patrick
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Post by patrick on Jan 17, 2023 9:59:15 GMT
I honestly only ever bothered to make a proper cup of coffee in a cafetière on weekends but I've already had 3 cups this morning and should probably slow down a little. Got a bag of medium roast(Guatemala Antigua Volcanoes from Redber I think) in my work rucksack and it's really easy to drink. Never was one for drinking coffee black either but this stuff is mega.
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Post by stixxuk on Jan 17, 2023 12:34:09 GMT
I'm not a huge coffee guy but I finally got sick enough of the vending machine coffee at work to buy a coffee brewer thing, think it's called a Cafflano Klassic? I quite liked the fact it has a grinder built in so chose it over an aeropress. Simple enough for an idiot like me to use and obviously way better than the swill that comes out of a machine that also spots out soup and piss weak tea. Never seen one of these before, looks cool though. Great for Airbnbs/hotels, fuck those Nespresso machines! At first I thought it actually had a kettle built in... Do let us know if it's any good! |
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patrick
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Post by patrick on Jan 17, 2023 13:12:40 GMT
I'm not a huge coffee guy but I finally got sick enough of the vending machine coffee at work to buy a coffee brewer thing, think it's called a Cafflano Klassic? I quite liked the fact it has a grinder built in so chose it over an aeropress. Simple enough for an idiot like me to use and obviously way better than the swill that comes out of a machine that also spots out soup and piss weak tea. Never seen one of these before, looks cool though. Great for Airbnbs/hotels, fuck those Nespresso machines! At first I thought it actually had a kettle built in... Do let us know if it's any good! It's absolutely fine for me! Not being much of a coffee drinker, I don't really have a lot to compare it to. I might have a go at tweaking the grinder to go a bit finer but I recall seeing a few people online mention going for a grind that has the consistency of coarse salt and that's worked fine for me so far. |
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EMarkM
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Post by EMarkM on Jan 17, 2023 13:39:37 GMT
patrick As a relative newbie to wankerdom, even I have found it fairly easy to dial in the grind size for any specific bean  Too watery? It’s too coarse. Too bitter? It’s too fine. Not much more to it than that, in my limited experience.
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patrick
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Post by patrick on Jan 17, 2023 14:03:41 GMT
patrick As a relative newbie to wankerdom, even I have found it fairly easy to dial in the grind size for any specific bean Too watery? It’s too coarse. Too bitter? It’s too fine. Not much more to it than that, in my limited experience. Ahh, that's good to know! Cheers! |
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benno
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Post by benno on Jan 18, 2023 8:49:34 GMT
Fwiw, if folks are considering getting into espresso, I would definitely get separate grinder and boiler units. I've got a Sage Barista (in fact on my second) and whilst it was a great entry to the world of coffee, the grinder is limited and the portafilter is slightly smaller than standard. Better off buying separate components and upgrading as you go. Have any recommendations for separate boiler / grinder set-ups? I have a barista express and will look to upgrade later in year I think |
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Tomo
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Post by Tomo on Jan 18, 2023 8:59:04 GMT
I've got a Niche Zero grinder, which is great. It's quite expensive, but I feel like it's appropriately priced. Never had any issues with it since I got it a few years back. It's very simple to operate and covers an extensive grind range, including fine adjustments when you're in the ballpark of where you want to be.
I still have my Sage Barista for espresso, but tbh I don't use it any more. I've been out of the espresso game for too long to really make a good recommendation there.
I mentioned I quite like the look of lever machines some pages back and someone suggested the Pavoni Europiccola, which does look lovely. But lever machines are not for everyone - if you want to press a button and get a coffee, this ain't it.
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Tomo
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Post by Tomo on Jan 18, 2023 9:04:08 GMT
I remember looking up the Lelit Mara a while back - that looks lovely, but getting into serious money. A friend has a Decent DE1 and that is bonkers money, but wow at the espressos it can produce. It even has modes which produce 'new' coffee types, like a "blooming espresso" which is like a 50-60 second extraction optimised for light roasts. Really delicious. I could actually taste the pineapple on the tasting notes, rather than convincing myself it tastes of something other than vague coffee taste  |
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benno
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Post by benno on Jan 18, 2023 10:40:17 GMT
I've got a Niche Zero grinder, which is great. It's quite expensive, but I feel like it's appropriately priced. Never had any issues with it since I got it a few years back. It's very simple to operate and covers an extensive grind range, including fine adjustments when you're in the ballpark of where you want to be. I still have my Sage Barista for espresso, but tbh I don't use it any more. I've been out of the espresso game for too long to really make a good recommendation there. I mentioned I quite like the look of lever machines some pages back and someone suggested the Pavoni Europiccola, which does look lovely. But lever machines are not for everyone - if you want to press a button and get a coffee, this ain't it. Thanks Tomo. Yeah the Niche Zero looks quite nice Out of interest, what style of coffee do you typically brew now? I am a big fan of cortado/flat white, which is what I mostly use my espresso machine for |
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benno
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Post by benno on Jan 18, 2023 10:41:18 GMT
I remember looking up the Lelit Mara a while back - that looks lovely, but getting into serious money. A friend has a Decent DE1 and that is bonkers money, but wow at the espressos it can produce. It even has modes which produce 'new' coffee types, like a "blooming espresso" which is like a 50-60 second extraction optimised for light roasts. Really delicious. I could actually taste the pineapple on the tasting notes, rather than convincing myself it tastes of something other than vague coffee taste Is this the one that looks like some kind of lab equipment with a tablet attached with temperature profiles and the like? I think its a few grand right? Is it harder to dial in espresso with a machine like that? I am not sure adding another 10 variables would be particularly helpful for me  |
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Tomo
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Post by Tomo on Jan 18, 2023 13:48:54 GMT
My faves are flat white and cortado like you. Currently I drink mainly V60 but that's because it's easy to make for 2 people and I'm between houses. Will eventually get back to milk drinks.
The Decent has a tablet connected to it and provides a live output of pressure curves, flow rate etc. He and I are both physicists. He is particularly particular about extracting every last granule of flavour from his coffee beans!
If money was no object I would definitely get one, as it's really very easy to use and also has a plethora of options to tinker with. Caters for both use cases. But then it costs 3+ grand...
Delivered in an impressive suitcase!
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Bongo Heracles
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Post by Bongo Heracles on Jan 18, 2023 16:19:52 GMT
I bought a fucking huge moka pot the other day. Like 25 quid for the massive 12 cup one from that TK Maxx home store place.
And it will quickly join the rest of the tat I dont use because nothing beats the v60. I think I have the gear for pretty much everything bar turkish and nothing beats a coffee made with my tatty old six quid plastic v60.
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Ulythium
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Post by Ulythium on Jan 18, 2023 16:23:39 GMT
I bought a fucking huge moka pot the other day. Like 25 quid for the massive 12 cup one from that TK Maxx home store place. And it will quickly join the rest of the tat I dont use because nothing beats the v60. I think I have the gear for pretty much everything bar turkish and nothing beats a coffee made with my tatty old six quid plastic v60.
Any reason you haven't got a cezve? Just curious. (And yes, I did have to look that up!)
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Bongo Heracles
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Post by Bongo Heracles on Jan 18, 2023 16:34:26 GMT
Youre right. I probably should get one to complete the set.
There is also another method I dont have. When I was in America my hotel had a brewer that you opened and put tea bags in and it pushed the water through it almost like a dripper. They also provided coffee tea bags to put in which were absolutely fucking rank. As a strictly black, no sugar person I finally understood why americans go big on the cream and sweetener.
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Post by tonyferrino on Jan 18, 2023 21:31:29 GMT
My favourite type of brew, when I can be arsed, is Vietnamese coffee (hot). It's just a massive faff because it really requires a proper Vietnamese roast like Trung Nguyen, a Vietnamese drip filter, and a can of condensed milk. Then, each brew only needs a small amount of the milk, but it goes off quite quickly, so I have to have loads of coffees and I drink my month's ration of sugar in about 4 days.
It is blimmin lovely though.
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Ulythium
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Post by Ulythium on Jan 20, 2023 15:02:52 GMT
Easily my least favourite Square Mile coffee thus far - just bland and inconsequential. (I thought it may have been my COVID-affected tastebuds at first, but that doesn't seem to be the case.)
Here endeth my delving into SM's product range, barring the introduction of something new I want to try. Red Brick and Sweetshop remain firm favourites, but the others just aren't worth the cost of entry in my view.
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Vortex
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Post by Vortex on Jan 20, 2023 15:47:36 GMT
I'm on some Square mile too just now (La estrella del ostro), it's not bad, but not quite as nice as red brick.
My latest bag from my sisters xmas present of a brief square mile sub has also arrived, they are 'Zebugu-Busi' so I'll get on that next week, or the week after.
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Ulythium
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Post by Ulythium on Jan 20, 2023 16:51:32 GMT
VortexI'll be interested to hear your thoughts on the Zebugu-Busi, as I got a bag of that for Xmas.
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Vortex
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Post by Vortex on Jan 20, 2023 16:54:09 GMT
Does that mean they're decent, or not so nice?
Anyhoo, I'll try to remember to add some thoughts when I eventually get through the end of the current batch!
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Ulythium
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Post by Ulythium on Jan 20, 2023 17:34:36 GMT
I thought they were nice, but (as is often the case with Square Mile's stuff) overpriced.
Better than the Calchissa by leaps and bounds.
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Ulythium
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Post by Ulythium on Jan 20, 2023 17:37:13 GMT
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Post by Reviewer on Jan 22, 2023 8:35:46 GMT
Anyone got a recommendation/which bottomless portafilter they use on the delonghi dedica?
I’m not talking a hacksaw to it.
Also so most of you use a puck shield?
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Vortex
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Post by Vortex on Jan 29, 2023 22:05:30 GMT
VortexI'll be interested to hear your thoughts on the Zebugu-Busi, as I got a bag of that for Xmas. Meant to say before, that this is pretty nice. V. Smooth in a cortado /flat white. Maybe a little bland, and not as nice as red brick imo, but still nice. |
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Ulythium
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Post by Ulythium on Jan 30, 2023 0:07:09 GMT
VortexThanks, dude. Totally agree with you on the "little bland" and "not as nice as Red Brick" fronts, but I'm glad you're enjoying it!
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Bongo Heracles
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Post by Bongo Heracles on Feb 12, 2023 12:01:48 GMT
I’ve just been on a factory tour/cupping session at UE which was very nice. Having just watched The Menu, I kept it in my pants but it was really good fun.
They put out six coffees to taste, five with their boxes and tasting notes and one ‘mystery’ coffee they wanted you to work out the flavours for using the notes of the other ones.
When they asked what I thought of it, I tentatively said that I thought it was by far the worst one. Over roasted, burnt flavour and, honestly, pretty disgusting. They then pulled out a bag of Costa beans and I’ve never felt so powerful.
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Vortex
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Post by Vortex on Feb 12, 2023 12:23:38 GMT
Bow before nick & tremble at his coffee knowledge, other mortals on that UE tasting session!
Last batch of square mile beans arrived this weekend. Some Las Brisas beans.
Sadly, i need to wait another week to try them for this kitchen renovation to be done before i can set up my coffee wankery area.
On the plus side, we have a functioning dishwasher & oven again. This morning's bacon butties tasted better than any for a long while! 😀
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Vortex
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Post by Vortex on Feb 18, 2023 22:18:45 GMT
We finally have enough of a kitchen after renovations to bring my coffee machine back into the fold. I could have hugged it after the first brew.
Sadly, i have a surplus moka pot i will have to rehome. The missus' plans to change to an induction hob has put paid to it. I could get some converter plate, but think since i barely use it now, it might as well go.
I wonder if this was part of her (evil?) plan.
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LFace
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Post by LFace on Feb 22, 2023 11:04:17 GMT
So here's a random thought that popped into my head this morning.
I use a V60 and have done a while now and its damn tasty coffee, but a year or so ago I switched to using Coffee Mate as regular milk is suspected to be a migraine trigger for me. I've tried Oat milk and other variations but they just don't seem to be that nice - the exception is when going to a decent coffee place (my ex girlfriend of 14 months ago lived near a proper beardy indie place in Mirfield that was fantastic) I've had a Latte made with Oat milk and it has been bloody lovely.
So I thought this morning, I wonder if you can get a counter top milk steamer for a decent price. Not those wazzy frothers you can get from poundland, as thats not the same as steaming. Amazon has one from Dualit for £230 but that to me is extortionate considering you can get nasty cheap Espresso machines half the price of that with one built in but I'm not that bothered of going down the full on Espresso machine route.
So do you chaps have any suggestions? Surely someone has made a basic steamer you just stick inside a jug of milk that doesn't cost stupid money?
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Ulythium
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Post by Ulythium on Feb 22, 2023 11:10:37 GMT
Coffee Jesus has you covered:
EDIT: I realise he doesn't give it a glowing endorsement, but maybe it's the right gadget for you!
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LFace
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Post by LFace on Feb 22, 2023 11:19:52 GMT
Coffee Jesus has you covered:
EDIT: I realise he doesn't give it a glowing endorsement, but maybe it's the right gadget for you!
I probably saw that as I've watched our messiahs videos a massive amount (hence getting v60 and burr grinder) but forgot it existed. Something like that would do the trick but as he says it's a little scary and has no indicators. Imagining it exploding like a Doom barrel in my head! |
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