calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,685 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 Thu Sep 13, 2012, 2:08pm Subject: Re: why do my shots vary so much?
How old is your coffee? Old stale coffee is impossible to work with and expect to get anything drinkable from. Old and stale is about 2 weeks from the day it was roasted.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
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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 Thu Sep 13, 2012, 2:27pm Subject: Re: why do my shots vary so much?
It takes lot of practice to work really consistently. Once you have dialed in your grinder, you have to realize that this setting is only a temporary one. Beans age, humidity changes, and with it the right fineness of your ground coffee. You have to adapt your grinder setting accordingly.
*** "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)
Joel_B Senior Member Joined: 9 Oct 2007 Posts: 1,823 Location: Pacific NW Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Astra Mega II Grinder: Mazzer SJ, Virtuoso Vac Pot: Yama 5 cup Drip: nope, french press Roaster: Behmor, WP, BBQ drum
Posted Thu Sep 13, 2012, 3:03pm Subject: Re: why do my shots vary so much?
+1 to these guys ;-)
But I also wouldn't over look technique. How are you dosing your shots? Are you using a scale or strictly by volume. I'm pretty lenient with my coffee weight, but if you're just starting out or are having issues, break out the scale and see how much you're dosing. If you've got 18grams one time and 14grams the next, you'll be all over the place.
Also distribution. Those grinds need to be evenly distributed. Check out the Weiss Distribution Technique is you haven't already (WDT). It's not for everyone, but if you're having issues, distribution would be something to look at.
Lastly, what kind of grinder are you using? It's such a key piece to the whole puzzle. Poor grind quality yields inconsistent and poor quality shots.
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 Sep 14, 2012, 12:09am Subject: Re: why do my shots vary so much?
Jimmy has completed his profile: Crossland CC1 and Compak K3, so it's a capable set-up.
Personally, I try to keep all parameters I can influence unchanging (dose, distribution, tamping etc.) and check percolation time and the quality of my espresso every day. Most of the time the grinder setting only needs minor adjustments. But it means that I waste at least one shot. That's just the way it goes.
*** "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)
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 Sep 14, 2012, 11:43am Subject: Re: why do my shots vary so much?
I generally only measure by volume. I did weight it and it usually comes out to about 14 grams. I don't know how you all fit 16-18 grams into the portafilter.
I guess NobbyR answered my question. When I pull a shot and it comes out like crap, I should adjust my grinder. If it comes out to fast then just make it finer. I just drives me crazy when this happens literally the next day. I know alot has to do with technique as well but I think I got that down pretty well (in my opinion anyways).
How does one know the roast date? I never see it on the bags. Maybe the coffee i get is usually so old they don't bother with the dates? Starbucks, Peets, Illya...have not seen a roast date on packaging.
Posted Fri Sep 14, 2012, 12:02pm Subject: Re: why do my shots vary so much?
jttran28 Said:
I generally only measure by volume. I did weight it and it usually comes out to about 14 grams. I don't know how you all fit 16-18 grams into the portafilter.
I guess NobbyR answered my question. When I pull a shot and it comes out like crap, I should adjust my grinder. If it comes out to fast then just make it finer. I just drives me crazy when this happens literally the next day. I know alot has to do with technique as well but I think I got that down pretty well (in my opinion anyways).
How does one know the roast date? I never see it on the bags. Maybe the coffee i get is usually so old they don't bother with the dates? Starbucks, Peets, Illya...have not seen a roast date on packaging.
That'd be one of the issues. Usually the Use By date is between 10-12 months after roasting on those brands. I'd expect old coffee to at least be consistently bad, but you might occasionally get a fresh roast which is messing you up, or pack that is somewhat damper than the others.
Try buying some fresh artisan roasted coffee, at least for a while to eliminate that problem.
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