Posted Wed Apr 16, 2008, 10:09am Subject: Re: Vac-pot glass filter technique (where am I going wrong?)
Something I notice almost none of the prior responses (except one briefly) mentioned that the problem could very well be with the grind. I also think the rod filter is more sensitive to grind problems than the cloth filters. Your original post doesn't say what grinder you're using.
Vac pots need a very consistent grind of the correct fineness. Too fine, they plug up; too coarse and they don't extract optimally. Too inconsistent-- meaning a wide range of particle sizes from dust to chunks-- and the dust clogs the filter. The fact that you still have a hard vacuum after a failed draw-down points to a grind problem.
This pretty much leaves out the whirly-blade type of grinder. There are also a lot of burr grinders out there that just don't produce a good grind. So I guess the obvious question is... what grinder are you using?
Posted Wed Apr 16, 2008, 10:13am Subject: Re: Vac-pot glass filter technique (where am I going wrong?)
svyerkgeniiy Said:
Something I notice almost none of the prior responses (except one briefly) mentioned that the problem could very well be with the grind. I also think the rod filter is more sensitive to grind problems than the cloth filters. Your original post doesn't say what grinder you're using.
Vac pots need a very consistent grind of the correct fineness. Too fine, they plug up; too coarse and they don't extract optimally. Too inconsistent-- meaning a wide range of particle sizes from dust to chunks-- and the dust clogs the filter. The fact that you still have a hard vacuum after a failed draw-down points to a grind problem.
This pretty much leaves out the whirly-blade type of grinder. There are also a lot of burr grinders out there that just don't produce a good grind. So I guess the obvious question is... what grinder are you using?
iginfect Senior Member Joined: 8 Dec 2003 Posts: 346 Location: herkimer new york Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: vetrano Grinder: versalab m3 Vac Pot: yama 5 cup Drip: melior french press Roaster: hot top kn-8828p
Posted Wed Apr 16, 2008, 3:32pm Subject: Re: Vac-pot glass filter technique (where am I going wrong?)
I've never stalled and use a different technique. The water is preheated to 208 deg F on a Zojirushi on a timer, I measure out just 3 cups into the Yama pot. Then grind 25 gms coarse single origin and add it to the funnel (with the Cona rod in place), insert the funnel into the pot, place on the stove, heat and when water rises to the top, stir to wetten the grounds. When the water in the pot starts to bubble and no more rises, I time 60 sec, then remove from the heat and let cool. The coffee is added to the funnel before the funnel is placed in the pot and the water rises. Never had a problem. A pictorial pictorial and instructions instructions
Posted Wed Apr 16, 2008, 4:22pm Subject: Re: Vac-pot glass filter technique (where am I going wrong?)
Thanks Marvin,
Yeah., (I said, he said, she said..) it's not rocket science but it can be if ya want it to be... there are many veteran vac pot users here, length of membership or number of posts no bearing on quality of expertise..
Posted Wed Apr 16, 2008, 7:44pm Subject: Re: Vac-pot glass filter technique (where am I going wrong?)
Don't stir at the end of the process, that's what is causing the problem!
Don't stir the coffee at the end of the process, (stir of course to wet/mix the grinds) the coffee will follow the centrifugal vortex to the center bottom of the top pots outlet & collect a bigger than normal pile at the rod & you don't want that disturbed filter bed.
Let the coffee settle naturally & it will form a perfect filter pack filtering upon itself., coarsest at the bottom nearest the rod.., & then with progressively finer grind particles upwards. I rarely (99% of the time) have a problem. {;-) Hey Craig: Now I think you're onto the point. For Gods' sake,almost all of us just give a brief stir after adding the grinds when the water reaches the top,then just let it brew for as long as you like (I like your 4 minutes). Apparently the writer has never identified his grinder (am I wrong?). If he is using something worthless,why are we having this discussion? Regards, Barry
scpizza Senior Member Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Posts: 24 Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Tue Aug 19, 2008, 9:35am Subject: Re: Vac-pot glass filter technique (where am I going wrong?)
Not as happy with my cona glass rod anymore. No stalls but the drawdown is too slow - several minutes. In my mind this would result in the coffee at the beginning of the drawdown to be underbrewed and the coffee at the end to be overbrewed. I have a Mazzer Super Jolly with new burrs using grind of reasonable coarseness.
My thoughts are to either get one of the vintage cory glass filter rods on ebay which appear to have a rougher, more channeled mating surface or try to fashion or obtain a stainless steel screen mesh filter to use with the hook & spring apparatus that comes with the Yama.
Any thoughts on which of these paths might work best or another alternative?
Posted Tue Aug 19, 2008, 3:34pm Subject: Re: Vac-pot glass filter technique (where am I going wrong?)
Here a little tip I can offer on vac pots that can make a big difference with stalling, especially with glass filter rods:
DO NOT STIR THE GROUNDS IN A CIRCULAR MOTION!!!!!!
When you stir the slurry in a circular motion it creates a kind of tornado of grounds in the middle of the pot. As the grounds get vacuumed back into the bottom they can form a very thick layer, right in the middle of the pot, right on top of and around the filter. If you are using a cloth filter, like what comes with a Yama pot, it generally just slows the process down, but if you are using a glass filter rod or a nylon filter similar to what comes with the Bodum Santos, where the coffee is pulled down from around the edges of the filter, you start to get really slow vacuums or the brewing will stall completely.
It has taken me many, many uses of my vac pot realized what was happening. You will be much better off if you stir in a back and forth motion. This is harder to do with a glass filter because the top part of the filter sticks up in the middle of the pot. The natural tendency is to stir around the filter so that you don't bump it.
EDIT:
Oops. I just saw CraigA's post. Seems he came to much the same conclusion that I did. :-)
Posted Tue Aug 19, 2008, 5:29pm Subject: Re: Vac-pot glass filter technique (where am I going wrong?)
headchange4u Said:
Here a little tip I can offer on vac pots that can make a big difference with stalling, especially with glass filter rods: It has taken me many, many uses of my vac pot realized what was happening. You will be much better off if you stir in a back and forth motion. This is harder to do with a glass filter because the top part of the filter sticks up in the middle of the pot. The natural tendency is to stir around the filter so that you don't bump it.
EDIT:
Oops. I just saw CraigA's post. Seems he came to much the same conclusion that I did. :-)
Hey Jason that's exactly what I do too, as you say: "You will be much better off if you stir in a back and forth motion." It might sould a little crazy how I do it, but we each have developed our own particular/peculiar methodology that works for us.
I go back & forth also, & even take the teaspoon & 'splash/wash down' the coffee from the circumference of the top pot for an even mix/wetting., & then even turn the teaspoon the other way to wash down the top of the Cory rod clean LOL! {;-)
Posted Tue Aug 19, 2008, 6:12pm Subject: Re: Vac-pot glass filter technique (where am I going wrong?)
I think circular stirring was part of my problem. I watched a guy at Stumptown make a vac pot with a Cona, and he used a small dairy whip to stab at the grounds, but I never saw him stir in a circle. Might have to make a vac pot tonight to try this.
scpizza Senior Member Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Posts: 24 Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Tue Sep 9, 2008, 6:40am Subject: Re: Vac-pot glass filter technique (where am I going wrong?)
I bought a "New Cory Rod" trying to address the issue of slow drawdown. Rough mating surface and glowing reviews on the board as best possible glass rod filter. Results pictured below.
Fortunately I was about 15 feet away not facing it when the vacpot imploded showering glass shards like a bomb. Coffee was ground coarser than I've ever ground it.
At this point I think it could be time to abandon glass rods. They just don't seem to work properly, or safely for that matter. I'm thinking of trying some different sized mesh steel screens to use with the cloth filter holder.
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