Posted Sun Dec 23, 2012, 11:40am Subject: Brazen and Rocky Grind
I recently purchased my Brazen and am still trying to get it dialed in without huge success.
I have currently tried brewing at 204 degrees and 201 degrees and uped the amount of coffee I am using but am still not getting a nice explosion of flavor in my mouth. The coffee flavor still seems to be a bit muted??
I have been using may Rocky doserless on a grind of 37, with 7 day old Columbian beans, brewing at 204, with a 1:30 rest time. I am using 6.5gr of coffee per 5oz cup.
I typically brew 4 cups per cycle and use the manual release. When my wife is home I will brew 6 cups and let the auto take over.
Any one have any suggestions on what grind to use on the rocky? I was using a #35 on my Technivorm with the Conical filter and have read that a flat bottom filter like in the Brazen require a finer grind.
Have done extensive research but cannot locate anything on this topic on the board.
Posted Sun Dec 23, 2012, 12:36pm Subject: Re: Brazen and Rocky Grind
I have a Brazen and a Rocky.
I use a much finer grind and a lower coffee/water ratio than the written suggestions or than most posters I've read. So, take my suggestion just as what works for me, and the particular taste I prefer.
Right now I'm using 800ml with 34 to 34.5g, at 201 or 202, 45 sec pre-soak, and a grind setting of 7 or 8 above the zero point on my Rocky. I'm also using Melitta white filters.
I realize that's at or very close to an espresso grind. And I'm aware of the advice that lowering the coffee amount and using a finer grind can yield over extraction. But I prefer the denser mouth feel and deep flavor I get with this setup, and I don't get any off flavors. The flavor profile also changes noticeably with each degree of water temp adjustment, or by varying the coffee amount by a gram. So tweaking the taste from there to more rich or a lighter fruit taste is easy as well.
When I first got the Brazen I tried numerous brews using a grind setting in the 20's, but couldn't find a setup I liked. Often I'd get the bad combination of thin, almost watery density, but strong or bitter flavors. Eventually I moved the grind down to where I liked it on other brewers and found the deeper, smooth richness I prefer.
Of course, personal taste, particular beans and roast are variables. Also, I've never tried the smaller amount of water you are using and the manual release method. So factor that into the mix.
Based on what I'm getting from it now, my one suggestion is don't give up on the machine. It's capable of some great results when you get it dialed in. And I'm interested in your results.
MJW Senior Member Joined: 25 Jul 2012 Posts: 74 Location: Silicon Valley Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sun Dec 23, 2012, 3:31pm Subject: Re: Brazen and Rocky Grind
DJ is putting you on the right track. I don't have a Rocky but I'm using a medium grind with success, using the same Melitta paper filters. 20:1 water to coffee. West Java coffee beans.
Anecdotally I've found 6 cup brews to taste better than 4 cup, but I only use the automatic pulse program.
I would recommend trying paper filters if you're not already doing that.
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