emradguy Senior Member Joined: 31 Mar 2011 Posts: 1,692 Location: Houston Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto II Grinder: MacapM4T, Macap M4, OE Lido,... Drip: Espro press; Aeropress Roaster: internet
Posted Wed Jan 16, 2013, 8:54am Subject: Re: Difference Between VST / Strada?
From what I've gathered through several similar discussions they are very similar. Supposedly, the VST branded baskets are held to stricter standards, but no one has yet even suggested how different those standards are. I don't know if the baskets are made to different specifications or if they just have a wider range of what's acceptable. It sounds like both though. One could possibly conclude the Stradas are VST rejects, although I think that's unlikely. Also, the Strada baskets are sold by shot size (single, double, triple), but the VSTs are sold by dose weight.
Markarian Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 474 Location: Seattle Area Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Modded Nuova Simonelli Oscar Grinder: Vario-W, Mazzer Super Jolly Drip: Moka, Aeropress, Melitta 102 Roaster: Wear-Ever Popcorn Pumper
Posted Wed Jan 16, 2013, 6:31pm Subject: Re: Difference Between VST / Strada?
If you get a VST basket, remember the "NTs":
-NuTation
-No Twisting
-Neat (level) Tamping
-No Trouble
Before I tried nutating and not twisting, I thought my VST 18g was a load of crap. Then I did a little research, changed my tactic, and have pulled some tremendous shots on it.
ECM Senior Member Joined: 11 Oct 2003 Posts: 336 Location: Burlington, Ontario Canada Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Giotto Premium + Cantesa... Grinder: Mazzer Robour E Vac Pot: French Press Drip: yes Roaster: Fresh Roast+8, i-roast and...
Posted Wed Jan 16, 2013, 6:54pm Subject: Re: Difference Between VST / Strada?
Thank you for that link that was really helpful.
When I started using the Strada 17g basket I had to really concentrate on getting a very level puck surface before tamping. I do this by sweeping a knife blade over the puck. Once I have swept off the excess grinds I then tamp. With this procedure in place I get very repeatable results for every shot pulled.
I would be curious to try out the VST 18g basket to see if there are any real discernable taste differences between the Srada 17g and the VST 18g.
Currently I am using the ridged version of the strada. Has anyone here had any experience using both the ridged and ridgeless VST? If so, would you recommend one over the other?
emradguy Senior Member Joined: 31 Mar 2011 Posts: 1,692 Location: Houston Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto II Grinder: MacapM4T, Macap M4, OE Lido,... Drip: Espro press; Aeropress Roaster: internet
Posted Wed Jan 16, 2013, 9:48pm Subject: Re: Difference Between VST / Strada?
Nutation is a way to rotate the tilt of the tamper in a circular fashion. Imagine spinning a quarter on the counter, and just before it settles flat, but is no longer spinning, it sort of rotates in a circle which edge is in contact. Hope this makes sense. Anyhow, the technique is supposed to prevent donut shots...at least, that's my understanding.
Markarian Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 474 Location: Seattle Area Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Modded Nuova Simonelli Oscar Grinder: Vario-W, Mazzer Super Jolly Drip: Moka, Aeropress, Melitta 102 Roaster: Wear-Ever Popcorn Pumper
Posted Thu Jan 17, 2013, 2:10am Subject: Re: Difference Between VST / Strada?
I'm using the VST 18g Ridgeless. Upon Noobie's suggestion, I really went at the sidewalls with some steel wool to give the puck something to hold onto, and then tried the nutation. Coffee still does like to creep around the edges at the beginning of the shot, but only just slightly before the shot pours evenly. I'm pretty happy with mine so far, though found it less forgiving than the stock NS double basket. Still, I do think I'm getting better extraction with the VST, even when my shots aren't perfect.
ECM Senior Member Joined: 11 Oct 2003 Posts: 336 Location: Burlington, Ontario Canada Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Giotto Premium + Cantesa... Grinder: Mazzer Robour E Vac Pot: French Press Drip: yes Roaster: Fresh Roast+8, i-roast and...
Posted Thu Jan 17, 2013, 6:25am Subject: Re: Difference Between VST / Strada?
My experience with the Strada has taught me that the most important technique of espresso prep is to level the basket with a knife blade before you tamp. I just level and tamp straight down.... no twist or spin. This totally did away with any donut shots that I was experiencing.
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