Hi, I just recently upgraded to a QuickMill Alexia (from a Rancilio Betsy) and found that the default brew pressure (a hair over 10 bar) was not to my liking. At a friend's suggestion, I adjusted the pressure down to 8 bar and am liking the shots more but am thinking that somewhere in between might be even better. Water temp at the shower head just after the heating light goes out is around 205. I am curious to know what people's preferred settings are (as well as settings you tried and didn't like). Thanks, Edward Homeroast mailing list Homeroasthttp://www.sweetmariascoffee.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemIdx20">http://lists.sweetmariascoffee.com/listinfo.cgi/homeroast-sweetmariascoffee.comHomeroast community pictures -upload yours!) :http://www.sweetmariascoffee.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemIdx20 |
There is no "one" preferred pressure or temp for espresso. Typically ranges from ~8 to 9.5bar, 196-206f. Usual starting point sans any specifics given for bean/blend are 9bar 200f, then adjust according to what the shots tell you. Also dosage and shot time factor in big time to cup results. Brighter blends/beans often benefit from a "softening/smoothing" lower shot pressure range, but go too far at the expense of clarity. No quick "this is the way" answers. Play with it and Enjoy the Journey. Slave to the Bean Kona Konnaisseur miKe mcKoffeehttp://www.mckoffee.com/Ultimately the quest for Koffee Nirvana is a solitary path. To know I must">http://www.NorwestCoffee.comURL to Rosto mods, FrankenFormer, some recipes etc:http://www.mckoffee.com/Ultimately the quest for Koffee Nirvana is a solitary path. To know I must first not know. And in knowing know I know not. Each Personal enlightenment found exploring the many divergent foot steps of Those who have gone before. Sweet Maria's List - Searchable Archiveshttp://themeyers.org/HomeRoast/ <Snip> Homeroast mailing list Homeroasthttp://www.sweetmariascoffee.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemIdx20">http://lists.sweetmariascoffee.com/listinfo.cgi/homeroast-sweetmariascoffee.comHomeroast community pictures -upload yours!) :http://www.sweetmariascoffee.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemIdx20 |
Good answer, Mike. I stopped in at Red Berry Coffee Bar in San Jose on Friday, and the barista there pulled me two shots of Ritual's new Snowcone seasonal blend. The first shot was pulled at 95.4 C (203.7 F) and really brought out the fruit (Lime, Tangerine, and maybe a hint of Cherry) The second was pulled at 94.1 C (201.4 F) and emphasized the chocolate. He wrote down notes on the differences, recommended dosing 20 grams and a 24 to 25 second extraction. I bought a bag of coffee to go (roasted just two days earlier) and played with it at home, but I don't have the luxury of a two group commercial machine with each group pre-dialed in to a different temp, I'm doing wild and woolley temperature surfing and getting what I can get out of it, but it tastes good to me. The only thing close about their Della Corte and my toy is the basket size (54 mm). This is one of the few coffee places that puts my home espresso to shame, but they do it honestly with good, fresh coffee (Barefoot, Ritual, and Ecco), and a talented barista. -Chris Homeroast mailing list Homeroasthttp://www.sweetmariascoffee.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemIdx20">http://lists.sweetmariascoffee.com/listinfo.cgi/homeroast-sweetmariascoffee.comHomeroast community pictures -upload yours!) :http://www.sweetmariascoffee.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemIdx20 |
Thanks for your thoughts. Let me ask a different. Let's say that you could set your machine and then have to leave it set with a particular temperature/pressure combination, what would your preferred setting be? While my machine can be adjusted, it is a time-consuming operation. To my taste 8 bar and somewhere in the 201 to 203 range, seems much preferable to the stock settings on the Alexia which were about 206 to 208 and about 10.5 bar. I am interested what combinations people have tried and if they have a feeling for a good all-around setting is for their taste. I am beginning to think that 8 bar might be a little low for my taste -- very smooth but maybe a bit too smooth. I am about to try it with a roast that is much lighter than what I usually use. Thanks, Edward At 2:11 PM -0800 11/17/09, miKe mcKoffee wrote: <Snip> Homeroast mailing list Homeroasthttp://www.sweetmariascoffee.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemIdx20">http://lists.sweetmariascoffee.com/listinfo.cgi/homeroast-sweetmariascoffee.comHomeroast community pictures -upload yours!) :http://www.sweetmariascoffee.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemIdx20 |
I'd set 8.5 bar. Temp wise is a toughie. Setting and keeping a static temp then requires you either stick with one bean/blend that works well with your chosen temp OR learn how to roast each bean/blend so it works well (though may not sing at it's absolute best) at your static temp. THAT is doable, but not easy and requires VERY GOOD precise profile control. That said I'd go with 200f simulated at the puck, as measured via Scace Thermofilter. And you also adjust the shot result via dosage, grind, and shot duration. Oh so many variables, yet when they all somehow come together 'tis a marvelous thing. Slave to the Bean Kona Konnaisseur miKe mcKoffeehttp://www.mckoffee.com/Ultimately the quest for Koffee Nirvana is a solitary path. To know I must">http://www.NorwestCoffee.comURL to Rosto mods, FrankenFormer, some recipes etc:http://www.mckoffee.com/Ultimately the quest for Koffee Nirvana is a solitary path. To know I must first not know. And in knowing know I know not. Each Personal enlightenment found exploring the many divergent foot steps of Those who have gone before. Sweet Maria's List - Searchable Archiveshttp://themeyers.org/HomeRoast/ <Snip> Homeroast mailing list Homeroasthttp://www.sweetmariascoffee.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemIdx20">http://lists.sweetmariascoffee.com/listinfo.cgi/homeroast-sweetmariascoffee.comHomeroast community pictures -upload yours!) :http://www.sweetmariascoffee.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemIdx20 |
Oh, additional food for thought (not that you haven't thunk it:-) IF I had an Alexia it would definitely have brew boiler PID... miKe <Snip> Homeroast mailing list Homeroasthttp://www.sweetmariascoffee.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemIdx20">http://lists.sweetmariascoffee.com/listinfo.cgi/homeroast-sweetmariascoffee.comHomeroast community pictures -upload yours!) :http://www.sweetmariascoffee.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemIdx20 |
At 8:40 PM -0800 11/18/09, miKe mcKoffee wrote: <Snip> It is on my wish list :) Homeroast mailing list Homeroasthttp://www.sweetmariascoffee.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemIdx20">http://lists.sweetmariascoffee.com/listinfo.cgi/homeroast-sweetmariascoffee.comHomeroast community pictures -upload yours!) :http://www.sweetmariascoffee.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemIdx20 |