAL benefit is that you will have a cleaner shower screen... and if you love your coffee (and your machine) you should be cleaning it regardless. 👍
Not all "metals" are magnetic... there is some evidence to show water flowing inconsistently with materials that have magnetic properties. And if we keep adding more variables to our extractions, we are only making things harder. 👍
I’ve gone through maybe 1000 of those paper filters by trying a number of combinations including, bottom only, top only and both bottom and top. When I place them at the bottom i notice a consider loss of oils and hence flavor. Top only does help to keep everything clean but I get extended extraction times, even with adjusting the grind size I don’t get the best cup. I find using the metal puck screen best, I get mine out by pressing the corner of the screen down with a small spoon. I have two screens, one for each of the two espressos I make everyday.
VERY new to making espresso (bought a Breville Express) and I have noticed 3 very clear differences just by experimenting 1. Beans and roast date make a MASSIVE difference 2. Having better tools (distributor and a spring-pressure tamper) make a big difference 3. and adding the puck screen gave the process just that little extra I found that my shots pull more evenly and that I get a better pressure and pull time now
Welcome to the coffee world friend... 🙏 I will be honest, I haven't even tried a puck screen with a vibration pump machine just like yours... I will repeat my test with a different machine. Thank you for the inspiration 👍
@@mitchdoescoffee I think puck screens are generally an easy cheap add on to fix issues with lower end equipment I have a BBE and the puck screen just makes things less channely on bottomless portafilter even on shots that run either too quick or too slow when dialling in.
@@mitchdoescoffee this is indeed correct, many people cook and use magnetic materials everyday for cooking and even cook on magnetics with no change in food flavors, think about stainless steel cookware, cast iron cookware, induction cooktops and so on. Magnetic materials absolutely DO NOT affect flavor.
@@playnicegames you’re right in that it doesn’t directly affect “flavor” however the magnetic field has an effect on something called tannins, which are suspended particles in coffee, wine, etc that do affect some flavor characteristics. The tannins are broken down into smaller ones and we believe that the taste of many small tannin molecules is smoother than the taste of fewer large tannin molecules.
Haha...yr not wrong with everything you've been doing. It's your experience. I'm using puck screens to alter headroom. Using the GS3MP. It has the ol' screw in the shower issue . So I vary a larger basket with various puck screens. IMO headroom is an under studied area of extraction. How much or not your puck can expand has quite an influence on the shot.....in my experience with my equipment.
I have been a nay-sayer for all these modern tools but I will own up and say with regards a puck screen and a wdt, they absolutely make a difference.
WDT Definitely... Puck screens are still a little hit & miss lately... I feel although there are far too many designs to make a decision on them as a whole.
I just got a screen, and I feel like it has a purpose depending on the application.
In my case on a cheap machine (Breville Infuser), I was chasing my tail with channeling shots (bottomless portafilter), no methods or techniques could get me that clean looking mess free shot... Right away after trying the puck screen, it's a much cleaner shot now.
Probably the most important sub notes are, the Infuser seems to have poor shower screen water distribution to begin with, it also makes a mess of it's group and screen in general, needing heavy amounts of rinsing post shots.
So in my case, the puck screen really does seem worth it, but I can imagine lots of machines just "do better", meaning it has diminishing returns.
This is all very good points... I feel like my test results might not quite apply to vibration pump machines... another good test would be to upgrade the shower screen to a higher quality than factory on the breville & see if the difference could be made there.
I'm going to try one to see if it keeps the machine cleaner. I don't know I'm going to try there cheap enough.
If the only reason you're wanting one is to keep the shower screen clean, I wouldn't bother... the amount of water & cleaning the puck screen needs far outweighs a simple back flush & wipe of the shower.
@@mitchdoescoffee I just have a Gaggia classic pro. But it's my baby lol. Thanks for your information. I'll probably not get them.
@jamesmclaughlin3460 the Gaggia is a GREAT machine. 👍 make sure you check out my little Gaggia Service & free hack video. 😎
For me the puck screen takes up some head space and keeps group head so much cleaner so I don't have to run dummy shots to clean group head before next shot so for me I don't mind pulling screen from knock box, with lite tap I can usally get screen to fall first then harder tap for puck, this is with Breville 54mm portifilter, works for me and don't have to refill water reservoir as much :) , keep up the great video's
Thanks so much for your input.
I would suggest still flushing some water through before/after shots forn2 reasons... #1. Prime the vibration pump with fresh, hot water l. #2. Oils will still end up behind your shower screen, causing a build-up & give you inconsistent shots. 👍
I alway run a 30-35 sec dummy shot through my Breville Barista Pro with dual wall basket to get the ThermoJet to heat up before I do a shot, makes a difference :) @@mitchdoescoffee
To get the screen out just just cup your hand over the portafilter and tap hard a few times. I like the clean shower screen and dryer puck. Works well with group61 head but better with La Pavoni is the best.
Interesting.
I bought a puck screen for the sole purpose of keeping the shower screen clean and it works well for this purpose. What you don't mention as a negative, this I learned from Lance Hendrick, is the cleaning of the puck screen. Lance recommends one of those sonic vibration cleaners saying this is the only method that works well at getting the grime out from the tiny little openings of the screen. I don't know if he is right or not but I suspect he is.
Wiping the shower screen & back flushing occasionally seems ALOT easier than digging out a puck screen, wiping, cleaning, drying... So I really don't understand why anyone uses it for any type of convenience.
flair 58 does need a puck screen because there is not dispersion screen for the water. The puck screen acts as a dispersion screen.
Ahhhhh. Thank you 🙏
I feel like using the puck screen have made me grind coarser to get into the same time range, which should invite more even extraction. What I do know for certain, this has made most of unpleasant astringency go away without much chance to prep and setup, which is worth it in my book.
Interesting... what machine are you using?
@@mitchdoescoffee Currently Crem One Profiler, equipped with standard IMS screen. I have been using the puck screen with my previous machine, the Sage Dual Boiler with the same results.
@Narezaath ah yes. By the looks of my research & feedback, it looks like puck screens are more helpful with vibration pump machines, assisting with distributing the water a little "nicer"
Hi Mitch, the .8mm with center hole for a La Marzocco machine seems to leave a little water above the screen after extraction, not as compressed a puck. Not sure if as good as the regular mesh ones (that I used on a non-center screw brew headed E61 machine). Things are getting complicated
Hey mate, thank you for your comment... Since making this video, I have done many more experiments & it seems as if all puck screens have so many differences that this video might be completely void for so many people...
I have found that these puck screens can be doing far more negative differences than positive... especially if it is cold... (dropping your brew temp) or if it is placed unevenly (channelling around the screen)
I think the only REAL benefit is that you will have a cleaner shower screen... and if you love your coffee (and your machine) you should be cleaning it regardless. 👍
As far as i know steel is magnetic, "magnetic material" won't affect your flavor as long as it is non corrosive.
Not all "metals" are magnetic... there is some evidence to show water flowing inconsistently with materials that have magnetic properties.
And if we keep adding more variables to our extractions, we are only making things harder. 👍
What about using a paper filter (aeropress like) under or/and above the coffee bed? That would help in the channeling problem as well? ☕
I have tried and tested these also... with not so good results.
ruclips.net/video/4pIqplqjgQg/видео.htmlsi=PHS6o9ykG8P5I-rE
I’ve gone through maybe 1000 of those paper filters by trying a number of combinations including, bottom only, top only and both bottom and top. When I place them at the bottom i notice a consider loss of oils and hence flavor. Top only does help to keep everything clean but I get extended extraction times, even with adjusting the grind size I don’t get the best cup. I find using the metal puck screen best, I get mine out by pressing the corner of the screen down with a small spoon. I have two screens, one for each of the two espressos I make everyday.
agree
👍
Agreed.
I always feel this is a safe space for La Marzocco owners, and even the breville owners that the LM owners look up to.
You are such a shit stirrer... 🤣
VERY new to making espresso (bought a Breville Express) and I have noticed 3 very clear differences just by experimenting
1. Beans and roast date make a MASSIVE difference
2. Having better tools (distributor and a spring-pressure tamper) make a big difference
3. and adding the puck screen gave the process just that little extra
I found that my shots pull more evenly and that I get a better pressure and pull time now
Welcome to the coffee world friend... 🙏
I will be honest, I haven't even tried a puck screen with a vibration pump machine just like yours... I will repeat my test with a different machine. Thank you for the inspiration 👍
@@mitchdoescoffeeAlso please try adding a paper filter as a puck screen and share the results !
@@mitchdoescoffee I think puck screens are generally an easy cheap add on to fix issues with lower end equipment I have a BBE and the puck screen just makes things less channely on bottomless portafilter even on shots that run either too quick or too slow when dialling in.
@Thetache I would 100% agree with this.
Magnetic materials absolutely DO NOT affect the flavors of food or drink.
Incorrect...
@@mitchdoescoffee this is indeed correct, many people cook and use magnetic materials everyday for cooking and even cook on magnetics with no change in food flavors, think about stainless steel cookware, cast iron cookware, induction cooktops and so on. Magnetic materials absolutely DO NOT affect flavor.
@@playnicegames you’re right in that it doesn’t directly affect “flavor” however the magnetic field has an effect on something called tannins, which are suspended particles in coffee, wine, etc that do affect some flavor characteristics. The tannins are broken down into smaller ones and we believe that the taste of many small tannin molecules is smoother than the taste of fewer large tannin molecules.
Puck it mate all the way! 😂❤🎉😊
😎
Haha...yr not wrong with everything you've been doing. It's your experience.
I'm using puck screens to alter headroom. Using the GS3MP. It has the ol' screw in the shower issue . So I vary a larger basket with various puck screens.
IMO headroom is an under studied area of extraction. How much or not your puck can expand has quite an influence on the shot.....in my experience with my equipment.
That's some really good points. 👍
😂😂😂 well very soon I won’t be draining you about the lm 🎉
Ahhahaha. Welcome to the dark side.
@@mitchdoescoffee keeeeeeeen
I just use regular cosmetic cotton pads. They have a diameter of exactly 58 mm. What a coincidence, isn't it? 😄
But they don't say coffee on the packet!!! 😅
@@mitchdoescoffee I'm not too worried about it. Cotton wool is also used to filter water, so...
@@alex_photo-shop493 I need to try them! 🤣
i mean just prep the puck well. The rest is up to the user. I don't use it, not against it. It's just a habit.
👍
Why are you removing my comment about the baskets having a maximum volume? Are you that opposed to learning new things?
Hey mate. I didn't remove anything, RUclips may have flagged it for some reason.
@@mitchdoescoffee ok that is weird, I don’t understand what was flagged about it. Sorry for the misunderstanding.
@playnicegames no problems mate. I'm ALWAYS happy to learn. (A little click bait controversy is good for the algorithm) hahaha
You should not get that close to the grouphead, any puck screen will do.
Incorrect...
@@mitchdoescoffee This is indeed correct, baskets have a max volume amount, check out “The Wired Gourmet” titled Dosing By Volume, Not By Weight”.