jttran28 Senior Member Joined: 30 Jul 2012 Posts: 36 Location: San Jose, CA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Crossland CC1 Grinder: Compak k3
Posted Fri Aug 24, 2012, 8:39am Subject: grinds too coarse?
Im trying to pre-grind some beans for my wife who drinks decaf only. I know this is generally not recommended but lets ignore that for now. I empty my bean hopper and leave the settings as is (pulls a great shot for me). I put in her beans, grind for a minute or two so I have a good amount in a container.
So a few days later (today), I then take the grinds and fill a double basket. Please tell me why the coffee is spraying everywhere, tons of coffee is dripping from the portafilter (much more than 2 oz, more like 8 oz). Is it because the grinds are too coarse? Those specific settings work great for me. I don't get it.
NobbyR Senior Member Joined: 10 Jul 2011 Posts: 1,613 Location: Germany Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Poccino Opus One, Ariete Grinder: Eureka Mignon Istantaneo,... Vac Pot: N/A Drip: Melitta Linea Unica de Luxe Roaster: N/A
Posted Fri Aug 24, 2012, 9:00am Subject: Re: grinds too coarse?
Of course, it's too coarse.
First of all, the chances of getting the required fineness of grounds right with pre-ground coffee are like winning the lottery. Secondly, different beans often require a different setting of your grinder, decaf even more so. In order to get the right extraction parameters, you'll have to dial in your grinder for the specific beans you're using. But even then, that setting can be totally wrong the next day.
So, nothing you've experienced surprises me at all.
*** "This drink of the Satan is so delicious that it would be a shame to leave it to the infidels." (Pope Clement VIII on coffee)
Posted Fri Aug 24, 2012, 9:09am Subject: Re: grinds too coarse?
Also, remember that stale coffee requires a much finer grind, and if you're trying to pull shots with coffee you ground a couple of days earlier, it's thoroughly stale. Much as I hate to say it, but if that's going to be operating procedure, get a pressurized basket for the preground decaf. It won't be great espresso, but it'll be controllable.
emradguy Senior Member Joined: 31 Mar 2011 Posts: 1,738 Location: Houston Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto II Grinder: MacapM4T, Macap M4, OE Lido,... Drip: Espro press; Aeropress Roaster: internet
Posted Fri Aug 24, 2012, 9:44am Subject: Re: grinds too coarse?
Unfortunately, you're in a no-win situation. As Nobby mentioned, it'll be sheer luck if you ever get the pre-ground to pull correctly, and that'll be a one time experience. You're probably more likely to get struck by lightning...or as he said, hit the lottery jackpot. This is why I have two grinders. Of course, you could also solve your problem by single dosing. To do that, though, you'd have to take notes on how far the change your setting between decaf and regular. If you use a different coffee for either one, you'll have to dial it in and then recalculate the delta in your setting. A notebook and a 0.1g scale would come in handy.
NobbyR Senior Member Joined: 10 Jul 2011 Posts: 1,613 Location: Germany Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Poccino Opus One, Ariete Grinder: Eureka Mignon Istantaneo,... Vac Pot: N/A Drip: Melitta Linea Unica de Luxe Roaster: N/A
Posted Fri Aug 24, 2012, 9:52am Subject: Re: grinds too coarse?
GVDub is absolutely right, of course, that decaf will be stale within minutes of grinding. But as long as you're considering using pre-ground coffee for your wife, she's probably not very sensitive to espresso quality, or else you wouldn't even think about that option. That's why you might as well use a pressurized portafilter for her coffee like he suggested. At least it'll look nice.
In any other case, a grinder like the Baratza Preciso or Vario would make it easier to re-find different settings.
*** "This drink of the Satan is so delicious that it would be a shame to leave it to the infidels." (Pope Clement VIII on coffee)
CMIN Senior Member Joined: 14 Jun 2012 Posts: 515 Location: South FL Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Crossland CC1 Grinder: Baratza Preciso
Posted Fri Aug 24, 2012, 11:15am Subject: Re: grinds too coarse?
Like said your grinds can be too coarse possibly but also even if your pre-grinding yourself so your wife can use, grinds go stale fairly quick (15-20 min), so if she's using days later that will cause sprays/gushing shots as well.
diggi Senior Member Joined: 28 Nov 2011 Posts: 382 Location: Halifax, NS Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Spaz vivaldi S1 V2 Grinder: B Vario, OE LIDO Drip: Chemex, Espro Press,... Roaster: Poppery I
Posted Fri Aug 24, 2012, 11:23am Subject: Re: grinds too coarse?
I single dose because I pull regular in the morning and decaf at night. I have a friend who uses a hand grinder for decaf (hario mini) which is another good option.
pretty much, you have a scale? If not just get digi scale that weighs to within .1g. I weigh my beans before each shot and just put in the Preciso and grind. Instead of grinding for her, you could try keep beans in little baggies or containers for X amount, so she can grind the right amount each time.
I use Ball pint sized canning jars to store and freeze, but they also make smaller like 4 ounce ones that would pry be good for you.
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