Posted Thu May 19, 2011, 6:14pm Subject: Espresso too dense/strong
Hello all, I'm asking a question I think I know the answer to, but I'm looking for more opinions and advice. My espresso's are extremely thick and rich in texture, which is good; however, the flavour is so strong they are difficult to drink.
I am freshly grinding Alterra roast with a PL53 and using a delonghi ec155 with a naked and unpressurized portafilter mod. I believe my problem is my portafilter basket (which I set up for pre-ground, and it worked decently for that), as it holds probably 1.5 fl oz worth of... whatever. I'm estimating about 4-5 tablespoons unsettled grounds or about 26g of espresso grind.
My shots take 28 seconds for 1.5oz espresso. The crema is extremely dark brown and very bubbly, I can hear the bubbles pop like rice puff cereal.
I've tried just filling a part of the basket to get closer to the desired 16g of grounds. Obviously, that just resulted in a very fast and blonde pour as the puck dissolved.
As much as I would like a Silvia or PL043, the money just isn't there right now. I have ordered a smaller filter basket, but that won't ship out until June 7th so I'm stuck like this for at least four weeks.
Anything I should try or do to make the shots more palatable until then, other than buy a new machine? Thanks in advance!
~Nick
There's a big difference between drinking coffee to wake up and waking up to drink coffee.
JasonBrandtLewis Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 6,099 Location: Berkeley, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 - La Valentina -... Grinder: Mahlkönig K30 Vario -... Vac Pot: Yama 5-cup Drip: CCD, Chemex Roaster: No, no, not another...
Posted Thu May 19, 2011, 6:40pm Subject: Re: Espresso too dense/strong
Wait a minute. You are pulling 1.5 oz with 26g?!?!?!?!
Why are you updosing so heavily? "Standard" dosing is 7g for a single (1 oz); 14g for a double (2 oz). Most people around here will indeed updose, but it's like 16-18g for a double ristretto -- 1.5 oz. Good lord . . .
Posted Thu May 19, 2011, 7:03pm Subject: Re: Espresso too dense/strong
Hehe.. Yea. I'm using so much because I have such a huge basket, I tried using less and it just mixed in with the water because there wasn't a tight seal between the grouphead and espresso puck. The original basket for the machine is shot, and this basket worked quite well for preground because that stuff is flavourless.
I ordered an appropriate 15-17g (unpressurized) basket, but the portafilter handle is on backorder until June 7th and I can't remove my current basket from the handle so I need both parts. I'm just looking for some suggestions until June 7th when I'll have everything I need.
Thanks a lot!
There's a big difference between drinking coffee to wake up and waking up to drink coffee.
Posted Thu May 19, 2011, 7:25pm Subject: Re: Espresso too dense/strong
Well, I think I can kind of unofficially close this post; I managed to remove the giant filter basket with a hammer and screw driver. Ill use my Krups basket until I get my knew one. Just have to deal with the chuted bottom for a few weeks. Thanks for the responses everyone.
Cheers
There's a big difference between drinking coffee to wake up and waking up to drink coffee.
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,679 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Fri May 20, 2011, 6:59am Subject: Re: Espresso too dense/strong
UH, it took a hammer and screwdriver to remove the basket from the PF handle?????????
I'll bet there was ALL KINDS of nasty gunk in there! When using my naked handle, there is nothing to clean in the handle but if I use one with spouts, after only a dozen doubles or so, there is a buildup of coffee oils that need to be wiped out of the bottom of the handle or they will start to taint the shots that follow. It gets a good cleaning every few weeks (the dry paper towels do a fairly good job of removing the oils between "cleanings")
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
Posted Fri May 20, 2011, 7:24am Subject: Re: Espresso too dense/strong
We have a new winner! That thoroughly trounces JonR's 23g doubles.....
I'm more intrigued by the notion that anyone managed to get a DeLonghi to pump water through 26 of coffee...I didn't think the pumps (and tubing) had it in them!
JasonBrandtLewis Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 6,099 Location: Berkeley, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 - La Valentina -... Grinder: Mahlkönig K30 Vario -... Vac Pot: Yama 5-cup Drip: CCD, Chemex Roaster: No, no, not another...
Posted Fri May 20, 2011, 7:37am Subject: Re: Espresso too dense/strong
I just re-read this, and have some additional questions . . . .
Nickfrogger Said:
Hehe.. Yea. I'm using so much because I have such a huge basket, I tried using less and it just mixed in with the water because there wasn't a tight seal between the grouphead and espresso puck.
Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit = No New Posts since last visit = Newest post
Forum Rules: No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards. No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum. No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum. Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards. Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics. Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies. Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies. Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts. Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings.
= No New Posts since last visit 