Try different beans or a grind that you know is fresh. I'm sorry if this is a repeating theme but there is a HUGE GIGO (garbage in garbage out) factor with espresso. I'll save the "get a grinder" thread but the experience you are looking for is going to be highly dependent upon what you put in the machine and less the machine itself.
It is highly likely that with the same preground Illy coffee I'd get the same appearance and taste with my DB setup. As to others getting "good results" with the same setup, taste is very subjective so this is hard to compare.
I think that you are certainly learning how to better control the parameters of the machine re: temperature. I think you are reaching the limit with what you can do without changing the input significantly if you are going for thick crema without sourness or extreme bitterness.
I'm thinking of removing the spring gasket on my Bar32 and trying this. The only issue I can see is that there is a gap between the filter plate and the bottom of the porta filter basket. I'm not sure if this will cause more problems then its worth but I will try it.
In lieu of that, does anyone know where I can get a non-pressurized porta filter basket for the Delonghi Bar32? It fits a 51mm porta filter.
If you haven't figured it out. The La Pavoni Millenium 51mm basket works great. If you haven't already, i'd also remove all the plastic from the portafilter that comes into contact with the coffee.
One more question - I wasn't able to find a definitive answer as to whether I can use a non pressurized porta filter with this machine (no rubber gasket on the inside of the basket). Does anyone know whether its possible and/or whether its worth it to try?
TheEndJustifiesTheBeans Junior Member Joined: 15 Jun 2013 Posts: 1 Location: Hong Kong Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic Grinder: Lelit PL043
Posted Sat Jun 15, 2013, 10:16pm Subject: Re: Extremely SOUR Shot - Delonghi Bar32
I am somewhat curious why someone who is just starting out would reject the advice of someone with $4000 invested in a grinder and machine, with over 1000 posts and who roasts their own coffee?
Illy has invested considerably more in producing consistently high-quality coffee and is the leading brand in Italy — a country that knows more about espresso than the rest of the world combined. And, in this instance, the original poster says that other people report good results with this coffee, so it seems to me quite reasonable to assume that it's NOT the problem.
The vast majority of Italian coffee shops use commercial beans such as Illy and make awesome espresso, so beginners should be wary of posters who disparage these types of brands. You may not get a full, rich flavour from pre-ground Illy in a cheap espresso machine, but it's ridiculously dismissive to say that you won't be able to make drinkable coffee.
To be clear, Illy is a third-generation family-owned company that pretty much invented the espresso machine. It also invented the process of packing coffee with inert gases to preserve freshness, and has been doing so for 80 years. This is coffee that has stood the test of time in the most demanding coffee market in the world. Dismiss it at your peril.
(I realise this is an old thread, but wanted to add this for the benefit of people who might be led down the garden path.)
CMIN Senior Member Joined: 14 Jun 2012 Posts: 561 Location: South FL Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Crossland CC1 Grinder: Baratza Preciso
Posted Sun Jun 16, 2013, 7:46am Subject: Re: Extremely SOUR Shot - Delonghi Bar32
TheEndJustifiesTheBeans Said:
Illy has invested considerably more in producing consistently high-quality coffee and is the leading brand in Italy — a country that knows more about espresso than the rest of the world combined. And, in this instance, the original poster says that other people report good results with this coffee, so it seems to me quite reasonable to assume that it's NOT the problem.
The vast majority of Italian coffee shops use commercial beans such as Illy and make awesome espresso, so beginners should be wary of posters who disparage these types of brands. You may not get a full, rich flavour from pre-ground Illy in a cheap espresso machine, but it's ridiculously dismissive to say that you won't be able to make drinkable coffee.
To be clear, Illy is a third-generation family-owned company that pretty much invented the espresso machine. It also invented the process of packing coffee with inert gases to preserve freshness, and has been doing so for 80 years. This is coffee that has stood the test of time in the most demanding coffee market in the world. Dismiss it at your peril.
(I realise this is an old thread, but wanted to add this for the benefit of people who might be led down the garden path.)
illy and top quality/consistancy? Uhhh no. Having been to Italy quite a few times, Illy there is no better then in the states, which is to say pretty well below the good roasters here. Their beans are darker tasting more like roast (though not as bad as starbucks). And beans are stale by the time you get them. They may have been awesome long ago but they've become like any other mass roaster now.
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