JasonBrandtLewis Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 6,100 Location: Berkeley, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 - La Valentina -... Grinder: Mahlkönig K30 Vario -... Vac Pot: Yama 5-cup Drip: CCD, Chemex Roaster: No, no, not another...
Posted Wed May 2, 2012, 2:56pm Subject: Re: Rancilio sadness - extraction way too fast
Thanks, Randy -- my BIG fear is the OP will go out and buy a grinder without seeking advice or doing research . . . like just grabbing a Rocky . . . and then concluding the lack of a grinder didn't make a difference!
Stuart Senior Member Joined: 9 Feb 2012 Posts: 113 Location: TX Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Breville Dual Boiler Grinder: Baratza Vario Roaster: Air Crazy popper
Posted Thu May 3, 2012, 10:55am Subject: Re: Rancilio sadness - extraction way too fast
Just to be contrary: One can use a Bunn commercial coffee grinder between the Espresso and Turkish settings and produce a coffee powder that will give correct (or even too-long) extraction times on an espresso machine.
That the result is an extraction in the proper time doesn't mean it's a proper extraction. Or any good.
I'm still trying to figure out how I'm going to do the occasional cup of decaf, now that I know the evils of keeping roasted beans around for weeks, or ground beans around for hours. Roast-on-demand in a popcorn popper, perhaps.
Posted Thu May 3, 2012, 12:56pm Subject: Re: Rancilio sadness - extraction way too fast
Stuart Said:
Just to be contrary: One can use a Bunn commercial coffee grinder between the Espresso and Turkish settings and produce a coffee powder that will give correct (or even too-long) extraction times on an espresso machine.
That the result is an extraction in the proper time doesn't mean it's a proper extraction. Or any good.
I'm still trying to figure out how I'm going to do the occasional cup of decaf, now that I know the evils of keeping roasted beans around for weeks, or ground beans around for hours. Roast-on-demand in a popcorn popper, perhaps.
dirkpitt Senior Member Joined: 28 Apr 2012 Posts: 7 Location: NZ Expertise: Just starting
Posted Sat May 12, 2012, 7:58pm Subject: Re: Rancilio sadness - extraction way too fast
Thanks for the replies (some were amusing), and .. thanks for the polite welcome JasonBrandtLewis.
I had actually read a lot prior to my first post, but you often don't trust the conflicting opinions until you gain experience. Many reviews that I read stated the Silvia has excess pressure until adjusted...
I still lack experience, but now know what to test for... Yes I have a Rocky on the way.. (have read mixed reviews on that also, but meh) also fresher grounds have produced better results, although still not ideal. I will test the grinder, then pressure test the machine and tweak it at home if necessary. process seems simple.
I guess as JasonBrandtLewis stated, the worst thing that could happen now is the Rocky not producing the goods. I did spend a great deal of time researching that, and went with what seemed the general consensus (for the Silvia and within my budget). Problem with the internet is that results are somewhat subjective, and everyone has an opinion. http://silviaschool.com/node/6
dirkpitt Senior Member Joined: 28 Apr 2012 Posts: 7 Location: NZ Expertise: Just starting
Posted Sat May 12, 2012, 8:23pm Subject: Re: Rancilio sadness - extraction way too fast
frcn Said:
I don't want to play jr. admin here, but there is (once again) a bit of a lesson here that might be picked up by other newbies in the future.
dirkpitt, this was your first post. We do not know you so we have no idea as to your experience, mainly because you did not introduce yourself. We have to assume a lot of things, but from the question you posed, we would logically assume that this is your first machine. We do not know if you have ever even drank a straight espresso before, what ground coffee you are using, if the Silvia was new or used, the dose you are using, are you using the single or double basket , how you distribute the coffee, whether you have a proper-fitting tamper, whether or not you are tamping at all, and so many other factors at which we have to guess.
The bad part is that, with your first post, we have to assume that you spent little time doing any research or searches here, and popping in are asking us one of (if not THE) most basic questions there are on virtually any coffee forum, which could have been found with various searches such as: do I need a grinder? pre-ground coffee Fast extractions How to slow my extraction
The total sum of that is there are people who perceive your genre of post as either a troll or, more often, as coming from someone who does not have the time to look for an answer on their own but is safe in assuming that others have the time to so so for them.
So, before I start coming across as a total *&!$, if you would like to learn more about curing problems making espresso at home, and get a better idea about the entire process, on my website www.EspressoMyEspresso.com, check out this article: 12 - EASY GUIDE TO BETTER ESPRESSO AT HOME. Something in the neighborhood of 14 typed pages of assistance, written if fairly plain language, aimed at helping folks in situations similar to yours. There is a LOT more on the site as well.
I should have worded my post better. I had read your website prior to posting, and revisiting it now that I have experienced a few variations on the machine makes more sense. Thanks again.
PS: After looking at many shot videos on youtube, and frankly most of them aren't great.. I eventually found this clip that helped Click Here (www.youtube.com) second shot seems the best from my limited experience.
dirkpitt Senior Member Joined: 28 Apr 2012 Posts: 7 Location: NZ Expertise: Just starting
Posted Tue May 15, 2012, 12:58am Subject: Re: Rancilio sadness - extraction way too fast
Update:
First two shots using the Rocky were too fine for the machine, lovely soft grinds compared to what I have been using. Third attempt with coarser settings worked well, extraction time is great, crema is great - and I concur that pre-ground coffee is good for sweet FA.... good result.
NobbyR Senior Member Joined: 10 Jul 2011 Posts: 1,661 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 Tue May 15, 2012, 7:56am Subject: Re: Rancilio sadness - extraction way too fast
Welcome to CoffeeGeek!
Don't fret too much about the Rocky. It may not be the best grinder for espresso, but it can work. At least it's capable of grinding fine enough.
What you need to know is that the steps of this grinder are pretty wide, so when you dial in your grinder it might happen that from time to time you get stuck in between two steps for proper extraction, which can be pretty frustrating. The only way to work around that problem is to modify your dose slightly, i.e. updosing. That might not be a perfect solution, because a difference of 0.2 g can change taste significantly, but a lot of people have to live with this trick.
*** "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)
dirkpitt Senior Member Joined: 28 Apr 2012 Posts: 7 Location: NZ Expertise: Just starting
Posted Wed May 16, 2012, 2:47am Subject: Re: Rancilio sadness - extraction way too fast
I can see what your saying. I have read that the burrs wear out quite quickly, and may need to be replaced anywhere from 12-24 months?
Its such a big improvement that I am happy right now, but still trying to tune it in. Haven't quite got the shot perfect, and I can see what you mean about the coarse adjustment.
For the most part, I will only be pulling one shot, so it will have to be close enough first time? I have also heard that weather greatly affects the grind and pour. Is that correct? And if so, do you generally grind finer on hot dry days? Coarser on humid ... or something? I guess people get a feel for there setup over time..
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