Posted Sat Jun 28, 2008, 8:46pm Subject: Pre heating PF and basket
As I've discovered, most times my 1st shot with my Cremina is not as sweet as my 2nd and 3rd. I attribute that (perhaps) to the fact that despite bleeding off false pressure, running 4 oz (or more) water through the group with the PF locked in, I'm pretty sure I'm still not up to optimum temperature, especially the PF and basket. So the last couple of sessions I've heated some water in the microwave to a boil, and soaked the PF while warming up the Cremina. When the machine is sufficiently warm, and water has been flushed to heat the group, I grind and pack the now VERY warm PF and basket, insert into the group and pull as normal. There is an improvement...not huge, but the 1st shot now tastes much closer to the 2nd. Anyone else done this?
orphanespresso Senior Member Joined: 19 Feb 2008 Posts: 65 Location: Troy Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Cremina Faemina Microcimbali... Grinder: Hand Grinders
Posted Sat Jun 28, 2008, 11:49pm Subject: Re: Pre heating PF and basket
If you are using the naked portafilter, it doesn't seem this would make a difference. If the standard PF, then maybe, but have you tried increasing the temperature by adjusting the pressurestat? It seems that your bitter/sour issues may be from the water temp and not the post puck temperatures, as it doesn't seem to me that one can make a sweet shot bitter by pulling into a less than scalding hot pf or cup. Also, have you tried pulling the shot and letting it cool in the cup and then tasting it? Just my notion, but when completely cold, a sweet cup still tastes sweet and bitter still bitter. the pstat is easy to adjust but make sure you go about it scientifically or you will lose your bearings and get pretty frustrated and wish you had left well enough alone. Of course, if the shot is bitter you could pour in some of that good Tennessee sweetener, though it kindof kills the crema.
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