OB Senior Member Joined: 5 Apr 2012 Posts: 26 Location: Pace, Florida Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Rancillo Silvia V3, w/PID Grinder: Baratza Vario Drip: Black and Decker Roaster: Fresh roast +8
Posted Wed Apr 18, 2012, 7:22am Subject: To tamp or not to tamp
I have a Premium 585 expresso machine. I know it's a cheapie but I am trying to get some expresso out of it. The markings on the carafe say 2 or 4 cups? There are markings on the inside of the portafilter that also show 2 or 4. The machines manual says fill the portafilter to the top and install it. Do not tamp. Everything i have read says tamp to approximately 30 pounds.
Posted Wed Apr 18, 2012, 7:41am Subject: Re: To tamp or not to tamp
I don't know that machine, but the big screw top on the machine (as well as the large carafe marked in "cups") are usually a giveaway that it is steam powered- no pump. If that is correct, this is more like a moka pot and a fine-ground, tamped coffee in the portafilter will choke the machine.
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,655 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 Wed Apr 18, 2012, 8:19am Subject: Re: To tamp or not to tamp
Yes, what they said. Don't feel bad though, a LOT of us have started with one of these machines. A steam powered machine most often is not designed for espresso (not eXpresso) ground coffee. They have pressurized Porta filters to get around the need to tamp. They brew too hot and with less pressure than a "real" espresso machine and thus they, kind of, sort of, work with pre ground coffee in a can or with a whirly "blade grinder" To get the best from it, get a good grinder and feed it FRESH coffee, less than two weeks FROM THE DAY IT WAS ROASTED!
If you never expect to "move up" from it, a good grinder in the drip/press pot class will work just fine. A referb like this Click Here (www.baratza.com) will be perfect for this "espresso machine" and all your NON espresso grinding duties.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
OB Senior Member Joined: 5 Apr 2012 Posts: 26 Location: Pace, Florida Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Rancillo Silvia V3, w/PID Grinder: Baratza Vario Drip: Black and Decker Roaster: Fresh roast +8
Posted Wed Apr 18, 2012, 8:38am Subject: Re: To tamp or not to tamp
Thanks for the info Wayne. I have fresh green beans from Sweet Marias, A Fresh Roast +8 roaster, a Modified Cusinart burr grinder a French press and two Moka pots. Trying to make it work together. As you can see I'm new to this. Have been studying real hard about it all. The only expresso I have had was in Italy 25 years ago and at a Starbucks last week. What I'm brewing now at home has NO taste to it at all????
2nd option i'm looking at is a used Delonghi 3200 auto machine for $350.00. Just can't buy it yet till I know the existing stuff is not going to work for me.
Appreciate you alls help. Keep it coming. Thanks again OB
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,655 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 Wed Apr 18, 2012, 9:20am Subject: Re: To tamp or not to tamp
if you are anything like me you will want to jump into this with two feet, but slow down a little and we may be able to save you a few upgrade steps and thus some money.
even modded to the max that grinder wont cut it with a real eSPresso (not eXpresso) machine.
settle down and get comfy with this whole thing. it is very hard to start roasting and start espresso at the same time, rhere are just too many varribles to play with to understand what each one does and how it affects youe coffee.
starbucks is not the place to learn what eSPresso tastes like, they sell coffee flavored milk shakes, and a lot of them!
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
Posted Wed Apr 18, 2012, 11:18am Subject: Re: To tamp or not to tamp
If you're roasting your own beans from Sweet Maria's, the Press and the Moka pots should be enough to makes some decent coffee, and certainly enough to give you the chance to taste and enjoy the fruits of your roasting labors. Just because coffee isn't espresso doesn't mean it cant be good (unless it's faux espresso trying to be actual espresso, in which case the odds are that it isn't very tasty). I would experiment with the pots and see what different types of beans you like. The flavor spectrum of coffee is quite large, and even with just a humble moka pot you will find coffees that delight and others that disgust.
There are limits/deficiencies to both the french press and the moka pots. The press is finicky about grind and it can be hard to get a clean cup but it does offer you control over water temp and brew time. The moka pots don't offer very much control over the process, the most you can do is preheat them a little before adding the basket and screwing them shut. If you are looking to upgrade in baby steps, for $20 you can pick up a Clever Coffee Dripper and some good filters. Add a clock with a second hand and a reliable method for controlling your dose and water volume and you can make some seriously good brewed coffee that will surprise and delight you (or some seriously good coffee that you will really dislike...I really don't like tobacco flavor in my coffee...those beans get passed on or traded).
Hang in there. It might not be your roasting technique. I have a quality roaster and roasted a batch of beans from SM that had absolutely NO TASTE at all. I wondered what was going on. Later, I roasted another batch that is absolutely perfect. I don't know what was going on with that batch that had no taste.
As to your start-up needs, we all have to start somewhere. I started at the same place you are now but with out the roasting. Over the last many years, it has been a fun experience as well as a learning experience.
I am glad you are here and hope you keep us posted as to your journey.
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